The apartment door swung open with a soft creak, followed by the sound of heavy breathing as Sydney stepped inside, chest heaving and forehead glistening with sweat. The faint scent of the outdoors lingered around her, mixed with the salty tang of exertion. Her black sports bra was darkened with moisture, and the maroon shorts clung to her muscular thighs, showcasing just how much of an intense workout she’d endured.

With a tired but satisfied huff, Sydney bent down and slipped off her running shoes, each one landing with a solid thud by the door. She straightened up slowly, a slight ache rippling through her body as she rolled her shoulders, feeling the tension ease. Her light pink hair was a bit of a mess, wisps escaping from the bun it was tightly tied into, and the long strand that hung in front of her left side was damp, sticking lightly to her cheek.

She padded barefoot across the cool hardwood floor, her footsteps soft as she made her way to the kitchen, drawn to the fridge like a magnet. Pulling the door open, she leaned in, reaching for a chilled bottle of water. The cold air felt like a blessing against her flushed skin as she twisted off the cap and brought it to her lips, taking a long, deep gulp. The refreshing liquid soothed her dry throat, and she sighed with relief, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Pausing for a moment, Sydney glanced over toward the living room. There, seated comfortably on the couch. A soft smile spread across her lips, her usually serious expression melting into a tender, almost playful warmth. There was a hint of weariness in her eyes, but also a gleam of pride and contentment.

— “I’m back from running,”

she called, voice still slightly breathless but full of affection. She stayed leaning against the kitchen counter for a moment, watching her spouse’s reaction. Her eyes traced their familiar features—the way the light highlighted their hair, the way they looked so at ease in their home.