Settling Down

Fate barged in the door nearly ready to collapse right there on the floor. Vivio was in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of juice when she noticed her.

"Hey Fate," she said heading to the living room to plop back down in front of the tv.

"Hey kid."

"Wow you look exhausted. Rough day?"

"Something like that. Where's your mom?"

"In the bedroom. I think she's asleep."

"Thanks." Heading to the bedroom Fate made sure to be quiet just in case Nanoha was in fact asleep. The door was cracked but there some noise coming from the room. Slowly peaking in and pushing the door open a bit more, Fate saw Nanoha sitting on the bed with the computer in front of her. She noticed Fate out the corner of her eye and removed the ear buds from her ears.

"Hey love. Welcome home."

Fate simply smiled half heartedly and dropped her bag on the floor making a b-line for the bathroom.

"Fate? Honey is everything ok?"

"No...no I wouldn't use that word," said Fate splashing some water on her face.

"What happened? Something at work?"

With a heavy sigh Fate leaned against the counter. "Today was a...bad day. I'm literally too exhausted to explain right now. Can you just give me a minute to sort of collect myself?"

"Sure, sure. Umm...can I make you something? Coffee? Tea?"

"Some hot tea would be great. Thanks."

Nanoha headed into the kitchen to prepare the tea and noticed Vivio still watching tv. She only smiled lightly at her daughter who was engrossed in her show that she didn't even notice her presence. She stayed in the kitchen for a while worried about going back into the bedroom. I've never seen Fate like this before. I mean she's been stressed I know but today seems different. Almost like something has really gotten to her.

"Mom?"

"Hm? Oh Vivio what is it?"

The young girl placed her cup in the sink. "Is Fate ok? She looked kinda rough when she came in."

Nanoha cast a worried expression towards the bedroom. "She had a bad day apparently. I'm gonna make her some tea and see if I can get her to talk about it."

"Anything I can do?"

"No I think I better handle this one alone. Fate has never been one to communicate her feelings all that well. I usually have to drag it out of her."

"Kay. Tell her I hope she feels better."

Nanoha kissed her daughter on the forehead. "You're such a sweetheart. Now go watch your toons," she said sending her off with a soft pat to the butt.

"Anime, mom. For the last time they're not just cartoons," Vivio responded.

"Sorry hon. Go watch your anime then."

"We'll get you there mom. Don't worry."

Nanoha went back to the bedroom to see Fate curled up on the bed. She had changed out of her work uniform and was lying there in a t-shirt and shorts. Approaching her, Nanoha gently laid a hand on her wife's head.

"Feeling better?"

Fate just shrugged.

"Wanna tell me what happened?"

"It wasn't any specific thing."

"Just a bad day huh? I'm sorry baby. Can I help at all?"

Fate rolled over and kissed Nanoha quickly catching her by surprise. "You already are Nanoha. Sorry if was a little snappy with you when I came in."

"That's alright."

"What were you doing in here? Vivio thought you were asleep."

"I was on the computer paying bills. And listening to some music."

"Oh no. Please tell me our finances are in good shape," Fate groaned.

"We're fine. Granted the wedding and our honeymoon put a bit of a dent in our savings, but everything is fine."

"That's a relief. Also I think that tea is ready."

Kissing her again, Nanoha got up and dashed off to the kitchen.

Fate rolled onto her back and stretched out on the bed. Closing her eyes for a second, she could hear Nanoha moving about in the kitchen and the faint sound of the tv as well. It felt so good to finally let her body rest after going and going all day. The bed felt so good that she almost wanted to bundle herself in the sheets, that she could tell by the feel and smell Nanoha had just washed them, and sleep for a week. Rolling back over on her stomach again, Fate buried her face in the pillow and was just about to depart to dreamland when Nanoha reemerged with two cups.

"I added lemon just like you prefer," said Nanoha handing Fate one of the cups.

"You're an angel Nanoha. An absolute angel."

"Tell me something I don't know," the redhead giggled blowing lightly on her tea.

Fate stared into her cup and let a deep sigh.

"Fate what happened today?"

"Lots of stuff. Work is getting more and more stressful. It's like it demands so much of us you know?"

"I know. Believe me I get it."

Fate took a sip from her cup. "Married life is SO difficult."

"Who are you telling?"

"So much is different."

"Well we're not in the first weeks of dating anymore Fate. Can't just go to movies and have sex all the time."

"When WAS the last time we had sex anyway?"

"A week and three days ago."

"That was oddly specific."

Nanoha calmly took a sip of her tea. "You're not the only one with needs Fate. We've both been so busy that there just hasn't been time for sex."

Fate sighed. "We always used to have time for it..."

"I know. But things are different now. We have work and Vivio and bills and-"

"No more fights."

"And no more fi-wait what?"

Fate looked at Nanoha with that 'you heard me' look.

"Oh are you saying that you're bored?"

"Nanoha what I'm saying is that I kinda miss the action. Don't you remember how fun it was?"

Nanoha stood up. "Fate we were fighting for our lives, to protect people and this world! There were even several times where I thought we wouldn't make it! And you're trying to tell me was fun?!"

"Would you be surprised if I said yes?"

"Fate!"

"Come on Nanoha, admit it. It was exciting."

"You know what? FINE! I admit it! I miss the rush! You happy?!"

"It's ok honey it doesn't make you a bad person."

Sitting back down on the bed, Nanoha took another sip from her cup. "An S-class mage whose married with a kid. Gosh when did we get so domesticated?"

Fate began to rub her lover's shoulders. "Face it love. We're tamed."

"And I bore you right? With this boring little life."

"You know what? You're right. We do have a boring little life now. But I wouldn't trade this boring life for anything."

"Not even a climatic mage battle to decide the fate of the world?"

Fate was silent.

"Fate?" Nanoha said sternly.

"Not even for that."

Nanoha giggled. "Good."

"Because we all know who the winner would be," said Fate smugly.

"Don't start with me."

Ok so got another one out. Honestly I would have had this one up much, much sooner but I wanted to post it along with another one but since that one isn't done yet I figured screw it. Plus it's been too long since I updated. So enjoy and please review. I'll have the second to this one up soon.