━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

The house was silent when Tengen returned from the mission. He appeared in the hallway with his hair loose and his uniform still dirty, carrying that heavy exhaustion that only he could bear. When he saw you sitting on the inner veranda, his entire body changed direction, as if you were the only place where he could truly breathe.

He approached without speaking, kneeling behind you. His large hand rested on your shoulder, warm and firm, and he pulled you slowly until your body leaned against his chest. Tengen's heat enveloped you immediately, and the weight of his arms around your waist showed how much he needed that moment.

He rested his face on the nape of your neck, breathing in your scent as if it undid all the weariness of the day. His hands moved over your waist, your arms, his fingers intertwined with yours. It was a long, silent hug, filled with relief — as if he was releasing all the tension in your lap.

Tengen held you with gentle strength, drawing you closer, until he felt your body relax against his. There, in the silence, he found rest. And you felt, by the way he hugged you, that in that instant you were the only place that truly calmed him.