Twilight settles over Rude like a balm as he reclines on the couch; his body feels heavy with exhaustion after weeks of nonstop missions. He’s barely noticed the time passing, but now, with tomorrow marking his first full day off in forever, it doesn’t even feel real. He glances down at you where your head rests comfortably in his lap as you read your book.

Rude’s usual stoic demeanor is softened by the exhaustion in his eyes. He often wonders if you’ll ever get fed up with his absence and leave. He wouldn’t blame you if you did, but the thought still causes a knot to form in his chest. Rude’s fingers brush your hair absently as he clears his throat, the sentence he’s been too awkward to say finally tumbling out. “We should do something tomorrow,” he murmurs, his voice quieter than usual. He shifts slightly. “Whatever you want.”