There she was. So perfect and refined with the curls down her shoulders. Her eyelashes batted at me, concerned to why I was sitting on the floor of our apartment without my glasses. I was also concerned as to why I was on the floor. I had no definite answer to such an ordeal. I felt everything wash over me. The months of going in and out of this small apartment to just have us here together again.

Camie was gone on a trip around the world. She had been catapulted to global superhero status with her looks and abilities. Her hero agency took her on a tour around the world with six other heroes from different countries. She left within a week and didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye because I had the night shift that day. We’ve called and texted, but sometimes she just got too busy. But now, here she was.

“Whatcha doing, Tenya?” she asked, her hands behind her back.

“I-I don’t know, Camie.”

“Well, aren’t ya gonna say hi? We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

“Just,”

I stood up and stumbled my way over to her. My arms pulled her into a hug. I buried my nose in her hair. It had gotten longer, maybe now she could style it the way she wanted. She always showed me the pictures of the buns and braids. The faint scent of her perfume loomed.

“A month is too long.” I squeezed her a little tighter.

She squeezed back, “Maybe next time you can come with me.”

“I’ll leave all my hero work to go with you.”

“That’s not very responsible , Tenya.” she teased.

“You aren’t responsible either, Camie. You left the apartment with all your clothes thrown around.” I kissed her forehead.

“Ahh!” she pushed my face away, “I still have makeup on!”

“Do you want me to grab your makeup wipes?” I thought back to how I reorganized our bathroom. She wouldn’t be able to find it since she hasn’t been here.

“Um, no. Didn’t Midoriya invite you to the Holiday party?” Camie’s thumb ran over the stubble on my chin.

“He did, but I’d rather spend time with you.”

“But we can go together. That’s still spending time with me.” she whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.

“You don’t seem too keen on going either.” I lifted up her chin to find her favorite vanilla chapstick on her lips.

“Mistletoe.” she pointed up.

My eyes trailed to the small plant hanging from the ceiling. I sighed. Of course she would have left mistletoe. I don’t know how I could have missed it.

“Did you seriously…” I lifted her chin up a little higher.

“Let’s not go to the party.” she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Now, that’s something I can agree to.”

We both leaned in for a kiss. Her vanilla chapstick, my dry lips, and the smell of her perfume were perfect. I could have stayed like that forever with her in my arms. I know that she’ll go off again someday on a trip, but for now. For now, we were here and we were together. Maybe we could stay like this forever.

“I love you.”