[ she slides against him easily, and tomassen immediately drapes an arm around her, hugging her close. her weight has an immediate soothing effect, and tomassen tilts his head to bury his face in her hair briefly, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. ]

Mm, well. Biscuit can certainly find better company; I'd hate to impose my presence upon him. [ he murmurs into her hair, squeezing her once before relaxing further into the pillows. at her offer to talk about it, though, tomassen thinks to himself for a moment, weighing out whether or not he wants to bring it up again. ] And it's nothing of great importance, just... worrying.

[ about next steps, about heleen, about how to keep them safe. at the thought, tomassen sighs, tugging her a bit closer, to entangle them a bit more. ]

So I wanted to see you, to make sure you were in one piece. [ he confesses, mouth still pressed into her hair. ] Which felt silly, as I knew you were safe at school and being blissfully unbothered by my aggravated fussing, and so I stayed uptown.

[ he had nearly lost her once, during the plague. he thinks that was the closest he had ever come to wishing death upon himself. life without her seemed meaningless. empty. devoid of color and joy and purpose. now, it was a bit more complicated -- they have children, and an extended family. other people they are responsible for, and more sources of joy to safeguard. all the same: ]

I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. [ he murmurs, tone quiet. ] I can't allow that.