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William had an incredible imagination, not just creatively, but, considering he knew Edward’s schedule, he could easily visualise his route home, close his eyes and put himself in his husband’s shoes.
According to his mind’s eye Edward should have walked through the door 3 minutes and 43 seconds ago.
And yet there was no Edward in sight.
A frown creased his brow.
He had accounted for rush hour- adding an additional 21 minutes for an overflowing subway train and crowding on the street. Accounted for Edward’s tendency to speedwalk in anticipation of the next day off which reduced his usual travel time by 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
Perhaps he’d stopped to buy them coffee? Their usual place had brought in a delicious biscoff flavoured latte 5 days ago and Edward had mentioned wanting one. That would increase his travel time by 12 minutes 34 seconds- or 18 minutes and 27 seconds in rush hour.
But that couldn’t be it. They were taking part in a darts tournament set to start in 4 hours and 16 minutes, and Edward wouldn’t have coffee before that and risk affecting his aim.
Maybe he’d run into someone he knew and stopped to chat?
His average interaction with someone who wasn’t a close friend wouldn’t take any longer than 4 minutes 20 seconds.
His eyes fixed on the door handle, his heart in his throat as he waited for it to turn.
3.
2.
1.
No.
Where was he? What had happened?
He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen.
No messages.
He put his phone back in his pocket, his eyes flicking back to the door.
His heart jumped as the door handle finally turned, his hand slapping to his chest in relief as Edward walked in.
Finally.
“Hi Clocky…” Edward said to greet him, the relief in his tone echoing the feeling in William’s chest.
“Hi tardy boy, what happened?”
Edward huffed, taking off his shoes and placing them on the rack by the door. “I ran in to Harley and Ivy.”
“And..?”
“Oh, they were talking about Psycho, wanted to know if I’d talked to him recently.”
William frowned, “You haven’t, have you..?”
“Do you think I would?”
William shrugged. “You were 4 minutes and 26 seconds late today, I don’t know what I think…”
Edward rolled his eyes. “I haven’t. I wouldn’t.” He pulled off his socks, a disgruntled look on his face, “I could do without the third degree. I just got in and my… sock’s wet…”
“You stepped in a puddle? I guess that makes up the extra 6 seconds.”
Edward finally straightened up. “Exactly…” He smiled weakly, walking towards him. “Every second accounted for?”
William nodded, letting out a soft huff as his hands found Edward’s waist. “I’d say so.”
“Good…” Edward leaned in to give him a soft kiss. “Have a good day?”
William nodded, kissing back. “Better than yours, I’m sure.”
Edward nodded in kind. “Mine wasn’t that bad until I started home.” He let out a huff. “Getting better again now.”