Seven stretched her arms in the air when the door behind her closed, making several tiny noises in the back of her throat as the soreness of her back faded a bit. Honestly, tucking a lot of kids in their beds, making sure they are alright and don't do anything stupid, saying every single one goodnight was a lot of work, but she loved it. She loved every single day with those orphaned children and she wouldn't trade anything for it – it was her calling and her own future.

It was the future she shared with her girlfriend Sice who already did her fair share of work in the orphanage they had and was currently sprawled across the sofa, arms and legs drawn from her as she waited for Seven to return.

Once the children slept the night was quiet and peaceful and Seven and Sice could finally spend their time together without being interrupted. With many children around these times were cut short, so they appreciated every minute of it. Sure, it could be that one child might interrupt them, because they couldn't sleep or was thirsty, but it wasn't a regular thing and neither Sice or Seven really complained if that happened. They were children, it was okay.

"Hm, you finished with everything?" Seven asked her casually when she walked over to the kitchen that was right the next to the small living room they had.

"Yeah, I cleaned everything and I even prepared breakfast for tomorrow already." came a shout back from Sice and Seven only smiled when she entered the kitchen, seeing Sice's work and the small preparations she made for breakfast.

There was bread that only needed to put in the oven tomorrow, plates and knives were already selected. Things should go way faster with that and Seven was very pleased by that.

But she didn't go in the kitchen to check on Sice's work, no, she knew Sice wouldn't lie to her. Instead she looked for a cup she found quickly in one of the cupboards, together with a small pot, and looked in the fridge to search for the beverage that definitely would make the night she wanted to share with her girlfriend way better. Alcoholic stuff wasn't her thing, so she opted for something else instead.

"Spying on my work huh?"

Sice suddenly snuggled at her back, her arms wrapped around her middle and her chin pressed on her shoulder, when Seven set down the milk carton she took from the fridge. She slightly jumped at the abrupt appearance of her girlfriend, actually thinking Sice was still sitting on the sofa in the living room and enjoying the heat coming from the fireplace in the meantime, but sank back in her arms and sighed, laying a hand on Sice's hands that were folded on her stomach and nudged her cheek.

"You scared me for a moment."

"That I could feel." She chuckled and gave a quick kiss on her shoulder. "So, what are you doing?"

"You know, the usual."

Seven set the pot on the stove and poured the milk in it, switching the heat on and then turned around to face her girlfriend, releasing herself from Sice's grip and settled her arms around her neck to keep her still close.

"Chocolate Milk?"

"Mhm."

"Wonderful."

Sice grinned and stepped closer to her, setting her feet left and right beside the woman who smiled down at her, pushing her a bit backwards to let her bump into the counter behind her. On tip-toes she leaned in to capture her lips, almost falling over because the height difference was too big - combined with the position where her feet were standing right now she was even smaller. But Seven caught her and brought her back to her feet, both giggling at their clumsiness.

Now that she stood steady on both feet Sice leaned in again, this time taking note on how she balanced herself on top-toes, smiling when she pressed her lips against hers. It was slow and soft – Seven sighed at the gentleness Sice gave her, brushing her tongue against her lips and Sice took the hint to let her in, groaning as they deepened the kiss.

They might have kissed a lot in their lifetime, but Seven was always very fond of Sice's gentle kisses against her. Every single one was special, even those quick kisses they gave each other when there wasn't time for a proper one. And each of those let them both melt under their touch, grasping at each other to get a hold of themselves to not trip over. They longed for each other and they were really glad that didn't changed over the years they were together, even though their time together was a bit cut short, because of their work of the orphanage. That didn't bother them one bit though, they always saw each other – they were just busy with different things.

Their lips still pressed together Sice sneaked her hands downwards, grabbing Seven's bottom in a firm hold and earned a heavy exhale from her, lifting her up with both hands and set her on top of the kitchen counter. Seven leaned down to her to keep the lips on her while Sice placed her hands on her thighs, groaning as Seven clutched her hands at the back of Sice's head.

It went fast and clumsy, the heat in them boiling quickly – it's been a while since they could a night together like this, and so things might go a bit rushed. Losing in themselves, they forgot the time around them with the kissing and grabbing.

… If there wasn't the pot on the stove that suddenly fizzled and clattered, with the milk almost boiling over.

They both jumped at the sudden noises, coming back to the reality as they turned their heads to the pot and Sice immediately set the stove off while Seven rescued the pot, sighing in relief when she noticed that nothing got spilled.

"That was close."

Seven rubbed her forehead with her hand, seeing Sice almost burst out laughing at this situation while she banged her head against Seven's tight to still her laughter.

"We can't even heat up some milk when we are together." Seven laughed now, too, and ran a hand through Sice's hair when she was in her lap.

"Now you now why you are banned from my kitchen when I cook."

"Fair enough."

She jumped off the counter right into Sice's arms, quickly giving her a small peck on the lips, and finally made the cups of hot chocolate milk ready – filling the milk in the cups and measuring the cocoa she needed for the perfect result. Enough times already she made chocolate milk for her and Sice, knowing exactly how much powder she needed to use.

Sice meanwhile continued hugging her from behind when Seven stirred the beverage, the same hug as she arrived here – and she didn't even let go when Seven picked up the two mugs to return to the living room, resulting in an awkward and slow walk where both chuckled at the silliness they brought to day.

They might be adults now but that doesn't mean that they weren't children in their hearts – they always were and will always be, even though they never were real children in their lifetime in the first place. Maybe that is why this childishness came to surface now - with the war over now they could finally rest and do what they feel like, unhindered by any missions and tasks they were ordered to do.

It took them a while to get used to all this freedom they had now though, years actually, until they realized they were free to do anything they dreamed of.

And they made the best out of it.

Seven took carefully note that she didn't spill the chocolate milk when she stumbled along the living room with Sice clinging at her back who took exactly every step Seven did.

It was silly, they knew, but it had been a while since they had a night together and wasting it with seriousness wasn't on their agenda.

They managed to reach the table where Seven could safely place the mugs down, proud of herself that she didn't spill one drop of the chocolate milk.

She took Sice's hand in hers when she let go from her now and tugged her closer, opting to sit on the sofa together with her. But Sice took the opportunity and held against it, drawing Seven close instead – and opted to sit on the floor.

Seven was confused first and wanted to say something – sitting on the rug wasn't as comfortable as the sofa, but when Sice took the blanket from the sofa and wrapped it around them, her complaining faded entirely and sitting on the ground didn't seem as bad as she thought as it was.

Sice only smiled when she noticed Seven's expression, nudging her a bit on the shoulder when she reached around to get the two cups of chocolate milk and handed Seven her cup. They clinked them together and then took a sip, looking in their eyes when they did.

Calmness they found in each other, a warm little flame that sparked in them whenever they were close – it brought them comfort and a feeling what they hadn't known in all their lives.

Seven's gaze wandered to the fireplace that flickered in front of them when Sice shifted to her side to lay her head on her shoulder and snuggled close, the glimmering flames brought them heat and a cuddly atmosphere.

It was home they finally found, a place where they both felt safe and happy, forever and together in the freedom they choose.

Seven tilted her head and place a kiss on Sice's temple, sharing her warmth with the woman she loved.

The night was perfect and they both knew the memories of it will always be in their hearts.