Category: Writing

  • Home at Last

    Home at Last

    modern, sleep, fluff


    The door rattles open, Charlie letting out a relieved sigh. He slouches in, followed by a beaming Thandi.

    “We made it! Charlie, home at last!”

    “I’m never doing that in a straight shot ever again,” he mumbles, dropping onto the couch, kicking off his shoes. “Are you feeling any better, dearest?”

    “Leagues! Thanks for letting me sleep on the way!” Thandi moves to stand behind him, massaging his aching shoulders. “Oh, darling, you aren’t falling asleep on me, are you?”

    “’M gonna be if… ykeep… massaging…” He yawns and lays his head backwards, staring up at her. Thandi giggles and gives him a peck.

    “Well, give me one second, and we’ll get you to bed properly!”

    “Mmm. Mmhm.” Charlie’s eyes flutter closed as Thandi hums to herself, brewing some chamomile tea in the kitchen. She hears him mumbling and sighs, taking the kettle off the heat.

    Her husband is passed out where he sits, occasionally snoring lightly. It’s usually her who falls asleep first, so she straightens his hair and smiles down at him. It’s nice to see him relaxed, calm… peaceful. Vulnerable. He’s going to be impossible to move and twice as difficult to wake.

    Thandi goes to the bedroom to change, grabs a blanket and a pillow. The smell of their home is so comforting and she’s glad that they decided to wash their sheets before they left. So fresh!

    Carefully, Thandi readies everything for their morning.

    A smile creeps across her face. Usually he takes care of all these little things, with the advantage of being able to lift her for bed. Unfortunately, he’s a bit… big. And she doesn’t quite have that much confidence in her strength. Certainly she’s strong, but not lift-her-husband-and-drop-him-in-bed strong. Maybe halfway there. At most. She laughs at the thought.

    Thandi takes care to line up his pills for the morning and prep their mugs for a hot drink. She empties his pockets, unbuttons his shirt, considers trying to change him and shakes her head. If she tries, he’s going to grab her and then she’s going to be stuck.

    There’s dozens of little things for her to do to occupy herself, but around eleven, she decides to call it. She flicks off all the lights but for one for her to read by and settles against him, pulling his arm around her shoulders. As predicted, he mumbles and pulls her close.

    She gives his cheek a kiss and opens her book to lull herself to sleep.

  • Pokemon: Peony and Camellia

    Pokemon: Peony and Camellia

    pokemon, teenagers


    A Snivy runs up to Thandi as she approaches her neighbor’s house, Pikachu in tow. “Oh, hello, Peony! Where’s Briar? Is he holed up in his room again?”

    Peony climbs up Thandi, waving a small hand at the Pikachu as she does so.

    “Cmon, Camellia. He can’t put off our journey forever!”

    Charlie stands and stares at his bed, collection of items laid out. Should he bring more potions? What about pokeballs? And Peony’s favorite snack.

    He’s tipped forward by a sweet smelling force that giggles in his ear. “Thandi!”

    “Briar! Let’s get going already! How can we start our studies if we don’t even know what it’s like to be trainers?”

    “By, I dunno, studying?”

    She laughs and squeezes him for a sec before stepping back, arms up. Her smile is huge, definitely bigger than most would have after her best friend slash rival delayed them until they were sixteen. For school.

    He sighs and shrugs, gives her double high fives. “I just wanted to be ready.”

    “It’s fine! I mean, kids younger than us have run all over Alleria doing this, right?”

    “Yeah, but… um…”

    “Don’t worry, Briar! Professor Wildhart gave me a Bag of Holding.  She got it from Faerun, so you know it’s good! Just throw anything that doesn’t fit right in here, darling.”

    She loves watching him turn red and get all bashful from the pet names. And this is the first time he gets to start introducing himself as Briar, to wiggle out of his father’s shadow. School hadn’t been the only thing keeping them firmly planted in Haven. And she’s happy to keep him focused on the journey… after all, she’s the one who wants to go. He’s just following along to support her.

