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Kris opened the door slowly. They entered their home quietly with a blank expression. Today was a long day for Kris. Nothing in particular bad happened today, but they were just off all day. Something was making them feel sad, and Kris didn’t understand why. They just went through the motions all day until they could return home. Kris was known for barely speaking and doing so quietly, but it was worse today. Besides Noelle, Kris probably didn’t speak more than 10 words to anybody today.
Kris walked inside and set their key on the ring by the door. They went over to the couch and sat down with their hands on their lap. They sat in silence for a few minutes until the sound of humming could be heard from the kitchen. Noelle was busy cooking dinner and humming to herself. As she was moving about until she noticed Kris sitting on the couch.
“Oh Kris!. I didn’t hear you come in.” She smiled. “Dinner is almost ready, sweetheart.”
She disappeared back into the kitchen to finish up. Kris turned their head in her direction for a moment, then continued to stare into space. Noelle and Kris had been living together for a few months at this point. The two became married soon after Noelle graduated college. Thanks to Noelles’ mothers connections and wealth, they now live in a nice house close to hometown. Through their ups and downs, Kris and Noelle really loved each other. Noelle is one of the few people Kris will brighten up and talk with.
Kris remained still and silent with a blank mind. Simultaneously empty but processing thoughts at the same time. They were trying to cheer up to not raise suspicion from Noelle. Kris didn’t like to upset or worry her. They always considered her feelings and didn’t like to bother her with their issues. Especially when they have no real reason to be upset. So they remained still and quiet, shutting the world out. Noelle poked her head from the kitchen, making another announcement.
“Kris will you come set the table? Dinner’s ready.” She asked nicely. Kris didn’t respond. Noelle looked on with concern. “Kris?”
Still no response. Noelle walked into the living room, approaching her partner.
“Sweatheart did you not hear me?.” Noelle tries to get Kris’s attention. Kris remains unresponsive. Noelle frowns and walks to Kris and sits down next to them. She leans down slightly to look at Kris. Their expressions tell Noelle they are not feeling good.
“Kris?” She questions again. She gently places her hand on top of theirs. The sensation makes Kris turn his head to look at her. Noelle looks back worried.
“Is everything alright?” Noelle asks. Kris looked away and furrowed their brow slightly. Noelle’s concern grows.
“Ah what’s the matter?” She tries again. Kris stays silent. “I know your a quiet person Kris, but you're never this quiet with me. Whenever you come home you always greet me with that small smile of yours.”
She tightens her grip on Kris’s hand and puts her head on their shoulder.
“I love seeing that smile, and I hate to see you down like this. I know something is wrong, Kris. Are you just having a bad day?” She asks, moving her eyes towards him. Kris looks straight ahead and nods their head.
“Did something bad happen at work?” She questioned further. Kris shakes their head.
“Did something happen to upset you?” Noelle asked earnestly. Kris shakes their head again. Noelle now slightly confused about the issue. Why is Kris acting like this if nothing bad happened? Could they be lying to avoid talking about it? Maybe they don’t understand why they are feeling this way. She gently cups Kris’s cheeks and turns their head. Kris avoids eye contact again.
“Do you know why you're feeling down?” She asked one last question. Kris does nothing for a second and then shakes their head no. Hearing this, Noelle wraps her arms around Kris’s neck and back.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” She told them. “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way.”
Kris began to hug her back and close their eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Kris said, barely a mumble. Noelle had become quite attuned to hearing Kris’s low voice, but even she struggled to hear them just now.
“It’s okay Kris. You don’t have to apologize.” Noelle said while patting the back of Kris’s head.
“Somestimes I feel sad and I don’t know why.” Kris explained. They looked up into her freckled face. “I don’t wanna worry you…”
“Kris, I’m your wife and I care about you. Of course I’m gonna worry.” She smiled at them. “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes even if you don’t know why.”
They embraced for another minute until Kris began to pull away slowly. Noelle held their hands together.
“Are you feeling a little bitter?” Kris nodded. Noelle smiled warmly.
“Good. Are you hungry?” She asked. Kris nodded. “Alright let’s go eat dinner together. Go ahead and sit down, I'll get us some plates.”
She stood up holding Kris’s hand. Kris, not letting go, followed behind. Leading them to the small dining room table and sitting them down. Noelle gathered the plates, cups, and forks for two and placed them on the table. She gathered the two pots from the stove stop and set them on the table with a serving spoon. Finally, she poured both of them a glass of water from their water pitcher in the fridge. Kris felt guilty for Noelle doing all of this for them.
“Thank you, darling,” Kris thanked her in quiet politeness.
“You're welcome. It was my turn to cook anyway. Hope you like it.” She sat down, scooping a portion onto both of their plates. A serving of penne pasta with a tomato sauce and steamed vegetables. Kris picked up their fork and took a bite.
“Mmm, it’s really good.” Kris complimented. Noelle thanked Kris, and they continued eating in comfortable silence.
After their meal was finished, Noelle gathered the dishes and took them to the sink. Kris looked at her and admired her. Sometimes Kris couldn’t believe how lucky they were. To be married and live with his childhood love. Kris stood up, and they walked over to Noelle. They wrapped their arms around Noelle’s waist and rested their head between her shoulder blades. She sighed, holding Kris’s hands with one of her own. She decided to do the dishes tomorrow.
“Is there anything else I can do to make you feel better?” She asked, wanting to make them feel better. Kris was silent for a moment but answered softly.
“Can we just lay down and hold each other?” Kris asked shyly. Noelle smiled at their simple request.
“Of course we can.” She happily obliged.
They went over to their couch, Noelle sitting down first, her back against a corner. Kris stood shyly holding their left wrist. Despite Noelle being the person Kris is most comfortable with, they still sometimes feel shy about being physically intimate. Noelle understood and gently patted the spot next to her. Kris sat down, and both of them lay down with each other. Noelle on her back and Kris on their stomach. Kris wrapped their arms around her and rested his head on her chest.
Noelle followed suit and placed her hands on Kris’s back. She smiled warmly at them. She always thought Kris looked cute cuddling up to her. She gently rubbed and scratched Kris’s back and head. Kris hummed softly, enjoying the pets and scratches like a puppy dog. Kris always said if they were monster they would be a dog. They cuddled in silence. Both of them are enjoying their quality time together. Kris occasionally tried making small talk.
“How was your day?” Kris questioned.
“It was good. Nice to have a day off from time to time.” She joked. “I just relaxed and read one of my novels, nothing special.”
“Oh, did you read one of your special novels?” Kris teased. Noelle looked a little flustered.
“Ach no!” She denied. “It was a muder mystery thriller.”
“Oh, so it’s a spicy serial killer fantasy book.” Kris joked, happy with the added fuel to tease her.
“Oh my god, Kris! Not like that.” She jokingly scolded. “I see your spirits were lifted.”
“Yeah a little bit,” Kris chuckled to themself.
“Fa ha ha. And all it took was teasing me for my choice of literature.” She joked. “You’re awful.”
“Yeah I know.” Kris smiled genuinely. They sighed, closing their eyes. “You’re the best Noelle, thank you for everything, darling. I love you.”
“Aw your welcome, I love you too, Kris.” She smiled widely at their sincere sentiment. “Let’s lie here and cuddle for a while, shall we?”
“Gladly,” Kris responded. Both of them got settled in. Eventually, fatigue overcame both of them, and they fell asleep. Noelle would always be there to give Kris the love they needed. And Kris would always do the same for her.