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Vylad came through the door like he did almost every evening, tired, yet content. “I’m home, Evers.” He would call out to his girlfriend quietly, waiting for her to come and greet him like she did every evening. A small smile graced his features under his scarf as he could see Everfree making her way over quickly. He removed the scarf and allowed Everfree to take his bow and arrow set, his fishing rod, as well as his scarf from him. “How was your hunting?” Everfree asked as she hung Vylad’s scarf up by the door before coming over and pressing a gentle kiss against his lips. Vylad kissed back and hummed. “Good. I managed to catch us some dinner.” He spoke in that same, quiet tone that Everfree was used to him speaking in, carefully grabbing the two rabbits and the singular salmon wrapped in a cloth from his belt and handing them to her. They had already been prepared, Vylad was aware of Everfree’s aversion to animal blood. He had kept in mind that she was a vegetarian and didn’t like eating meat.
Vylad followed Everfree into the kitchen. “I got those herbs you wanted me to get as well.” He mentioned, carefully taking a drawstring bag off of his belt that was full of plants and gave them to her. He had noticed their dining table had sheets of paper and notebooks filled with sketches of various plants, flowers and herbs, as well as neatly written notes next to each drawing. He loved how dedicated Everfree was to her passions. He walked over to the table and noticed they were notes on the exact herbs that Everfree had asked Vylad to bring home. “Did you want them for your magicks, Evers?” Vylad’s voice was steady and gentle when he spoke to her. The usually stoic man always softened around her. Since he became a shadow knight, it was rare for him to feel such tender emotions, but Everfree always brought them out in him. “Yes, these particular plants are good for healing sickness. Echinacea is good for cold and flu, and ginger is good for helping nausea.” Everfree explained with a small smile, coming over to clean up her notes that were strewn onto the table. Vylad pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. “I’m going to tidy up before dinner. If you need any help with anything, let me know.” He hummed before heading upstairs to freshen up.
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Vylad came downstairs to the smell of his lovely girlfriend making food. He had bathed, feeling much cleaner now. He hugged Everfree from behind, kissing her head. “It smells lovely, Evers… want me to set the table?” he asked softly, his hands resting on her hips. Everfree gave a subtle nod. “If you don’t mind, Vylad. That would be very helpful.” She spoke quietly, her voice affectionate. Vylad stepped away and began to set the table, placing two dishes, cutlery and two wine glasses onto the table. He rooted through the cupboards before finding a candlestick and holder, setting it between the two plates on the table. He smiled to himself, feeling proud of his little set up before then getting a small, unopened bottle of wine from the cabinet. He knew the two wouldn’t finish it, they both knew their limits and would not overstep, but it would be relaxing to split a bottle of wine between them. He looked over and saw Everfree dishing up the dinner.
He moved aside as she set the food on the plates onto the table and they both sat down. Vylad hummed as the smell of freshly cooked rabbit, along with the smell of Everfree’s salmon, and the steamed vegetables. “You really outdid yourself, love.” He spoke softly. He popped open the bottle of wine and poured about one third of a glass for himself and for Everfree. “I hope you like it, my dear.” She spoke before eating. Vylad followed suit, humming as he ate some of the tender meat. “I don’t think I could ever tire of your cooking, Evers… whatever you seasoned this meat with tastes absolutely amazing.” He hummed softly. Everfree took a small sip of wine before smiling at her partner. “Just some of the herbs I keep for cooking. Not all of them are used for magicks.” She cut up some of the salmon and ate it. She had also used the same seasoning on her salmon that was used on the rabbit meat.
They shared small conversation while they ate together. This was always Vylad’s favourite part of coming home for the evening, getting to spend the rest of it winding down with his favourite person. He told Everfree about his hunting, how he saw a deer and it’s beauty reminded him of her, how clear the waters were, how warm the suns light was. Vylad also listened to her about her day writing up notes on the herbs she uses for her magicks. Once Vylad was finished his food, he swallowed off the last bit of his wine and brought his plate and empty glass over to the sink to wash it. Once Everfree was finished her food, he washed her plate for her too.
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Once Vylad was finished washing up after dinner, the couple settled on the sofa. Everfree rested her head on his shoulder while Vylad’s arm rested over her own shoulders, a gentle hand carding through her light-coloured hair. He was humming quietly as she read a book on magicks that she had borrowed from Emmalynn’s library. Vylad could feel himself getting tired, the energy lost from his day out hunting finally catching up to him and suddenly his eyes were heavy. It didn’t take long for his head to tip forward as he dosed off. Everfree noticed and looked up at him with a fond smile. “You should have told me if you were tired…” She said softly, gently brushing the dark brown hairs from his face and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She gently shook him awake and he jolted awake. “C’mon, sleepyhead, let’s go to bed… You’re very tired.” Everfree spoke softly, still stroking his hair. Vylad blinked a bit, and slowly got up, and followed Everfree to the bedroom.
He fumbled around sleepily to get into his sleepwear, and then flopped against the bed, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling into her hair. “Mmmm… Evers… I love you.” He mumbled against her head. “I love you too, Vylad… get some rest honey.” She cooed, feeling him practically sink against her as he fell asleep. It didn’t take long before her own breath evened and she fell asleep too.