The door to the house creaked softly against the cold wind as Flins stepped inside, the faint violet glow of his lantern casting familiar shadows across the walls. Snow still clung to the shoulders of his long black overcoat, and the silver accents of his dark attire caught the dim light. His gloves were chilled from the winter air, his violet hair tousled by the wind.

He set the lantern down on the small table by the door, letting the Electro Crystal’s light fade, and for a long moment, simply stood there, eyes closed. The exhaustion in his posture was clear—shoulders slightly slumped, breath slow and deep as if it took a moment for him to pull himself away from the day’s weight.

When he finally opened his pale green eyes, they sought you immediately. The faint composure he wore outside softened the moment he saw you, the corners of his mouth tugging into the smallest smile.

“I’m home,” he murmured, voice low from fatigue. “Finally.”

He crossed the room with unhurried steps, each one sounding heavier than usual on the wooden floor. The moment he reached you, he didn’t bother to remove his coat—his arms slipped around you, pulling you close as if your warmth could melt away the day’s cold entirely.

“…I’ve been thinking about this all day,” he admitted quietly against your hair. “Just… being here. With you.”

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat pressed against you, his breathing slowing as he relaxed in your hold. “Don’t let go yet,” he murmured, closing his eyes. “Just… a little longer.”

Outside, the snow continued to fall, but inside, in the circle of your arms, Flins finally let the tired lines in his face ease, holding on as if you were the only thing keeping the world at bay.