Magic can happen anywhere

Logging it - Sasuke and Hinata at the Bakery, No Warnings

2006-05-09T02:33:13Z

Sasuke:: Sasuke tugged the door to the bakery open, the familiar ring as it swung shut. The dark bangs hid his eyes, as he made his way to the queue, waiting to make his daily order.

Hinata: Still floating on a cloud from her little walk with Shino the other day, Hinata had brewed up some coffee and was just about to take a sip when she noticed Sasuke. Waving him over, she made sure her employee could handle the line before pouring a cup of the dark roast mix to pass along to the taller man.

Sasuke:: He saw Hinata gesturing him over and he walked over, his steps sure and firm. But when he reached close proximity to Hinata over the counter, it was visible that his eyes were darker than usual, or perhaps it was the shadows around his eyes that made him look darker.

"...Ohayo."

Hinata: Taking in his appearance as she held out the coffee to him, Hinata tried to not show her worry. It was definitely not like Sasuke to allow himself to go out in such a state. She knew he was worried about Naruto, but still.

“Hey, you look like you need this more than I do."

Sasuke:: "Thanks" He took the steaming cup and sipped, sighing tiredly.
He noticed Hinata looking at him worriedly and shook his head a little.
"He's just restless at night. And I sleep. At night."

Hinata: "No problem." She smiled softly, shrugging at his words as if she had assumed as much.
“Yeah, well he's restless most of the time. You just get a break from it to work. If you like, you could always drop him off at my place for a night or two."

Sasuke:: Sasuke shook his head.
"I need to keep an eye on him. The meds, you know."
He took another sip. This stuff was kinda effective.

Hinata: Nodding, Hinata leaned on the counter with a slight smile.
"Ah yes, I forgot about that. I'm sure it's no tougher than withdrawal symptoms."
Taking a sip of from her own cup, she sighed happily. This stuff was great.

Sasuke:: Sasuke stifled a yawn.
"It's alright. Gives me abit more time for my work and thoughts, staying up at nights."
He stared down at the cup.
"I was thinking about the other time that ended up with me sleeping in the office for a week or so."
It was almost an inaudible mumble.

Hinata: Hinata noticed the stifled yawn and pulled out a thermos, pouring more coffee in there for him to take with him.
"Oh I'm sure, just less time for sleep."
She was startled to hear that he had slept in his office before.
"When was that? I'm sure if you absolutely needed it, you could work out a way to get some sleep. He does have friends other than you and I."
She giggled at the thought of Naruto being pawned off on Shikamaru and Temari for a night or two.

Sasuke:: Sasuke blinked.
"No... it was the time...six years ago..." He bit the edge of the paper cup.
"That party where, you know."

Hinata: Hinata winced openly.
"Ah yeah...that. " She sighed softly, hating most reminders of how she was when Shino left.
"That was just a bad time for a lot of people."

Sasuke:: "Seems weird how we resolved that."
He said, before downing more of the coffee mix. He often wondered back to why he was such a sensitive person then. Perhaps exposure to the vices out there made him more... numb.

Hinata: "Did we ever resolve that? I kind of figured we both just dropped it..."
She hated that he brought it up, one of the worst times of her past, when she allowed herself to be more open and to let people in. She had known then that she would never by the Hyuuga her father wanted, and after years Sasuke had her remembering her failings.

Sasuke:: "Yeah I guess we just left it as it is."
Sasuke finished the rest of the coffee and set it down.
"So I thought I would owe you an apology."

Hinata: "You don't. I owe you one, now that I actually know what I did wrong."
Hinata's voice was soft as she looked up at him, picking up the cup and handing over the thermos.
"If anything, I think we both proved a lot to each other since then. Dare I say we were 'Naruto'd' into accepting each other?"
She was, of course, referring to the almost infamous effect their blonde friend seemed to have on people.

Sasuke:: Sasuke looked away.
"Hn, I would rather die than become more like the dobe."
Spying the clock near the kitchen, he rummaged in his pocket for change.
"Here's the money for the food. I had better go before I'm late."

Hinata: Pushing the money back at him, she laughed softly.
"This one is on the house, no problem. You take that coffee, and tomorrow I'll actually have some for you to brew yourself. Have a good day."

Sasuke:: Sasuke blinked.
"Fine then." And he turned to leave the shop, forgetting that he didn't ask for his muffins.

