Her plane had just landed. A month-long business trip had taken her away from home, from familiar streets and favourite little places, and most importantly, from him. She had to leave shortly after celebrating her lover's birthday. And now, just over a month later, it was finally her turn to come home. And there he was, waiting for her at the arrivals gate. A flower bouquet in hand, and a balloon. It was her birthday, after all. Their gazes met. For a moment, neither of them moved. As if they needed a second to convince themselves that the person they had spent the last month missing was finally, actually, right there. And then she ran. She barely had time to register the flowers before she was in his embrace, her luggage momentarily forgotten beside her. His hair smelled fresh, faintly of pear, entwined with the familiar sweetness of her soft jasmine perfume. He thought of all the little moments he'd spent wishing she were there. His eyes had tried to find her in every corner of the city. On his way back home after an exhausting surgery, he wished she were there, waiting for him in the parking lot. He'd pass by the little pastry shop they used to visit together and wonder which one she'd choose if she were beside him. Sometimes, he'd even find himself turning to tell her something, only to remember that she was miles away. And oh, how he missed her cheeky replies. The way she could make the most ordinary conversation feel like the best part of his day. To her, the new work environment had been thrilling. New people to meet, new things to learn, unfamiliar places to explore. But as the day drew to a close, there was always one person she wanted to see. Him. She wanted to come back to him after a long day, to drop her bag by the door and throw herself into his embrace. To tell him about the things that had gone well, the things that hadn't. About the coffee she'd discovered at a hidden gem of a café, and how she'd wondered whether he'd like it or simply order an absurdly sweet hot chocolate instead. About all the moments when she wished he could have been there with her in person. And now, beneath the gleaming light of the golden hour, their eyes met once more. The flowers he had been holding all this time suddenly felt like such a small thing compared to the person standing in front of him. Nothing could compare to the warmth of his arms around her, holding her close after all this time apart. The relief of knowing that the next time she wanted to tell him a story, she wouldn't have to settle for a phone call. The relief of knowing that the little pieces of his everyday life would have her in them again. The distance is over. They're home. 🤍 ────﹒♡﹒──── From the brilliant mind and incredibly talented hands of @Marigoldene011 💕 commissioned by me happy 1000 days with zayne, and happy birthday, me.