the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's amusing, really, how eager Alanna is as she throws open the front door and races into the apartment. Calling Adam's name, she looks for him until she finds a note on their bed.

There's a reason she can't find him; he's at Olau.

Disappointed, she gives in to the exhaustion and stretches out on the bed, clutching his note. One hour, possibly two, and her eyes snap open. She's never really going to be able to rest until she finds him.

A hot shower helps, as does familiar and comfortable clothing, and before long she's in Tortall, trekking from ruins to castle. Occasionally, she contemplates lying down in the still warm grass, but she never really entertains the thought for long.

Half an hour later, Adam might hear the dull thud of horse hooves enter the orchard.

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He does, and it's with a yawn and a stretch (though it's not like he was sleeping) that he looks up to peek out the window of the small cottage in the orchard.

His orchard. He smiles, a bit, at that, and the smile grows even larger when he sees who's causing the sound.

Sliding off the plump mare's bare back, Alanna speaks softly to her as she removes the halter and lead. Shaking her head with a quiet snort, the horse moves off to graze. Alanna watches for a moment before turning on her heel and rushing inside the cottage.

As soon as she sees Adam, she stops short and smiles. And beyond a few scrapes and obvious exhaustion, she looks none the worse for wear.

Not to say he's not going to give her a once (or twice or thrice) over. After he's duly satisfied, then he pulls her into a hug. Or perhaps the hug is first and the examination second, but does it really matter? Either way, she's hugged.

...rather tightly.

As is he.

"Now I'm doubly thankful I showered first," she whispers, burying her face in his neck. "Goddess, I missed you."

"You missed me?"

He chuckles, incredulously. He kisses her, though, and breathes her in, eyes closed.

"God, I missed you."

"I think time passed more quickly in 1938. Or far more slowly, depending on your viewpoint."

Fingers diving into his hair, she kisses him again. And again. It's likely she won't stop for several minutes.

Eventually, "I didn't adopt a hippo."

Adam has no objections. As would be shown by him kissing her as well.

"Good."

And it's not enough, and it doesn't make sense, but all he cares about right at this precise moment is the fact that she's in his arms.

"I was so worried."

Swallowing, she pulls back enough to see his eyes.

"I'm fine. I promise. I'm so sorry you were worried. I was so anxious to get back."

"I know you are. And I don't know why this time, when I'm usually-"

He cuts off, and chuckles.

"Okay, I'd be a damn liar if I said I was usually okay with it. But not-"

He shrugs, and decides to stop the rambling and start again with the kissing.

"I'm just so glad you're back."

Lips still pressed to his, she opens her eyes slowly.

"Maybe because of what happened the last time I went off by myself."

Certainly, she has been back and forth to Tortall since she was injured, but he accompanied her on occasion and she hadn't been out on border patrol.

"So am I. You have no idea."

He nods, lightly, and bites his lip. Leading them over to sit, he wraps his arm around her shoulder, loathe to let go even for a minute.

"I'd say tell me all about it, but I'm not sure I want you to.

"I don't care much for flying," she tells him, hoping that's a fairly inoffensive topic.

Gently pushing him down in a comfortable and slightly dusty chair, she follows, curling up on his lap with a smile. That's the thing about adventures -- coming home is always the best part.

He lets her push, and he wraps his arms around her, placing a kiss on her head.

"It's strange to get used to, even when you grow up with them."

"Do all planes take off and land on water?"

Eyes shining, she looks up at him with a sheepish smile.

"I might not have reacted well to that aspect of it."

He laughs, and places a light kiss on her nose.

"No. Not all planes. And now you're back safe on land."

"Now I'm home."

Although she's not quite sure how long that will last. Banishing that thought, she kisses him again, gaze curious.

"Don't you want to know if we were successful?"

He shrugs a little, and rests his head on top of hers.

Alanna bites her lip. She hadn't expected him not to want to hear about it all.

"I wrote you a letter, but it got lost along the way."

Stupid hippo.

"Lost?"

He looks at her, warily.

"In the river?"

Looking a touch guilty, she shrugs.

"It was a lovely letter," she assures him.

He smiles, then, and hugs her.

"Rather have you than a letter."

"Especially one of my letters," she admits. "Even if I think it was lovely. Truthfully, I didn't get far past many mentions of missing and loving you."

Sighing, she rests her head on his shoulder.

"Used more of my Gift than I would've liked."

He lifts a hand and runs it softly over her hair.

"Tired?"

Stupid question, perhaps.

"Extremely," she chuckles, eyes closing at the touch. "But it felt good."

Down to her ear and across her cheek.

"I'm glad. I'm glad you got to have this."