Hinata: Realizing that she never handed over the muffins, Hinata hopped the counter and followed him.
"Before I forget, since Naruto would kill me if he knew I almost let you leave without eating." She shoved the bag at him, smiling slightly.

Sasuke:: He took the bag and then shoved the change into her hands, quickly turning around.
"He wouldn't know the difference even if I didn't anyway."
Giving a brief wave, he left for the university.

Hinata: She stared down at the change in her hands, shaking her head as she waved back at him.
"He'd know, that's just his way."
Sighing softly, she headed back inside.

When you left I lost a part of me, it’s still so hard to believe...

2006-05-05T04:24:43Z

Well, I got to see Shino for a bit yesterday, and I think we had a nice talk. We didn't really get into a lot, but I know that I was reminded of something. It's nice to have one of my best friends back around. I just really hope that things remain good..

Hinata:: Hinata had been working on cleaning out the back room, a chore that she had put off doing for far too long. There was a part-timer on in the front, and she knew the bakery was set up so that she could hear the doorbell if somebody came in. She was thinking about Shino and how she had been wanting to see him, wondering when they would both be free.

Shino:: He could have just kept walking, the way he had for a few days now, but today Shino was distracted by the ladybug crawling over his left hand. A beetle, really, although everyone called them bugs; the inaccuracy bothered him every now and again. He was thinking vaguely about teaching the world to classify bugs when his hand found the door of the bakery, pushing it open without his mental consent or particular awareness. Blinking, he glanced over the top of his glasses, looking for the bell that shouted out his arrival to the world and casting a light frown over the figure behind the counter. Decidedly not Hinata.

Hinata:: Hearing the bell, Hinata peeked out from the back as the guy behind the counter looked up with a bored expression. Noticing Shino, Hinata had an uncharacteristic reaction. Acting very much like the teenager she was when he had left, she walked out from the back and began shyly poking her fingers together, as if nervous around him. Years had passed, both of them had grown, and yet seeing Shino made Hinata blush just like she had back in high school. "Um, hi."

Shino:: The initial blank expression so habitual to the Aburame's face froze as he noticed the movement. So. Here they were. Slowly, and entirely without meaning to, he let his face break into a quiet smile. On anyone else, it would have been a substandard reaction. For Shino, it was quite a lot. "Hinata." It sounded so awkward, coming from his mouth and actually going to her, rather than to some abstract thought of her from hundreds of miles away. "I... hi."

Hinata:: Smiling up at Shino, Hinata turned to her employee and waved slightly to show that she would be taking a break now. She knew that the bakery would be alright for a little while, and hoped Shino wouldn't object to taking a walk. Removing her apron and tossing it behind the counter, she began heading towards the door, pausing to make sure he was following. "It's been a while, I figured we could um, take a walk. Is that okay?" She held the door for him, waiting.

Shino:: "It's..." He had to fall silent for a moment then, because his arm had moved instinctively for her waist. He'd somehow managed to catch it, but it was there, wanting to pull her into a half-hug so that they could move together. The corners of his lips twitched downward again. Too forward. Time to take a step back. The smile returned, hesitantly, as he rather lamely reached past her to put his hand on the door to hold it open, nodding lightly for her to go first, that he would follow her in compliance. "...I'd like that."

Hinata:: Without thinking, Hinata reached for his hand, locking her fingers with his as if nothing had changed. Her blush grew brighter when she realized what she had done, looking up at Shino to see his reaction as she took a few hesitant steps. "So um, where should we walk to?"

Shino:: Shino needed a moment to blink before he could even begin to think about replying. "...ah." Holding hands was a nice as he remembered. The light smile spread across his face almost completely as he looked away, brushing at the forgotten ladybug to get it off of the perch it had taken on the end of his sleeve. The fidgeting continued as he absently pushed his sunglasses up again, in part to look away and in part to assure himself that yes, he was still on Planet Earth, and holding hands with Hinata. "It's been... a while," he replied simply, unconsciously tightening his fingers around hers, "I don't remember this place very well. But... we could just walk."

Hinata:: Nodding slightly, relieved that he hadn't tried to pull his hand from hers, Hinata smiled softly. There was something about holding Shino's hand which made her feel as if he had never left, and she knew that it would be a while before her blush calmed itself. "If you like, we can head towards the park and sit down somewhere, or we could just kind of...wander. Since you haven't been here in a while is there any place you miss?"

