I huffed. “Not even do anything ‘sexy’ just do the cooking.” I wriggled my nose and picked up the cake. He laughed and kissed the nape of my neck again.

“Sometimes that is enough, Eteri. And you being you.”

Despite napping throughout most the day, it seemed we both were pretty tired. Bed called to us...well, it most definitely called to me. I fell asleep quite quickly, entangled in Nevin’s arms. I awoke to a dim glow, and a strange tingling sensation… but I was so tired that I passed it off as nothing and went back to sleep.

The next few days...the next few days were wonderful. Nevin had taken time off from his shop and we actually went fishing! We never caught anything but that was alright. He suggested we eat out at a restaurant but I was… I was too afraid to do that so we took turns cooking for each other. I learned that he liked to season things lots, and preferred salty things...and alcohol. I always tried to pour him a cup or stein of it with his meals.

These memories were happy… these memories were mine, and they were his - and I didn’t want things to change.

Soon, he had to return to his store, to his late night work but I ddn’t mind. Nevin even set up a small bed in the corner of his workshop so I could sleep in the same room as him. I was happy that those days that passed were so enjoyable. I watched the man I love work, muttering to himself as he scribbled on his notebook. Every so often he’d turn the bunsen burner up or down, changing the heat of the bubbling liquid inside. This life was peaceful. I didn’t really feel like wandering around too much. I just felt like lazing about his store.

I think...that was a good thing, what was it that Ayaka called it? Settling down?’

I yawned and rolled over.

Yes.

This was good.