"One can travel the world and never find a sight so beautiful as the one called home." --Shiromori poet, c. 590 AE
April 27, 1112 AE
Shou Residence, Shouchuen, Zhian
Mia hadn't aged since Shao had last seen her. She looked much the same as the day he'd been taken--collapsed on the couch after a hard day's work, too thoroughly exhausted to climb the stairs and tuck herself into bed. She always worked so damn hard.He wondered where the children were while their mother took her much-needed afternoon nap. Out and about, surely--even the youngest was at the age where he could roam about unsupervised. For all Shao knew, his eldest could have been married with babies of her own; he had missed so much.
Not anymore.Mindful of the floorboards he remembered as creaky, he stepped toward the couch and lifted Mia's legs, sitting down before letting them fall back across his lap. He leaned over and slid his arms around her torso, lifting her upright. He felt her lashes flutter against his shoulder as she slowly emerged from her slumber. "...Shao?"
"Yes, love," he whispered as he brushed his lips against her cheek. "I'm sorry. I had to do something--I was made to do something. But it's finally done, and I'm home now."
Her lack of a reaction betrayed her as still half-asleep. Perhaps she thought she was dreaming. "You've had a long day, haven't you?" he asked her, gently massaging the small of her back, just as he had often done as she would fall asleep in his arms. "You work too hard, Mia."Humming in agreement, her head slumped to the side of her neck. Her brow seemed warmer than he remembered; he hoped she hadn't been ill. "How about I make you some soup? I'll make sure it's still nice and hot when you wake up."
She straightened herself upright and nodded, a yawn escaping her mouth. "That sounds nice."Shao nodded. First, he would carry her upstairs and put her to bed, then he'd start on the soup. He didn't know what he'd do after--watch her sleep, perhaps. It didn't really matter. He was home, and that was all he needed.
NEXT CHAPTER:
Sorry that this wasn't up last night :(
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I move tomorrow, so I doubt I'll have anything new up before Saturday. If I do post something Friday, it will probably be quite late at night. Sorry :(
On a completely different note, I never noticed how much Shao looks like Severin in certain parts of the face :S It's probably the facial hair that really does it.
Yes, this is quick because I stalk this blog!
ReplyDeleteThis was sweet! I wonder what she's going to do when she wakes and realizes that it wasn't a dream after all??! :)
Good luck moving Van!
I was just about to say, that was quick :P
ReplyDeleteHe's going to have a lot of explaining to do, that's for sure. But so long as she actually believes him, I'm sure she'll forgive him :)
Thanks Phoenix :)
AWWWWW!!! That was adorable!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd if Shao's free -- that must mean that next post, Maru is going to collapse into Aurius's arms, right? RIGHT???
*crosses fingers and postpones happy dance*
We shall see ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Morgaine :)
The morning after is going to be interesting. Like Morgaine I am also hoping that a Maru/Aurius reunions (a good one) is near.
ReplyDeleteSorry I am commenting so late...
No worries, Gayl :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the Maru/Aurius reunion... well... ;)
Whoah, now that you mention it, he does look like Severin.
ReplyDeleteIs his wife ill? And is anyone looking for Maru??
I might have used Severin's sim as a starting point when I made Shao, but I can't remember. I should really start keeping track of these things.
ReplyDeleteHis wife has had a slight cold, and she's overworked, but she'll pull through. As for Maru...