Loid stayed home to converse with Franky while I escorted my brother back to the train station. We said our goodbye, staying on the platform together until the train was starting to take off. Yuri gave me one last giant hug before making a run for it. I ran alongside him, holding his hand until he was safely onboard. My feet still dashed, keeping up with the locomotive while I still could. Yuri held onto my hand right up until at the last moment possible. "Take care of yourself, Yor!" "I will! You too, Yuri!" "I'll call you when I get home!" "Please do! Until we meet again, brother!" "Goodbye, sister!" Yuri waved until he was out of sight. I stood there on the platform for a few minutes, clasping my hands together in front of my heart and breathing heavy. It's hard to let someone go like that…. Someone you've looked after and loved for so long…. My dry lips pursed together as I finally spun back around to head out.

The walk home was a blur; my vision was getting hazy. It was growing a dark purple outside; it would be night-time soon. The light in our apartment was on. I opened the door to find Loid and Franky inside, sitting in the living room and studying a selection of apartment listings. Both their heads perked up at my entering. I closed the door behind me, trying to flash a fake grin in their direction.

"Hello," my voice was meek and low. "Evening, Mrs. Forger!" Franky was as jovial as usual. Loid blinked up at me curiously. "Did your brother make his train ok?" "Uh yes, we made it to the station with some time to spare," removing my coat, I crept forward; my body language betrayed me and couldn't hide how miserable I was currently feeling. Luckily for me both of these guys were too gentlemanly to verbally address it, though going off the look on Loid's face he could definitely tell something was wrong. Franky, on the other hand…

"Did you have a nice visit with him?" Our guest asked friendly. Forcing another false grin, I nodded. "Yes…. We did. Sorry, I'm always a little sad after Yuri leaves," my fingers wiped the corners of my eyes. I wasn't crying yet but I could feel the tears coming on. Franky waved his hand reassuringly. "Ah, we all feel that when our families go away. It's just you and your brother, right? Oh! And of course Loid now too," he was quick to add on. My head slowly nodded again. "Yes…." Loid didn't say anything this whole time, letting his eyes shift between Franky and I in a thoughtful manner. Feeling really lousy and tired, I went to put my jacket away and head for the kitchen- all while being keenly watched by both men. "I-I'll make us some tea," were my last words before I slipped out of sight momentarily.

They talked amongst themselves for a couple more hours. I sat beside Loid on the couch, not saying anything and only getting up periodically to brew more tea. After our fourth cupful, I sat still, staring down at my balled hands firmly pressed into my lap. While they spoke about moving options, I wasn't paying attention to their conversation; my mind was elsewhere at present. Somewhere far, far away from here- from this city where Yuri and I suffered so much in the past….

I'd been so happy these last few months living here with Loid. Despite existing under a brutal dictatorship, I've become so unspeakably, and that old life seems like nothing but a dream now… My hands clenched tightly. I've forgotten how recent this all is however… All this happiness, joy is brand new; life's never been like this for me before. Existence was nothing but gruel and tortuous for what felt like the longest time. I never imagined myself being "happy" or "content" in any compacity because life was so hard. All those years I worked tirelessly just to support Yuri and I….. I wasn't a girl in that desperate stretch of time; I was a machine, geared for the sole purpose of providing for my brother and keeping him in school. It wasn't about me; it's never been about me. I've always put others ahead of me…. I've always put Yuri's wellbeing ahead of mine. Even after he became an assassin, I still kept a menial job so he wouldn't worry about raising suspicion. It was me who decided to do that- not him.

And now I have the chance to leave this god-forsaken country and escape to somewhere better. In return for everything, Yuri's willing to help me gain my freedom from this terrible regime's oppression. I could leave if I wanted to…. And yet something inside me is screaming to remember- to remember the joy and ecstasy I've experienced here with Loid this last while. That joy, that profound bliss is real too…. Just as real as the pain Yuri and I have endured is. But am I making the right decision to stay? Am I being foolish? To be frank, I never once considered leaving until Yuri brought it up today; it never even crossed my mind….. I want to stay here with Loid; he and I are married, after all. Doesn't that mean something? Does it? Or am I throwing away an opportunity a million Ostanians would kill for? Should I stay? What should I do? What would Yuri say? What would he want me to do?

"Why, Mrs. Forger! You're crying!" My head lifted up like a shot and my back suddenly arched. I was so lost in thought that I failed to realize that I wasn't alone in the room. Franky was the one who addressed me; both he and Loid were staring at me shocked and alarmed now. My trembling fingers raised to touch my cheeks, which were indeed moist. Huh, so I was crying….. all without my even noticing. I hadn't even realized…..

Frankly leaned forward in his chair slightly. "Are you alright? Upset your brother couldn't stay for longer?" "U-Uh, yeah…. I-I'm sorry; I-I didn't mean to disturb you guys. I-I'm just tired, that's all." Neither of them seemed convinced. My husband's eyes lowered onto my face with concern, though he didn't utter a word right away.

I audibly gasped though, when his strong hand reached up to grab the side of my head. My eyes were as wide as dinner plates, as were Franky's, when he gently brought my head down onto his lap; he was using his knees as a pillow for me. Once I was in a laying position, he removed his hand from my head to rest it on my shoulder softly. I felt his fingers caress my skin with such tenderness, it me every cell of my body quiver and shake uncontrollably. My mouth was stammering incomprehensibly, still not quite sure what was happening. It all occurred in the blink of an eye, and I went from feeling dejected to suddenly having a racing heartbeat. Franky also looked like he didn't know what to make of it either.

Loid was the only one completely calm in the scene, gently stroking the top of my shoulder with his thumb. "You're tired, aren't you? Why don't you have a nap? I'll carry you back to your room if you fall asleep," he cooed down at me, though I felt like this explanation for also for our stunned guest as well. My cheeks sizzled all sorts of red and I was about to push myself up off his lap, but he held me firmly in place. "I-I can go to my bed, Loid! I-I don't want to interrupt you guys," my voice was so incredibly timid, elated, and bewildered. His thumb ran along my skin again with the upmost affection. "It's ok. You can stay here…. like this." Loid! My cheeks were burning so hard, they felt like they were on fire. "Y-You don't mind?" And he smiled ever so warmly. "No….."

Smiling- for real this time- to myself, I sighed and let my eyes close. Huh, maybe that's why I was crying earlier; I don't like the idea of leaving Loid. I don't want to leave Loid…. That's what my heart wants. I want to stay here with him, close to him….. right by his side. After all, I don't feel now anymore….. unless he's nearby. Feeling content again, my mind started to drift in and out of consciousness. My lips released one last small, relieved exhale. Yes, I knew this was the right decision for me- I didn't even have to think about it.

I didn't see it, but while I was falling asleep with Loid staring down watching me, Franky was side-eying my husband… while wearing the world's most disapproving frown on his face.