°•Various One-Shots/Short Stories•°

Shiro-4 x Non-Guardian Female!Reader

He was late.

Then again, he was always late.

I never thought I'd be spending our first anniversary alone.

A quiet dinner, a warm shower, and a cup of tea were the only things that encouraged me to grasp onto my sanity. But, things weren't always like this.

Believe it or not, there were times when we spent every day or every waking moment by each other's side. I'm not sure when that changed or why.

Nevertheless, It feels a bit lonely.

The apartment is still.

It somehow feels empty.

The T.V. antagonizes me, reminding me of how lonely I truly am.

It matters not what I do, nor how often I do it.

Exercising, cleaning, cooking. None of it held my attention long to drown out my frustrations, my sorrows.

Who knew to marry a Guardian meant to be alone?

The door clicks, signaling my companion's arrival, and my gaze drops toward the band against my wrist.

He's home early.
That's unusual.

"Tesoro," His gentle tone, familiar, sweet. "I'm home."

A prompt weight settles against my chest, expelling the air from my lungs as my ribs cave-in.
A wave of nausea burrows within my gut and my head throbs, ever so slightly.

How am I to face him?

There's no denying that I'm upset. But, I don't want want to ruin the evening, nor do I want to approach it with an attitude.

Yeah, I want to rip him a new one.

But, It's not like he has a choice either.

A heat claims my waist, "Welcome home."

"I've missed you," the Exo confesses, his head resting against my shoulder.

This.
I've missed this.

I'd nearly forgot how good it felt to be in his arms.

"Shiro,"

"Happy Anniversary, Tesoro."

Why did he have to be so painstakingly sweet?

"Happy Anniversary."

"Have you eaten?" He arrives home from work, and yet he continues to concern himself with my well-being.

Typical Shiro.

"Yeah. I ate a little while ago."

Those must have been the magic words, "I want to show you something."

"Okay?"

Upon his release, the palm of his hand strikes my posterior, and I squeak in protest, "I'll wait outside."

'Tis the season for chilly weather, warm sweaters, and an endless amount of hot chocolate.
Therefore, I'll need to dress as such.

The air is cold, and even with the layers, the breeze whips across my neck, evoking a stinging shiver down my vertebrae.

It was crisper than I anticipated. Despite that, the night sky is beautiful. The star clusters gleam, as the traveler's light illuminates the city beneath us.

The town lights sparkle, a provided comfort that there is life.

Families, friends.

These were the people that each Guardian sought to protect, including the one standing beside me.