Dovah: I had assumed "A collection of random one-shots" would be enough to convey that, but if we're still confused, I can elaborate :P
Outside the security exit, Fareeha rolled on the balls of her feet. She checked her phone for the time, lips thinned as it changed to the next minute. Just as she was putting it back into her pocket, it vibrated with a text.
Just landed.
As safe as flying was supposed to be, the tiny ball of anxiety in Fareeha's heart eased. She texted back, Okay. I am here.
She put the phone in her pocket, only for it to vibrate again a minute later.
Ugh, they're moving so slow. I can't wait to see you.
No need to rush, I'm not going anywhere :)
Angela texted back a series of hearts that made Fareeha smile. She slid the phone into her pocket and tried to control the adoring expression she'd been making at it.
The minutes felt like an eternity by the time she finally saw that blonde pony-tail appear through the corridor. The crowd parted between them and their eyes met with matching smiles. Fareeha's heart kicked double-time as Angela closed the distance in a half-jog. She collided with Fareeha's chest and uttered a groan of contentment.
"Oh, I'm so happy to see you."
"Ya amar," Fareeha murmured into her hair, returning the embrace, warmed beyond measure by the return of her other half. "I've missed you."
Angela's sigh was full of relief and fondness, nuzzling a little further under Fareeha's chin.
When they parted, Fareeha plucked her wife's shoulder bag away from her and onto her own shoulder. "Where's your carry-on?"
"It was a full flight, so I had to check it. We'll have to head to baggage claim first." Angela pouted at her own words, eyes tired.
Fareeha wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulled her snugly into her side, and steered her in the right direction. Angela leaned into her, sliding an arm around her waist.
"How was the conference?"
"Good. Long." Angela grumbled a little more and Fareeha relented her questioning. She'd be more talkative after some food and rest.
When they found the right terminal, it took a few minutes before the belt started moving. Angela remained leaning against Fareeha, who had snuck a hand up the back of her jacket to rub circles over the small of her back.
Angela bit back a yawn. "I'm going to fall asleep if you keep doing that."
Fareeha reluctantly stilled her hand. When Angela fell asleep after traveling she was out. "I'm not sure if I can carry you and your luggage out of here. Not unless I throw you over my shoulder."
Angela chuckled. "I have no doubt you'd manage it, but I'll try not to make you do that."
The familiar black suitcase finally appeared, and Fareeha stepped forward to tug it off the carousel. Pulling the handle up, she linked fingers with Angela and the pair headed toward the parking lot.
Angela dozed on the drive home. At one point Fareeha reached over and placed a comforting hand on her leg. Before she could pull away, Angela took the hand in both of hers and linked their fingers, holding it in her lap.
When Fareeha pulled into the driveway she had to extract her hand from her sound asleep wife. Even after carrying the luggage inside and returning to open the passenger side door, Angela had barely stirred, only managing to remove her seatbelt.
Fareeha rested a hand on her leg. "You want me to carry you inside, sweetheart?"
A small grunt confirmed Angela was at least conscious.
Fareeha squeezed her thigh. "Does Sleeping Beauty need a kiss to wake up?"
Try as she might to hide it, Angela's lips twitched. Chuckling, Fareeha took her chin gently between knuckle and thumb and leaned forward for a tender kiss.
She intended for it to be brief, but Angela drew her in, parting her mouth and sliding a hand into her hair. When Fareeha pulled away, both of them were breathing a little more heavily.
"I guess that worked."
Angela smiled, eyes steadily holding hers. "Must be true love."
Whatever Fareeha intended to respond with derailed into a stutter. She ducked her head, shuffled Angela into her arms, and carried her out of the car.
Arms linking around her neck, Angela was practically beaming at the reaction she'd garnered. "Are you blushing?"
"No."
"Yes you are."
"We're married. You can't make me blush anymore."
Angela giggled, practically swinging her legs, and she kissed Fareeha's heated cheek. Her giggling halted as soon as Fareeha stepped through the door.
"Is that dinner I smell?" Angela whispered, sighing heavenly.
"Mhm."
"I knew there was a reason I married you."
Fareeha gave her a lopsided smile. "True love?"
"True love for your cooking."
"I can accept that." She did enjoy cooking, even more so when there was someone to enjoy the results with. "Let me see if it's ready." Fareeha set her down on the couch and went to the kitchen to check the crockpot. When she came back, Angela had removed her shoes and was resting against the cushions in a posture that could only be described as blissful.
"About thirty minutes," Fareeha informed as she sat down next to her. She propped an elbow on the back of the couch and stared at her near-comatose wife.
Angela grunted. "You'll have to keep me awake."
"Is that your way of asking me to make out with you? Did I not break the spell the first time?"
Angela's eyes popped open and crinkled with amusement while a hand flew up to cover a laugh. Fareeha found the look endearing. "I didn't actually mean it that way, but I certainly wouldn't mind."
"Now who's blushing?"
Angela bit her lip and swatted the back of her hand against Fareeha's shoulder.
Fareeha winked. She slid an arm under Angela's legs, pulling her into her lap. "Come here, habibti."
Angela sighed warmly at the endearment and leaned in for a kiss as her arms circled Fareeha's neck.
Fareeha's hand reached to the back of Angela's head and pulled the tie gently out of her hair, filling her hand with the cascading locks. She drew her wife closer in her lap, shivering as nails scratched at the back of her neck.
"I missed you," Angela cooed. Her palms slid over Fareeha's neck and along her broad shoulders, fueled only with the desire to touch her, to feel the strength and warmth shifting under her hands.
Time was lost in gentle sighs and soft caresses. At some point Angela pulled back, catching her breath. She dropped her forehead down and threaded fingers into Fareeha's hair.
More minutes passed before Fareeha reluctantly broke the silence. "Food's probably done."
"I don't want to move."
"Okay."
Angela drew back enough to stare into her eyes, a soft smile on her lips. "But I am very hungry."
Fareeha smiled back. "Let's eat, and then we can go to bed, hm?"
They meandered into the kitchen together and each served themselves a bowl. With the first spoonful Angela appeared to have ascended, and Fareeha took great pleasure in watching her eat the rest of it.
The same calm silence that was with them in the car – even with Angela asleep for most of the ride – settled over them like a warm blanket. They didn't speak more than a few murmured words, communicating with touch instead. Angela tucked a strand of hair behind Fareeha's ear, brushed fingers over her arm. Fareeha rubbed circles at the small of Angela's back, bumped her forehead into her shoulder.
When they were done eating, Fareeha placed their bowls in the sink. She took Angela's hand, gently drawing her out of her chair and leading her toward the bedroom.
Angela went to their dresser while Fareeha flopped onto the bed.
"Can I wear one of your shirts?"
Fareeha cupped both hands behind her head and smiled cheekily. "Only if you sleep with me."
Angela gasped indignantly, mouth hanging open as she dug around in one of the drawers. She pulled out a shirt, hugged it to her chest, and waggled her eyebrows at her wife before retreating to the bathroom. Fareeha's laugh followed her.
Once they were both washed up, changed, and under the covers, Angela half-draped herself over Fareeha, head on her chest and legs tangled.
"Comfortable?"
A blissful groan was the only response.
Fareeha chuckled, kissed the top of her wife's head, and let sleep gently take them.
