Work Text:
Grushy was in the kitchen preparing a cup of tea. As the spoon swirled the aromatic content of the cup; she thought that she’d heard something.
She stopped stirring and listened more closely.
Yes. There it was; the sound of a key clanking against the brass plated keyhole.
She hurriedly placed the cup on the counter. Too close to the edge; it teetered momentarily before righting itself.
Wiping her hands on her apron; she then pulled the loosely tied bow and left the apron in a tumble upon the over scrubbed; wooden counter top.
She could feel the temperature change as the door opened; bringing with it the cool Autumn breeze and the browning, curled up leaves from the trees lining the nearly invisible path through the overgrown garden.
She could barely contain her joy as the blonde man let himself in. Placing his duffel bag upon the floor; he pushed the door closed with a well-aimed foot.
Hearing the clomping of sensible shoes upon the highly, polished floor; he mentally prepared himself for the oncoming ambush. He had only a moment before the woman was welcoming him; cradling his face within her hands.
“Ilyusha. Welcome home!”
They kissed each other upon both cheeks.
“Spacibo, Mamushka. S’good to be home.”
Ilyusha, the cat, dropped heavily from his warming spot beneath the Tiffany lamp; to wrap himself around his namesake’s ankles.
“How long THIS time?”; Grushie asked.
“Until I’m called away.”; he answered; leaning down to scratch Ilyusha behind the ear.
Grushy spoke over her shoulder as she shuffled off to the kitchen.
“So. Let’s hope that we can get through tea.”