Winter Wonderland

Normalcy

Citali

After a few extra weeks recovering at the cabin, Citali was finally returning to the real world. Not that most of her life had not returned to the small place in the mountains as she recovered, with Carbry and Ryker remaining with a small team of people for the duration. And with the two lovers, the whole brood had shown up for visits. Citali wasn't even sure if Naiche had even met everyone, as he had left the confines of the cabin in search of tranquility within the woods whenever too many people were around.

And though they had defined nothing or set any expectations or limits to their relationship, Naiche had told her he was going to be going with everyone when they left. When she left, though, he had been very clear that he wouldn't be following her. Not that Citali would have minded, but she respected the distinction. He might not want to have much distance between them, but he was agreeing to return to civilization in small portions for his own reasons.

Citali had a small home in the nearest town to the centre, to cut down on commute to work, aside from the days she had to drive into the city to see her patients there. And once she was feeling up to it, she had packed up a small amount of her belongings and the books she had not yet read. Then the convoy, including her vehicle with Bryn sitting shotgun, the Knight Corp fleet of vehicles, and Naiche's old truck that Citali had been worried would not make the entire journey back.

As they passed the turnoff for the Centre, Citali had frowned as half the convoy, including Naiche, had separated, leaving her driving with a single SUV. And after the Knight Corp team had cleared the house, she was alone.

Night was falling as she wandered through her house and slowly unpacked, preparing for a half day at work the next day. It was odd. She had gone to the cabin to find isolation and herself, and upon returning from it, she was more alone than she had been. There was an emptiness to her home, a lack of something that she could not define.

The few hints of Remy were still in their typical places, but at some point, his presence had left her. He had been gone for three years and she had said goodbye to him that last time in the cabin, but she had not truly noticed until she couldn't feel him with her in their home. There was sadness, but a calm form of acceptance as she realized it wasn't him that she was missing.

Citali would always miss Remy. There was no replacement for him in her life. But she had not felt alone like she was now, when Naiche had been with her. With that realization came half a thought to head to the centre and find him, but Citali couldn't do that.

Naiche would be dealing with all the sensations involved with the Centre. There were children and animals and far more people there than had even been at the cabin. He would be finding a place for himself and taking a few hours to settle into the concept that he had decided to change his life drastically.

It would be selfish for her to seek out his company for her comfort.

With a sigh at her own weakness, she turned her attention to preparing for the next day at work. She was eating about an hour later when her phone rang from a number she didn't recognize.

Citali frowned and hit the answer button before bringing it to her ear. "Hello?"

"I know you are probably busy right now, so I won't keep you. This is my number." Naiche sounded cautious, and a lot tenser than he normally sounded.

"I was thinking about calling you. It's been a few days since you have not been around." Citali murmured, finding herself grinning into the phone. "Are you all right?"

"It is a lot. Both everything here around me and... what I see as well. What I've missed." Citali could hear Naiche frowning as he spoke.

"Where are you staying?" Citali asked carefully.

"There is a place above one of the barns. It is a little large for me, but it is fine for tonight." Naiche offered absently. "Carbry's... uh... Daryl, he was talking about something called a 'tiny home' . I think I understand a little more what he meant. I thought your cabin was large... but..."

"I think a tiny home would be perfect. Daryl has gotten into designing them, He specializes in off the grid buildings. Works with the land and resources. You can literally put one anywhere, go as far away from things as you want." Citali hesitated after saying that, frowning at the idea of him leaving again.

There was silence for a moment, then Naiche offered a soft laugh. "Maybe just a little bit more space from things. But not too far. Are you doing ok?"

Citali paused and glanced around her empty house, frowning for a moment before sighing softly. "It's just weird, I suppose."

"It is. I miss your presence." Naiche whispered softly. "I understand, but I grew accustomed to even having you next door."

"Me too." Citali smiled again, before finding herself yawning. "I am probably going to be going to bed soon."

Naiche was silent, then murmured. "I will see you tomorrow?"

"Of course." She grinned even more as they said goodbye and goodnight.

Hanging up the phone, the emptiness of her home weighed down on her, but Citali didn't mind. Something about hearing his voice and knowing that he was feeling as odd about their separation soothed her. She could only hope that he could manage with all the noise and people around until he found his own little place in the world.

Citali had a distinct feeling that their places would fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, but she didn't want to rush that. Or interfere with whatever he needed to do to find out where he fit in with everything.