tbo fluff
Charlie opens his arms to Thandi. “Come home,” he mumbles.
She wraps her arms around him, and he does the same with her. He’s solid, safe, warm. His breath on her neck tells Thandi that he’s arranged himself as always, face burying into her neck. There’s an impulse to kiss his cheek, but she instead clings tighter.
“Why do you keep saying that, darling?”
“Say what?”
“’Come home.’“
Charlie clears his throat, grip loosening. “Did you want me to stop?”
“No! No, no… it’s adorable. I’m just curious.”
Thandi is pulled close to him again. Feeling each other breathe, him protecting her, their heartbeat seeming to tie together. Charlie savors this feeling as he tries to figure out how to phrase his words.
“Because we’re both displaced. I thought perhaps it would be, er… sweet. To be home to you. As. As you are. For me.”
Thandi’s face goes red and it’s her turn to hide her face. She presses to his chest and he rubs her back as she lets the embarrassment ebb away.
“I… like that.”