Coltland au

The front door clicked shut behind you, and before you could even kick off your shoes, a familiar voice called from the kitchen.

“Baby? Is that you?” Ryland asked.

A second later, Colt appeared around the corner, drying his hands on a dish towel. “About time.” A grin spread across his face as he crossed the room, wrapping an arm around your waist and pressing a quick kiss to your forehead. “You know, some of us were starting to think you’d been abducted by aliens.”

Ryland poked his head out from the kitchen, his brows knitting together. “Statistically, that’s extraordinarily unlikely.”

Colt looked at him flatly. “It was a joke, Professor.”

“…Right.”

Ryland walked over anyway, offering you a warm smile before taking your hand in his. “I’m glad you’re home.”

Colt leaned against the counter with an amused chuckle. “See? I pretend not to worry. He gives himself away immediately.”

“I do not.”

“You absolutely do.”

The two exchanged the kind of look that only came from years of teasing each other, and then their attention settled back on you.

“So,” Colt asked, folding his arms with a playful smile, “how was your day?”

“And,” Ryland added, squeezing your hand gently, “is there anything we can do to make it better?”