After cleaning up, they snuggled up on the bed.
"Back to reality tomorrow," Magnus sighed, Emilia cradled against his side.
"This is reality, love," she replied. "All of it."
His chest bounced against her back with soft laughter. "Looks like we've swapped perspectives."
She shifted to her side to look up at him, kissing his shoulder before continuing. "Tell me you're not ready to find our groove in more mundane circumstances."
"Whatever we have darling, it's not mundane." He kissed her nose, then gave it a playful nibble. "I'm just not keen on the incoming barrage of stress."
"There are ways to relieve that," she smiled. "And not just our insatiable lust. We made it through the awkward getting to know each other phase in the strangest of circumstances. We've done first vacation and series of dates well. And I'd say we nailed sexual compatibility," she punctuated with a gentle squeeze near his hip.
"Mmmmm," Magnus agreed with a kiss. "I suppose a bit of my white knight complex is coming in to play."
"You're not a white knight," she replied casually, then grew serious. "But you're my man. And I won't trade you for anyone. Even if I find out you don't fold your clothes at home, or get irrationally annoyed at Chelsea losing matches, or prefer not to have me greet you at the door with a glass of wine and a blowjob."
At this last, she smiled and so did he.
"I'm not saying airquote real life will be easy, but it's real. And it's the only life we get. What I have with you, I cherish that above any fantasy, even the rocky bits - what we've already dealt with and what will come."
"Alright," Magnus sighed. "Enough of this. I love you. You love me, and we've still got fourteen hours of vacation left." He shifted them both to pin her below his body. "I need to hear you scream my name in ecstasy a few more times."
She grinned, then licked her lips. "As you wish."
His lips dove to her neck and in two hours she had almost cried herself hoarse with pleasurable exclamations. Coming down from their passion frenzy, they showered separately, then went down to the hotel restaurant for a final meal. When they fell asleep in each other's arms after packing and another quickie, both slipped into a contented slumber.
Arriving back at Emilia's house the next afternoon, they breathed a sigh of relief at the lack of reporters or other lingerers.
"Kurt said it had quieted down, but I didn't quite believe it," Magnus said as he pushed open her front door.
"Me either." She slipped under his outstretched arm, pulling her rolling case behind her. Magnus shuffled in with his stuff, closing the door behind him. Mia moved inward, taking in the state of things. The basement door had been repaired and walls painted. The carpet had been removed in half the living room, couch and other furniture moved toward the patio doors. Otherwise, it looked as it had before Kirksten's break in.
"Well, that's cozy," Magnus remarked as he entered the living room. He put his arm around her. "How do you feel, love?"
"Honestly?" She saw him nod in her peripheral vision. "Violated."
Magnus kissed the top of her head. "Do you want to stay here tonight?"
She sighed. "I'm going to have to get used to it."
"Mia, no," he said, turning to her. He lifted her chin to meet his gaze, then ran his thumb along her cheek before releasing her. "You don't have to be OK with that feeling. And you certainly don't have to deal with it alone. You deserve to feel safe again, especially in your own home. What do you need?"
"Besides time and a lot of brain bleach?"
"Yeah," he said with a single huff of a laugh. "Besides that."
The answer flashed through her mind, but she couldn't give voice to it. Yet Magnus sensed both her need, and her reluctance.
"I'll stay tonight. I still have tomorrow off and we can check in with Kurt about the status of everything. Try and get this room livable asap. You can come to my place whenever you need or want to, too. It needs a bit of cleaning, but I'll work on it."
"You're tired," she said softly. "You should go home and get some sleep in your own bed."
He shook his head. "Not tonight."
"I don't want you to feel you have to-"
"No have to, Mia. I want to. I want you to be safe, and happy. It'll take time, I know, but you don't have to be alone, unless you want to be. Say the word, and I'll stay, or go, as you ask. Or don't, and I'll do what I feel is best. But I can't learn unless you teach me."
"You don't mind staying?"
He smiled. "Because clearly the past few weeks have left me with a desire to be as far away from you as possible."
She reached around his back and stepped into his arms. After a moment's embrace, Magnus eased back.
"I think you could use a relaxing bath."
"Join me?"
"My pleasure."
She ran her fingers along his waistband. "I'll make sure it is," she smiled.
Without further talk, he swooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs, luggage and trouble forgotten for a time.