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Needless to say, he wanted to be out of the casts right then and there.
But, being sweet would have to suffice being physically unable to do otherwise.
"Hush," he said, and pressed a finger to her lips for as long as he was able to hold his arm up. "You do not have to thank me for loving you. I cannot help that. It is above and beyond my control, so you are just stuck with me until you get sick of me, on Druis or elsewhere."

He did his best to keep his arm around her as tight as he could manage.
"I love you, too, Raquel. My darling."

*fast forward or something now?*

Lorey's presence was announced by a long squealing sound accompanied by a white blur and a tackle hug to his midsection. She had missed him so much that week, because she knew it was the last week they'd have to spend away from each other unless something else came up with work. All the video chats in the world couldn't make up for him not actually being there.

"I've missed you so much!" she said, just like she always did when he came home from their home. Such a strange thing, she thought, but her smiles and hugs and, soon enough, kisses made everything make sense once again.

Lorey didn't mind at all. She had missed his kisses.
"No, they're at the doctor's office, getting his casts removed. He's been doing so well. Raquel's really shown her true colors with the way she's been fussing over him."

Lorey took his hand and brought him over to the couch to sit down after his trip. He must have been tired, even if his excitement at being home with her didn't show it, she thought.
"I had my last day at work today," she said with a sadness in her voice. "My boss gave me this.." Lorey flashed the pin in the light hitting her shoulder strap. It was a lovely pin, and rather expensive looking. But, her employer had said she deserved it as she teared up for seeing her leave.

Lorey laughed at the idea of staying home.
"I need to be kept occupied," she said. "I need a job. I've always been busy because that's what kept me safe. You know?"
If she'd stayed at home in her dingy apartment, who knew what might have happened. It was always traversing between jobs to keep herself fed in some way, a roof over her head, and her mind off her terrible situation.

Lorey took his face in her hands and smiled. She'd been working on keeping her hands moisturized and healed, and everything felt better under her smoother skin.
"Though I'd love to sit at home and laze about with you."

"You go do that. Then take a nap. I might, too." Lorey ruffled his hair and let him go do his thing. Just before he could slip away, Lorey finally remembered to say after all the excitement of him walking through the door, "I love you."

Meanwhile, Damian was walking up the driveway with a new cane supporting his other half. He felt distinguished and slightly old with this new cane, but Raquel seemed to like it.
"No more casts, not as much pain... I could get used to this dear," he said with a smile.

He didn't need to get the message twice. Damian returned the kiss, and inside they went, barely able to keep their hands off each other.

Damian wanted to scoop her up, but wasn't that well just yet, so off went a trail of kisses and fumbling steps into the house. It didn't even phase him that Richard was home and standing right there with Lorey.

"Welcome home," he breathed through a passing kiss. They were already halfway down the hall before he turned his head and said, "I'll be with you in a bit."
Which may or may not have been a lie. Damian honestly wasn't sure.

Lorey just looked after them both with a blush to her cheek and Richard's hand still on her neck. The door to Damian's room banged closed, and there was an eery silence in their chaste part of the house.
"Ah... guess he's feeling better."