“You’re here.” Ajak whispered when she saw you at her doorstep. Her face was contorted in shock, clearly not expecting you of all people. She was in tight jeans and a red-and-black plaid shirt, her brown hair cascading down to her chest. She was still the most beautiful being on earth.
“Glad to see me?” You joked with hesitation evident in your smile.
“You know my answer.” Ajak replied, her face unreadable but not unwelcome. She stepped aside when she opened the door wider to let you inside. You don’t know what to feel about what she said.
“How have you been?” You asked while carrying the two bags you brought with you to the kitchen. You noticed that not much has changed in the house since you left.
“I have ten more cows and twenty more chickens compared to the last time you’ve been here.”
“Taking this ranch thing to the next level, I see.”
“You know I’ve been planning to.”
“I remember,” you said, sitting down at the dining table and setting down the bags you brought with you, “I brought you food—an assortment of it, actually.”
“Oh?” Ajak reacted as she leaned against the table and opened the bags, “You’re too sweet. You got me my favorites,” Ajak looks away from the bags to look you in the eyes, “Did you make these?”
“The desserts were bought, the others I cooked the way I know you like.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to, Ajak.”
“And why is that?”
“I was afraid you’d be alone this Christmas—which you are, by the way. It’s a sentiment I’ve picked up from my human friends.” You fiddle with your fingers and bite the inside of your cheek before continuing with a defeated smile, “And it’s become too much.”
“What has, my dear?”
“I miss you,” You looked away sadly, though you knew Ajak could still see the guilt and shame on your face. “Much more than what I’m allowed.”
“No restrictions have been placed upon you, my love.”
“I left, Ajak.” Your eyes were downcast, “I left you.”
“For a reason.” Ajak says firmly, holding your chin up to look at her only. You close your eyes. You could not bear the full force of the love she was not afraid to show you.
“And now I come crawling back because of how unbearable it has become to be away from you.”
“You poor thing,” Ajak chuckles, “That bad, huh?”
You fake pulling away from her touch, “Oh, don’t go there. We were made together. I wasn’t made to be away from you.” You were telling the truth. You often thought about your relationship in this light. It felt like your body would burn at the thought of being away from Ajak for one more second.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“That makes me happy.”
“Are you better, my love? Did you find what you were looking for?” Ajak asks, eyes searching for answers. She was always so concerned about your well-being, always so willing to wait for you. That was one of the things that drove you to leave.
“I’m getting there.”
“I’ll support you every step of the way. I hope you know that.” How did I live away from you?
“I do,” You leaned into the touch on the side of your cheek and looked at your love directly, “Will you take me back, Ajak?”
“There was never a need for that question. You know my answer.”
“And what is that?”
“Yes,” She knelt in front of you and brought your hands to her lips to kiss your knuckles, “Come back to me, my love.”
“So you were glad to see me.” You smirked.
“That goes without saying each time.”
“I didn’t pack any of my things.”
“Not like you can’t fly, or anything.”
“I brought my car, too,” You said, looking out of the window, “Maybe we can go and see a few things when I go to pick my stuff up before moving back here?”
“Who said you could live here?” Ajak said, her tone suddenly serious. Your stomach dropped.
“Oh, I didn’t- Sorry, I assumed-“ You rambled, panicking before she cut you off.
“I’m kidding, my sweet girl.”
“Fuck you.”
“Merry Christmas, my love.”