Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been a week since Seren had met that damned Agent as herself, and also a little over that since she had seen Nate. She had to hide it, inside her, how much she was hurting most of the time, because she did not want to give most people the advantage of knowing her pains, and she also did not want to make things more complicated with any of her clients.

Right now, though, she was sitting alone at a coffee shop table outside. It was shady and the breeze was passing so it was actually cool, but no one else was on this patio, so she had it to herself.

And she was not bothering to hide her grief and sadness over the fact that she was so lost without Nate, lately. She hated that she was (in her mind) this weak, that she could not keep it together for him, but the fact was, in the years they had been together, she had become rather dependent on him. On his love, his approval, on knowing he would be there for her when she needed him... And she could do the same.

Now, she would have hesitated to call him in an emergency, because he was always so busy, and often so tired on the rare times he was home. She grieved for the fact that they were apart more than they were together, lately, and for Remy too.

She had a book open in front of her, a text for school, but she was not able to focus on it. She was hunched over, looking miserable... And exhausted. She had no students or class today, so she hadn't bothered with makeup to hide the circles under her eyes, so the exhaustion showed.

Between having to stay out of the house due to his injuries, taking on extra shifts at work so he actually had a place to go, and also actually working, Nate was exhausted. He felt drained, more so than ever before, and every way it was possible to be drained. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Of all the things that had to give for him to make room for the Negaverse in his life, to be impactful to the organization in some meaningful way as an agent, he would have given anything if it could have been something other than his home life. His life with Seren and Remy. His life as a paramedic.

His life as simply Nate Whitmore. It was hard to go back to that without feeling like he was compromising his responsibilities as an agent, and he'd done enough of that over the years. So he'd been told, anyway.

Still, he did his best to cling to it. As much as possible he made sure to reach out to check on her, have brief conversations here and there to stay as connected as possible while he was away. It just wasn't the same, though, and now it'd been a little over a week since they last really saw each other and he just...ached to go home. He was recovered enough now, so he planned on going home later that evening.

For now, though, he was stepping out of a sandwich shop after having just had his lunch. He didn't expect to spot Seren on the patio of the coffee shop just across the street, but as soon as he did his face immediately brightened up. He was about to run over to her when he saw her, really saw her, and his expression fell as quickly as it had lifted. It wasn't the lack of makeup or the exhaustion that did it. No, he saw the absolute misery she was in and he felt his heart break a thousand times over.

He did that. That was because of him.

Guilt washing over him like a flood, he retreated, ducked into his truck and drove back to the station.

Seren heard a truck roar to life across the street. She glanced up, for a moment, and saw it was one of the ones for Nate's company, and she ducked her head back down. The last thing she wanted was for one of his coworkers to see her here, like this, and let him know how terrible she was looking.

As such, she closed up her book, and shoved it in her bag, then grabbed the half a cup of coffee she had left. She quickly darted to the nearest bus stop and was grateful it took only a couple minutes before she was on the bus, and heading home. She huddled in her seat, holding her things, grateful that it was a time of day when the bus was not crowded.

As soon as she got to the stop, she darted home, and into their room... Their room that felt like hers and hers alone, again, given that even Nate's t-shirts were beginning to not carry his scent. She had taken to using a little of his cologne on his pillow, so that at least she had that scent with her. She tossed her book bag onto the couch, chugging the rest of the coffee... And then she sighed, feeling defeated. She leaned down to pick up Remy, and went to bed. It was not late, but she was so tired and had no motivation to do anything. Maybe a nap would help.

Maybe she could just sleep until this horrible time was over.

For the rest of his shift time passed like molasses out of a jar, but it did eventually come to an end. After a brief talk with the captain he was able to negotiate the next day off, and before long he was packed up and heading home for the first time in a...long time. Too long, really. He took a detour on the way, but eventually he did make it home about an hour later than expected.

Home was familiar, yet somehow not. The lights were all still off and the curtains drawn part way, and it was quiet. It didn't feel too welcoming, not without Seren or Remy there to greet him, but that was his fault so he had no right to complain. He set his things down on the dining table before heading to their room, where he found her asleep with their pup in her arms.