    Briar laughs awkwardly and nods, packing his bag with the essentials and filling hers with the rest. Peony jumps onto his shoulder and Camellia climbs up Thandi.

    The two teens link pinkies, and Briar leans forward to kiss her cheek. Thandi giggles. “Time to go, Briar.”

  • Pet Panther

    Pet Panther

    fluff, thandi crying, tbo offshoot, confession


    Thandi is stretched out, having had a good cry on the shoulder of her… pet. The panther presses his nose to her face, and she laughs and scratches under his chin. He purrs for her, tail twitching as he licks her face.

    “Darling…”

    His tongue laps at her mouth to stop her from talking, making her blush. She drapes herself over him now, rubbing his sides, getting him to purr even louder as he wiggles and huffs.

    Charlie can’t tickle her back like this! Instead, he rolls onto his back, exposing his stomach. Thandi squeals as he peers at her, rubbing him enthusiastically. He’s so cute like this! And since it’s just the two of them, he’s not so shy as to keep his clothes on as a beast, so she gets all this velvety fur to herself. She buries her face into his chest, and even though she’s having fun, she feels another sob wrack her body.

    Those big paws come down and grab her, and she’s pressed to the well-muscled body of the panther as she cries. He grooms her as she weeps, keeping steady.

    “Charlie… I… would you hold me as a man? I. I know you’re nervous, but…”

    Before she even finishes speaking, she feels his proper arms around her, pulling her close, and he plants kiss after kiss on her face. He strokes her hair and she enjoys feeling the steadiness of him. The actual him.

    “Thandi. I’ll follow wherever you go. No matter what. I love… I love you. I won’t let you be alone again.”

  • Hug

    Hug

    fluff, tbo offshoot


    The bracelet seems to pulse on Thandi’s wrist, in time with the opening and closing of his hands. He doesn’t think she’s looking, but she is.

    It makes her want to laugh.

    “Charlie…”

    “Er. Yes, d… Thandi?”

    “What’s wrong?” Thandi’s hand rests on his arm and she can see his face beginning to color. This man has delivered babies and replaced organs without a second thought, but when it comes to her, he seems nervous.

    “Oh. Um. Nothing. Ha. Congratulations to us for making it through another fight, haha.”

    She smiles at him and it pleases her to see him relax a little, that soft look that he gives her taking over his features. Wouldn’t it be funny if…

    Charlie blinks at her and an embarrassed look tugs his smile sideways. She massages his arm casually, staring into his eyes.

    “T-T-Thandi. Um. H…can I, ah. Um. Hug. You? As a friend.”

    “Of course, darling.”

    She’s swept up into a tight hug, her feet leaving the ground as he spins with her. She hears laughter and realizes it’s him. He’s ecstatic, and then he sets her down, squeezing her close for another moment. Even the bracelet squeezes her wrist gently.

    Eventually, both relax their grip and Charlie laughs awkwardly. “Good job. On staying in one piece.”

  • Excursion

    Excursion

    hook, modern, camping


    “Wait! Thandi. Please reconsider!”

    Thandi shakes her head, laughing. “I know that he has a reputation for nastiness, but I promise I can handle it. It’ll be good for my career to go out on this expedition!”

    The college has arranged for one Dr. Vanderbee to go on a trip to the fringes, right where the planes seem to intersect. However, and this was put to her with the strictest confidence: he can’t be trusted to do it alone. The man’s primary reputation was a dour one, and those above him had observed further quirks.

    His studies border on obsessive. He struggles to communicate with people verbally. He is known to simply disappear for long stretches of time, emerging from the wilds as if nothing has happened. They saw an opportunity to invite Thandi, as an interplanar specialist, to do her research alongside him, and by extension, play babysitter.

