Although a house steeped in magic could never truly be empty, when she was gone it might as well be.
Elias slipped his nightshirt on with a resigned sigh. He was begrudgingly learning to share Chise with the rest of the world, with friends or school trips or visiting Angie's family in Scotland like tonight, but he always dreaded the cold nights where she was gone. When the empty expanse of their bed was impossible to ignore.
He shook his head defiantly. It wouldn't do to sulk like this, it would only serve to make the night longer. Better to succumb to sleep and let the time pass quickly. With that thought, he flopped onto his pillow and gripped from underneath. He had trouble making the quilt cover his whole body, something he had never noticed until Chise had brought it gently to his shoulders, but since the night was warm he elected to ignore it. His eyes went dark in his approximation of closing them and slowly fell into a fitful doze.
Soft tapping sounded through the bedroom. Elias would have likely never noticed this, even in his lighter state of sleep, were it not for the sensation of weight settled next to him that roused him from his slumber. And the sensation of weight on his...rear?
He groggily turned his head and was very surprised to see Ruth perched and snoring along his rump. He didn't particularly mind, but he did wonder if he had mistaken him for Chise in whatever exhausted state had returned him home.
A light touch just below his jawline prompted him to tilt his head further. He was elated.
"Ruth was so tired he plopped on the first thing he found," Chise explained with a chuckle. "Sorry we woke you"
His eyes dipped in his signature smile. "No need to apologize, I'm glad I get to see you sooner than I expected." Chise smiled in return, lowering against Elias while tucking an arm around his back. Elias gingerly tried to stretch out, jostling Ruth lightly in the process who only snuffled sleepily in response.
"So," He said wrapping his arm round Chise in turn, "What brings you back to England so soon?"
A goofy, if somewhat exasperated smile spread across Chise's face. "Althea got overzealous in her magic training and accidentally caused Hugo to flood the room we would have stayed in...And the entire second floor."
Elias would have to discreetly thank the vodyanoi next time he visited Angie. But for now, he nuzzled Chise's temple, once again vaguely aware of Ruth's odd choice of bed as he sunk back into his pillow. "An unfortunate accident to be sure, but I can't say I wish it had not happened."
Chise thumped his shoulder with an indulgent laugh. "If Angie heard that she'd tan your hide."
Elias chuckled in turn before his jaw stretched in a yawn that Chise echoed. "I can send a few hearth salamanders their way but for now let's rest."
Chise's eyes were already closed when she answered in a sleepy smile, "Lets indeed."