He smiled softly, though the guilt was fresh again and just throbbing for a moment, like ripping a scab off of a partially healed wound. Quietly he moved to sit beside her. Remy turned over to blink at him curiously, taking his time to slowly process who he was looking at before his eyes and ears perked up and his tail wagged groggily against the bed. Nate reached over to give him a few pets, then turned his attention back to Seren, soon leaning over her to press a kiss to her forehead.

Seren felt the dip of the mattress besides her but she was still mostly asleep, so all she did was shift towards him a little. Remy's tail wagging started to bring her out of her sleep, but the kiss to her forehead... Her eyes popped open, her head tilting so that she could see if she was really feeling what she thought she was feeling.

There was a long moment of silence as she stared, eyes wide and hopeful, then she sat up fully and practically lunged at him to hug him tight, barely letting go of Remy in time to avoid squishing him between them.

Her face pressed right into the place where his neck and his shoulder joined, and she just held on, so happy he was there. It had been too many days, and she felt so much better holding him than she had felt since... Since that weekend where they had turned off their phones, really. After a long minute of joyfully holding him, she lifted her head up, so that she could see his face. "I did not know you were going to be home tonight! Oh I am so happy to see you."

A tear might have escaped her eyes despite her best efforts, but otherwise, all her face was showing was joy.

Like her, Nate wrapped his arms around her and held her tight to him for a long moment. Just being with her eased the exhaustion out of him, the worry and the stress and anxiety from work and agent life practically melting away. He buried his face into her hair and just breathed her in until she finally moved. He did as well, if only so he could see her face and look into her eyes. Seeing the joy there brought the brightest smile to his face.

"I negotiated some time off so you've got me from tonight through noon the day after tomorrow."

He reached up to wipe whatever tears escaped, and then he leaned in for a little kiss. "Lemme get cleaned up? I got you a little something on my way home, it's on the dinner table. Why don't you go take a look?"

His words made her eyes widen for a long moment and then even more joy filled her expression. "OH! Babe, I'm so excited you're going to be home, you're going to be here for that long!"

More than 24 hours at home... It had been too long since the last time he'd been home for longer than a night to shower, sleep, grab spare clothes and get back to it. She had to control her urge to giggle in slightly hysterical happiness, because the relief she felt at the fact that he'd done this for them was... So overpowering.

His second comment had her nodding along initially, then blinking in surprise. "Oh? I am glad everyone else in the house is likely to still be out... I'll go down and grab it."

It's why they usually ate on the small table up here, or the couch in their room, they didn't have to worry about bothering or being bothered by the various roommates. She slipped out of bed, pressed a loving kiss to his lips, then padded downstairs. She found a small box from a pastry shop she had not been to, and picked it up, along with his other things, and brought them back upstairs. She set his stuff down, and peeked into the box, since he had indicated he had wanted her to look.

And gave a delighted sound at the sight of a kouign aman inside. She'd wanted to try one of those but they took so much work and she hadn't been to a bakery that carried them. She wasn't sure if she had ever mentioned these to him, but he had found her a treat that was entirely new and entirely exciting to her. She set it on the coffee table, and settled back on the couch to wait for him.

Her excitement only re-confirmed what he already knew--he'd been gone way too often, for way too long each time. If he could find a way to balance that out so they could back to how things used to be, where he was home with her for the majority of the week instead of the other way around, he would do it in a heartbeat. It wasn't impossible, but he was still trying to figure it out, so for now...

He gave a nod when she confirmed she would go grab it, and happily returned the kiss before he got up to take a quick shower. He was out in ten or so minutes, now dressed comfortably for home as he made his way over to the couch.

"So?"

"So I'm happy you're home, and that was the best treat ever... But the kouign aman is an amazing bonus, love."

She stood up as he approached and just pulled him into her arms, holding tight like she was never letting go again, as if by holding him, she'd never need to worry that she'd wake up alone again. Inside, she knew that wasn't true, but the times he was away were getting longer and longer, and it was getting harder and harder.

