When they arrived home, both of them were exhausted.
"Do you regret going?" Dearka asked as they walked up the stairs.
"No; hopefully, the worst is over, but even if it isn't I know what to expect." She said thoughtfully. "Plus, it wasn't all bad."
"Yzak told me what happened with Rusty, I'm sorry I wasn't there." He said coming to a halt as they reached the corridor.
"Really? You sorry! The world must be coming to an end." Mir replied smiling.
"Haha, very funny." Dearka pulled her into his grasp and held her tightly. Recovering from shock she returned the hug. She loved the way he squeezed her, as if it was the last time they would hug or as if they had been separated and this was the first time they saw each other in years. It was tight, strong, and comforting. She couldn't help it as the tears that threatened her earlier this night finally made their way out. Dearka stroked her head as she cried on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," He kept repeating in her ear. Mir couldn't hold it in any more, she started laughing. "What?" Dearka said loosening his grip but still holding her.
"You're tickling me." She replied. "Your breath on my neck tickles." Dearka smiled but didn't let her go. "I'm sorry for making it hell for you." Dearka said looking down.
"You know, you weren't the worst part, your parents were." Mir replied with a smile. "Although, Ollie is it, is getting higher in that list too." Mir said making Dearka laugh.
"I like what you did to the dress, by the way. I don't remember if I mentioned it but you look beautiful. I have to say I'm sad to see the puffed sleeves gone." He joked.
"Oh, don't worry you'll see them soon in a certain person's uniform." She replied with a smirk.
"You didn't."
"You said you never looked good in puff sleeves I wanted to see for myself." Mir laughed as he quickly opened the door to their room and rushed to the closet checking his uniforms. "Gotcha." Mir said as she leaned on the doorframe, her hands crossed over her chest.
"Smooth, Mir, real smooth." Dearka said as he sat on the bench by the post of their bed.
"I thought so." Mir replied as she dug out some new pajamas that consisted of a light yellow button-down shirt with baby doll sleeves and matching shorts that were shaped like bloomers. Mir left and Dearka slowly got out of his tux. The door opened to reveal Mir in the pajamas holding the dress in her arms. Dearka stared at her stunned, soaking up the view of her, as he stood there in his boxers. Mir blushed as she walked past him and hung the dress up in the closet. Dearka watched as she made her way to the bed and laid down, covering herself with the blankets.
"I knew you'd come around." Dearka said huskily but still not recovering from shock.
"Don't get any ideas. We're ONLY sleeping, okay?" Mir said warningly as she lay back down. Dearka nodded and put his pajama pants on. It was awkward at first but once Mir fell asleep and turned on her side, she unconsciously laid her hand across his chest. Dearka smiled and put his arm around her as he knew what she would do next. Like clockwork she nuzzled his torso making Dearka smile even more.
"Night, Sleeping Beauty." He whispered to her, drifting into a sound sleep.