the trick is to keep breathing

None of these results are what you expected.

You've been in the lab all morning, trying to get through this one test. The exhaustion is getting to you. You want to go home and sleep, but there's so much left to be done.

You barely notice your husband walk into the room, until he steps behind you. His hand is steady and reassuring on your back. "Any results from the second run?" he asks you quietly.

"Not yet." You manage a smile. "I'm giving it another ten minutes."

He hums softly, squeezing your shoulder before walking away. It sends a shiver down your spine; he always knows what to do with his hands, no matter what they are doing. It's one of the reasons he does so well in this profession.

He's been almost kind to you ever since your argument with Vincent - a perfect husband, perhaps one day a loving father. You know why, and you know how little it has to do with you, but still... it's comforting, when you spend so much time standing on your feet, staring at tiny displays.

"After this run, we should rest. It's been hours, after all," he says as he comes back from checking another readout. He leans over behind you and kisses you on the temple. His lips are cold and cracked, his eyes gleaming under the harsh lights. He is not good at being romantic and it is strange to see him trying so hard.

Still, she smiles. This was still more than she'd hoped for, when she'd followed her mind instead of her heart. "You're right. Let's go for lunch afterwards."