he     is     always     eager     to     get     home     to     her.     but     today,     he     is     undoubtedly     more     eager     than     usual.     news     of     the     break     out     has     captivated     the     public,     sent     them     into     a     frenzy.     he     has     watched     fear     tighten     it's     vice     like     grip     on     the     world     around     him,     felt     suffocated     in     a     sense.     drained.     he     has     watched     it     unfold     from     behind     tired     eyes,     his     body     bogged     down     by     some     unseen     weight.     he     wants     to     be     a     part     of     that     frenzy.        it     would     feel     right   ---     and     yet,     his     mind     is     focused     intently     elsewhere.     with     each     call     he     attends,     each     person     he     comes     across,     he     can’t     shake     the     fixation     on     returning     home.

it     is     half     past     seven,     and     twelve     and     half     hours     after     the     prophet     article     by     the     time     he     gets     the     chance.     he     apparates     just     outside     of     their     flat,     as     usual.     keys     meet     lock,     door     swings     open.     he     takes     two     steps     to     hang     his     jacket     before     shutting     it     behind     him,     sealing     it     with     the     protective     charms     he     has     gotten     so     into     the     habit     of     using.     it’s     quiet,     and     curiosity     gets     the     better     of     him     as     he     calls     out.

tone     curious,     wanting     for     relief.     ❛      -----     dro        ?      ❜