I was standing in the locker room, gathering the items I needed to go home. I was exhausted, dead on my feet, and it seemed that even just the short walk to my car would be too much to handle for me now. I sat down on the bench, closing my eyes, hoping to find some left-over strength in me to get home. Home. It would be empty. That didn't help me to find my strenth to get up. It would've been way, way more motivating to know that I was going home to our apartment and find Danny there, waiting for me... But I knew Danny was on shift right now, and that worsened my mood.
I realized I was only making myself more miserable than I already was and stood up straight, slipping my arms into my jacket. It was cold, and I shuddered. Checking for the last time I had everything I needed, I was about to close my locker and head out.
Then, out of nowhere, a pair of warm arms slid around my waist from behind, hugging me. I didn't startle: this was a common enough thing for Danny to do that I knew better than to jump. I wasn't expecting him here, but it made sense, I thought.
"Hi there, Montana," I felt him mumble into my shoulder, to which he'd pressed his face.
"Hey," I greeted him, too tired to form more words than that single one. He seemed to process my mood and he smiled against my neck.
"You going home?"
I nodded. I wish he could come home with me, but I know his shift wasn't finished for at least a few more hours.
As always, he seemed to read my thoughts in my silence.
"You know I'd come home with you if I could..." he told me. I just nodded again and leaned back into his embrace. If I didn't watch it, I'd fall asleep right here.
"I wouldn't be much company anyway," I said, not wanting him to feel bad about having to stay at work. "Unless snoring counts as conversation." I was surprised about the amount of words I was able to get out.
Danny grinned, and I felt him kiss my neck. "Well, I'll be there when you wake up," he promised. I smiled.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
We stood there for a few more immeasurable moments before I turned around in his embrace and reached up, kissing him softly on his lips. Then I slowly, reluctantly, pulled back from him and closed my locker.
I looked at him and found his eyes already on me, seeming as reluctant as I was to be seperated from each other. I kissed him again, quickly, and walked to the door.
"I'll see you later," I said, wanting it to be later already.
He nodded. "You certainly will."
I smiled and walked out, somehow feeling a little less tired than before. Possibly because I knew that it was only a matter of hours until he would be with me again, and that I'd be a lot more rested. I was almost at the end of the hallway when I hear him call my name.
"Lindsay!"
I turned around, wondering if I'd forgotten something.
He grinned. "I love you," he called loudly to me, not caring if anyone else heard.
I blushed a little – he'd told me that before, of course, but not ever before in front of this many other people. Nevertheless, I answered him, a bit softer, but still loud enough for him, and our coworkers, to hear. "I love you too."
Of course I did. How could I not?
