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Tired feet drag across the pavement covering Ragunna’s streets, legs heavy as they slowly move further down the road. There is only one destination on Zani’s mind as she forces her body to keep moving despite its protests.
Home. That’s all she has been able to think about for the last few hours of today’s never-ending shift. Her home, where her wife awaits her patiently, even though the sun has almost set already.
Phoebe has always understood Zani’s dedication for her job and has supported her, despite long gruelling hours, despite late night arrivals and despite the little time they can spend together some weeks.
Sometimes the horned woman thinks that she’s not doing Phoebe justice, that she doesn’t equally reciprocate everything Phoebe does for her. But the acolyte has vehemently told Zani that she is happy, that she enjoys every single moment they spend together no matter how short.
A smile makes its way onto the face of the silver haired woman. Thinking about her wife removes any sign of sleepiness from her body, she can’t wait to get back and see her again.
At the end of the road, she could make out the silhouette of their apartment complex. With renewed vigour, the horned resonator picks up her pace to the best of her abilities.
Unlocking the front door and making her way up the stairs to their shared apartment, she can barely hide her excitement. No matter how many times Zani sees her, she still cannot comprehend the fact that Phoebe agreed to be with her, that they belong with each other. Opening the apartment door, the calming scent oh home and comfort hits her. Stepping in, she immediately loosened her tie.
“I’m home” she greets. “Welcome home!” the cheerful voice of her Phoebe resounds from further within the apartment. Smiling like a fool, Zani pulls off her shoes and makes her way towards the living room.
There on the couch, she sees her. Phoebe is sitting on the couch, a soft and fluffy blanket wrapped around her shoulders, almost hiding the blue bunny pattern pyjamas the acolyte adores so much. The Television is running some silly romcom series, Zani assumes is just something Phoebe put on to pass the time. A plate of their favourite cookies on the coffee table.
“Hey there, sweetheart.” Zani says, making her way over to the couch and leaning in to plant a tender kiss onto Phoebe’s forehead. “I know I told you there would be a delay, but I’m still sorry for being late, there was an incident I had to handle.”
The acolyte looks up to her with adoration in her eyes, getting up from her position on the couch, resulting in the blanket falling to the floor. Enveloping the taller woman in a tight hug, Phoebe speaks, her voice muffled against her wife’s chest. “I know. I’ve missed you.”
Zani’s tail starts to wag subconsciously as she wraps her arms equally tight around the smaller one, burying her nose in the blonde hair. “I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you.” Slowly pulling away from the hug, they look into each other’s eyes, full of love. “Let me get changed, amore, and then we can enjoy the evening together, alright?”
“Hmm, alright, but don’t take too long. I know you will have to get up early again tomorrow.” With that Phoebe sat back down after picking her blanket back up. The fluffy red blanket, big enough to cover them both, seems like an ocean wrapped around Phoebe’s legs.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Zani immediately returns to their shared bedroom. On the bed, she finds a matching set to the acolyte’s pyjamas. White and covered in round, light brown bunnies, the cute animals reminding her an awful lot of her love. Phoebe once bought them as a matching set for the both of them, excitedly showing off her purchase once she arrived home. Slowly, Zani has learned to adore the silly clothing as well, especially when she gets to see Phoebe gushing over them.
Discarding her work clothes in the basket before leaving the bedroom, she quickly makes her way back to the living room, her love right where she left her. The only difference is the two steaming cups of tea on the table, even without a single taste, she knows Phoebe has added just the right amount of sugar to hers. Another silly smile forcing its way onto her face, she makes her way to the couch, flopping down next to her wife.
“There you are, I was beginning to think you fell asleep before me again.” Phoebe jokes before handing her the mug covered in little ducks. The mug is warm as her long fingers wrap around it, a single sniff reveals she was right. The herbal scent of the tea mixed with a strong hint of honey, just how she likes it.
“Mmh, have I ever told you, that I love you?” she says after taking a long sip from the tea, the warm feeling spreading from her belly throughout her entire body. Her love giggles as she throws the other side of the blanket around Zani’s shoulders and leans into her side. “I sure hope you love me, otherwise that marriage would have been for naught.” Sipping her own tea, she looks up at Zani with half lidded eyes.
Returning the look, the horned woman leans in again with a huff to place another kiss on her forehead, her lips lingering for just a moment longer.
“I love you more than you could imagine, my sunlight. You are the thought that makes me keep going, every day I await the moment I can see you, be with you and hold you again.”
Another kiss is placed on the shorter woman’s cheek this time. “I see your face in my dreams and when I wake. Your voice soothes me in every situation, no matter how dire.”
She moves even lower; a kiss placed at the corner of Phoebe’s mouth. “I will never regret the day I asked for your hand in marriage, never forget how you accepted me despite my flaws. And I hope you will remain at my side until the end of both of our lives.”
Phoebe reaches up and kisses Zani on the lips fully, the gentle moving of their lips telling more than a thousand words could. Love, adoration, devotion. All of it shared in one single kiss.
“Silly you, I know you love me. You do so much for me, never muttering a single complaint. You spend your valuable free time with me. And I could never ask for anyone better than you, Zani.” Resting her head on Zani’s shoulder again, she goes quiet. Both just enjoying each other's presence now.
Slowly Zani’s tail curls around the acolyte’s waist subconsciously, the spaded tip resting on her belly as it moves in lazy circles. Before the taller woman even realized the movement of the appendage, Phoebe has let her hand fall to it, pulling it to her lap and begins to pat it affectionately. The Television becomes background noise in both of their ears as they focus on each other.
After a few moments, the blonde takes the tail into her hand, slowly running the end of it between her fingers and gently rubbing the tip. The feeling oh so familiar at this point in their lives, the non-human appendage with a mind of its own enjoying the attention seemingly.
Zani, getting drunk on the attention her wife bestows onto her, slowly relaxes her sore muscles. Hours of stress leave her body when she feels Phoebe curl into her side, the blonde turning her head into her neck once more.
Minutes pass; the sun sets fully over the horizon. The show on the TV having ended and the ending screen barely lighting up their dark apartment. Mugs empty on the coffee table, the corners of the blanket on the floor.
As her eyelids grow heavy, Zani turns towards her love when she stopped petting her tail. The shorter one's eyes are closed, her mouth just barely open and her breath coming out in soft huffs.
She has fallen asleep.
Her face serene and innocent in the way, only sleep would gift. Reaching up her hand, she brushes her thumb against the sleeping woman’s cheek. No reaction. With a quiet chuckle, she withdraws her hand.
Slowly removing her tail from limp hands and uncurling the both of them, Zani gently picks her wife up, carrying her softly towards their bedroom. Placing her on the bed, a quiet mumble escapes Phoebes lips.
Slipping into bed herself and pulling the blanket over them, the blonde utters her name.
“Shush darling, it’s time to go to sleep. We will see each other again tomorrow.” The horned women places a sweet kiss on the other’s lips before tucking the both of them in.
“Good night, Zani…”
“Good night, amore”