Aftermath

As usual, you wake before the alarm. It's been drilled into you by this point - something you picked up out of will, rather than necessity. Still drowsy, you do your best to dismiss the upcoming klaxon before it has a chance to sound off while remaining relatively still, intent on not waking up your partner as she cuddles into you, warm body against yours. She deserves all the rest she can get...plus, the few minutes of being able to lay there with her in silence is wonderful. Casting a glance down at her as she clings to you, a smile creeps its way across your features instinctively.

Nestling into you closer is Fubuki, resting comfortably against your frame as you gingerly wrap an arm around her in turn, letting out a silent huff of content. Mornings like this are something you always look forward to - and the best part is that you get to do this every day. Never were the type to enjoy waking up before now. The fox cuddles in closer to you in response to your light embrace, and you close your eyes, letting your mind drift as you enjoy the quiet. After all the bad you suffered at her hands, more than a little jarring to think about the situation you're in with her now. Back in a normal, loving relationship. Your thoughts drift further and further back as you take stock of your recollection of the past.

It's been eight months now, give or take, if your memory is correct. Time flies in certain situations - having fun or being under the effects of stress. You wager it's been 75/25, respectively. Fubuki tracked you down, following your decision to leave her. You left her after years and years of being trapped in an abusive relationship with her. Again, strange aeons. A year passed with you on your own. You were...happy, somewhat, you suppose. A good job, back with friends...but something always felt like it was missing. Some part of you longed for Fubuki, though you knew it was foolish. Refused to date...refused to take off the ring. Hung up on her. You stayed like that, shifting between comfortable in your new life and longing for your wife, until she finally found you again on that frigid night, looking emaciated and sickly. A struggle ensued, you lost, found your way here by merit of being abducted (something which you never, ever bring up with said friends)...and then a long, long talk, a gut wrenching shout match. Bitter tears, screaming, everything in between. She begged you to give her a second chance. Apologized for the wrongs she committed, time and time again. It lasted what felt like hours. Though resolute in abandoning her entirely and living your own life, you failed to stay on the path. You caved, even though everything in your body told you not to. The emotional side of you won over - the side of you that still desperately wanted her. That was then, and this is now.

So far? You don't regret it. Not in the slightest. It was tough goings at first - inherent distrust on your part despite everything, paranoia...but that subsided, with time and care. You helped repair the mess you left in your wake; starting with the actual, physical mess that built up over time in your home following her nearly catatonic depression before helping Fubuki to right herself following a long period of neglect. It's been a long road to get to this point. Your friends were, of course...not exactly pleased with you. You don't blame them. You still keep in contact, though. You won't make that mistake again - cutting yourself off from everyone and everything only lead to you being so complicit with the nightmare you were forced to endure to begin with. You truly do still care for them, and they you. It was still an awkward as Hell move back home...but moving back to Fubuki, your thoughts become more focused.

She's back to her old self, you're happy to say, both physically and in mentality. Her hair is far healthier than it was when she found you again, and she's been gradually putting weight back on to boot, undoing the nearly skeletal appearance she took on from grief. She's been true to her word, as well; she's been nothing but kind to you. Nothing but warm, loving...caring. Everything she stopped being so long ago. Smooth sailing on calm water. She stirs against you, letting out a sleepy whine as she begins to awake, forcing your eyes to blink open.

"Mmf..." Fubuki mutters, tightening her hold on you. Her eyes wrench open, gaze lazily drifting up to meet yours. As soon as it processes that you're looking back at her, she smiles. "Ah...good morning..."
"Good morning," you echo, leaning down to plant a kiss on her forehead. She giggles just a bit, still mostly asleep as she presses her body back into yours. "Got another few minutes. Get some more rest."
"No, no, it's fine..." She protests, rubbing her cheek against your chest. "It's better if I'm awake, right? We can spend the time together."

Your wife cranes her neck just a bit more as she looks up to you expectantly, puckering her lips. It's a habit of hers you find incredibly endearing, and with a grin, you give her exactly what she wants. As your lips press against hers, a wonderful feeling of fulfillment swells within your heart. It always does - the feeling never leaves, but it's strongest at intimate moments like this. Somehow, it still doesn't feel real. Every day you get to wake up by her side. You get to be with her in a meaningful, true capacity that isn't just being a glorified house servant. You even go on dates. What was once a dream you had has now become reality, and you couldn't be happier. Fubuki wriggles against you as she deepens the kiss, teasingly nipping at your lower lip. It catches you off guard, bringing you out of your momentary lapse of concentration, but the message is clear. 'Spoil me'.

You even forgot she could be like this at times. Playful, flirty. Attention-hungry, but not in an off-putting manner. Luckily, you're an old hand at this. Bringing your free arm up to the girl's head, you lovingly stroke one of her fluffy ears, taking care to be gentle with it as your index finger and thumb work in tandem, pinching it softly as you rub near the tip. Sure enough, a shiver shoots down the girl's back - the expected result. You've still got it.

"You always go for the ears," she mock pouts, failing to hold back her smile entirely. "Such a dirty cheater..."
"I could go for the tail, but it's too early in the day for that. Maybe later," you say in reply. Sure enough, a slight flush crosses Fubuki's cheeks at the idea. Solid hit. "For now, though, we need to get ready. It's already half past eight."
"It can wait," Fubuki insists. "This is more important..."

Fubuki recommences the kiss as soon as she finishes, not giving you a chance to even try and be the responsible one. She makes a very convincing argument, you'd say. She's right. Breakfast can wait, showers can wait. This is all that matters. With your left arm around her, you extend your fingers just a bit, tilting your head just enough to get a clear view. Sure enough, the silver wedding band she slipped on your finger ages ago greets you - you even managed to get that bizarre tarnish off, letting its true brilliance shine in the light once more. Pulling away from the kiss, the fox gives you a warm smile.

"I love you."

Soul at peace and heart full, the reply comes as naturally as breathing. The sins of the past were forgiven long ago, and the future looks bright. Tightening your hold on Fubuki, you squeeze her to your body.

"I love you, too."

The two of you stay there, letting time pass slowly. Everything else can wait - and as long as you have a say in the matter, it will.