anything and everything

Laila and Arun

Sorry no Amielle, this ended up being around 1500 words and I got distracted writing something else.

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Leslie walked into the house quietly in hopes not to wake Laila. Something had gone missing at work so he had to spend hours looking for it with his coworkers. Thankfully he was paid by the hour but he had told Laila he would be home much earlier. He should have known better than to think Laila would be in bed before he got home.

At first he didn't see Laila, all he saw was the big brown eyes of Hugo. Then he noticed the pale arm slung over his back. Following that he finally found Laila sleeping on the couch with her face nuzzled up against Hugo and cuddling him. He, of course, was loving the attention.

"Laila." Leslie gently shook her shoulder. She didn't even stir. She'd left for work today before Leslie had even woken up. She had warned him she needed to go in early to assist her boss with something but he didn't know exactly when she got up or how long she'd worked today. She must be exhausted.

"Alright, up Hugo." Leslie patted his thigh to encourage the dog to get up. He did, after a moment, with a dramatic sigh. Leslie then carefully scooped up Laila, doing his best not to wake her.

Laila stirred a bit when he lifted her but she didn't wake. She only nuzzled up against his shoulder and returned to her deeper sleep.

How adorable. Leslie carried her up to their bedroom and gently set her down on the bed though found she was holding onto his shirt.

"You have to let go now, I'll be right back." Leslie whispered, gently trying to pry her hands off. Her hold only tightened.

"I know you're awake." Leslie had to fight a smile. She wouldn't have gripped tighter if she was sleeping, he must have woken her but she wanted to be carried.

Sure enough her eyes cracked open and she looked up at Leslie though sleep still fogged her gaze. "Stayyy."

"I need a shower." Leslie chuckled, taking her hands off his shirt and giving them a gentle squeeze before dropping them. "Go back to sleep, I'll join you shortly."

"Ill miss you." Laila huffed but she rolled over and hugged a pillow, nuzzling down into the blankets anyways.

"Go to sleep Laila." Leslie gently rubbed her back to help soothe her before leaving the room so he could shower and change after work.

He returned to the room after about 30 minutes to find Laila sound asleep and Hugo sleeping at the foot of their bed. He gave Hugo a good scratching behind the ears before slipping into the blankets with Laila.

He took the pillow from her and gently pulled it from her grasp. It was his pillow, after all, he needed it to sleep. He set it under his head and relaxed, only opening his eyes when he felt Laila starting to stir again.

He reached over and wrapped an arm around her, gently guiding her to snuggle up to him instead of the pillow she'd previously been hugging. Laila found him and rested her head on his chest, hugging his torso.

Leslie let out a happy sigh as he allowed himself to finally relax and let his eyes fall closed again. "Goodnight Laila, I love you."

There was no reply from his sleeping girlfriend but that's what he wanted. She was sleeping soundly so he could finally sleep too

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"You are younger. Then you are smaller. Weaker." Dunstan taunted his brother.

"I am not." Arun huffed. "You are squishy after being gone for so long."