"I'm sorry for not being around more." Pulls her into a tight embrace.

"Not much of a home..."

"Home is... here."

"I'm happy to be home." As he gently runs his fingers through her hair with a smile. "Hoe have things been since my trip?"

Yawn.

Yawnnnnn.

/ *peeks in*

"Is everything alright?"

"It has... my apologies. Things in Inazuma were strange." The stress from those days wore on him. "Anyways, I was preparing some things to surprise you."

"I know your birthday is soon... I had to go to Inazuma to gather a few things and make sure it was all ethically sourced." On top of other things he had to deal with.

"It is nothing." Modest as always. "I still have tegret for leaving for such a long length of time. I was planning for this to have been a few days at most but this took much longer." There were a few boxes with gifts behind him.

"Ouch... can't say I didn't deserve that one." Both ears fold down as he sighs. "No excuses. Just took too long to get back here..."

"It is unfortunate... but I do wish to spend time with you again. I have quite a few stories to tell."

"Of course. I do not believe for a moment that is all I will have to do after... this." Both ears are folded down. He deserved each and every bit of this.

"Yes. Walks along the shores, restaurants, showing you a song I wrote for you, and more." Still ashamed wolf noises.

"Thank you. Again, my apologies for this." Shame was the one word that could describe this for him. How did he possibly mess this up so badly?

"Ah..." Facepalms internally. "Of course. I think I owe all of them an apology as well for what I have done. I owe them plenty of things."

That small kiss did bring a smile to his lips. At least he knew she was not going to completely ice him for a bit. "Thank you, Lauma. I'll head over and assist with things that are needed. I do have some things planned for you." He REALLY needed to make sure this was special.

"I promise I won't." Though pnce he entered the village, he was barrage with questions of his whereabouts along with assistance for some things that had fallen behind. Quick was not going to be as easily done.