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[cafeultra]

Meow-meow, motherfuckers.

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[cafeultra]

You're my favorite distraction.

You do your thing babe, I'll be here. <3 Be safe. Love you.

[ And here's the part where she wonders what he's doing and tries not to worry. Times like this, she's not sure if it would make her worry any less to know exactly what's going on when he leaves. The mystery leaves some possibility that maybe it's not as dangerous as she's fearing, but knowing... that leaves too much opportunity for her imagination to go wild, if she has an idea of what he's doing and all the ways it could go wrong.

Becca lets herself focus on brunch, and on texting the girls for a while. And eventually, as she's reading a book on the couch, that nap does sneak up on her, so she might miss a text or two. ]

[soicantlose]

[ It's nothing that takes much time left to do, mostly just getting paid. After about forty minutes, Becca will get a quick text that he's getting on the road. It's a long drive, but she'll get the occasional check in whenever he stops for gas or to stretch: a little bit of affection, or a little, non-specific note about what he's seen on the way. Commentary on gas station sandwiches and side-of-the-road oddities. It's never too much dialogue, because he's always trying to get going again quickly, trying to get back as soon as possible.

Around midnight, she'll get one last text: ]

Home stretch
I'm a little more than two hours out
I'll see you soon <3

[cafeultra]

[ She keeps her replies brief once he's on the road. As much as her mystery-solving mind wants to piece together the clues of where he's driving and stick pins in a map or whatever... she doesn't. But she does kind of want to see some of those side-of-the-road tourist traps.

The text at midnight is what she's been waiting for, really. She's just getting into bed by then, not in one of his shirts but instead a frilly little nightgown. After replying (a reply that's mostly hearts and exclamation points, honestly), she sets her phone aside to wait out the last stretch. Despite the nap, though, Becca falls asleep, curled around a pillow. ]

[soicantlose]

[ It's almost a surprise how strong the relief is, getting to just pull up to Becca's. He doesn't want to go back to his place first, to have to wait to see her until the morning. Part of him's a little bit nervous about something going wrong, but he had a lot more time to spot anyone following him this time, and nobody he knew was involved. And he'll be there, if anything happens, doesn't plan on leaving for a little while. That also helps. Seems like the only time he isn't a little bit worried about her at this point is when he's there to take care of her.

Besides, it makes a much prettier picture to come back to than his empty apartment. Nate just leans into the doorway for a minute, watching her sleep. It feels like everything finally settling in his brain, seeing Becca there.

Fuck, but he really is so gone on her he doesn't know what to do with it.

He moves to the side of the bed as softly as he can manage, crouching down a little so he can reach across and stroke at her hair. Seeing if that little touch is enough to wake her up or not. ]

[cafeultra]

[ The night before, her sleep had been restless; she'd tossed and turned a lot, and woke up much earlier than she would've liked. Tonight, knowing Nate was on his way home had made it easier for her to relax, so now she's sleeping a little more soundly.

Becca hadn't even heard him come in, and though she does stir a bit at his touch, she doesn't wake. ]

[soicantlose]

[ He's a little tempted to just let her sleep, but Becca made it pretty clear that she'd rather be woken up. And Nate wants to say hi properly, now that he's here.

He drops his jeans just to be more comfortable climbing into bed -- he's wide awake, doesn't foresee sleeping any time soon, but he also doesn't think he's going to want to let go, either. The pillow is kind of in the way, so he moves to curl up around her from behind instead, nuzzling at the side of her neck, his arm wrapping around her waist as he murmurs lowly into her ear. ] Hey, baby. C'mon, wake up for me.

[cafeultra]

[ Once he slides in behind her, then she's awake. She shivers back into his embrace, sighing contentedly, pushing the pillow aside. Her head tilts slightly, giving him a little more access to her neck.

This moment, this is what she's been waiting for, and it's all worth it. She rests a hand on his arm, her voice warm and thick with sleep when she speaks. ] Hi, babe. Mm, welcome home.

[soicantlose]

[ Home, she says, and he hides a little smile by kissing softly at the side of her neck. It definitely feels like home. ]

Hey, sleeping beauty. [ Soft and fond. He hugs her back into his chest, curled up close as he can get. ] Missed you.

[cafeultra]

[ It certainly feels even more like a home for her when he's there. It's kind of crazy when she really stops to think about it, given how comfortable she'd gotten on her own, and how much she's struggled to share her space with others in the past.

