The apartment slowly softened around them as the afternoon stretched on.
The food containers sat half-empty across the kitchen table now, steam long faded. Alex had loosened completely somewhere between the soup and the second dumpling he stole directly off Leo's plate despite having his own.
"You realize I bought extra for you," Leo said.
Alex leaned back in the chair, tired but visibly lighter now. "Tastes better stolen."
"You're impossible."
"You like me anyway."
Unfortunately, yes.
Leo gathered the empty containers while Alex watched him with that same quiet look he'd been wearing since walking through the door. Not intense. Not heavy.
Just soft.
Like he still couldn't fully believe Leo was here waiting for him.
"You keep staring at me," Leo said finally.
"I was gone for two days."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Leo rolled his eyes lightly, carrying dishes toward the sink.
A second later warm arms wrapped around his waist again.