    These intersections are very unique, and to get the clearance to go forth and research to her heart’s content is worth a few curmudgeonly barbs from some stuffy old guy. The preparations are made and the opportunity to see a shred of her homeworld soon keeps her giddy until the date.

    At the hotel, she is to meet him to acquaint herself before they charter a plane and get lost in the wilds together for the next month. However, when she arrives in the lobby to meet him, it’s empty. There’s the receptionist, of course, and a grumpy man about her age looking at his watch. He looks like he’s waiting on a business associate to show up, wearing a nicely tailored vest and slacks with a silken green tie. It’s a shame that she’s waiting for someone else. He is. Very easy on the eyes.

    She sits in one of the overstuffed chairs in the lobby to wait. People pass back and forth, but no one lingers. It’s getting to be frustrating. Is he really going to blow her off? Ugh! And it looks like the man is in the same boat. His face only grows stormier with every passing quarter hour.

    Eventually, Thandi pulls out her phone and dials the number she was given. Really, from what she’s heard, she should have expected the codger to stand her up.

    The other man’s phone rings. He pulls it out, and she hears his voice double over. “Is this Dr. Kahsu?”

    She stares up at him.

    He turns to look at her.

    They gape at one another.

    Thandi begins to laugh, but it dies in her throat when she sees the anger building. The call is ended and his fists clench.

    “You! Really now? Out to make me a fool?”

    “No! No, I just! I didn’t realize that you are Dr. Vanderbee…”

    “Well, who else could I be!” He pushes his phone into his pocket, crossing his arms, gritting his teeth. “I’ve been standing her for an hour and a half!”

    “Well, you could have spoken up as well. I’m not the only one at fault here.”

    I don’t talk to people. You volunteered yourself for this. That’s the entire point of your coming with me.”

    Excuse me? I’m here for my own research!” She finally stands and approaches him, jabbing a finger into his chest. “And if you think that this is going to be how things are going to be for the next month, you’ve got another thing coming!”

    There’s the faintest tug at one side of his mouth, like he’s amused. “Just don’t get in my way.”

    “You’re already in mine, Vanderbee.”

  • Thandi’s Kitty

    Thandi’s Kitty

    nsfw, tbo offshoot, thandi tops charlie


    “Mmm…” Thandi’s hands run over Charlie’s chest, massaging him. She enjoys the feeling of the heat of his skin, the firmness of the muscle there. He enjoys feeling her fingers, seeing her face as she touches him. There’s a pleasure there that no one else ever sees and gods.

    She quirks a smile at him and he responds in kind.

    He reaches out, feeling her breasts through the thin fabric of her nightgown. She lets out a sigh as he traces light touches around and around, until he could see her nipples pressing against the dress. For each, he delicately teases them, smirking now. Her hands have paused in her attention to him as she closes her eyes to enjoy.

    He pulls her forward, leaning up to suck on her through her top. It’s a unique feeling, and Thandi gasps as he nips her lightly. “I haven’t even touched skin yet, dearest.”

    Thandi snorts, giggling as he continues to nibble at her chest, staring up at her with an amused look on his face. She ruffles his hair, getting him to laugh as well. “Oh, is that what we’re doing? I seem to recall a certain doctor complaining about how sore he is, and how much he just needs a good massage.”

    “Well! I didn’t say who would be getting a massage.”

    “Darling, you know by now that you can just ask.” Fingers trace down his stomach and she feels his hands on her tighten ever so slightly.

    “It’s more fun this way, don’t you think?” Charlie’s words are muffled by her tits and she laughs again. The laugh is cut off by him pulling her closer to him, running his tongue along her neck.

    “Haaah…” The feeling radiates through her, and she feels herself tightening down below. His mouth trails kisses back down to her collarbone, where he again bites her, sucking her until the pleasure was mixed with a spot of pain. “Darling, your panther is showing.”

    “Well, I hope you’re prepared to accommodate.”

