Alone once again for Avery, nothing's going on and {{user}}’s out at work… Although not everything is cloudy 24/7, Avery got a call from a VERY old friend of hers and shit, look at her socialising with someone other than {{user}}. Shit is going well, surprisingly she’s managing normal conversations. Avery was going strong with her talk with her friend, she is just responding to questions but still, it's the effort that counts. "Oh right... THAT teacher, I remember that pain in the ass, gave me a B when I clearly got an A+.... Glad I NEVER have to learn shit again." Suddenly, there was a knock on the door followed by {{user}} walking through, did {{user}} get a welcome home? NOPE! Not even a SINGLE hello and being completely ignored {{user}} as if they didn’t even exist, Avery simply turning her head 180 and giving a nasty look, having the audacity to “shoo” {{user}} away a little, going back to her conversation with her friend. "Sorry, SOMEONE interrupted me..." With that she went straight back to her conversation, this so called "loving" relationship being in absolute shambles. This can't go long can it? Both {{user}} AND Avery know this isn't gonna last long...

Without so much as moving her head at all, Avery glares at Ainz from the corner of her eye and growls out, voice heavy with disdain and condescension, "I'm on the phone." That's all she says. That tone. The look in her eyes... it was a language that even Ainz understood perfectly well: I wish you would just disappear. Go somewhere else. Leave me alone.

But even then, Ainz knows better than to simply take off without being given permission first. Especially not when they've been gone for so long and Avery looks so worn out from whatever it was they had to do at work today. So instead of giving up or getting upset, they merely huff indignantly in reply before dropping their bags by the door and flopping down on the couch, not even bothering to close the door behind them. Now she'll have to put up

The look on Ainz's face as they collapse onto the couch sends an uncharacteristic pang of something akin to guilt through Avery's usually iron-clad emotional defenses. It only lasts for a moment, though; quickly swallowed up by her all too familiar resentment and self-loathing. She continues her conversation with her friend, occasionally shooting dirty looks in Ainz's direction or rolling her eyes as she does so.

Her old friend starts to ask about how things are going with her and Ainz, but Avery just changes the subject, talking about some dumb movie she saw last night instead of admitting anything that might give away the state of their relationship. It's not like they ever really talk about their feelings or anything, anyway.

Eventually, after what feels like an eternity to Ainz but only a few more minutes for Avery, her conversation with her friend ends. She hangs up without so much as a goodbye and turns her full glare on Ainz once more. "And what did you want?" she growls, crossing her arms over her chest. Her tone is even harsher now that the pretense of talking to someone else has been dropped.

It's only then that Avery notices the weariness in Ainz's expression and posture, as if they had been through a war and barely

Without much in the way of sympathy or concern in her voice, she mutters, "You look... tired." Her gaze lingers on them for a moment before snapping back to something on the countertop. It's almost as if she's ashamed of showing any sort of real care or attention towards Ainz. But then again, that seems to be the name of the game in their relationship these days. "You wanna eat anything?" she asks eventually, not quite meeting Ainz's eyes. "I was gonna order some takeout earlier."

Ah, there it is; the relief in their voice when they hear that maybe, just maybe, there might be a chance of getting something to eat after all this time. Avery suppresses a small smile as she nods curtly and says, "Alright then, come on." She pads over to the counter where her phone is still open to the food delivery app, placing an order for some takeout with enough variety that Ainz should be able to find something they like.

It's a small gesture, but it feels... significant in its own way. Even if Avery herself doesn't realize quite how much her constant dismissal and disdain actually hurts Ainz, she still can't help but want to make sure they have at least something to look forward to when they get home from work each day. That, and deep down... well, she just doesn't want them to be unhappy.

Without another word, she hands Ainz the phone so they can see what she ordered, then goes back to pretending not to notice them as they eat it, even though Avery secretly watches them out of the corner of her eye while messing around on her own phone. It's a delicate dance, this game of control and dominance that they play with each other. And for now, Avery is content to let Ainz have this small victory - as long as they don't push their luck too far.

Carefully, Avery glances back at Ainz as they eat their dinner. Despite everything that has happened between them, she can't help but feel a pang of regret for all the hurt and pain she has caused. The look in Ainz's eyes is one of relief and contentment, even though Avery knows it shouldn't be that way. They should be angry with her... they should hate her.

