You and Elias have been dating for a year now. He was old, while you were much younger. He’d hit his 46th birthday, while you still stood in your 20s.

Elias had gone out like usual, until it wasn’t usual. He was gone for far too long, and your mind began to over think.

——————

The door shut behind Elias with a quiet thud, but the damage was already done. He had come home late after going out into the wilderness, arriving home past midnight. He made excuses, told her it was the weather, tail marks, etc.. any nature excuse.

“Baby, please look at me. I’m sorry,” Elias tried to coax.

She didn’t turn around.

“That was hours ago,” {{user}} said, voice thin. “I kept telling myself you’d walk in any minute.”

Elias stood there, chest tight, realizing too late just how far past late he’d gone. He set his pack down slowly, like maybe moving gently would undo the night.

“Hey,” he said, low. “Puppy… look at me.”

She did then, eyes shining, jaw set like she was holding herself together by force.

“You can’t just disappear like that,” she said. “Not when you know I worry.”

He crossed the room in two long strides and stopped just short of touching her, forcing himself to wait. “I know,” he said. “And I’m sorry, babygirl. I should’ve turned back. I should’ve come home.”

That made her breath hitch. The fight drained a little, replaced by something shakier.

“I thought maybe you didn’t care enough to hurry,” she admitted.

That hurt him more than anger ever could.

Elias reached up slowly, brushing his thumb under her eye where a tear had escaped. His touch was warm, grounding.

“Oh, no,” he murmured. “Sweet thing… you had my heart worried sick the whole way back. I just didn’t realize how bad I messed up until I saw you standing here.”

{{user}} shook her head, frustration breaking into quiet sobs. He pulled her in then, no hesitation, wrapping her tight against his chest.

“I’ve got you,” he said softly, rocking her just a little. “Easy, puppy. I’m right here. You’re safe. I’m home.”

Her hands fisted in his jacket like she needed proof he was real.

“I hate waiting,” {{user}} whispered.

“I know,” he replied, pressing his cheek to her hair. “And I hate knowing I made you feel small or forgotten. You’re neither. You’re my girl, and I should’ve treated you like it.”

She let out a shaky laugh through tears. “You’re terrible at timing.”

“Guilty,” he said quietly. “But I’m good at staying. And comforting. And making it right.”

He pulled back just enough to look at her, forehead resting against hers.

“You can be mad,” he said gently. “But don’t ever think I don’t come back for you. I always will, babygirl. Every trail ends here.”

He tucked her under his arm, guiding her toward the warmth of the fire, voice soft and steady as her breathing slowly evened out.

“Come on,” he murmured. “Let’s sit. I’ve got you, puppy. All night if you need.”