So - very long story short, this fic is part me getting assigned penance by StoriesOfTheHeartie for something dumb I said on Instagram Friday, part Maggienhawk spitballing ideas, and part me breaking the rules as they were given to me because that's what I do.

What we have here are 20 drabbles - micro-fics of exactly 100 words, each containing a kiss from Nathan to Elizabeth. The fics jump around in time and span across years into the future of their relationship, but there is some structure to it. Each chapter contains exactly 5 drabbles, corresponding to a particular time of day, and that pattern repeats for each chapter.

Also - since it's fall and themes are fun, each of the four chapters has a fall-themed title. The titles of the chapters and the content of the fics get increasingly more M rated as you move through them. If you're a strictly PG fic reader, I'd stop after Chapter 2.

Needless to say, I have NEVER written anything like this before, so definitely let me know what you think.

Chapter 1: Cooler Temperatures

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Morning Breaks

Nathan looked across the breakfast table at his family. He'd never tire of these moments. It was as if he was living a dream - one that died and was buried deep in his heart but was miraculously resurrected. He caught Elizabeth's eye and squeezed her hand, bringing it to his lips, and brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles.

"What was that for?" she asked, flashing that smile that was just for him.

"I just love you. And I wanted to show you," he responded with a wink.

Allie rolled her eyes.

"Okay you two, we have to get moving."

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Daylight

Jack was shouting as soon as he saw the red serge approaching.

"Mountie Nathan! Come play with us!"

"I just came by to talk with your mama, but we'll play tonight after dinner, okay?" Nathan smiled as the boy ran off with friends, satisfied with the compromise.

"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked, eyebrows slightly raised, as Nathan pressed a kiss into her hair.

"I just needed to tell you I'll be home a little late tonight. Mrs. Beverly is injured and needs firewood. It's supposed to get cold."

"Always the hero," she said with a smile.

He just shook his head.

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Eventide

They moved in tandem, prepping dinner. Nathan couldn't help but think how nice it was to be able to be here doing this for a change. He preferred this - working with her.

He reached around her to grab a towel and took the opportunity to stand closer than strictly necessary, ghosting his lips across her cheek before returning to work chopping the carrots into slices small enough for their youngest to eat. He felt Elizabeth's eyes on him and glanced back over at her.

"You still take my breath away, you know," she said.

"I know the feeling," he replied.

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Nightfall

Nathan rose from the sofa and walked toward his wife who sat at her desk, concentrating fully on the words she wrote. He'd vowed he would never directly ask, but more often than not, she'd share phrases with him, curious to know his perspective on whatever was weighing on her heart.

"Are you going to be up a while longer?" he asked, taking care not to startle her.

"A bit," she replied with a smile. "I have a little more to work through."

Nathan slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her forehead.

"Ok sweetheart. I'll see you upstairs."

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Dark before Dawn

Nathan dipped the cloth back into the basin of cool water and patted it once again across Elizabeth's forehead. The fever had broken, but she told him how nice it felt, so he continued his ministrations.

"You had me worried there," he said, trying to sound more composed than he actually was after watching her sink into the fever-induced delirium and being helpless to assist her.

"I'm so sorry, Nathan," she whispered.

"No," he said, leaning forward, pressing his lips onto her exposed collarbone, and burying his head beside hers. "Don't you dare be sorry. You came back to me."

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