Selim pushed his glasses up as he watched his wife’s quill move furiously, her nostrils flared as she punctuated each sentence hard with a jam of her ink to the paper. He had a small, fond smile on his face as he moved up beside her, his head resting on her shoulder as he leaned down to read over her. She leaned into the touch, yet continued writing until he spoke.

“What are you doing, honey? If you move that quill any faster the parchment might catch fire.”

Illa paused before sighing, placing the quill down to turn her head and nuzzle it into Selim’s. “Sorry, babe.” She said, and Selim noted just how exhausted she sounded when she spoke, as if all the energy had been drained from her. “Just some work stuff, I should have it finished so-“ She was cut off by a big yawn before finishing her sentence. “-on.”

Selim pulled back for a moment, inspecting his wife as she looked up at him, a tired smile on her lips. He shook his head, hand resting on her shoulder before slipping down to her hands. “Nope. I don’t think so.” He moved so he was holding her arms out. “You-“ he tugged on her hands a little for emphasis. “Are taking a nap with me.”

“Babe, but-“ Illa began only to be cut off by a shush from Selim and a quick peck to her lips.

“No buts. Sleep, now.” Selim spoke with a small, soft smile, and Illa felt her heart melt and her need for work to begin to diminish as she allowed him to help pull her up before swooping down to kiss him on the cheek. Entwining their fingers, Selim began to lead her away from the desk, and it hit Illa just how grateful she was.

She had never need worry about not being taken care of, because she, well...she had the love of her life.