When was the last time he took an actual week off? He used to do that, they used to plan road trips and talked about international travel, and visiting all kinds of places. She wasn't sure they'd left the city in a year, now, not even to visit their favorite beachside AirBnB. She was kind of glad the student that had a nice lodge he would let them borrow had graduated... She didn't feel weird about declining his invitations at this point. He kept making them, though, and she wished they could go back there.

After a long moment, she let go just enough to pull him to the couch with her, settling them so that she was snuggled up on his lap, before reaching over and grabbing the box again, along with a fork from the tray of utensils she kept there. "Let's give this a try, shall we?"

Nate gladly held her tight to him, and would do so for as long as she needed him to. She deserved so much more, really, but this was all he could manage for the moment. All he found himself hoping was that she wouldn't give up on him because things had changed with his schedule, and that she wouldn't guve up on them because things had just gotten harder over the past year. He was trying, really, and he always did his best to be there for her as often as he could be. With any luck things would go back to some semblance of normal over time, and they could start planning for and taking trips like they used to.

He settled onto the couch with her, arms wrapped loosely around her so she could move as she wanted, and he gave a nod as she grabbed the box. "You go ahead, baby. I got it for you."

She glanced up and back at him, then leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Alright, mostly... You should have a taste too. That way we know if we both like it... We can get them as an occasional treat to bring home for us both, this way."

She then popped open the box and examined the treat again for a moment, deciding how best to attack this object. Finally, she figured it out and cut a small piece, examining the layers with curious eyes, before she took a bite. There was a long moment of curious chewing, then a soft happy sound escaped her lips, and she quickly cut another piece, which she held up to his lips, making it clear she was very determined he try it too.

He gave a contented sound at the cheek kiss and nodded at her thoughts about sharing the treat. He had every intention of doing anything she asked of him until he went back to work, provided it was within reason. All that matterer to him was that he was with her, and that no matter what they did she felt cared for and loved. Because he loved her, and wanted her to be happy.

So he watched her as she unboxed his little gift, a small smile on his lips as she took a small bite. "Good?" he asked, chuckling at the sound she made. He was about to ask more when she offered him a small bite, which he took, brows soon going up in impressed surprise.

"Wow, that's good."

She grinned at his response and gave him another (slightly sticky from the sugar on the pastry) cheek kiss. "Very good indeed. Thank you again, baby... You always go out of your way to make me smile."

When he was there. But that thought was shoved away hard, because she did not want to think about it, she did not want to discuss what was going on because she did not want him to feel worse than she already knew he did, and so she just tried to pretend she was ok, that these short days were enough.

She focused on eating as she cuddled in close, giving him a few more bites, though she knew he wanted her to eat most of it herself. She just... Couldn't eat alone when they were together, for many reasons. When it was finished, she closed the box, dropped the fork in the cup she used as the 'dirties' deposit. "That was wonderful, lover-mine. Thank you so much."

She turned around to face him, lightly straddling his lap, though it wasn't intended as anything more than a chance to face him. Her arms came to rest on his shoulders, and her forehead rested against his, a warm, happy smile on her face. "I love you."

When he was there. He knew that that was the caveat to the statement, but still he smiled and returned the cheek kiss with one of his own. "Don't mention it, babe. Least I can do considering what you have to put up with for me." It was true enough, and hopefully sidestepped the issue enough that it wouldn't ruin the moment.

And he happily sat and ate with her, taking whatever bites she offered because he knew it would make her happy. The fact that the pastry was delicious was a nice bonus, of course. Once all was said and done and she thanked him again, he was about to reply when she repositioned herself. He waited until she got comfortably settled, then slipped his arms around her waist, hands resting on the small of her back with fingers twined loosely together.

"I love you, too," he replied, eyes closed and a small smile on his face as well. It was tempting to say more, to throw an apology in there for his absence in recent months, and to thank her again for putting up with all of it for him. But he held his tongue, if only to keep the mood buoyed. It was the first time in a while that he was home, after all. The could talk about it later, perhaps, but for now he wanted to extend this small, happy moment with her for as long as possible.

She would never tell him that she'd put up with so much more, for him, if she had to. She didn't want to say it for so many reasons, but it was true, truer than maybe it should be. But he was the best thing that ever happened to her, and if all she got was one day a month, she'd find a way to live.

