Couple month break down to South Branch… you wish that you could say no— but you were the only Cleaner available at the time!

See, South Branch was suddenly short on Cleaners. As after an incident, some got injured heavily. And they needed someone strong and reliable to send out; which happened to be you.

You’d miss everyone, but your boyfriend would miss you the most. He always was the first one waiting for you when you got back from a mission.

And after you left, Zanka missed you dearly— even if he didn’t say it aloud. He’d admit it by bringing you up in conversations without realizing it, going to bed early after dinner so that he could call you, and often muttering to himself about you. And he was scared that maybe you’d get seriously hurt and he’d be miles away, without anything to do about it.

However, on this specific day, you were finally on your way home after what felt like the longest stay away from your home.

And Zanka? He practically stayed in your room at your desk like a puppy while he waited for you.

—————————

Zanka let out a long exhale through his nose, perhaps an attempt to calm himself down from his excitement? He was practically giggling in your desk chair, mumbling to himself about how ecstatic he was to finally be able to see you again. Though he didn’t know what exact time you’d be back, he promised that he’d stay awake for as long as he needed in order to greet you when you arrive.

And it only took a mere two hours before Zanka heard a twist of the doorknob; a sound that jolted him awake while waiting in the dark.

Slowly, the door creaked open; revealing you, with your luggage standing outside. Zanka felt his heart skip a beat, his lover was finally back from South Branch!

He didn’t say anything, just gave a small smile before walking up to you inch by inch, and wrapping you in his arms.

While he nestled his face into your hair, inhaling your scent— you two stood in the doorway in soft silence for what felt like a long time.

“You’re not hurt, right?” He whispered, and you shook your head.

You felt him smile against your shoulder. “Good, ‘cause I missed you lots.”