#stabbington

Soreness settled into his muscles, back straining against the weight of the death upon his back. He tells himself that it’s worth it to keep you safe, that there’s some light at the end of this bloody tunnel. But it’s days like today that just make him want to hide away in the depths of his den and not emerge for a few weeks, allowing his body to catch up with the fact that he’s just a human. 

He steps into the house and hangs his keys on a hook on the wall and when he sees you pop your head around the corner, he steps up to you and drops to a knee. Kissing your palm as you grab his cheek, noticing how tired he is.

“Long trip?”

“Too long. Too long away from you.”

Every part of him just wants to collapse in this hallway, too fatigued to even make it to the carpeted floor. You’re not built like he is, but you manage to tug him to his feet and at least get him to his recliner. The comfort allows him to melt into the cushions, head hitting the head rest as his fingers tiredly fumble with the controls to tip it back. Your hand brushes against his forehead, pushing his hair back before taking his glasses off with care.

“I’m glad you’re home, Mur.”

“Can’t keep me away for long…”

A sleepy smirk crawls onto his lips, but he struggles even to keep his eyes open to look at you as you play with his hair.

“It’s okay, Mur. Go ahead and sleep, you look exhausted.”

He grumbles, reaching for your hand as you walk to the kitchen, halfheartedly squeezing it as he flips around to look at you with squinted eyes.

“You’re not trying to escape from me, are you?”

“No, just give me a second, I have to set the crockpot to cook so we have something for dinner. Caught me in the middle of food prep.”

Murdoch growls as he flops back onto his chair proper, appeased with your answer. It’s rare when you get to see him like this, but you know the only thing he wants right now is to hold you. A few button presses and a snatching of a blanket from the bedroom later, you sit yourself on the arm of the chair before swinging your legs over next to his. As soon as he senses you, arms snatch you to hold you close, growling as he noses your hair. You throw the blanket over the two of you before you settle against him, knowing it won’t be long before he’s snoring beneath you. Your lips press gently against his cheek, scruffy facial hair brushing against your face from several days of not shaving. As your head hits his shoulder, you can already see his breathing slow, grip loosening slightly as he settles into sleep.