Chapter Text
It was the late afternoon, Anya was sat doing her homework at the dining table in silence and Loid was sat reading the newspaper on the couch, Bond at his feet chewing on a treat that he had bought from a local pet shop.
“Loid! Anya! I’m home!” a feminine voice called out as the door cracked open.
“Mama!” “Yor!” the two exclaimed simultaneously, heads whipping over to where the woman had stepped into the apartment. Anya immediately jumped out of the chair she had been sitting in, barrelling towards her mother. Yor picked the young girl up, dropping her bags onto the floor. She stepped into the residence and closed the door behind her.
“Mama! We missed you! Anya is so glad you’re back!” the young girl said, smiling as she buried herself into Yor’s neck. Yor smiled too, moving Anya onto her hip to free one of her hands to pick up her bags again, realising she should take them to her room.
“I’ll get those for you Yor. Why not sit down? I’m sure your travels have been exhausting.” Loid said, gesturing his wife to the couch and beginning to move the bags to their bedroom. Yor nodded, thanking the man and took herself and Anya and sat down. Once Loid joined them, Yor began telling them about her trip.
“…and that meant that the company pulled out. Director McMahon just said that he had other customers lined up so it wasn’t too harmful for the city.” she finished, both Anya and Loid nodding along, listening to every word.
For Anya, she was just pleased to have her mama back. Her mama was chaotic and fun and kind. Loid was happy to be able to hear Yor’s voice again, see her smile again, and watch as she tucked Anya’s hair behind her ear again.
“Loid! You’re staring!” Yor said with a giggle. The man looked away, a flush of embarrassment. Yor giggled harder at this, getting up and moving closer to him. “I missed you,” she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“I missed you too.” Loid replied. Anya just watched in awe as her parents openly flirted in front of her. She knew they had been flirting more, she could hear their thoughts of hidden kisses or date plans. They had never been so open with it.
“Papa and Mama are flirting,” Anya said, Yor and Loid just laughing at her instead of pulling away and spluttering like they used to.
“Yes Anya, Papa and Mama are flirting. Maybe Anya should go to the kitchen and warm up Mama’s present,” Loid suggested, the girl running away instantaneously to get Yor’s cake from the freezer and put it into the microwave. It meant that he and Yor could have a few breaths to themselves, away from the inquisitive eyes and ears of their child.
Loid pulled Yor into him, giving her a short kiss then pulling her into a tight hug. She nuzzled into him, whispering “I’ve missed this. Work was hard. I love being able to come home to you and Anya”. Loid nodded, understanding what she meant.
Before they had met, they both lived lonely lives. Empty houses, no one to talk to. It was nice to have someone waiting for them, a home, a safe space where they could exist without worry (to an extent).
“I couldn’t sleep while I was away. I missed your presence I think. You make me feel safe. I never knew that I would need that.” she said, hugging Loid tighter.
“I know what you mean. I haven’t slept either. It wasn’t the same. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep without you next to me now.” he replied, revelling in the contact.
He loved it. He loved her. He loved her? This was a new feeling for Twilight. He had never felt like this on a previous mission. Should he tell her? Would he scare her if he did? Did she feel the same?
Loid’s internal spiral was ended by an energetic Anya bouncing up to them, “Here’s your cake Mama. Anya and Papa chose it when we took Bond for a walk the other day!” She passed the plate to Yor. She took a bite out of the cake and was amazed. She loved it. It was a perfectly balanced sweetness, it was fluffy, and it was delicious.
She thanked the two of them between small bites. As she was eating, Anya went to put on the new episode of SpyWars, begging Loid to get out the blankets and pillows the two had used the other day.
For the remainder of the afternoon, the Forger family sat on the couch snuggled up and watched SpyWars together. Neither parent had enough energy to fight Anya on this, too exhausted to even get back up. By dinner time, Anya had passed out in Yor’s arms, who had been holding her protectively. She couldn’t say it, but her trip with work had left her begging to go home, to know that her baby was safe.
Loid left his two girls lying down as he got up to make a simple dinner. He had some leftover chicken and potatoes from the previous evening so he heated it all in the oven and dished it up onto three plates. He made some hot cocoa for everyone and brought it to the dining table.
With a shake, Anya was woken up by Yor and everyone made their way to sit down. They enjoyed the meal with idle chat, Anya being too asleep to make actual conversation. She barely managed to string sentences longer than five words together. Loid was glad that he had made Anya finish her homework yesterday, because he knew that Anya should go to bed once she was done. She could barely keep her eyes open.
Once the plates were cleared, Loid went to do the washing up and Yor took Anya to bed. She helped the child get changed, and tucked her in and read a short book. Not even halfway through, Anya’s cute snores filled the room. Yor backed out, shutting the door in silence. She made her way back to the couch, where Loid had tidied up the blankets and comforters.
“Hey,” Yor said softly as she hugged the man from behind.
“Hey!” he replied softly, his smile wide. “Do you want to watch Berlint in Love tonight Yor? I bought us a bottle of merlot for when you got home, but we can save it for when you aren’t as tired if you’d prefer?”
“Honestly, I’d just like to go to bed. I am exhausted, and I’d like to cuddle with my husband in my own bed tonight.” she replied, gripping his hand in hers, dragging him to their room. He followed with no complaints, honestly glad to be able to rest. They changed and slipped under the covers.
As normal, Yor gave Loid a kiss, before he pulled her into his arms. “Yor…” he began. “Can I say something?” he asked.
“Of course silly. Are you okay?” she replied, turning back around to face him. She noticed a slight tension in his brow. It was worrying. Rarely was Loid visibly stressed. He always had such a calm demeanour.
“Yor. I missed you. So much. And I know Anya did too. You are so important to this family, to me. I love you, Yor Briar Forger. I don’t think I'll ever not love you.”
“Loid…” Yor was too taken aback to form a full sentence. She had never expected him to be so open with her. They had gotten much closer, and could talk about more with each other, it was just rare to see Loid be so open with her, so raw.
“You don’t have to say anything Yor. I like how we are now. It’s nice. Familiar.” he said with a smile, every word the truth. He wouldn’t want to make her feel as if she was being pressured to say something she didn’t feel.
“I. I love you too Loid.” Yor replied, so quiet that he almost missed it. His eyes immediately met hers in surprise. Without saying anything, he brought her in for a kiss, which she melted into. The relief of requited feelings was overwhelming. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Yor peeled away.
“I’m so glad that we met Loid. You and Anya really have changed my life for the better. Thank you for letting me into your life.”
“Thank you for being part of my life. And Anya’s. Nothing will ever compare to you.”
And so they slept, for the first time in multiple days, finally holding each other in their arms. They were safe, comfortable and loved.