For @Malene_Ackerman

I took a breath and looked around the increasingly silent home. My bags weighed heavy in my hands, pushing back my emotions from the memories myself and Zak had shared in this house. It had all come to a grinding halt.

Last night we had the mother of all arguments. We had both said things in the heat of the moment, but Zak had told me to go. That it was over and I was nothing but a burden.

Glancing at the coffee table I had left my keys on the table beside a picture of us happy. I had sat up the whole night crying holding my chest as if it would relieve the pain in my chest. I made my way to the front door accepting it was time to leave.

Gracie was at the groomers with Cece, I figured it would be better if I simply slipped away.

The wooden door grew bigger as I got closer when it swung open. The 6 foot figure filled the door frame and his statue intimated me instantly.

I looked away from his eyes and fixed them on the sunshine outside. In two strides he walked over taking my wrist gently, my eyes met a pair of bloodshot tired eyes, bags were under them from lack of sleep.

No words were exchanged but my bags hit the floor at my feet. I gasped as I was slammed back into the wall and his mouth took mine hungrily.

"Taxi for Ms Ackerman?" A voice chimed.

I went to pull away realising it was the taxi man when Zak growled kicking the door shut on him.

"I thought I was going to be too late." He whispered looking over my face and stroking the pad of his thumb under my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I never meant what I said. The lockdown has messed with my head, ask the crew. I've been a miserable shithead." He explained.

"You hurt my heart." I whispered looking at his chain.

"Then let me fix that."

I was thrown over his shoulder and carried through the house as my hair dangled over my head. I giggled all the way to the bedroom. I looked up in time to see the door close from a swift back kick.

---

"Malene.. Just pick a film." He grumbled as I sat on the floor in front of him.

"Quit whining. There's too many." I frowned.

The controller was plucked from my fingers making me spin and launch myself at it. Zak laughed catching me and pushing me into the couch.

"You said!"

"I know, but you are taking too long. I'll be 40 by the time you pick a damn film."

"Miserable shithead." I reminded him picking up the bowl of popcorn.

"Miserable shithead." He mocked my voice. I narrowed my eyes and slapped his hand when he went to get some popcorn.

"That's for the film." I tutted.

"You're eating it now?"

"Because you're taking forever to pick a damn film!"

He shot me a look as I winked at him and popped some popcorn in my mouth.

"Aha! This one." He smiled.

I got comfy and snuggled into his side when I heard him laugh softly. I looked up at him as he smoothed his face.

Frowning I looked at the TV, recognising it instantly I shot Zak a look.

"For that spitefulness you've forfeited your rights to popcorn." I answered placing the bowl far away from him.

"Mal-"

"Nu-uh. Annabelle Zak. Annabelle? You are so not funny." I answered folding my arms.

I freaked at the puppet room in his museum, in fact I screamed that loud I stopped the workers. One only fell off the shelf but I was convinced it was alive.

"Do you want me to turn it off?" He teased.

"Depends, do you like the couch. That's where you are sleeping." I replied before he began laughing.

He pulled my face to his and kissed my cheek repeatedly, not playing along I kept myself straight faced when I heard the popcorn bowl. My eyes snapped to his hand digging deep.

"Zachery Alexander!"

He laughed and sat back shoving it in his mouth quickly. Seeing his new 'game' I tried to stop him, eventually he turned hamster with big cheeks.

"Salted popcorn. But you don't need your water right?" I asked undoing the cap and drinking some of it.

He began chewing and struggled to swallow anything.

"Maybe Gracie needs her bowl refilling.." I frowned looking over the back of the couch.

He growled as I began asking what plants needed water.

I went to leave the couch when he grabbed the bottle and almost downed it.

"Y-you win. I'll turn it off." He coughed.

I sat back down and watched as he turned it over to The Ring instead.

"Happy?" He asked as I smiled and put my legs over him.

"Thank you. You know I'll only have nightmares and wake you up in the night."

"How do you know that wasn't my plan? To wake up with you and...." His fingers walked up my leg making me smile and take his hand holding it.

"Be a good boy and you get your welcome home present". I winked making him grin.

"Oh Ms Ackerman.. What have you done to me?" He sighed holding my hand happily.

I looked at him and smiled as he began watching the film. Not one to break promises or go back on his word he had done what he said.

He fixed my heart.