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There's a certain beauty in the sun waking up the world with the soft caressing of its rays. It touches the sheets first, and then the brown long hair. It comes the time where her eyelids get a drop of sunlight too, and she removes from this small show of nature affection.
Then she wakes up. Her chest feels heavy, and part of the bed is cold.
“Em?” She asks, but her only answer is silence. She finally sits on her bed, looking everywhere, and finding a small note on the other side of the pillow.
You looked especially endearing sleeping that I didn't want to wake you up. Edric called from the University, and he needs me for an emergency. I left breakfast for you in the kitchen <3
– Yours sincerely, Emira.
Oh.
She took a deep breath, and simply let herself fall over the bed. Some minutes more. She could hug the pillow instead.
—
The low purring of a big creature is what interrupts her dreams. When she opens her eyes, it is the soft and adorable face of Puddles asking her for food.
“Oh, hey buddy.” He licked her face in happiness. Viney pats his head, scratching in that spot she knows the big bird creature completely adores. “I know, I know. It is my free day, I just wanted to take a longer nap.”
Puddles puts his attention in the empty spot of the bed, putting his big bird paw on it. “She's coming back soon.” The creature snuggles in the small spot, absorbing the soft aroma of Emira's perfume. “I miss her too. C'mon, let's go to eat.”
How different are mornings without Emira. Their first days living together, she remembers her sleeping periods were longer than ten hours per day. Of course Viney never disturbed her, she better than anyone knew how much peace she needed after finally finding some independence, actually, Viney even thought that it was the first time in a long time that Emira could finally sleep without any worries. Then, when months passed and they were more settled down, Emira managed to be the morning person in the relationship. Viney was always awakened with fresh and warm food on the bed, a happy Puddles —pampered with pets and kisses— with a full stomach and a clean presentable home. Viney once told her she was allowed to stay on the bed all day if she wanted to, but Emira said this early productivity was actually something that made her feel better, so the brunette let her be.
Their place was not something that required too much maintenance, though. It was just them, the palismen and Puddles. Viney took care of the creatures, while Emira checked the house. They both worked during the week, whether together or not, but weekends were destined to be only theirs. They could spend their days inside, wearing comfy clothes and cuddling all the time, or going outside, exploring and enjoying the Boiling Isles attractions. The sun protected their time together, staying shiny and keeping them warm.
It was weird to not have her around, and Viney’s chest was aching, like a lost man in search of water.
With Puddles already fed and her morning coffee served after that delicious breakfast, it was time for her to get some work done. Filing documents, checking appointments, doing some calls, Viney was not used to work on Saturday, but it was okay, that way she could dedicate more time to her girlfriend. She checked her Penstagram and no messages from her, she sighed, she misses her so much.
After work was finished, she decided to wash some dishes. There were just a few, but they were the big ones Emira sometimes struggled to hold while washing them. Emira had delicate hands, which gave her points when she had to treat small kids or when she helped Viney at the vet clinic with small creatures. Viney loved how soft they were, and she found herself constantly kissing her fingers and knuckles, just to see the red face of the older Blight asking her between giggles to stop it.
What a wonder it was to love Emira! Viney found herself smiling while drying the dishes. She would kiss Emira's hands again once she arrived, the thought only was exciting. Would the older Blight be missing her this much too? She was hopeful. The wait was getting longer, but she could take it.
Seeing the kitchen clean, Viney considered that she didn't want to cook. And she didn't expect Emira to do anything after spending all the morning out. She got out of the house, walking to the nest of her griffin outside —regularly, the big creature used to spend the time inside, but since he has grown too much, the only places he fits in are the window and the principal room window—, and like he was already waiting for her, he jumped and prepared his
“Puddles! Let's go for some food! Baby moth will return hungry.”
Puddles chirped in happiness. Once Viney got above him, they flew to the Bonesborough market.
Fresh fruit, sandwiches and some pastries. Apple blood to relax and watch the Crystal Ball together. Some people greeted her and asked where Emira was. “She’s working! Thanks for asking.” The popularity both healers had between the Boiling Isles citizens was appreciated, it was their doing and the whole Healing and Abomination team the project to remove the sigils off, so they commonly received gifts, free services or simply were kind to them.
Viney tried to not give so much importance to these treatments, but Emira was so shocked to receive things unconditionally from people that she couldn't say no. The younger ones actually, were the hardest to handle. They always asked for a small illusion show and to touch her green short hair, and parents trusted her to cure their illnesses. Emira was good with kids and accessed to their requests, but she sometimes could get overwhelmed by the attention, that was at the time Puddles came to the rescue and played with them.
