Sammi was leaning against the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone, when she heard Eriko’s voice rise unexpectedly in the next room. Her normally composed partner was pacing in front of the couch, arms crossed tightly over her chest as she muttered to herself, pausing only to shoot frustrated glances at a stack of papers on the coffee table.
Sammi couldn’t help but watch, amused, for a moment—Eriko rarely let anything upset her. She had a kind of quiet resilience that Sammi both admired and relied on. But today was clearly an exception.
“What’s got you all worked up, love?” Sammi asked, sauntering over with a grin.
Eriko looked up, her expression somewhere between annoyance and dismay. “It’s the health insurance. I don’t understand any of these options. And then there’s the car—do you know how much the repairs will cost? It’s like every bill wants to compete for the last bit of peace I have left!”
Sammi’s grin softened, but her light chuckle must have come at the wrong time, because Eriko’s face darkened. Her pacing slowed, and she flopped onto the couch with a sigh, retreating into a sulk. Sammi’s heart melted. It was rare to see Eriko like this—so uncharacteristically vulnerable—and Sammi knew she had to do something.
“Stay right there,” she said, darting into the kitchen. A grin spread across her face as she reached for the bottle of gin, a sparkling tonic, and a fresh lime. Eriko didn’t drink often, but Sammi figured one gin and tonic might be just what the situation called for.
Back in the living room, she set the glass on the table with a flourish. “Here you go. Doctor’s orders: drink up.”
Eriko arched an eyebrow but accepted the glass, taking a small, tentative sip. Sammi could see the faintest smile tugging at her lips as she continued sipping, the lines of tension gradually easing from her face. After a few minutes, she set the glass down, a soft laugh escaping her.
“This… it’s not bad,” Eriko admitted, leaning back against the cushions, cheeks faintly flushed. Sammi watched with a mix of amusement and adoration as Eriko’s usual guarded demeanor gave way to a softness, an almost childlike giddiness that she rarely showed.
Seeing Eriko so lighthearted, Sammi couldn’t resist. With a gleam in her eye, she crossed the room and, without warning, pounced on Eriko, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close.
“Sammi!” Eriko squeaked, the surprise melting into laughter as Sammi peppered her with kisses, pulling her into a warm, protective embrace.
“You listen to me, Ms. Baudelaire,” Sammi murmured, her voice playful but affectionate. “We’re in this life together, through every insurance form, every car repair, and every headache they throw at us. Okay?”
Eriko relaxed into Sammi’s arms, the last traces of tension disappearing from her body. She nestled her head into Sammi’s shoulder, her laughter fading into a soft smile as she reached up to trace a line along Sammi’s jaw.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Eriko whispered, her voice barely audible. Sammi’s heart fluttered, and she squeezed Eriko tighter, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
“You’ll never have to find out,” Sammi said, pressing a kiss to Eriko’s forehead. “We’ve got each other—and I’m not going anywhere. Not even if you drag me through all the French literature in the world.”
Eriko laughed, a light sound that made Sammi’s heart swell, and they sat together on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms. The world outside could wait; right now, in their cozy sanctuary, they had all the love and reassurance they needed.
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