Work Text:
Hero walked in through the front door, rubbing his shoes on the large welcome mat and taking them off. He slipped off his sweater and hung it on a hook. There was a lady singing through vinyl crackles and soft piano, with Mari singing along.
For I cried for you
Now, it's your turn to cry over me
Over me, over me
The song closed melancholic, befitting of the words he'd heard. Mari's singing was beautiful, matching the tone perfectly with her own voice over it.
Hero snuck over, footsteps muffled by his socks and the music. The target was sat on a couch looking the other way, reading a book. It was an easy job, and he waited a second before leaning down and wrapping his arms around his love. He planted his forehead on his right arm next to her head and settled into the familiar warmth and scent of his lovely girlfriend, groaning a bit.
She was surprised at first by his arms, but nearly immediately she stroked Henry's arm softly.
"Hey, dear. Come lie with me for a bit?"
The next song began playing. Henry pulled away, moving around the side of the couch. The book Mari was reading snapped shut and she leaned on the armrest, with enough space for Henry to lie down and use her as a pillow. He did so quickly, as she began singing.
Look at me, l'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like l'm clingin' to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty, just holding your hand
Henry could feel her chest rising and falling with the song, her lovely voice as smooth as a hot knife and with the tone of an angel's. God, he loved when she sang. She ran her hands through his hair and closed his eyes, breathing steadily and letting the tension leave his body.
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear
I get misty whenever you're near
He had been so stressed lately. He chose the active decision to become a chef, a professional. His parents were not too pleased at first, so he had to convince them with all his might. To make good on that, he absolutely had to work his damnedest to prove his mettle. It was challenging work, but it satisfied a primal itch in his head that told him he had a good day's labour.
Tired the hell out of him though.
Don't you know that you're leading me on?
And it's just what I want you to do
Can't you see that I'm hopelessly lost?
That's why I'm following you
Him and Mari were lucky enough to attend universities in the same city, so they saved money and had privacy with just the two of them occupying their shared studio apartment. It was very cozy to the point of nearly being cramped, but their shared tendency to keep their quarters clean kept the place feeling spacious.
He spent many a midnight hour cuddled up close to his love, grateful to the forces above that he found a partner who loved him. Along with her beautiful outward appearance, she was an insanely smart and snappy woman who was the slightly maniac-action yin to his passive slightly-nervous yang. They complimented each other and brought out the best in each other like a perfectly balanced dish.
On my own
When I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty, and too much in love
Too misty
And too much
Too much, in love
As the song ended with classic ballad flourishes and the next song began, he felt Mari gently tilt his head upwards to look into her eyes and soft smile. He closed his eyes as she leaned in to kiss him, very chaste but overflowing in love. It lasted less than a few seconds, and as soon as it ended he felt absolutely blessed that he was one of the lucky people who got to experience something like this.
"Do you have any other work to do tonight, mi amor?"
"No, I finished early. Why do you ask, darling?"
Henry hummed a bit before pulling himself up with a grunt, much to the disappointment of Mari who let out a small whine at the lack of warmth. The man walked over to the turntable and switched it off, turning on a small lamp and flicking off the lights. He walked back over to the couch where Mari lay, very dramatically carrying a poorly hidden smile as she laid an arm over her head like a figure in a painting. Henry chuckled a bit at her antics before picking her up to her surprise. Secure in the bridal carry, he snuck a kiss before hoisting the previous cargo to their dark bedroom.
He softly laid her down on the bed and quickly changed his clothes to more comfortable sleepwear. Turning back, he noticed that Mari had set up the pillows and blanket nicely. He shuffled into the bed, turning around to embrace her tightly. They lay on their sides and she rested her face close to his collarbone as Henry placed his chin on her head. He planted one more kiss on her, before closing his eyes.
"I love you, Mari."
"I love you too, Henry."