Chapter Text
Day 1 - Roommates
Emilie couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face as she awoke that morning. The soft light in the room – shielded by many shades but still provided a dull glow – warmed her internally. It had been many months since she had seen daylight.
Not that she knew that, of course. To her, it felt as if she had slept for a week. Long, restful, fitful sleep. When she woke, everything had changed. Her son had matured and physically grown. Her husband looked as if he aged two decades in two years. But still she remained the same as she was when she vanished.
The twenty four hours or so that she had been freed did wipe away some of the years from Gabriel's face. His stern expression melted when he stared at her and remained ice-cream soft for a long time thereafter. His eyes glowed with a warmth she suspected had cooled in the months of her absence. Even now, his lithe arm wrapped around her midsection, pressing her flush against his chest. She hummed and snuggled into him, inhaling deeply. His other arm encircled her shoulders and he squeezed her gently. She blinked and turned around, meeting his blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," she apologized, her voice whisper-soft. She was still finding it difficult to recover her strength. The little excursion back home made her collapse in the armchair, much to the concern of everyone around her. Nooroo assured them that it would take time to recover her full strength, but Emilie would be fine soon enough. Gabriel didn't hesitate to scoop her into his arms during her kwami's rambling explanation. He carried her upstairs. She vaguely recalled him telling Adrien and his friend something, his chest rumbling pleasantly, but in her sleepy haze she couldn't make out the words.
"You didn't," he assured her with a small smile that probably hadn't been used in a couple of years.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked.
He groaned and rolled on his back, reaching for his tablet. He checked the time. "About an hour, I suppose."
"You didn't get up?" she asked, a bit alarmed. Her husband was nothing if not efficient with his time.
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "As if I would ever leave you alone again," he replied.
She felt her cheeks heat up, embarrassed at her own lack of independence and at her husband's emotional decree. "I'll be fine, you know," she insisted.
"Mmhmm," he agreed, ducking his head lower and pressing a kiss to her temple. "But not now you're not. It's my job to ensure you get your strength back."
"You're just going to stay here with me all day?"
"Yes," he breathed out, his lips millimeters from her ear. She shivered as his breath tickled across her skin. "I know you're strong. But darling, I am not."
Emilie's breath caught in her throat.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I... I didn't realize."
"Shh," Gabriel shushed her, pulling away and resting one delicate finger upon her lips. "You've nothing to apologize for, my dear. I'm the one who will forever beg for forgiveness."
Tears sprang to her eyes, and Gabriel's hand moved to gently brush those away as well. He didn't appear angry or upset. The only emotion shining in his eyes was love. "I love you, Gabriel," she whispered.
"After everything I've done?" he queried, and it didn't take much for Emilie to pick up on the fragile hope in his question.
She nodded. "I will forever and always love you," she affirmed.
Gabriel relaxed, releasing muscles she hadn't realized he tensed. "I love you, Emilie."
He drew her back into his arms, and she buried her face into his shoulder for a moment. His hands brushed against her hair, his long fingers entwining into her corn silk strands. "But really, Gabriel, shouldn't you be getting up?" she asked after several minutes of soft breathing.
He chuckled. "Why? I have everything I need right here."
"Food?"
"I'll get some later."
"What about Adrien?"
"He's with Marinette," he said. "She woke me up ringing the bell. I let her in using the tablet. I think she said something about playing video games?"
Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, and seeing how she had already fought one of those, she relented to her husband's affections. "So you're just going to lay here?"
"Mmhmm."
"You're not worried about Adrien at all?"
"He'll be fine. He's practically an adult now."
"Uh huh, and your company?"
"Marinette can handle it."
"Marinette."
"Yep. She's very talented."
"She's a teenager."
"So?"
"That's not very responsible," she chided.
"I haven't been very responsible these last couple of years. I can wait another day to begin again."
"Gabriel!" she exclaimed.
He chuckled again. "I'll draw up a hot bath for you and bring you up some food."
"That sounds heavenly."
"But can we just lay here for a little while longer? Face the day in a little bit?" he asked. "I've missed this. I've missed you." His voice cracked at the end.
Emilie clutched his shirt and pulled herself as close to him as she could. "Of course, darling. I'll stay here with you as long as you'll have me."
She closed her eyes once more as Gabriel's slow, steady strokes in her hair lulled her back to sleep.