"So what are you in the mood for for dinner? I'm thinking of that one autumn stew my aunt taught me." Ethari casually told Runaan as they strolled through the market, their entwined hands swinging lazily.
"The one with the rainbow grape wine? That sounds good to me." Runaan nodded, chuckling when his husband beamed back and right away started rattling off whatever ingredients they needed, excited for one of his favorite meals.
Together they figured out what they had at home and what they needed to get and went to the one stall that just so happened to sell some of everything needed.
"And some striped mushrooms! Those are my last ones so you guys are lucky! Anything else I can get you?" the elf running the stall asked after giving said items.
"No, that's all, thank you!" Ethari chirped happily, having over the money to pay.
"Great, and here's your change!" the elf held out his hand and just as Ethari was about the accept it he felt Runaan's hand tighten around his own.
He was about to ask what was wrong when he actually realized what was in the stall-owner's hand.
There, sparkling in the sunlight, was a small pile of coins.
Ethari almost gave himself whiplash from how quickly he turned to look at his husband, heart sinking at what he found.
Runaan was completely rigid, breating rapid and unevenly and his eyes were wide, looking both at what was in front of him but also at the past.
All in all?
His normally strong, stubborn, prideful, brave and more husband was absolutely terrified.
And that honestly scared Ethari.
Still, his husband needed him so he pushed his own feelings down and got into action, tightening his own hold on his husband's hand and quickly started dragging him away from the crowd, calling to the confused merchant to keep the change.
Together they nearly ran home, ignoring every confused look or attempt to talk to them, only stopping when they finally reached the safely of their home.
As soon as they were inside Runaan's legs seemed to give out from under him, Ethari barely managing to catch him before he hit the ground.
"Easy now, easy. I've got you." he gently told him, leaving the groceries by the door to carefully guide his shivering husband to the livingroom.
As soon as they reached the couch he made Runaan sit down.
His heart broke at seeing the state his husband was in.
Runaan had curled up into himself, hugging his legs to his chest as he shuddering and muttered things Ethari couldn't make out to himself, his normally bright turquoise eyes wide, dull and far away.
He was having a full-blown panic-attack.
"Runaan?"he called out carefully, not getting a reaction.
He reached out to grab Runaan's shoulder but stopped himself just in time, realizing that probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Not yet.
"Runaan?" he called again, louder this time but still getting no reaction so he knelt down on the floor in front of him so he directly in his line of sight.
"Runaan, please look at me." he called out a third time and finally Runaan broke from his trance and looked at him again.
"E-Ethari?" he called out weakly, sounding so confused and unsure.
"I'm here, Darling," Ethari allowed himself to smile back, trying to look comforting, "It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay."
"Can you tell me were you are?" he then asked carefully, frowning when the panic Runaan had been feeling seemed to return full-force.
"Y-You shouldn't be here! Not you too! You can't be here too!" the assassin cried desperately.
"We're not there, Runaan," Ethari shook his head and slowly, carefully reached out to grab on of his husband's hands in his own, "You're back home with me, Moonligth."
"Here. Touch the couch you're sitting on. Touch your clothes." he gently instructed, watching as Runaan did as he was told, slowly calming down again when he found the soft worn-down couch instead of cold metal and the simple casual tunic he was wearing instead of bare bruised skin.
"I-I-" he looked back up at Ethari, eyes still scared but also hopefull, "I'm home?"
"That's right!" Ethari nodded excitedly, "You're home, Runaan. You're home and safe. I promise you're safe."
That seemed to be the final pull Runaan needed before finally uncurling from himself and throwing himself at his husband.
Ethari let out a grunt when the other collided with his chest and knocked him backwards, but he didn't mind one bit, hugging his dead husband back with all his might.
Neither of them were sure how long they stayed like that before relocating to the couch where they sat cuddled together under a big fuzzy blanket.
"I-I hate feeling like this. I feel so vunerable. So weak. Like if I get too comfortable, all of this will disappear and I'll be back in that coin. Like you will disappear." Runaan whispered, resting his head against his husband's strong chest, voice cracking as he struggled not to cry.
"Hey,,hey, you're not weak!" Ethari scolded softly, running his fingers through Runaan's smooth long hair.
"But I-" "Hush you!" he lightly flicking him on the forehead to stop the incoming protest.
"Look at me!" he said sternly, grabbing Runaan by the chin.
"I have said this before and I'll say it as often as you need to hear me say it, but you're so, so strong, my love! What you went through would break any other man but you pulled through! I know being here doesn't magically undo any of it and you might have these feelings for weeks, months or even years, but I need you to know you're strong and I'll always be here to remind you of that!" he told him, staring deeply into his eyes, his own eyes filled with determination.
Runaan looked back at him in wonder before asking "But what if I never get better?" and Ethari sighed through his nose.
"Healing has no time-table, Ru. If you need forever, then I'll have to remind you forever. It's as simple as that. I'll stick by you through it all." he answered, tenderly cupping Runaan's have in his hand.
Finally Runaan gave a genuine smile back, putting his own hand over the one on his face.
"What would I ever do without you, my ever-guiding moon?" he asked, all despair gone and replaced by just pure love for the elf holding him.
"I'm not sure about that, but I do know you wouldn't be eating my aunts autumn stew tonight!" Ethari joked, grinning when this earned a laugh.
"Right, later. Because now I'd really like it if you'd allow me to keep holding you for a little longer." Runaan then told him, smiling a little sheepishly.
Ethari blinked but quickly smiled back again.
"I'll let you hold me for as long as you need and I'll hold you in return." he answered, wrapping his arms tighter around Runaan and pulling him closer.
"Thank you." Runaan whispered against his lips and with that they shared a tender kiss.