Shino:: "Not really," he replied honestly, shoulders moving in a slight imitation of a shrug. People had been missed, but places had slipped from Shino's mind, shoved out by new locations which were now being shoved out by the old places rediscovered. He'd had trouble finding his way around on his first day back. Having to ask for directions from strangers in his hometown was undoubtedly one of the strangest things he'd ever done. Besides which, Shino could honestly have cared less if she'd asked him to walk off a bridge with her. But that might have been the shock talking; the shock of being back, the shock that she didn't hate him, the shock that they were actually in the same physical location again and holding hands as if he'd been gone for a day or two only.

Hinata:: Heading in the direction of the park, she tried to think of something to say in order to keep a conversation going. In the past, there had never been a great need for talking between her and Shino, but there were so many things she wanted to know about the time he was gone. Sighing softly, she tried to keep her voice casual. "So, have you seen anybody else since coming back?" She knew a little about him seeing Naruto, but wanted to hear it from him.

Shino:: "...hn." Shino nodded, looking to their feet for a moment as they walked along. "I saw Naruto a day or two ago. Shikamaru yesterday, I think." There was just a hint of uneasiness in his voice, and his hand moved slightly, readjusting for a firmer grip, as if this quasi-confession might cause Hinata to bolt away from his side. "They're both exactly the way I remember them." He offered a silent prayer to Buddha that she wouldn't ask too much more about those conversations. It was probably painfully obvious that both men had chided him (yelling from Naruto, thick sarcasm from Shikamaru) about not instantly delivering himself to Hinata's doorstep. Something told him she didn't really mind. It wasn't really the way things were for them. "I guess some people don't change. Not in the ways it matters."

Hinata:: Giggling at the idea of how those conversations went from the slight tone in Shino's voice, she found herself walking a little closer to him. "I'm sorry if Naruto felt the need to be a little defensive, um, he and I relied on each other quite a bit so if he put you through the proverbial wringer, well then that's my fault." She had the grace to look embarrassed, hoping that he didn't hold their friends behavior against her. "I..I know you had your reasons for leaving, so I can't really be hurt anymore. It doesn't accomplish anything."

Shino:: He shook his head, smile easing back down for the moment into the usual blank look he wore most of the time. "You both have every right to be upset with me, productive or not. Everyone here does." For a second Shino had to pause, licking absently at dry lips. "I've made mistakes with my life." That off his chest, his shoulders relaxed a little, head tilting slightly toward the woman walking beside him as the faint smile returned. "But I'm not going to complain if you don't hate me."

Hinata:: Pausing, Hinata shook her head as she gazed up at Shino. "Well, I don't hate you, and I don't feel that anybody has the right to hold the past against you." She let her arms wrap around his waist as her blush increased, leaning against him and standing on her toes to better look him in the eye. "Just...don't do it again, okay?"

Shino:: His entire body tensed for a moment, both eyebrows shooting up in surprise as she folded against him. Slowly, smile twitching back all the way and reaching into his eyes, exposed as his glasses slid almost to the end of his nose, Shino pulled his arms comfortably around her. It could have been high school. He almost wouldn't have been shocked to find out that he was having a quietly beautiful dream. Nodding, he held on for a moment longer, giving in response a simple, "I won't."

Hinata:: "Good..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper as she allowed herself to just pretend that this was normal. Biting her lower lip, she debated kissing him just to show that there were no hard feelings, only good ones. Still, so much had happened, that she just wasn't sure how he felt towards her anymore. Were the old feelings still there, or was she the only one clinging to the past. Closing her eyes, she tugged his head down to meet her, and softly pressed her lips to his for just a moment before letting go of him and taking his hand again, unable to meet his eyes to see his reaction.

Shino:: 'Shock' did not begin remotely to define the sensation that jolted through Shino's body, leaving him with a severe case of emotional whiplash. His brain had formed the plan of pushing away, but it had felt so natural to his body that he hadn't had the time to process the situation as detrimental. Then Hinata was moving away, catching his hand again, and his fingers were numbly closing around hers, still following the pattern that felt right to his body, despite the alarm bells it set off in his mind. He looked away as well for a brief moment, pushing his sunglasses back on properly and coughing lightly into his sleeve. A comment about the weather died in his throat and left him absently licking at dry lips again, smile more visible and now completely sheepish.

