//Hi everyone.

I'm genuinely sorry that I haven't been around for a while. It's been a real struggle for me lately and I'm finding it hard to keep up pace in a lot of areas of life.

Just want to say that I haven't forgotten you all, and I hope to come back once I have a better handle on health 🫶

//Really sorry guys..Vibe just hasn't been here since I'm dealing with my own health issues and that of my partner's.

I'll try my best to get back to people this weekend. 🫶

//Hi all. Sorry I've been away for so long. Been a bit of a struggle lately.

I'm aiming to be around from Friday 🫶

- think about Sector 8. Close to your office, access to amenities. Edge had them too, but none of us are that familiar with it, so it would seem crazy to move to somewhere we didn't really know that well. But the fresh air and being able to see the sky? That would be a dream come true."

"Well, Edge is right outside of Midgar," Alina proposed as a suggestion, "Maybe we could get somewhere right on the border so you can still access the business in Midgar."

She did however consider Nick's feelings, "If you're set in staying in the Main Sectors of Midgar though, maybe we could -

Once Reno had parked up, Alina unbuckled her seat belt, and then carried some of the food out with her as she exited the car.

The smell was tantalising as it hit her nose. It was still hot.

"Let's get inside and chow down," Alina suggested, "Then maybe we could decide on dessert."

- business in her life.

Then she heard a clatter outside in their cottage garden. Ah, she thought to herself, he's routing through the shed.

As she went outside into their garden, the air was thicker with the buzz she felt when she came home, "Hey, what are you doing out here?"

When Alina got home later that afternoon after picking Addy up from playgroup, she could sense a shift in the air.

"Les?" She called out, and then out Addy on the couch to watch cartoons, "Leslie?"

The crackle in the air was electric. A buzz she hadn't felt since she had Addy and the restaurant -

- way in Gaia was anyone going to take him from her now. Not after they rekindled their relationship.

- someone if they give us any bullshit, but I promise I'll try to hold my fists back in the name of diplomacy... Unless it's another woman... Trying to flirt with you...

Then I'm gonna knock all of her pretty little teeth out."

She wasn't joking either. Alina was protective of her man. And no -

It made her smile to hear Nick say that.

"Alright then," she nodded with a grin, "I guess, we start home-hunting together. Let's think of it like an assignment. The goal: to find out perfect home. The challenges: idiotic estate agents, ridiculous charges, legal fees, and maybe me punching -

On the journey back to Reno's place, the intoxicating aromas of the food made her stomach grumble loudly, and she laughed out of embarrassment.

"Maybe I should consider the 'see-food' diet," Alina joked as Reno concentrated on driving.

//Haven't forgot you all - just been very busy at this end!

Replies soon!

New gear. New weapons.

Merry Christmas, world.
She's coming back with a BANG.

//Hi all - I'll be back here on Friday. Just need to get through this week and then I'm on vacation time up to Christmas.

Thanks for your patience 👍

- our own. In Midgar, Edge, Kalm... Hell even in Costa Del Sol if you wanted to. As long as it's with you, and my crazy kitties, that's all that matters."

- rebellious, hot-headed whirlwind. But I think the last year before we saw one another again? It gave me time to mature. See the world differently... Shit, listen to me getting sentimental and sensible," Alina laughed a little.

"Let's do this. Us against the whole world. A shared home to call -

"That makes two of us," she smiled easily, "I was a little nervous about raising it as a topic for discussion. But when I was on the road, all I kept thinking about was spending time with you."

She shuffled closer to Nick, taking one of his hands into her own, "Back then, I know I was a -

- What are your thoughts about us... living together more permanently? Y'know, somewhere we can both call home? I know it's a pain that I love the other side of town, and honestly? I can't see my life without you in it... I want to spend more time with you."

- they knew and shared.

"All I kept thinking while I was on the road was coming back home. To you. Us. This right here," she sighed contentedly, "This perfect moment."

Which brought her to a more daring thought, made into a question, "I know this'll probably sound Auden and all but... -

"That's true," she chuckled lightly before emitting a satisfied hum over his ministrations at her feet and ankles, "Funny how absence really can make the heart grow fonder. Guess old sayings never truly die."

Alina looked to him softly. Steel blue eyes sparkling at him with a warmth that only -

- soon rejoined Nick in his living space, hair damp from a quick towel dry, wearing a casual loose tee and some lounger shorts, treading barefoot as she settled into his couch, "Mmm... That feels much better."

Smiling from his kiss she rubbed his arms affectionately, "A snack would be great. Driving for several hours straight really takes it out of you when you're behind the wheel."

Leaving him for a moment, she had some time to grab a quick shower, and then dress into some fresher clothes.

Alina -

- in for some TLC in the morning... I just wanted to come home and see my favourite person."

Returning his hug with a smile, she then passed him some of the bags to carry inside.

"Busy, mostly," Alina said to him as she stepped inside his entrance hall, "Pack of Direwolves held me up on the way back here. Resulting in an inflated tyre. But I put the spare on for now. I'll take the truck -

"I thought as much," she smirked back, turning her gaze back to the front as the car before them moved forwards to the last window.

"Not long to go... I'm starving."

She's back in town, so she pays Nick a visit, armed with festive decorations in bags and her rucksack stuffed full of goodies from her travels.

"Helloooo? Anybody home?" She called as she knocked on his door.

A lot of errands around town have kept her busy, working long hours of doing delivery drops as well as a job in construction.

But she's bringing the Gil home, and with the Season's Festivities looming, she can get some much-needed downtime with her loved one.

//Hi everyone. Sorry about my absence. Since the Festive Season is approaching I've been busy with other projects and self-care, but I'll try and make some time this weekend to be around.

Thanks for your patience.

Another cheeky little ensemble.