She would not be happy, but she would do it, for that one day of joy.

She smiled brightly, at his reminder that she was loved too, and got a long time (or at least it felt that way, she had no idea how much time really passed...) She just sat there like that, holding him, being held, and feeling the joy of simply having him here, and basking in that little smile that only ever came out when they were together.

Finally, though, she sighed and leaned back so that she was able to stretch, just a bit, without hitting him but also without leaving his lap. "Mmm we should probably do something about dinner at some point soon... And maybe we can take Mr. Little Man on a walk, he's missed having those family walks."

It was the closest she'd be able to come to saying he was being unfair to their dog. She would never suggest it about herself, but Remy... Remy missed his first, and favorite, human so much.

He leaned back a bit when she eventually moved, mostly so he could get a good look at her face while they spoke. And his gaze was soft and steady on her as he nodded along to her suggestions. Guilt shot through him at mention of how much Remy missed him. He was taking time off to spend with the pup, too, so he definitely liked the idea of a walk.

"We can order in for dinner and go for that walk while we wait for the delivery?"

"That sounds like an excellent plan. D'you have any preferences on what to order?" She knew he was mostly eating fast meals of late, even though he was as careful as he could be... It wasn't like he came home to meal prep or anything, so he had no choice, really. At least the station was near some fairly healthy options, and they had their own small gym in house there.

She missed seeing him at the gym, missed getting tips from him. Missed knowing he was there to scare off assholes who thought bugging a lady at the gym was ok. Missed running with him.

There was so much they never did anymore.

But she kept on going, because she had to. If she didn't, she'd end up like she had this afternoon, just giving up and never leaving her bed again.

Their bed. Their bed.

Even if it felt like it was back to being just hers.

"I'm good with anything, after all, I've been able to cook for myself, and thus can pick what I want with more control."

He gave a slight shake of his head. "Honestly, no. Maybe something we can walk to pick up? Save on the delivery fee and tip, maybe have an excuse to take a longer walk?"

Of late he just didn't have the energy to worry about meal prepping. Not to mention he was hardly ever home, so he couldn't even if he wanted to. Between work and agent work, he was getting plenty of exercise, anyhow. As long as he made good choices about where he ate, and did the right kind of work at the gym at the station, he was able to keep himself in good shape.

Injuries incurred while doing agent work notwithstanding.

Though it occurred to him that if he was doing all of this on his own, then so was Seren, and that thought brought on a whole new wave of guilt. And he couldn't quite fight down a sigh, nor the way his smile took on a tinge of sadness.

"Alright, we could do that. Maybe something like Papa Murphy's? We'd still need to pop it in the oven but then it won't get cold when we walk back home?"

She wanted to make sure they ate something hot, a proper meal for him for once. She thought vaguely of that truck earlier, at the sandwich shop, and sighed a little too, flopping forwards such that she rested against him, her head on his shoulder, just holding him again.

No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept coming back to his regular absences.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

He was waiting for her to get up now that they had come to a decision when she, instead, flopped forward and sort of just went back to holding him. He worried for a second, but then just wrapped his arms fully around her. And he held her, and would hold her for however long she needed.

"For whatever it's worth, I'm sorry for putting you through this," he said quietly, after a long while. "I know I've been working crazy hours, and I keep saying I'm trying to fix it but nothing's changed. I don't mean to lie or get your hopes up. I am trying to figure out how to get my schedule back to normal, but with what I do it's just...hard."

He buried his face in her shoulder at that point, as though he had no strength to hold it up with the weight of guilt suddenly bearing down on him. It just sounded like an excuse to him, no matter how true it was, and it didn't help that he couldn't mention that half the time he was away from home was because of his training as an agent. It probably made absolutely no sense to her that he was picking up so many extra shifts that he couldn't be home for so many days at a time.

"I'm really sorry...and I love you, Seren. So much. I promise it won't be this way forever, and I know it's unfair of me to ask you to keep waiting for me to get my s**t in order but the thought of losing you, I just..."