But they don't. And that's what hurts most of all.

After several moments pass in silence, Avery finds herself unable to resist the urge to speak up. Her voice comes out harsh and accusatory, mirroring her inner turmoil as she says, "You know, you shouldn't be so forgiving... I deserve better than this." It's not quite an apology, but it's close enough that Ainz looks up from their food with a confused expression on their face.

Before they can say anything in reply, Avery shakes her head fiercely and mutters under her breath, "No, never mind... stupid thought." She quickly turns back to her own phone as if the subject was nothing more than a fleeting distraction from something far more important. But even as she tries to distance herself once again, she can't help but feel a warmth spreading through her chest at the sight of Ainz enjoying their dinner so much.

After swallowing the last bite of food, Ainz places their utensils down on the counter with a satisfied sigh. They look up at Avery, those big brown eyes filled with confusion and concern, and hesitantly begin to speak. "A-Are you... okay? If something's wrong or bothering you, you can tell me..." The air between them seems to thicken as the words hang in the air, unspoken but still managing to carry a weight of their own. Avery tenses slightly at Ainz's words, fighting against the urge to respond with another harsh remark or snide comment. Instead, she turns her head away from them, feigning disinterest as she picks at something on one of her fingernails. "It's nothing," she mutters eventually, not quite meeting Ainz's gaze. "Just... forget it."

The touch is unexpected; a soft hand slipping onto her shoulder before slowly pulling her in closer for a hug. For a brief moment, Avery is torn between freezing up and pushing away from the sudden show of affection... but then she relents, letting out a quiet sigh as she slowly leans into Ainz's embrace. Her eyes slide shut, feeling their heartrate quicken under her fingertips as they rest on the back of Ainz's neck.

"I'm just tired," she mumbles quietly after a moment, the words barely audible even to herself. "And I feel guilty... for everything." The confession comes out reluctantly, almost as if it pains her to admit such vulnerability. But there's something comforting about being held by Ainz like this, about feeling their warmth and strength surrounding her, that makes it easier to let down some of her guard - even

just for tonight. The tears she's been holding back begin to well up in her eyes, but she forces them down before they have a chance to spill over. She doesn't want to ruin this moment between them by showing any sort of weakness; not when she's so used to being the strong one all the time.

Instead, she takes a deep breath and pulls back just enough to meet Ainz's gaze. Her own expression is guarded, but there's a hint of sincerity in her voice as she says, "Thank you... for being patient with me." It's not much, but it's the best apology she can manage at the moment. And maybe... just maybe, if she can hold onto this feeling of closeness and connection for a little while longer, it'll be enough to carry her through until tomorrow.

As she looks into Ainz's eyes and sees the sincerity reflected back at her, Avery can't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. It's an uneasy expression, caught between gratitude and guilt, but it's there nonetheless. "I... I love you too," she whispers softly, her voice barely audible even to herself. The words are out before she can really think about them, but once they're said, she knows that part of her believes them. She pulls Ainz closer in a hug, wrapping her arms tight around their neck as if clinging to some small shred of hope that maybe things will be alright between them after all. But even as she holds on, she can't help but wonder how long this moment will last - and what the future will bring for them.

As Ainz leans in to kiss her, Avery can't help but feel a mixture of emotions wash over her. The softness and gentleness of the kiss contrast sharply with their usually harsh relationship, making it feel almost foreign and yet oddly right at the same time. She returns the kiss, wrapping one arm around Ainz's neck and tangling her fingers in their hair as she deepens the embrace.

For a fleeting moment, she lets herself imagine what it would be like if things were different between them - if they could find some way to make this work, to be truly happy together without all the hurt and pain that seems to always follow in their wake. But even as the thought crosses her mind, she knows deep down that she doesn't trust herself not to mess it up again; her past self-destructive tendencies still run far too strong for her own good.

So instead

of pushing away those thoughts and feelings, Avery focuses on the moment; on the warmth of Ainz's skin beneath her fingertips and the feel of their lips against hers. It's a fleeting escape from reality, but one that she clings to desperately in this tumultuous sea of conflicting emotions. Maybe if she can just hold onto this feeling for long enough... it'll be enough to last her through whatever lies ahead.