A little walk here and there and some roasted chicken was paid. She couldn't forget Emira's favorite snack; some red dragon shaped gummies that were scarberry flavored. She remembers this one time Luz asked if the flavor was like strawberries, and she ended up not enjoying the spiciness in it. Luckily, Emira had a little obsession with them that Viney was always happy to please. She liked the blue grape gummies instead, so a whole pound of red and blue gummies was already in her hands.
“I think that's it, Puddles, let's go home.”
A flying crow phone reached her before she could go, perching on Puddle's head that the griffin didn't like much. Viney calmed him, answering the phone. “Whoever is calling, you made Puddles mad.”
“Oh, I'm sorry baby boy, what if I get you some cyclopes rats when I return home?”
Puddles started jumping in happiness, recognizing Emira's voice immediately. Viney was also content, after a whole morning without knowing about her girlfriend. “Hi baby! How's your brother?”
“He’s fine, speaking with the construction witches.” She said, her voice sounded tired, and Viney couldn't help but worry. “Some issues with extra-points courses that had the classroom burning and some people hurt.”
“Oh Titan, is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, as you know medical care opens late on weekends.” There was a small pause, and Viney knew Emira was thinking. “We should change that.”
“Absolutely, will you discuss it with Eda?”
“I think? I asked Luz and the Headmaster is still around, but she goes early. Probably I'll have to wait until Monday.” Another pause. “I want to go home, I miss you.”
The butterflies started a fight inside her stomach just to hear that. Viney took a moment to respond.
“I miss you too, little moth.” She said, and she could hear Emira giggling. “So you're coming home? I'm in the market with Puddles, I could pick you up.”
“Oh market? Could you get me dragon gummies?” Viney agreed humming, not telling her she already bought them. “Thank you, you’re the best. And… don't worry about me. I'll wait until the construction coven finishes, evaluate risks and then go home.”
“So responsible, that's hot.” Emira laughed and Viney did too. “That's fine, I bought food so I’ll be waiting for you to eat, see ya babe!”
“See you!” Emira blew a kiss and hung up. Viney returned home.
Emira was not the kind of partner that said I love you all the time. Viney noticed she was a more physical person with the hugs and kisses, and tried to make her feel loved by bringing her food and helping her with her tasks. It was very intimate, pure, and genuine the times she could hear the green-haired girl pronounce those words. She said I love you when they confessed to each other. She said I love you in their first kiss. She said I love you when they moved together, and she said I love you while she was half-sleep, hiding her face in her neck, the first time they shared a bed. Of course, there were playful moments too, but those in particular were the ones Viney remembered the most.
Some more duties at home Viney did to kill the time while she waited for Emira to come back. She started to feel like a puppy waiting for its owner to return home. She in fact, owned her time, her heart and love. How weird it was to be without Emira! But how blessed she was to be loved by her. Could her heart yearn more for her absence? Did she behave the same the days Viney herself had to attend an emergency?
She let out a sigh, perhaps with a small grunt in the back. She sat in defeat on the living room couch, looking at the clock hanging on the wall. Ten minutes for an entire hour passing since she returned home. She could call her the moment that watch marked three o'clock. Maybe she could pick her up and come home together and–
The sound of keys and a door opening pulled her out of the thoughts, with a happy Emira announcing “I’m home!” Viney quickly incorporated and went to receive her.
“Baby!”
“Hi love!”
Emira took off her coat and let herself be carried in the air by Viney, who was more than happy to see her. She gave her a kiss on her lips that lasted until her feet touched the ground again. Between small laughs and caresses, Viney welcomed her and took her to the kitchen. "Clean house!" She exclaimed, and Viney nodded proudly.
Viney showed her the stuff she bought, Emira devoured three scarberry gummies in one shot. Then she hugged Viney from the back, saying thank you and kissing her again.
What a reward, Viney should get gummies and clean the house more often.
“I missed you.” The illusion girl confessed. Viney smiled. “I know you did too, today was a nesting day for us.”
“It still could be, baby! don’t worry about it.”
Emira took another gummy, hugging her by the neck but resting her head on her chest and looking at her from below. She was obviously bending her body already used to it for so many years being the taller one. The image of her seemed so cute to Viney, that she had to kiss her forehead. Emira blushed, but she stayed that way, looking directly at her with playful eyes and a half smile, chewing her gummy until she ate it completely.
“I love you.” She said, the red painting her cheeks deepening. Viney was shocked.
“Oh.”
“I really do.”
“Hey, I love you too.” Viney said. “I was like- I was thinking of you all the time.”
Emira smiled, standing up and kissed her. Viney gladly corresponded, holding her by the waist ang giggling between the kisses. The food could wait some more minutes, and if it didn’t, they could reheat it.
What a wonder it was to be loved.