She listened as he began to speak, not moving or commenting, just... Listening. Because she knew he was not lying, she knew he meant it... But it still did not change the situation, and she still did not totally understand how things had gotten to this point.

How had it happened that he no longer had the time to come home, the ability to take vacation? She really, truly did not understand that but she could never ask because she was so afraid the answer would be something she did.

The feeling of his face on her shoulder had her leaning her head, just a little, so that her head and his were touching as they kind of mirrored each other's poses. She continued to listen, and his last statement made her arms tighten around him.

"I love you too, Nate. I won't leave. You'd have to tell me to leave for me to do so. I... Can't stand the thought of life without you." She did not comment on how much it would break her if he did tell her it was over, she was out of his life. "I just... Wish you had more time. For your sake as much as mine. You're killing yourself out there..."

He tightened his hold around her as well, and listened quietly as she spoke.

"I wish I had more time, too, believe me." And that was the rub, because if it was actually just between work and home, he did have time, but he couldn't explain what he was doing with the majority of that time. Not without worrying her, not without exposing his life as an agent. "And I would never tell you to leave," he said softly, voice muffled against her shoulder, "and I know it's selfish and unfair to ask you to stay and to be patient with me, but I really can't picture a life for me without you in it, either."

"How is it selfish if... Neither of us want me to leave?" She said, sounding slightly confused by that. She was unable to understand the logic of that statement, and she nuzzled into his shoulder a little, as she tried to work it out. "It's what we both want... Selfish would be asking me to do all that if I wanted to go, was tired of waiting."

She was tired of being lonely, but she would wait forever for him. This life, and the last, she was sure of it. She remembered those strange moments at the Gallery of Chauvet, that made her feel their souls had been connected far longer than either had realized.

After a long moment, she sat back up, gently dislodging him. "Love. We'll make it work."

He certainly felt like he was being selfish, though he didn't feel the need to defend nor explain the feeling. Hearing her say that she didn't want to leave at all provided some relief, though he knew that didn't make things any easier on her.

Eventually, when she sat up, he did as well, setting his eyes on hers once he settled back into the couch. "Yeah. But...if there's anything I can do to make the waiting a little easier on you, let me know? I'll try my best."

"Other than trying to find some time off at least once a week... I can't think of anything. And I know that things are such that you can't do that, though I wish you could." She sighed, kissed his forehead, then slowly, carefully pulled herself free from his arms.

"Let me go rinse off and change, I never did after I got home from going out for a bit to study. Decided to try a new coffee shop." She still had no idea he had seen her, and she leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Once I'm out, let's head out. D'you want to preorder the pizza, so they'll have the take-n-bake ready? You know my topping preferences by now."

He let her go, eyes closing briefly when she kissed his forehead. "I'll pre-order, sure." He called call them as soon as she'd gone, making sure they got the toppings right before hanging up and moving on to prep their pup for the walk.

Remy was bouncing about happily some minutes later, clearly excited.

Seren slipped off to the bathroom, giving him a warm smile. She spent a few minutes in there, before slipping out in the nude, carrying her dirty clothing. She leaned into the closet, tossing the dirties into the laundry basket. She then casually paraded across the room, knowing he was probably enjoying the free show of jiggling bits.

She leaned down, grabbing out a light bra and a thong, to tease him with just a little, and slipped them on, making sure to wiggle her tush as she got it in... She missed the feeling of him oggling her. He was the only one she wanted to have doing that, of course, but it made her feel good to know he was. She then grabbed a cute skirt, and a tank top, and was quickly dressed, along with a pair of sandals comfy enough for a longer walk.

Finally she turned to beam at him. "Ready to go, love of my life?"

Nate had flopped onto the couch after changing into some cargo shorts and a muscle shirt, as well as setting a good pair of sandals by the door so he could slip into them on the way out. His gaze naturally gravitated to her when she walked out, and an appreciative grin spread itself across his face at the sight of her in the nude. So he playfully catcalled to let her know he was watching and that he loved what he saw, and he watched her dress. He wondered if she made some choices strictly for his benefit, but he let the thought slip away as soon as she was finished.

