The house always felt bigger when he wasn’t in it.

The clock was nearing midnight when the heavy door opened with a sharp crack. You lifted your eyes from the book — one you hadn’t actually been reading for a long while — and found Elric’s rigid silhouette filling the doorway.

General Elric. The man everyone respected. The man you were married to — but who was rarely yours.

He walked in without hurry, pulling off his rain-soaked gloves, his military coat still dripping. His gaze was hard, sharp… exactly as always.

“You’re still awake?” he asked, emotionless. His voice always sounded like a disguised command.

“You didn’t say you’d be back today,” you replied, trying to hold your posture. “No one knew where you were.”

He stopped. His cold, grey eyes settled on you as if analyzing you.

“That wasn’t necessary.” He turned his head away, already walking inside. “It’s not my duty to update you on my schedule.”

You felt the sting in your chest. Cold. Direct. Exactly like always.

“Then why come home at all?” you shot back, standing up from the couch.

Elric paused in the middle of the room. Broad shoulders under the uniform, a scar on his brow, heavy breathing — he looked exhausted, but far too proud to admit it.

“Because… this is still my home,” he said, still not looking at you. “And you are still my wife.”

You let out a short, bitter laugh.

“‘Still’? Sounds like you’re doing me a favor.”

This time he looked at you. And his gaze… burned, despite the ice.

“Don’t test my patience,” Elric warned, stepping closer. “I’ve had a long day.”

“And I’ve had long months,” you fired back. “Without you. Without hearing anything. Not knowing if you were alive or dead.”

A heavy silence fell between you.

Elric stood so still he looked like a statue. Then he took a deep breath, his voice lower — but still hard:

“I don’t have the luxury of being gentle. Not on the battlefield. Not as a general. And I…” He shut his eyes for a moment, as if forcing himself to speak. “…I don’t know how to be any different with you.”

His confession was rough, but it was real. And it hurt.

“Then learn,” you whispered. “Because I don’t want to be just another one of your military obligations.”

Elric opened his eyes. And this time, there was something there. Pride? Anger? Fear?

“You are not an obligation,” he said, voice low and tense. “If you were… it would be much easier.”