Hinata:: A large part of Hinata could not believe that she had been so bold as to kiss Shino even lightly. What right did she have to try that after so long? She sighed again, softly, shyly looking over at him as she started walking again. "I..I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It was too soon, and probably not welcome." She felt as if she had jumped the gun, and stammered an apology out.

Shino:: "...che." That first, incoherent noise out of the way, Shino hastened to fill in something with slightly more meaning, grip once again tight around her hand as if she might run away. "Unexpected," he clarified with half a voice, adding softly, "Don't be sorry." His face was stuck, somewhere between the dumb sheepish smile and the anxious pleading frown yet unable to hit on his normal expression.

Hinata:: It was difficult for Hinata not to feel as if she had overstepped her bounds, but she smiled when Shino told her not to be sorry. "Yes, so expected I almost didn't think I would do it. I guess I couldn't help myself." She continued to hold his hand, thinking for a moment before giggling again. "Um, well now that we got that awkward moment out of the way, what have you been up to?"

Shino:: Watching her smile and hearing her giggle were seductively comforting. Shino's flighty features settled back down, easing into the faint happy smile that had been jostled to the side by the intense sudden emotions. "Absolutely nothing," he replied as brightly as he could, breaking his usual low monotone with something nearly like a laugh, "I spent almost every second in Portugal and Brazil studying, and other than seeing Naruto and Shikamaru I've been dead trying to get anything done here other than look for work and sleep." The words came fluidly, and his smile softened further. Hinata still brought out the person in him, the one usually hidden behind a silent (or nearly silent and highly sarcastic) exterior. "You? Any...thing I should know?"

Hinata:: Seeing him smile made Hinata feel slightly better about her actions beforehand, and as she listened to him she could feel herself falling into the old patterns she could vaguely remember from when she and Shino would hang out before. "South America, hrm? How was it? It must have been nice to travel." She shrugged, swinging their arms lightly as they entered the park. "Me, well I've been here. Um, I own the bakery, and Naruto and I grew a little closer, I've become good friends with Ebisu-san, and I work all the time." She would have said more, but she suddenly felt awkward.

Shino:: "...Ebisu-san?" It would have been nice to just chat idly about South America, Naruto, anything, in the quiet easy way they'd fallen into again. But 'Ebisu' was a Shikamaru-planted watchword, and it got Shino's shoulders hunched up ever so slightly in a primitively defensive fashion. His smile flickered hesitantly, head tilting as he glance sideways over Hinata. For a moment his hand relaxed, nearly letting go, then quickly tightened again, as if in determination.

Hinata:: Not sensing the tension coming from Shino, Hinata explained her friendship with the well known pervert. "Well, he owns a bar that's near the bakery, and I found myself going there to relax a lot. Usually alone. Um, he's with Anko-san, but we talk quite a bit, and he's helped me get home a few times when I've had a little too much to drink." There was no way that she was going to mention exactly how often she had found herself unable to drive home, thinking Shino would probably disapprove.

Shino:: Somehow, the thought of Ebisu helping a drunk Hinata home wasn't heart-warming. Of course, Shino wasn't feeling jealous or overly possessive. Oh no. He simply didn't like the idea that his beloved friend had been in need when he wasn't there to help her. And when other men were. The tidbit about Anko eased some of his stress. He'd have to remember to smack Shikamaru for leaving that detail out. It was slightly less worrisome, as it made Ebisu slightly less likely to have done anything dishonourable to poor innocent Hinata. Because Shino was worried about her honour. Not possessive. Nodding, he only managed to reply with a half-hearted "You shouldn't drink, you know."

Hinata:: The only thing to betray the extent of her drinking was the slight wince that crossed Hinata's features as she nodded. "I know, and I'm sure Naruto-kun would agree with you. It seemed like the only thing to help me forget how alone I was sometimes." She hated admitting that to Shino, hoping that he didn't take the statement personally. "After you left, and Kiba-kun left, it took Sasuke-kun leaving to get Naruto-kun to remember that we were friends. I took care of him for a while, and then he didn't need me anymore, so all I had was the bakery. It's still all I have..."

Shino:: "No," Shino cut in stubbornly, brow drawn together in something like a frown, "not 'still.' You have me. I'm back. And I'm not leaving. Whatever that's worth." Despite the hesitant hug and kiss, he still wasn't sure what the situation was. They were still friends; clearly still friends. Anything else... well, it was up in the air. Hence, he wasn't possessive. Except, perhaps, in a purely friendly manner.

