Work Text:
When Haldir returns home, it is to the noise of a frustrated groan. He does not rush as he sets down his equipment and bags by the door, his boots off, his cloak hanged and armors slowly but surely unwrapped from his body and stored away proper. He moves leisurely through your shared home, much more casual even through the curses that echo, a small chuckle coming to him in amusement. He enters the kitchen, takes a pot and fills it with water to heat before taking two mugs and some tea to brew. He wonders if there is still milk about.
With padded footsteps, you come. Arms wrap behind him from the waist, the warm and welcome feeling of his other half embracing him with a soft tired sigh. "Haldir."
He gives a quiet laugh. "Meleth. One would almost think you had been the one running the patrol between the two of us." He says in jest as he reaches for the jar of sugar in the kitchen and putting one spoon in his mug, two on yours.
"Sorry." You say with a soft kiss to his shoulder, loosely letting go so he can turn around, a habit and he smiles at the sight of his beloved. With a kiss to the lips, he returns the hug. "Welcome home, 'dir."
He hums, content. It is sweet like this, to have someone to come home to even after a long while of work. The small talan he calls home, where you spend your days grumbling and laughing about, waiting for him at the end of the day. You both part, your hand reaching up to his face and he leans in with a kiss to your palm. "What is bothering you today, meleth nin?"
There is a pause as you stare and he cannot help but have his lips quirk up. These small habits. You blink at him and sigh as your thumb caresses his cheek. "You are still so pretty today." You say as you return in his embrace, snuggling to his collar. The tea by the fire continues to heat.
"And that is what's bothering you?" Haldir replies with a smile and a raise of a brow, familiar with this song and dance. He preens of course, even if by a little at your compliment, every day that you seem to say it. He never used to be the type for appearances but he enjoys this, with a little warmth in his chest, the way you look at him like he's the first sunset you've seen. Like you're trying to burn him into your mind despite seeing him so often.
You shake your head, squeezing for a moment before letting go.
"No." You say, dejected. You move away to wait for the kettle as he moves to check your stores for milk. There is some left, and the kettle boils just in time, spout whistling. "I was just painting. They always say trust the process but despite living so long, it's quite difficult and I missed you."
Haldir returns with the bottle of milk and he gives another kiss to your cheek as you pour the tea into the mugs, stirring. "I too have missed you so." he says with sigh, letting you take bottle from his hands as you pour milk into your mug while passing his mug to him.
The warmth is a welcome feeling as the sky outside continues to darken, the air growing colder. As Haldir takes a sip, he thinks it is a wonder how his life has come to this.
The Age of Men will wear the world down but Haldir has married a love that has the habits and mind of a mortal, he has gotten used to this and that in it of itself is surprising. The whirlwind that tends to follow along those that feel like time will catch up to them but perhaps, it is something he has enjoyed in a way too. Middle Earth has become a little less dangerous and work is a little more peaceful.
He cannot help but be changed by your habits, your whirlwind and fire and as you both got together, it has become something he has yearned. There is peace in these habits that move swiftly in the river of time. He humors it, joins, and basks in what it is. It has become easier to understand change, just as you had to learn to understand and make peace with eternity.
You hook your hand to his elbow, sipping your own mug of tea. "I hope I get done soon." You say quietly. He looks at you and he's sure for most elves, even their works of art take a long time. Some spanning centuries. They do not worry about time or never being able to get to the end. In the past century alone, you had done more than most Peoples of Middle Earth. With the time you have, you will do more than Man.
"You will do great," Haldir reassures and your fingers hold a little tighter. He understands the fire that burns within you. The amount of things you wish to do, to bring to life. To put on whatever medium you feel is right. This is a song and dance he is familiar with. A habit that brings him warmth to his chest as you smile up at him in response, the upstrung anxiety and frustration releasing from your shoulders. "I believe in you."
"Thanks, Haldir."