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the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery glow across the sky that melted into hues of violet and indigo. shadows lengthened and stretched languidly over the land, while the air took on a cooler edge, carrying the faint, sweet scent of dusk into the quiet hotel rooms.
a beautiful evening like any other, but Coiny’s gaze was fixed inward, distracted by some sort of unease. his fingers nervously scraped against the windowsill as he turned, his eyes searching for his partner. as he expected, Pin remained unmoved on their bed.
the thumbtack had been uncharacteristically distant lately. despite Coiny's efforts to cheer her — from watching her favorite gruesome animal documentaries to baking her cherished sweets — Pin seemed drastically melancholic. the feeling tugged back at Coiny like persistent waves against his thoughts.
he wondered if Pin simply needed time. the thought of just giving up on her was unbearable; they had always been there for each other. leaving her to sulk alone felt fundamentally wrong.
“hey, Pinster?” Coiny’s voice was soft as he approached the bed. he climbed onto the mattress with some effort, reaching her and sliding underneath the blanket beside her. “you good?” he asked, tapping her lightly on the back.
Pin stiffened at his touch but soon relaxed, giving him silent permission to wrap his arms around her. she felt vulnerable, but trusted Coiny completely. “i'm... tired, i think.” she murmured.
“how tired? you can sleep, you know i won’t leave you.” Coiny said, his hands tracing gentle circles over her chest.
“i don't really want to, though.”
“Pin, you need to. you sound exhausted,” Coiny’s voice was muffled against her back as he furrowed his brows.
Pin fidgeted with the sheets before responding, “i'm not sleepy, just tired.”
“c'mon, Pinny. that’s what ‘sleepy’ means. unless you mean, like... your mind is tired?”
Pin didn’t respond, but her silence spoke volumes.
“do you want to talk about it?”
Pin shifted, trying to curl into herself. “maybe that'd help, but i don't... know if i can do that right now.”
“in what sense?” Coiny’s hand moved to the edge of her flat top, giving it a few gentle pats. “as in, you can't find the words?”
Pin kept quiet, taking a deep breath before turning to face him. Coiny offered a reassuring smile and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “it's just that... I don't know. i feel... blank? like something is missing.”
“something... missing?” Coiny’s tone was gentle, curious.
Pin pressed her lips together, struggling with her words. “well, not something. some... object. i-it's stupid, sorry. i already have you! but i've been sad all week because of it. i shouldn't be yearning like this. it’s greedy and—”
“Pin,” Coiny interrupted softly.
fuck. she braced herself, her breath catching as she prepared for his impending disappointment.
“i think i know what—well, who you mean, but i won't press it. do you want to do something to take your mind off it? maybe we could go gardening again. i remember you really enjoyed it.”
Pin blinked, her confusion evident. “you're... not mad at me?”
Coiny tilted his head, his smile widening in that way that always made Pin’s cheeks flush. “why would i be? don’t be silly, Pinster! all i care about right now is helping you feel better.”
Pin’s confusion gradually melted away, replaced by a flicker of hope in her eyes. she forgot how truly grateful she was for Coiny’s unwavering support, and she allowed herself to lean into his embrace more fully.
“gardening, hmm?” she echoed softly, a small, hesitant smile tugging at her lips. “that... might be nice. i find it calming.”
“great,” Coiny said, his voice filled with warmth. “how about we start fresh tomorrow? i'll help you set everything up, and we can spend the day outside. it'll be just the two of us.”
Pin nodded slowly, her tension easing under Coiny’s gentle touch. “okay... yeah, sure. i think i'd like that.”
they lay together in the quiet, the soft rustle of the blanket the only sound between them. Coiny’s fingers continued their soothing patterns on her back, each touch a silent promise of his devotion. the cool evening air seeped in through the window, bringing with it a gentle sense of peace that enveloped the room.
Pin’s thoughts began to untangle. she felt the weight of her sadness lift, if only slightly, and the prospect of spending the day with her partner helped her feel better.
“thank you, Coiny,” she murmured after a while, her voice barely above a whisper.
“for what?” the copper coin asked, his breath warm against her ear.
“...for being here,” Pin said, her voice filled with quiet gratitude. “for not being... mad or something. it means a lot to me.”
Coiny tightened his embrace slightly, his heart swelling with affection. “you don’t have to thank me, captain. we're a team, remember? we face everything together! and right now... that means helping you find your way back to feeling good.”
Pin let out a soft sigh, resting her face against Coiny's flat surface. “good night, deputy.”
as the night deepened and the first stars began to twinkle through the window, Pin allowed herself to drift into a more restful state.
for now, she had everything she needed.