    Again, Thandi laughs, thumping his chest in good fun. “I can bite, too, you know!”

    “I’d like to see you traaaah, fuck…” There’s few things that gives him more pleasure than Thandi’s mouth, and she bites him gently along the curve of his neck. Each bite and nip increases in strength until she pulls another moan out of him, feels his breath hitch. She grins. Perfect pressure found.

    I’ll eat you before you eat me!” The play is delightful, teasing, noncommittal. He loves when she pushes him around, though he’d never admit it out loud. And his expression! When she straddles him, she sees the ghost of a smile as he rests his hands on her hips.

    “Really? You’re going to eat a panther? I don’t know, Thaaahndi!

    Bitten again. This time, she sucks hard, feeling him writhe under her as he whines. To cover the sting of the hickey blooming on his neck, she licks him. She can hear him getting ready to try to say something else and continues to make a steady line of bites up and down his neck. His hips rise and he is breathing hard.

    “You’re my pet, darling…” Thandi runs her fingers through Charlie’s hair, enjoying the dazed expression he has. Her fingers stroke his face, coming round to scratch under his chin. “My kitty.”

    “Your kitty. Indeed…”

    He’s putty in her hands now. Anything she asks, he’ll do; he’s got a weakness for a spot of roughness from her, an extension of that intense need of his to please her. She continues petting and stroking and biting until his hips rise and his cock twitches against her, straining against his trousers.

    “Now, Charlie…” Ah. Wait, there’s one better she can do. “Now, Briar… be a good kitty and give me a tongue bath?”

    It sounds so silly, but nevertheless, she finds herself flat on her back with him pushing her dress up so that he could run his tongue up her body. It sends a shiver through her, stirs her up, and he’s smiling as he purposely avoids her breasts and legs.

    She lets him slide her gown off and presses her tits together with a frown. “Briar, what am I going to do if you don’t get everything?”

    He chuckles a little as he kisses each breast, letting her relax again as he licks closer… closer… closer. The anticipation of his tongue on her nipple is maddening.

    The swirl of his tongue manages to make her call out for him, the teasing heightening her sensitivity. As he licks and sucks, she reaches down blindly and finds the edge of his pants, begins to undo the buttons there.

    “Briar…”

    “Yes, Thandi?” Though he’s being obedient, she sees him get a little cocky with her reactions to him. It makes her want to tease him more.

    “Take off your pants and let me see you.”

    He obeys straight away, kneeling for her to see him properly. She reaches out and she laughs as it jumps before she even touches him.

    “You’re so excited! Look at you!!” She traces a light stroke along his length with a single finger, stopping just short of the tip. A small whine once more escapes Briar.

    “All for you, my love.”

    “Hmmm!” Again, she traces his cock, and he moans, hips jerking forward. A drop of precum beads at the head, and Thandi leans forward and gives him a quick peck right there. She licks her lips and looks up at him.

    He watches her, face flushed, biting his lip. His hair has drifted out of place again and she laughs, kneeling up in front of him. A wicked idea comes to her and she adjusts, pressing his length along the line of her wetness, squeezing him between her thighs. Briar is absolutely beside himself. So close! So far!

    Thandi could feel the ache of need herself, a desire to be filled, but this opportunity is a ripe one for teasing him. So, she presses their bodies together, pulling his arms around her, giving him a deep kiss. The twitch of him against her feels amazing.

    “Start moving your hips, darling.”

    With her dripping onto him, the sensation of him rubbing against her is smooth. Lovely. His breath is stuttering as his hips meet hers. She enjoys feeling the tip of him slip past her entrance and can’t help but stare into his face with half-lidded eyes. He’s enraptured by the silkiness of her thighs, the squeeze of her, the teasing closeness of them both.

    The air is filled with the smell of their bodies. Thandi continues to bite and lick him as he continues, his cock grinding into her clit. It’s so good, but she needs more.

    “Now, Briar, why don’t you show me how much my kitty loves me?”