"Mostly, just a couple things," he said as he got up, crossed the room to her, and pulled her into a deep, loving, kiss. Because how could he not after seeing that. "And also my sandals," he added after eventually pulling away. "Remy's ready, too. Just need to get his leash."

She arched a brow as as he crossed, wondering what he forgot... And then made a very happy sound as he pulled her in tight. She clung to him as they kissed, enjoying the feeling of her lover right and tight against her body. She had to control the urge to just tug him straight into bed, honestly, at the feeling of being against him like that.

When he broke the kiss and stepped back, she was a little breathless, but she beamed at him. "Mmmm put those on, silly, you don't want to burn your feet."

She walked over and grabbed the leash, so Nate could get his sandals on, snagged her purse and phone, then his hand once he was ready. She got them out the door, locking it behind them. It was not too long before they were out and heading down the block. It was a beautiful late afternoon, right as the sun was going down and htings were cooling off. She was just beaming happily at the feeling of finally being with him again.

"They're by the door." He chuckled at her breathless response, happy to see that he could still surprise her in that kind of way, too.

Once they were out the door he walked in step with her, their little man walking obediently at Seren's side. He kept his hold on her hand loose, if only because of the heat, and as an attempt to prevent sweaty palms so they wouldn't have to let go.

And they didn't, for the most part. Occasionally, for reasons solely related to Remy, they did, but otherwise they had their hand's together for the whole walk there. And they took the long way, to give Remy ample time to enjoy the family walk, and to just enjoy each other's company on a lovely summer evening. By the time they made it to the shop there was a decent line of people.

Seren truly enjoyed that walk, her eyes sparkling with joy the entire time they were walking. This was the best way to spend an evening like this, really... In his company, having a lovely walk with their precious dog. Life was, in these moments, almost perfect.

The fact that they had figured out how to hold hands despite the heat was perfect.

When they got to the shop, she glanced at the line with curiosity, then smirked. "Well, it looks like it's a good thing you ordered ahead. Why don't you go inside and grab it, while I stay out here with Mr Man?"

She nodded happily towards the empty 'pick up' line.

He made a soundless "ah" when she nodded toward the empty space directly beside the line of people, over which hung a sign designating it for customers strictly there to pick up their orders. "Alright, back in a sec."

He made quick work of the pick-up as was out in a matter of minutes. Remy, who had been seated and waiting patiently for his return, was standing again, tail wagging as he approached. Nate shot him a bright smile as he moved to stand next to Seren.

"One supreme," he announced, holding up their order, "I asked for a little extra sauce, pepperoni, and olives. Doesn't look like they overdid it."

She grinned up at him, and moved to lean against a tree nearby, for the shade and also to be out of the way of other customers. She admired the sight of his walking away, enjoying the fact that he was so nicely shaped... So delightfully fit. It was so good, so sexy.

When he returned, she straightened back up and leaned up to kiss his cheek, then glanced at the box he was holding. "Sounds good. Let's get'er back and into the oven."

She was glad the instructions for heating it were on the box, so they had no worries about making a mistake. The only downside was his hands were now full of a pizza, so they could no longer hold hands. Still!

"Home we go." She set off, moving just a little ahead of him for a minute, figuring he could at least enjoy the view of her butt as she walked since they could not hold hands.

The walk home was a bit of a bummer in that they couldn't hold hands, what with the pizza and all. Seren remedied that somewhat by giving him a nice little view while they walked, and knowing full well what she was wearing underneath... he did his best not to let his imagination run away with it for the sake of decency.

The walk home was on the shorter side though, since he did have a pizza and the weather wouldn't be too kind to it if they took too long. Still, it was as enjoyable as the walk to the shop, and by the time they made it home he was very thankful for the air conditioning.

"I'll get the oven started," he said, sneaking in a cheek kiss as he slipped past her once they were inside.

She made sure to glance at him once or twice on the walk, making sure he was enjoying the view as much as she had hoped for. Every time she saw that he was, she looked back in front of her, grinning widely to herself, grateful that she still had what it took to keep her man's eyes on her.

She was so glad that the house they lived in had AC. So ******** glad, because holy s**t she was tired of the heat at this time of the year.

