Vilkas shut the car door with no amount of care and it slammed shut with an ugly noise. Usually he would have cringed, but today, he couldn't bring himself to care. He leaned his head back for moment, eyes landing on the cloudy sky obscured by the trees lining the drive way. Summer was just about over.

He paused once he made it to the top of the landing, listening for any movement inside. Vilkas felt a tinge of emptiness when he couldn't hear anything. Unlocking and opening the door was the easiest part. Vilkas was more reluctant to enter his own house. Still, he mustered up the courage to walk inside and hang his jacket up on the wall. The house was as dark as he left it in the morning.

Quietly, Vilkas made his way to the kitchen in search of food. Surprisingly, lights were on and fresh coffee had been made. Vilkas turned another corner and peered into the back office. This room was a mess too; books were organized into neat little piles and the curtains were pulled back haphazardly.

A smile came to Vilkas' face when his eyes landed on her.

She was seated with her back facing him, legs were curled up in the chair with her. A familiar red headband kept her hair out of her face, reveling the freckles that dotted her neck. Every few seconds, she would look back and forth between her book and the journal she was writing in. She hummed a lazy tune as time ticked by, sun light fading moment by moment.

A welcome warmth welled up in the man's chest as he watched Valleri for a few seconds longer. Something about the way she was focused in her own little world made him forget all of the frustrations that had been piling on him all day.

He must have made a noticeable noise and the moment disappeared. Valleri looked over her shoulders, eyes and smile widening as she saw him in the doorway. "You're home," she said quietly.

Vilkas nodded affirmatively and walked over to Valleri. He hugged her around the shoulders, resting his head on her shoulder. Valleri didn't hesitate to grab a hold of him and breathe him in.

Reluctantly, Vilkas pulled back, standing back on his feet. "I am home. At least for now."

Valleri got up from her chair to follow him. She closed her eyes and tilted her head, "Right now is all that really matters. I keep telling you that. A moment can last forever if you try hard enough."

Rolling his eyes, Vilkas started to smile. He grabbed Valleri again, pulling her in for another embrace. Valleri leaned into him and suddenly Vilkas was knocked off balance. They both fell to the floor with laughter, scattering some papers across room. In only a moment, their eyes met and the two of them were silent. Vilkas couldn't look away.

The warmth in his chest rose again and that familiar smirk came back Valleri's face. Vilkas' words were quiet, "You're absolutely right, you know?"

Valleri didn't say anything, but they both knew. They both knew Valleri was right. She always was.