TBATE: A Hero's Return

Worry Leads To Hurt

ARTHUR LEYWIN

"Are you okay, Art?" Tess placed a hand on my shoulder as she took the seat next to me on our kitchen table. She frowned my way, concern etched across her face. The familiar ache that had crawled under my skin just a few hours before made itself known all over again.

"Mhm," was still all I could manage, even as my eyes seemed to drift shut again.

I used to be able to function just fine on even less sleep than I had gotten last night. Nonetheless, I had to practically will myself to remain awake and not pass out from exhaustion. Honestly, the only things that kept me upright at the moment were the caffeine flowing in my system, and the gnawing fear that maybe my days with Tess were numbered.

I shook the depressing thoughts from my head. That wasn't going to happen. There was still a way to fix this.

A thumb brushed across the hairs at my nape and I hummed at the sensation, even as Tess continued. "Are you sure? What time did you come to bed last night?"

I had to mentally go through the steps of lifting my shoulders into a shrug. I hoped that my fried nerves were firing at least enough to transfer brain to action.

"Around one or two I think," I breathed out. I cracked an eye open to see the disappointment and concern on Tess's face. "Just couldn't sleep."

"Why? Did you have a bad day or something?"

"I did have a bad day yesterday." It was too early in the morning for this conversation. I took another sip of coffee.

"Did you wanna talk about it?"

"Tonight," I answered roughly, praying Tess attributed the strange timber of my voice to lack of sleep. I turned and planted a tiny kiss on Tess's frown. "You're running late. Go, and I'll tell you all about it tonight."

Tess pulled back in surprise. "You're not coming?"

"No, I already did everything I needed to do." That was true. "And since I got no sleep last night, I figured I'd take a day." Also true. "Just gonna relax and try to get some more sleep." That part was less true.

"Oh, you want company, then?" Tess asked mischievously, finally giving me a smile. Normally I would have welcomed the company, but I internally huffed in frustration now. Tess kept going, leaning over to kiss me on the temple. "You could curl up next to me and use me as a body pillow as you sleep, if you wanted."

I was exhausted, and god, that sounded really tempting. But... "No, that's okay," I answered with a shake of my head. I glanced at Tess to see a tinge of hurt flash in her eyes. I sighed before cupping the side of her beautiful face. "You haven't finished going through the paperwork for the latest trade agreements. That needs to be handled as soon as possible right?"

"Yeah, you're right." Tess nodded solemnly. Then she gave me a tiny, adorable, and endearing smile, one that was inexplicably shy. "But, you know, at least we have tomorrow."

I pulled up short, the mug halfway to my lips. I turned to frown at Tess. "Tomorrow?" I sludged quickly through my sleep-addled brain for what tomorrow was supposed to be, but came up with nothing. "What's tomorrow?"

A single eyebrow raised at me. "Uh... Our anniversary?"

Oh. Oh shit.

The anniversary of the day we professed our love for each other on a bed in the middle of the night was tomorrow.

And before hearing Tess's call with Kathyln the day before, I had actually known that. But, in my panic, it flew right out of my mind.

At least I had Tess's present taken care of already. I had seen her during a recent shopping trip glance at a particular hair clip with interest, but she decided not to get it after seeing its price tag. I sneakily went back to the shop and bought it for her and wrapped it up nicely.

I couldn't believe it had slipped my mind since then.

Tess sat up straight, frowning all over again, sad and deep, and I winced at the real hurt I saw there this time.

"Did you forget?" Tess said, purposely keeping her voice as even as possible. But I hear the slight wavering in it nonetheless.

"What? No." I set my cup down so I could turn and take her face in both my hands. "Lack of coffee, I swear." I lied, quickly kissing the frown in front of me. "I promise, I didn't forget."

"You sure?"

"I promise, Tess. I wouldn't forget something like that."

Except I had in the face of dealing with Tess suddenly being unsure about us. And here I was, messing up what we still had. My heart clenched all over again, and I fought to keep the sting out of my eyes.

But I couldn't help but feel my heart rise in a flutter as realization dawned on me. Tess still cared about the anniversary. Maybe she changed her mind about thinking this was a mistake.

I leaned in and kissed Tess again, making sure to put as much love and sincerity into it as I could. I sighed in bliss when those lips kissed me right back.

"So, go to work, okay?" I said as we pulled apart. I tried to give Tess a reassuring smile. "We've got tonight and then whatever you want for tomorrow."

Tess gave me a sly smile. "Whatever I want?"

I just shook my head and chuckled. Of course she would go there. "Anything."

"I am going to hold you to that, Art."

Playing along, I lean in closer. "I'm sorry, what are you gonna hold me to?"

Tess laughed, low and delighted in a way that had me swooning. She then spoke, punctuating each sentence with a kiss. "Oh, I don't know." She placed a kiss on my right cheek. "Probably the couch." Another on my left. "The bed." One on my nose. "The wall." Another on my forehead. "This counter." On my chin. "Our desk..."

I snickered against her, crashing her lips against my own before giving her a gentle push. "Go to work already," I scolded, only to find Tess searing her lips onto my own.

"Tomorrow," she breathed.

I hummed happily in response. "Tomorrow."

With one last kiss, Tess smiled and turned to leave. "Love you," she called out as she shut the door behind her.

I sighed and stared at the door, the little bit of good mood I managed to muster leaving with the woman I loved.

"Love you too," I whispered, then turned back to my coffee and drank it in one gulp.

I had forgotten all about our anniversary the next day. I had only been thinking about doing something small and intimate for tonight. It wouldn't be much, at all. I was lucky that I had gotten the perfect ring made ages ago. I needed to come up with something touching enough to win her heart.

But with our anniversary tomorrow? How the hell was I supposed to plan something around the most important day of the year for us? It had to be something worthy of a woman like Tessia Eralith. And honestly, how is that even possible?

Nothing is really good enough for her.