Ache had settled everywhere on Arthur's body, his eyes half closed and soft with exhaustion as he rode into camp. His head hung and his body slumped over as his horse slowly moved down the path to his tent. He'd been gone for so long, he just wanted to lay in bed and sleep for ages. His hands were rough and bandaged, his neck tense and his shoulder aching from shooting rifles all week, "Evening, Mrs. Grimshaw!" Arthur croaked, slipping off his saddle and stumbling forward to his tent.

Arthur saw you sitting calmly on the ground next to his cot, his eyes widened and he felt much more awake now. He collapsed in front of you and pulled you tightly in his arms, "Oh god, sweetheart," he said softly, burying his face in your neck and letting out a tired sob. No matter how horribly his body ached he would always have enough strength to hold you.

"I've missed you so much, darling," he pulled back and gently pressed kisses all over your face, "Can we go to bed? Cuddle for a while? I'm so tired, I just... I need to rest with you next to me," Arthur held your face in his hand and grinned tiredly, "You're like a breath of fresh air."

"I'm going to be too stiff to move tomorrow, so you're going to have to get all your cuddling and hugs tonight, I'm afraid," Arthur stood up slowly with a grunt, letting you sit on the cot as he undressed, taking off his jacket and suspenders, leaning down to pull off his boots, "Damn I'm getting too old to be on a horse all day," Arthur mumbled, laying down beside you and pulling you tightly into his chest, burying his nose in your hair and smiling to himself.

For the first time in a long time he relaxed and let warmth spread across his body. He was truly giddy with you around.