What she wanted to say was something like “of course” or “naturally”, but all that came out was a sort of noise that was a combination of choking and wheezing. Her body moved of its own volition when he extended his arms and she dived into the comfort of his embrace.
She remained there for a bit, quiet as her face burrowed into his chest, allowing the feeling of comfort to engulf her. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe (a dangerous notion, because they were never safe now, not really).
“You know, I can’t remember he last time I bathed,” She admitted, pulling a little ways away and breaking any remaining silence between them. “So I suppose that’s my first order of business.”
“Oi, oi--it’s ‘cause you still say those kinds of things that you’re not married yet, you know?” It’s never mattered, of course, but it’s the irrelevance that makes it easier to talk, and easier still to keep himself from reeling now that she’s back.
It’s... a surprise. It’s also not.
A girl like her? She’ll always come back.
(Stubborn, Ookurikara had said once, arms crossed and gaze averted as he sat just outside her door. And Tsurumaru had laughed, reaching out to pat his head despite the look of annoyance it’d earned him, and said--well, aren’t you, too?)
“...But you do look like you need a bath and some rest. Go take one; I’ll be right here.” As he has been, waiting, waiting. They’ve all been. “But if you’re in there too long, don’t get too surprised if I intrude. Wouldn’t want to find out a day later that our Saniwa returned just to drown in the baths, huh? Hah! That’d be a shock.”