    Her thighs release him, and she pulls him down with her as she falls back in bed. He’s perfectly positioned.

    “Go on, Briar… fuck me.”

    There’s no need to say more. Briar lines himself up with her and fills her up. She squeezes around him, moaning as he bites down on her neck, slowly pumping himself in and out of her. Each pull is slow, and each thrust slams into her, stretching her around him. The satisfaction of his fit, the feeling as she takes him all, it’s mind bending.

    “Faster… more…”

    He obeys, bracing her hips with his hands as she reaches between them to stroke circles on her clit. The harsh breathing of Briar becomes her name, murmured into her ear as he slams himself deep into her.

    “You can’t come until I do, darling.”

    “Yes…” He moans as she clenches around him. It’s like she can feel every detail of him. Knows his member perfectly. Like he was made to perfectly fit into her. She’s starting to lose her mind.

    Briar whines. “Thandi. Thandi. Please can I cum?”

    “I don’t know,” she gasps. “Tell me what my kitty would do…”

    He bites down on her again, licking and sucking and adding onto the pleasure. It all builds up. Her moans become silent, her mouth forming an O of pleasure. Then the waves hit her, legs locking around Briar’s waist as her orgasm causes him to release deep into her. Her name is the only word from his lips as he slows the rocking of his hips.

    Each slow thrust wracks her body with another small wave of pleasure. He kisses her, still buried completely inside of her. She feels him still twitching, his spend filling her to capacity. Their kisses last a while, almost threatening another round of fucking.

    But, she pulls away and smiles at her husband. She strokes his hair. “Good kitty.”

    “I can’t believe that still works on me.” He laughs a little, hands stroking her thighs as he stares down at her.

    “Of course it does. You’ll always be my kitty.”

    Charlie lets out a bashful chuckle as he pulls out of her, loving the sight of his cum spilling out. The two of them get comfortable in bed again, not bothering with redressing. Charlie hands her a hair wrap, and she throws a leg over his side. They sleep impossibly close, and it’s a well-rested one.

  • Delayed Gratification

    Delayed Gratification

    thandi thoughts, tbo offshoot, fluff


    Charlie is stretched out, shirt untucked and open, sleeping away a spot of lethargy that occasionally takes him into downright crankiness. His body is fine, firm and trim, and like this, Thandi can openly admire him.

    She sits at the table by the couch, smiling as she sips tea and reads.

    Look at him. So trusting. It took her eons to get him to relax enough to let her see his bare chest, to see that scar that slashed it so long ago. Hell, it took forever for him to admit that his favorite touch was a good, solid scratch through his hair, and that was leagues easier than getting him to relax otherwise.

    What a handsome man she’s caught, so shy and lovely. He pours so much energy into her. Speaking of pouring into her…is he ready for that yet? She knows he’s desperate for her body, but something always seems to get in the way.

    Thandi sighs and sips her tea once more. It’ll take time, and she’s already betrothed to him. Delayed gratification.

  • Familiar Melody

    Familiar Melody

    tbo offshoot, sleep, dreams, hook


    The air is cool tonight. He takes a deep breath, tasting the fog as it twists around the trees. It’s always this place lately, something sinister and tense about it. He’d sometimes hear distant screaming as he roams the forest, and it chills him.

    Each night he sees this, he has the unsettling feeling that the screams are familiar. They tear through the air, rending the silence to shreds. The screams haven’t started yet.

    So he wanders.

    Podzol crunches under his boots. Unseen birds take flight. His breath, clouding around him, seems only to add to the thickness of the fog. A stick snaps.

    The world slows down. The ashen face of a woman as she runs, hands out, reaching for—for what? Him? No. Escape. The terror on her face as she slams into him. A guttural laugh. A shape in the fog. His arms encircling her quivering form. Stepping away from the looming creature.

    Plunging backwards through darkness.