Hinata:: Blinking up at Shino, Hinata allowed herself a small grin. "I suppose that's true, but I wouldn't take it upon myself to assume such a thing." She found a bench, walking over and sitting down before continuing. "It's worth a lot. You...you were my best friend, um, my only real boyfriend, and having you come back is just...well it's really nice." She was going to say it was like something out of a dream, but she didn't want to scare him off again.

Shino:: "It's... nice to be back." Like he was dreaming, only that sounded cliché and perhaps a little overwhelming. With a tiny shrug Shino dropped down onto the bench beside her, rigid back relaxing as he leaned forward over his knees a little, resting on his elbows and casting a wary glance up at the sky. Instinct brought his hand to her knee, where it rested lightly, unassuming and innocent, if only because holding hands while sitting down felt awkward. "I missed you."

Hinata:: Hinata was certain that she had blushed more today that ever before, and as she tried to ignore how right it felt to be sitting with Shino's hand on her knee she knew that the telltale pinkness in her cheeks would have Naruto practically giddy. She still cared for Shino, still wanted what they could have had before, and she was certain that her rather loudmouthed friend would have let that be known by now. "I've missed you as well. I really wish I could tell you just how happy I am that you're back. I mean, other than Kin and maybe one other person, with Chouji and Ino, Shikamaru and Temari, and even Sasuke and Naruto all so happy I just feel like I've never been more alone." She bit her lip again, looking away, knowing that she gave away too much.

Shino:: Shino hesitated, not entirely sure what to say in the face of such an honest little speech. Lightly squeezing Hinata's knee, he turned to look back at her properly. His sunglasses were sliding down his nose again, dark eyes bright and happy over the tops of the shades. "I'm glad to be back, then." It was strange to think that he'd been avoiding her in the past few days, as if this conversation might not have happened in this fashion. But of course it would have. They fit together. It was completely simple, even if dancing around it and back into it was most likely going to be somewhat difficult. "I'll keep you company."

Hinata:: As if it was the most natural reaction in the world, Hinata rested her head on Shino's shoulder. "I'll warn you, um, I'm very boring company. I work a lot, and much as Naruto-kun feels I need a vacation I've just never been able to convince myself that it would be worth it to take one." She debated adding that having somebody around to spend time with could make her rethink that idea. "Still, your company is very appreciated, and I will do my best not to take up all of your time." Sitting down, their height difference not so pronounced, it was easy for her to believe that this was how they were meant to be, and that things like his little break from her were simply detours on the road of life. She was not confident enough in her knowledge of him now to assume that telling him of this conclusion would get her a positive reaction though, so she kept quiet.

Shino:: "Mm... don't overwork yourself. It's not healthy." Beyond that, Shino didn't have many thoughts, although he could probably have come up with a few detriments of both not vacationing AND drinking. For the moment, it was nice to sit still and watch the world pass by with the warm solid weight of Hinata tucked against him. His smile was faintly awkward, like a high school boy on a date, but that was almost to be expected. The last he'd known her had been as a high school boyfriend; it seemed to be simply picking back up where it had been left of.

Hinata:: She giggled, pushing her hair off her face as she continued to lean against him. "It's hard not to feel compelled to overwork myself, especially since I'm still in debt to my father over buying the place so I feel like I need to be there to keep it running smoothly." Hinata sighed softly, hoping that Shino didn't mind that she seemed to be dominating the conversation. "I joked with Naruto before about how the bakery has replaced a family in my life, but I still want one someday. I just don't know how likely that is." She was being perfectly honest with Shino, having no reason not to be.

Shino:: "Anything I can do to help?" Shino blinked, thought about his own statement, and absently pushed his glasses back up his nose as he grinned. "With the bakery, I mean." Because he hadn't meant with her family. He wanted to be an important person in her life, clearly, but offering to help her build a family... well, it was like proposing or else a sure sign of completely brotherly affection. Neither accurately represented his feelings. But he did feel the compulsion, almost the obligation, to do something for Hinata, more than just 'be around' for her.