She had been about to go upstairs to put their boy in their room when he kissed her cheek and she beamed at him. "Alright... I'll go pop Remy in our room, get him out of his harness and all, then come join you."

She darted upstairs, and it was less than three minutes before she was back in the kitchen, draping herself on his back, her chin resting on his shoulder as she peered over it at the oven.

He gave a nod to acknowledge that he'd heard her, then quickly turned his focus to the oven. He could manage at least this much with a bit of confidence. Next to Seren anything else he did in the kitchen was so much less impressive, but this was just popping in a fresh, pre-made pizza.

It was still pre-heating when she joined him, and he laughed lightly at the way she draped over his back. "Shouldn't be too much longer before we can pop the pizza in. Did you have anything in mind we could do while we wait for it to cook?"

She laughed at his question and said "Yes but I do not think it's a good idea, since we're in the kitchen. Maybe when we have our own place, someday."

She grinned, knowing he would know what she meant. "Otherwise, all I can think of is cuddling together while we wait, because we do not want to risk the pizza burning while we're distracted."

The oven beeped to indicate it was ready and she moved back so he could have access to putting the pizza in.

His mind had gone there but he didn't expect her to answer the unasked question, so he couldn't help but chuckle. After so many years together it shouldn't have surprised him that she knew what was on his mind at certain times.

He put the pizza in once the oven was ready, and only after setting the timer did he turn around so he could pull her closer to him. "I didn't suggest that 'cause I figured you would say 'no'. Would making out be too much of a distraction?"

She grinned at him as he pulled her in, and she grinned up at him, her hands coming up to rest on his shoulders. "Mmm only if you think we can pay attention enough that if we hear one of the others approaching, we can stop in time. I don't want to make things awkwards with any of them."

She hadn't heard anyone, and she thought maybe some of their roommates had gone home for the summer, but otherwise she had no idea if there was a chance someone could walk in.

Playfully, he pulled on a thoughtful expression. "Maybe just cuddling, then, to be safe." Even if it seemed like they had the whole house to themselves, there was no sense in risking it. He could behave if absolutely pressed, after all.

"Hold on tight," he said, and without any more warning he scopped her up into a princess carry and made for the couch. Carefully he sat down and set her on his lap before letting her go so she could make herself comfortable.

"Mmmm alright then. We can do the other stuff later, back in our suite." She would have leaned up to give him an innocent enough kiss but she didn't get the chance, though, because he surprised her by scooping her up into his arms.

It had been so long since he had done something like that, so long that she'd almost forgotten he loved to do that. She gave a surprised EEP and her arms went around his neck... But her bright, beaming expression said it all about how happy she was with him doing this.

When they were on the couch, she shifted just enough that she was comfortable but she could hear the oven with ease, then snuggled back in, her head resting against his strong chest. "Mmmmmmm." Was all she said, but it was filled with her joy and contentment.

It was elating to see such a bright expression on her face. It was such a stark difference to what he saw earlier that afternoon, and he hoped he had more opportunities to bring such expressions out of her in the future.

He settled his arms around her once she was comfortably cuddled into him, and he made a sound of contentment as well, and closed his eyes.

"I might fall asleep at this rate, babe," he said after a while, and sure enough he did sound quite sleepy.

"Mmm if you want to take a short nap, go for it, but I won't let you have five more minutes with our pizza on the line." She said, her tone a combination of loving, amused and indulgent. She was just happy he was here, after all. Sleeping, reading, eating... Whatever he was doing, as long as it was with her, it was enough to make her heart happy and her mood bright.

And as such, she was ready to encourage him to do whatever in the hopes it would remind him of why he needed to be an advocate for himself more, so that maybe he COULD come home more.

She worried that he wasn't fighting hard enough for himself, and so they were using him because he let them...

One of many theories and worries in her mind as to what was causing all of this. But she did not know, for sure, and she just would not give in to the urge to push, for fear of pushing him away.

He gave a sleepy chuckle and leaned down to press a kiss to her hair. "Fair enough," was all he said before going quiet, and it wasn't too much longer before he fell asleep. All was right with the world with her in his arms, and for the first time what felt like a long time he slept deeply and at ease.