    The screaming. Her screaming. A clawed hand.

    Silence.

    It’s as if they fell into water. He’s blinded by the swirl of hair around the woman. She’s so familiar. The thoughts flee as she clutches at him, and he realizes he can breathe. They’re somewhere else. She sobs into his chest.

    He’s compelled to hold her, letting her cry herself out, letting her bury her face into him. The lack of discomfort is startling, but he scarcely has a moment to consider it before he hears her voice.

    It’s oddly distant.

    Oh… I wish you were real…

    “I am real.”

    You saved me today.

    “I’m glad. I don’t want you to be hurt again.” Again? What is he talking about?

    Perhaps I can actually rest tonight.

    “Perhaps. I’ll be here as long as you need.”

    This, he is sincere in. They sit in this void, him holding her as she curls up, face buried into his shoulder. He hums for her. Waking comes too soon.

    Charlie yawns as he sits up, dream vague. It’s early enough that he could wash without anyone seeing him. A quick splash in the icy stream, a good preen. He hums the lullaby his mother always sang him; the privacy and the quiet lulls him into a sense of security he rarely has the fortune of experiencing.

    “Ch-Charlie? Where have you heard that song?”

    He turns, thankful she came after his wash. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

    “That song, Charlie. It’s very important that I know.”

    “Just…” Her eyes threaten to spill over with tears, and he can’t bear to lie much more. “A song. My mother used to sing.”

    “…is it a common one?”

    “I don’t know. She learned it from her personal valet.”

    Thandi hesitates, hugging herself, prompting Charlie to approach and open his arms to invite her to him. She glances at him, around them, and then throws herself into his arms.

    It must have been some nightmare.

    So… he hums for her, keeping her safe against him. It seems to soothe her. They stand there for some time, and eventually she moves away, giving Charlie a curious look.

    “Thank you… I think… I’m all right for now.”

    “I’m happy to do it. I’ll be here as long as you need.”

  • She’ll Be Home Soon

    She’ll Be Home Soon

    annotated extra story, nsfw, charlie masturbating, modern


    He’s got the timing down for their schedules. The days she will be coming home—coming over, that is—he goes in to work early and leaves work early. There’s been a problem building up lately that he’d rather avoid coming to light: he’s in love with his best friend.

    And their closeness, their affection towards one another… he’s failed to explicitly inform her how touch affects him, which is to say: immensely. With her, there’s an open invitation to touch, and she’s rarely seen him around others, so she perhaps doesn’t realize the pains he goes through in order to avoid even the most casual of contact with others.

    This, coupled with his want for her when they cuddle up close, always results in a dire wish for relief. So, under guise of freshening up for her arrival, he’s taken to showering and relieving the problem for the night. It leaves him free to spoil her with affection without distraction.

    As he rinses the shampoo from his hair, the fantasy starts. Her fingers running through his hair as she pets him, smiling at him in that gentle way she does. It’s her hands running over his body, not just him washing. Her hands…

    She’s a habit of running her fingers along his neck, hooking a finger along the neckline of his shirts to play with idly. Even remembering this shoots pleasure down to his groin, remembering the gentle way she massages his skin, occasionally running her fingers over his chest when she curls against him.

    The way she smiles, laughs, seems to enjoy their time together…Charlie rinses himself again and leans against the wall, stroking himself to his full size. His breathing stutters as he imagines her blushing at him, kneeling between his legs as they sit at the couch. He’s delicate with his touch as he imagines her pawing at him through his pants, running her fingers along his stomach and thighs to tease him.

    He’d be smiling at her, enjoying the attention, and she would slowly, slowly slide his pants down. What sort of face would she make? Maybe she’d bite her lip and smile shyly at him, the way she does when his hugs linger a little longer than necessary. And her charming blush… so cute.

    Charlie sighs to himself as he starts an agonizingly sluggish rhythm, imagining her acquainting herself. Kissing up and down… paying special attention to the tip, aaah… His breath stutters out once more.