But now, her apartment feels lonely without Nate.

Becca snuggles back as he pulls her in close, those kisses getting another shiver from her. ] Missed you so much, baby. I tried staying up, guess I got sleepy.

[soicantlose]

That's okay. You needed it.

[ He's just going to keep kissing at her gently, the slope of her neck and her shoulder, fond little motions. His hand seeks hers, tangling their fingers together lightly. ]

You can go back to sleep if you want, I just wanted you to know I was home.

[cafeultra]

[ She allows herself enjoy those kisses for a moment, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. It's nice just to feel him there, and even nicer to hear him say that he's home.

But eventually, she's got to do it. She lets go of his hand and shifts to face him, her smile growing even wider. ] Not gonna go back to sleep without seeing your handsome face.

[ A hand lifts to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheek. ] There's my guy.

[soicantlose]

[ He smiles at her, absolutely smitten, turning into that hand to kiss her palm softly. ] I'd be yours just as much in the morning, you know.

[ Not that it's a complaint. He resettles his arm around her, hand drifting lightly against her back, watching her warmly. ]

[cafeultra]

Yeah, but then I'd have to wait until the morning to kiss you, and that's just too long. [ So she's not wasting another second, she'll lean in for a soft kiss, fingers brushing lightly over his jaw and down along his neck and chest before slipping her arm around his side. She keeps it brief; then a kiss to his forehead, and one to his cheek. ]

There, much better. I did say I was gonna smooch your face.

[soicantlose]

You did. And I'd hate to make a liar out of you.

[ He's beaming at her, pleased, leaning in to kiss her again. He keeps it soft still, lingering a little longer, murmurs as he breaks away: ] Think this is the best welcome back I've ever had.

[cafeultra]

I do keep my promises. [ She's all smiles, too, running her hand down his side as he kisses her. ] You should get this kind of welcome every time.

[soicantlose]

Well, maybe I'll start letting myself in for these kinda welcomes more often. How long does the trip have to be? Grocery stores count? [ He's teasing, bright and playful, fingers stroking softly down her spine, brushing a kiss against her cheek. ]

[cafeultra]

Grocery store definitely counts. And not just because that means you're probably bringing me food -- but, like, we both know I love when you feed me. [ Becca cuddles in more at those soft touches, nuzzling into his shoulder. ] I'm always happy to see you, babe.

[soicantlose]

It's a deal, then. I'll just start stopping by any time I go -- anywhere. Get a few kisses, see how my girl's doing... [ He bumps a kiss against the top of her head, giving a little shrug. ] Sounds like a good plan to me.

[cafeultra]

This is a big reason why I gave you the keys, actually. So you could stop by any time you want. [ It's slightly teasing, but all warmth and affection. She sighs happily, squeezing him in a gentle hug. ] I like being your girl.

[soicantlose]

You're all mine, babe. [ Warm and happy. He nuzzles at her, fingers drifting up to toy with her hair affectionately. ] I like getting to keep you.

[cafeultra]

Good, I'm keeping you, too. All mine. [ Her eyes close, though she's not as sleepy anymore. She's just relaxed, as she usually is when Nate's around. Especially when he's holding her like this. ] Love you, baby.

[soicantlose]

Love you too. [ He's more than happy to just hold on to her, relaxing now that the job is done and he's back to Becca. It's not unusual for him to be a little tense after jobs, even if everything goes well, but right now? It's hard to imagine being anything but comfortable, with her this close.

He'll go quiet for a few moments, just cuddling her, but he is pretty awake, and he'll ask eventually, voice low in case she's started fallen asleep: ] I miss anything interesting while I was gone? [ As if he hadn't been talking to her for the last day or so. ]

[cafeultra]

[ Nate being home has given her a little bit of a second wind, so she's not all that sleepy anymore. Just utterly content to lay in his arms. ]

Not really? It was pretty quiet here. [ And with faint amusement in her tone, ] I didn't get spooked without you this time. Did it all go well while you were gone?

[soicantlose]

Yeah, it was fine. No big problems. [ A moment's consideration, before he offers: ] I finished up last night after I talked to you, mostly. Just -- had to talk to someone this morning, unfortunately, so I couldn't leave then.

[cafeultra]

[ She hadn't really expected any sort of detail, or explanation, but ultimately she's glad for whatever he does decide to share. Her head tilts up so she can kiss his forehead. ] I'm just glad you got home safe. All that matters is that you get back to me.