#husbun

Getting specimens from the docks of Sharlayan into Labyrinthos is always a hassle, regardless of how often he’s done it. Rock samples can break, plants are susceptible to frostbite, and live animals are happy to show you how much they do not like being removed from their home.

After loading the last of the containers onto the boat, he takes a second to stretch his back and look around. The weather had turned from clear skies to heavy snow since he stepped off the boat, but it did not deter the people from getting their work done. Young scholars trying to get a bite to eat under the cover of the Last Stand, researchers rushing indoors to keep their papers from getting soaked, and even his fellow gleaners continuing to take inventory despite the snow gathering on their hats and shoulders.

The world-ending crisis was averted not too long ago; if anything, he should be spending time relaxing. On any other day, he might have been motivated to start the next task or even plan for tomorrow. But right now, the only thing he longs for is a warm drink and seeing his love. 

Yet here he is, still doing his job. 

“I’m surprised that you’re still at it, I figured you would be on your way home by now.” The male elezen, Harlissand, didn’t even look up from counting the cargo when he made his remark. Erenville faintly remembers when the man admitted that he barely felt any change in his workload before and after the world was saved from another calamity. “Unless you are trying to stall time to find a gift for your partner.” 

“What makes you say so?”

“Frankly, you’ve been staring longingly towards the residential area for the last bell now. So, I would have expected you to be heading off.” Harlissand even gave a nonchalant shrug, “It's not like you have something that needs to be done today, right?”

“I… I suppose you are right. I assume you don’t mind making sure the specimens get where they need to be?” When a proper reason didn’t pop into his head, Harlissand waved him off without another word and Erenville took it as his chance to get away. 

He had never been more relieved to step into his shared home, especially when he could feel the snow stuck to his hair and clothes. The ambient heat was working its magic on the chill that seeped into his bones, and he could feel the sensation returning to his stiff fingers again. It didn’t take him long to kick off his wet boots and set down the heavy backpack. Only when he peeled off the top layer of his uniform did he note how quiet it was.

Junior should have been home bells ago. The only evidence that he returned was the pair of muddied boots sitting in the corner waiting to be cleaned, yet there was not even a peep from the miqo’te. Not far into the house, Erenville picks up the sound of crackling flame from the living room before poking his head in to check if his partner is there instead.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight before him. A nest of pillows and blankets was made underneath the window facing the front of the house, the glass already covered in frost and snow. What melted his heart was the person curled up at the center of the nest. Junior had fallen asleep on his side with the hood of his fat cat sweater pulled up to shield his face from the sun, but it had started to fall off during his nap and now a single ear poked out from under the fabric.

Erenvile makes sure to brush off the last snow from his person before creeping into the room. He took one steady step after another, closer until he was just an arm’s length away. Being this close he could spot the green-colored tail tucked under Junior as it wrapped loosely around for him to hold like a stuffed animal. The room was filled with purrs and he looked no different from a cat sunning in the afternoon light.

“Junior,” the word came out barely just a whisper, yet his ear slightly twitched at the sound. 

“Spíra,” this time a little louder and his eyelashes flutter as he rolls onto his back. 

“Strjana.” Only then did he let out a soft hum when his purring stopped. His eyes slowly opened and Erenville could watch as his brain began to register the world around him.

Not a second later, Junior’s attention focuses on him and the smile he got is enough to melt any snow. 

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