    Her mouth on him. What would she do? Thandi is clever. It wouldn’t take her long to find something he would enjoy. Her tongue… swirling just like that… moist. Hot. Slick. She’d take her time, he’s certain, and oh… oh… he’d ask her to undress.

    How would she do it? That smile she gets sometimes when she teases him, that’s the one. When she knows she’s got the upper hand in whatever silly game they’re playing. And her eyes wouldn’t leave him, not once. He’d follow her example. Invite her into his lap.

    Her lips… must be so soft. She would taste amazing. He’d kiss and suck and lick as she hovers just above him, just one errant buck away from union. Her breasts… they’re wonderful.

    She’s spent more than one night braless, chest pressed to his, nipples peaked from the cold. He can’t seem to help but remember those winter nights as she snuggled up, his eyes scanning her body even as he willed himself otherwise. And here… he would love to touch and stroke them. They’re probably as soft as her mouth. Hmmn…

    Imagine pressing the tip of his cock to her hot entrance, feeling how wet she is from the play. She’d likely be shy. Take her time. Build the tension.

    Her name falls from his lips involuntarily. “Thandi…”

    Pressing into her. Feeling her envelope him.

    Thandi…

    Sliding down his length, squeezing around him.

    “Aah… fuck… Thandiii…”

    The climb to orgasm begins in earnest. He wants desperately to watch himself sink into her, watch her take him in, see her face as she cries out for him. She would kiss him between moans of pleasure, try her best to keep up with his bucking hips. And he’d be sure to tell her how he feels the entire time.

    “Thandi… I love you… I love you… I love you… please, gods…”

    He could weep from how good it would feel to have her clamp down on him, thighs squeezing closed as she cries out. And he wouldn’t stop, no! He wants to give her pleasure that she could never manage to give herself.

    “Aaaahn… Thandi! Fuck… yes! Yes! You feel so good!” She would. She would! Yes! More, just a little more, imagine that cute little squeal, imagine her voice as she bounces on him, imagine as her nails dig into his skin, as he nips and sucks and licks her neck and her chest as they—oh, oh, oh, oh!

    Inside of her. He cries out her name, free hand slamming the tiled wall of the shower, imagining filling her, imagining how she would drip with him!

    The pleasure is immense.

    It fades slowly, and it’s like sound comes back. The hiss of the water, his own ragged heartbeat, the whirring of the bathroom fan. He rinses himself off one last time and turns the water off. The heat of the water is a good cover for his flushed face, washing away the sweat and the dazed expression.

    He likes to think that Thandi enjoys seeing him fresh from the shower, baring some skin for her. It’s wishful thinking, but it makes him happy all the same. He hums a melody as he dresses and dries, stretches out the drowsiness that accompanies his relief.

    He exits his bedroom and there she is, headphones in. His heart skips a beat and there’s an instant where he wishes she knew and reciprocated. Of course, that’s just wishful thinking. He knows better by now not to get his hopes up. They’re just close. Charlie creeps up behind her and pulls the earbud from her ear before wrapping her into a tender hug. “Hey, welcome home.”

  • Home

    Home

    modern, pining


    The quiet is maddening. It’s no perfect silence, as there is the distant hum of the hardware in the kitchen and crickets outside. But! To Charlie, the silence is overbearing.

    Usually now, they’d be chatting about nothing in particular. Books, maybe. Something that they spied throughout the day. Thinking about dinner. Tonight, though, Charlie is alone.

    And he has been for the past month.

    And he will be for the next few months.

    She had to rush off, her skills in high demand, and he stayed behind. It seemed such an easy thought before now.

    He haunts his own home as he paces and tidies and fidgets about, starting to wonder if perhaps he should simply start spending more time at work. Things here just aren’t the same. There’s no reason for him to come home.

    Home isn’t this empty apartment.

    Home is her.