By the time Alaric and Elena returned to the penthouse, the sky outside had already turned golden with evening light.
The grocery bags completely took over the kitchen island the moment Elena began unpacking them. Fresh vegetables occupied one side while an alarming amount of frozen food and snacks slowly conquered the other.
Alaric leaned against the counter silently watching her pull out yet another packet of instant noodles.
"…You bought more?"
Elena glanced at him casually. "These were on discount."
"That doesn't explain why you need twelve."
"That sounds judgmental coming from a man who voluntarily eats boiled vegetables all his life."
Alaric exhaled through his nose before giving up entirely. "I don't."
There was genuinely no winning against her logic.
A while later, after most of the groceries had finally been arranged away, Elena dropped herself onto the couch with visible satisfaction while hugging one of the smaller throw pillows against her chest.