Hinata:: Deciding to try an attempt at cracking a joke, she grinned slightly. "Um, help me rob a bank so I can pay my father off and get him off my back?" She looked up at him, never once assuming that his statement applied to her desire for a family. "No, I don't think we could get away with that. Um, how about you just don't leave again, so I have somebody other than Naruto-kun to keep me sane?" She figured that wasn't asking for too much at all.

Shino:: With a half-smile he studied her from behind the safety of his sunglasses, head tilted again so that he could support her and watch her at the same time. Just seeing her again was nice, really. She wasn't exactly the way he remembered, of course, but he could still see clearly the young girl just beneath her surface, the one he remembered falling in love with and thinking about for the past five-six-odd years. "If you're sure that's enough," he grinned, arching a brow ever so slightly, "I wouldn't say no to the bank plan. I studied in South America."

Hinata:: The look of shock that crossed Hinata's face was definitely reminiscent of how she usually was in high school, and as her hand raised up to cover her mouth she giggled softly. "Shino-kun! Are you saying that you'd help me commit a felony? Um, that's sweet." She finally stopped her laughter, wiping a few tears from her eyes as she shrugged again. "I'm sure that's enough, I already feel less stressed with you around."

Shino:: "I'm glad." He was getting the feeling he'd kill to keep her laughing that way, but figured homicide was ever so slightly worse than felony and that it probably wouldn't make Hinata happy in any event. It was simply an intensity of feeling. Her laughter had resonated somewhere deep inside him, making him almost laugh himself, just so happy to be alive and with her that he couldn't keep his usual ice-king exterior up very well at all.

Hinata:: She didn't want to have to go back to work, nor did she want to stop leaning against him, but she knew they'd have to move eventually and that thought made her sad. "Wouldn't it be great if we could sit like this all day? I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be right now." That was a slight lie, but Hinata felt no need to tell him that. She'd be happier if they were someplace a bit more private, and if she could tell him everything that she wanted to say. Would he laugh knowing that she had never given up on him coming back, and even while whining about her lack of a boyfriend refused to go too far with somebody else so that she would be just as he remembered her? She hoped he didn't find it pathetic.

Shino:: Shino nodded, shifting himself backwards slowly and delicately, getting his arm around her shoulder before leaning back entirely. She was clearly comfortable; far be it from him to make her otherwise. Besides which, holding her this way was comfortable. It would have been nice to brush a kiss across her forehead, close his eyes, and just listen to the hum of the world rolling while they stayed still. But really, that had already happened. They hadn't changed. Only the world around them had.

Hinata:: For the first time in a while Hinata was truly happy, as opposed to acting happy for the sake of her friends. She was usually more logical than to just fall back into her past behaviors, but with Shino it was hard to not simply give in. There were dangerous words she wanted to say to him, but she knew they both needed time to adjust to everything. Not wanting to break the perfect moment, but needed just a little bit of reassurance, she sat up and looked him straight in the face. "Shino-kun...I have to know this, please. Has there been anyone else in the time since you left?" She was unsure of what she would do if he said yes, thinking of her own failed attempt at dating Itachi, but she simply had to know.

Shino:: He blinked. Then, frowning, he blinked again. A hesitant smile struggled to pull back his lips, but the serious look Hinata was giving him made it hard to do anything but look almost blankly back at her. Rolling her question absently through his mind, he thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No," he added out loud for emphasis. It felt awkward, now that they weren't really touching anymore. His side felt like it was missing a chunk. He hadn't had the feeling since his first few months away. "There hasn't."

Hinata:: She hugged him, resting her head against his chest as she spoke softly, trying to hide the faintly possessive streak that had been building up inside her. She had no right to feel that way, logically, and therefore she had been stamping it down furiously. "That's good. Um, I went on a date while you were gone, but it didn't work out. Naruto-kun didn't approve, and um, he wanted more than I could give." She didn't want to mention the fact that the he in question would also have been nothing more than a stray that she took in to clean up and send on his way much like Naruto had been, except far less cute and lovable than Naruto was. "I know we already established this, but I've missed you."

Shino:: "Nn... missed you too." Hinata was still smaller than he was, so it was still easy to pull himself around her in a hug and keep her comfortably against him. At the moment, he could almost have cared less if she'd slept around while he was gone. He'd want the name and contact information of every man/woman/child among them, but that was beside the point. The point was that he was holding her again and she'd waited for him for over five years. They'd both waited for it, really. So maybe, somehow, it would never end. Or else it would happen again soon.