Prompt: I might have slept with your robe on while you were gone

Cora sighed in both exhaustion and relief as she closed her front door, slumping against it. She loved her job, and to an extent the travel, but she missed her wife, and even her sisters-in-law when she was away. She took a deep breath, inhaling apple cinnamon, dried herbs, and slightly stale potions, feeling the tension leave her shoulders as she exhaled. The house was silent just as she'd expected, most likely her wife was at the cottage with her sisters. A glance at the entryway clock revealed it to be after four in the morning and she yawned. Oh well, a few more hours apart wouldn't hurt.

Leaving her suitcase in the hall, and grinning at the thought of her partner's frustration should she have seen it, she made her way upstairs to her bedroom, deciding to forego a shower in favor of sleep. She paused, however, in the doorway, the sight she bore witness to striking her dumb. There in the bed lay Winifred, sound asleep, and wrapped in snugly in a wine colored robe. It clashed horribly with her hair and skin tone, but that made the scene even more endearing to the woman. Such a simple picture, but it said so much, more than her temperamental wife was usually able to express.

Smiling softly, she padded into the room, drinking in the sight. Reaching the bed, she perched on the edge beside Winnie, surprised the motion hadn't woken her as she was usually an incredibly light sleeper. A more thorough look around the room revealed why. Ancient tomes were strewn across every available surface, along with miniature cauldrons, vials, and various ingredients. Winifred always absorbed herself in her work whenever she was gone to the point of collapse, and it was a habit she wished she could break. Although sleeping in her robe was a first. She stroked her hair and down her back, wishing she could let her rest but knowing how upset she'd be if she didn't wake her and let her know she was home.

"Winnie? Sweetheart?" she whispered, continuing the gentle caresses.

The woman began to stir and Cora sat back, making sure she could be seen so as not to be accidentally electrocuted. (It had only happened once, years back, but she still hadn't forgotten the pain and doubted she ever would). Winifred blinked her eyes open, disoriented for a moment before realizing she was no longer alone.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," Cora teased.

The older woman reflexively scowled before her features softened.

"You're home early," she said, relief obvious before a blush lit up her cheeks. "You see nothing!" she snapped, beginning to wriggle out of Cora's robe.

Cora laughed, having expected nothing less from the woman whose main emotion was anger. She was so cute when she was flustered.

"Sweetheart, was I really gone that long? Did you miss me that much?"

She expected a snarky comeback as was so common, but to her surprise Winnie remained silent and dropped her head.

"Isn't it about time to see if someone else can do the traveling?" she asked, as close to an admission as she would get.

Cora frowned, reaching over to take her hand. It hadn't been an issue before, though as the years continued to pass she could sense this conversation coming. She knew it was hard for her wife, who'd never managed to make friends of her own, solitary creature that she was. Not to mention that though she'd finally embraced modern speech, she still didn't care too much for technology.

Hell, outside the apothecary she rarely ventured outside the house unless it was to the cottage, leaving the errands to the younger woman unless absolutely necessary. And truth be told, she was getting tired of being gone for weeks on end. Perhaps she should bring it up to her boss. It wasn't as if they needed the money. Honestly she could probably retire if she so desired, but she wasn't sure she was quite ready for that just yet.

She sighed, squeezing her hand before giving her a tired smile.

"I suppose I can mention it. Hell, it isn't as if they can really refuse, I've been going abroad for them since before I brought you back. I'm sure they'll find another spot for me."

"You...you wouldn't mind?" Winifred asked suspiciously, recalling how much her lover enjoyed her job.

"No, not at all. Actually, I was just thinking about how much I missed you when I'm away."

"But you've always said—"

"Sweetheart, a lot of things can change in twenty years." She smiled, more happiness in the expression than before. "The older I get, the more time I want to spend with you."

The older woman blushed, embarrassed as always when her wife said such things. She knew that a normal wife would now thank their partner and express their love, but even after so many years she couldn't express her emotions. Luckily for her, Cora knew how she felt, and leaned over to kiss her. Breaking apart, she smirked at her, fingers beginning to trace the bare skin the robe once covered.

"Now that we've established you missed me, how about I show you just how much I've missed you?"

She pinned the older woman on her back, feeling her magic crackle in the air. She looked down at her, half covered in a robe not her own, and grinned. The color might not suit her, but removing it definitely did.