My best defense

[thedeath_of_you]

Botan glanced out the window as she took the tea tray from a servant. It had been a rather quiet day at the shop. Seemed like the season for new clothes had died down. In fact, it had been so quiet that the staff had taken off at midday

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[desert_gaara]

Taking a month off after Botan's and his wedding had come with a price: work had piled up in a way he could hardly believe. At first he had though that he'd catch up relatively quickly, but the more he got done, the more he found he needed to do. And it seemed the everything needed to be done Right This Minute, Preferably Yesterday.

He looked at the clock and sighed deeply, rubbing his tired eyes. It was almost mean, that he had had a time when he got to sleep, but was now unable to do so again. He hated the monster inside him, but he had to admit that it was an useful one.

Well, it was definitely about time he headed home, he thought, and packed up a stack of papers and folders. He could continue with this after Botan had gone to sleep for the night.

Not long after he stepped through the door. More rooms had been opened up to their quarters; a sewing studio for Botan, and a simple office for himself. Since he needed something to occupy his nights again, anyway, he usually spent them working.

Always working.

[thedeath_of_you]

There was nothing else for it. Glaring at the stubborn tea didn't help, so she had no option but to half-heartedly carry it up to their rooms.

By the time she got up there, Gaara had arrived. A sudden wave of melancholy washed over her as she smiled outwardly.

"Good evening, Kazekage-sama." It was the usual slightly playful greeting, but lacking.

[desert_gaara]

"I'm home." He was happy to be, but something about her seemed worn, tonight. "I'm sorry I'm so late;" he went on and dropped the stack of papers on a table before walking over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "How was your day?"

[thedeath_of_you]

"It's fine." The mechanical response. She brightened slightly at the kiss on the cheek.

She began to set the low tea table, one cup for him and one for her.

"It's out-of-season now. I got to leave work early today. No use paying someone overtime when there aren't any customers, huh? I did get to finish my book."