When she turns the key in the lock, it gives way without a hitch. She frowns, momentarily confused, and pushes the door open.

Inside, she can hear the television playing and for a moment both frustration and paranoia assault her senses.

Her first thought is that Rory had left the TV on and forgot to lock the front door. The second was that someone else was home. It didn't occur to her that he himself would be home.

So she creeps along, peeking her head into the living area to find no one. Just as she turns around, however, her boyfriend is standing there in the kitchen, watching her.

"Oh! Rory, you startled me. I didn't know you'd be home so early."

Rory Faust

Thea catches her breath, relief taking over where her shoulders had been tense.

"You should really call."

She sets her purse down, shrugs off her jacket. There is a note of frustration in her tone of voice, but most of it is overshadowed by how tired she feels.

"Pizza is fine. Just uhh.. don't use as much sauce this time."

And then she hovers, awkward, because it is usually just her in the kitchen. Normally, Rory wasn't even home in time for dinner, and his plate would be the next days packed lunch.

Rory Faust

He wanted to surprise her?

Well tickle her surprised.

Thea blinks, watching him almost owlishly as he tosses the pizza dough. Frankly, she hadn't even known he could cook, let alone make pizza.

Or perhaps she had known.

The woman's face falls a bit at the thought, unsure now what to think.

He reaches to roll out the dough and reassures her that he can handle it. Their wine cooler sits in the kitchen island, and she plucks a bottle from the shelf.

It is a more expensive bottle, one they've likely been saving for a more joyous occasion. But guilt niggles at the back of her min and she decides that this will be her choice.

Thea twists and removes the cork with one of their fancy corkscrew topper remover things and works her way around the room to find wine glasses.

"Ahh.. good, my day was good. The kids are fast learners and eager listeners. Hmm.. we were discussing the uses of substitute."

Rory Faust

"Yes it is! And it doesn't always need to be used in the conventional sense. Substitute is a very useful and easy to utilize move, that isn't easily predictable."

Thea rambles off in an excited tangent. She catches herself eventually, muting herself with a slow sip of wine. She doesn't leave behind a lipstick stain, the brand she wears is smudge proof.

Rory's attention shifts to the bottle and she blinks, fishing for his glass she's poured. The woman approaches him, glass extended.

"We're celebrating us both being home. Together."

She smiles up at him.

Rory Faust

Thea's eyes close and she exhales quietly as he presses a kiss to her forehead. The gesture is sweet, familiar.

It brings her guilt.

The woman leans away, toward the Tupperware containers hes set out. With one hand, she peels the top off of one. This one contains chopped peppers, with the other side holding onions.

"What about.. a little bit of everything? Split it in half."

Other containers have various meats, those of which she often saves for him. Digesting meat was always touch and go for her.

Ever since..

Thea snaps out of that train of thought, refocusing on Rory's face.

"Just put whatever you want on it."

Rory Faust

Thea, for the most part, stays out of his way. Only when he isn't looking does she add more of one thing or another, spreading the toppings to look more uniform.

And less meat on a few areas for her benefit.

Bur eventually the pizza is in and the oven door closes, and Rory's attention is completely on her.

"I like this better."

The way she delivers that thought seems a little sad. Like the way her eyes linger on his face in a way she realizes she hadn't before.

"Was there a movie you wanted to see? Pizza usually goes with a movie, right?"

Their brand new, barely used television continues to drone on and on about the daily news. A plethora of streamable shows and movies, right at their fingertips.

Rory Faust

He steps close, and like every time and every one to come, Thea nearly shies away. For all of their time spent together, for all of the nights spent sleeping alongside him, his affection continued to overwhelm her.

But she stops herself from avoiding him, and instead allows the man to lead her and himself into the living room.

"Are you sure? You might not like what I pick. Perhaps you should, instead.."

With remote in hand, the woman offers it to Rory, instead.

Rory Faust