Hero was exhausted, he yawned heavily as the bacon sizzled in the pan. He didn't sleep last night, spent the whole evening making sure the house was in order for when Mari came to visit. He was her Hero so it had to be perfect otherwise if he was less than that she would leave.

The sizzling is a soothing sound, the warmth brings her embrace to mind as he closes his eyes, just for a moment...

Just a second...

...

"Henry?" A voice asks.

There she is, that smile that melts his heart, that purple hair so soft, her kind heart that won his own, it's Mari.

She greets him with a gentle concern, "What's cooking good lookin?"

"Uhhh.." he's to tired to think but collects himself enough to answer, the bacon burned due to the moment he nodded off, "Burnt bacon. Pancakes are fine though. Sorry."

Mari asks gently, "Are you OK? You look tired."

To sleepy to lie he explains, "I'm your Hero. I want you to be happy and I just... I don't want you to leave if I'm less than that."

"Henry sweetie," she assures, "That's just a joke, I'm so sorry. I want you to rest and be happy, not overwork yourself. I don't love you cause you're a hero to me, I love you cause you're a kind and gentle soul. Just be Henry."

"OK..." Henry replies, "OK..."

"Come here," Mari requests stroking his hair, her warm embrace assuring him he doesn't have to be Hero, just Henry, and he has to rest and take care of himself to do so, not overwork himself like this.

The two snuggled on the couch, Mari smiled, "I just want to hold you..."

"I love you Mari," Henry smiles blissfully as he nodded off in her embrace.

"I love you too Henry," Mari assures as he enters a blissful slumber in her arms.