The sun had long since dipped beneath the horizon, painting the skies in hues of both indigo and gold. Inside the quiet apartment above the Sabertooth guildhall, the air was emitting an air of warmth and serenity, until the door slammed open with a dramatic thud.
"Yukinoooo..."
The melodramatic drawl echoed through the hallway. Sting Eucliffe, the Sabertooth guild's renowned Guild Master, slumped against the doorframe like he had just returned from a war zone. His blond hair was slightly tousled, his jacket halfway open and was busy sliding off one of his shoulders, and his boots scuffed from the day's training and paperwork disaster.
Yukino peeked her head out of the kitchen, an apron wrapped snugly around her waist. She blinked at him, amused. "Welcome home, dear... Rough day?" Sting didn't answer immediately. Instead, he trudged forward like a wounded soldier, arms extended. "I'm dying. Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually. Hold me." The last part came out as a small grumble, as his cheek's tinted.
Yukino had barely managed to set the ladle down before she was engulfed in the dramatic slayer's arms. He nuzzled his face into her neck, wrapping his arms around her like an oversized blanket. "You smell nice," he mumbled. She laughed softly, patting his back. "That's just the smell of dinner. You're lucky you got back before I finished."
"Forget dinner. I need love. Nourishment for the soul..." He smiled into the crook of her neck, as he continued to hold her. "You're unbelievable," she said, though her fond tone betrayed her. "Come on, sit down. I'll finish cooking, and you can-" "No," he groaned, tightening his grip. "Don't leave me. I've missed you so much today. Rufus made me read six reports. Six, Yukino. That's illegal."
"You're the Guild Master." She chuckled amusedly, "And I should be above paperwork. I'm a man of action, not admin." He finally let go only to flop dramatically on the couch, his arms stretched out as if he'd lost all will to move. "C'mere."
Yukino arched an eyebrow but walked over anyway, crouching beside the couch and brushing a few strands of hair out of his eyes. He looked so soft like this - completely unguarded and clingy, like a sleepy cat that refused to let you work. "You're so needy when you're tired," she said, kissing his forehead.
"Only for you," he murmured, his voice lazy and content. "I love you..." "I love you too," she replied warmly. "But if you want dessert later, you'll let me finish dinner." "...I love you slightly less now." Yukino laughed and stood up, only for Sting to groan and grab her hand dramatically. "One more kiss." He pouted as he grasped her hand a little tighter.
She rolled her eyes with a smile and leaned down, kissing him gently on the lips. "There. Now behave for ten minutes."
"Five."
"Eight."
"Deal."
And as she returned to the kitchen, Sting let out a long, tired sigh, stretching across the couch with a lazy grin. He could fight dragons and lead one of the most powerful guilds in Fiore - but there was no battlefield sweeter than being spoiled by the woman he loved.
