The days pass with a kind of harmony nobody could expect from two government agents destined to kill each other. Sylvia continues to assign Twilight busy work that often has him returning home in a huff, airing his frustrations while Yor putters around the kitchen, asking the occasional question and voicing her frequent sympathy.

Dinner consists largely of Christmas staples these days. He 's offered to split the cooking schedule more than once, but she insists on getting the practice. On the days she 's home late, though 'often much, much later than he 's ever home late 'Loid always has something wrapped and waiting for her in the refrigerator.

It 's strangely idyllic. More so than it ever was this time last year.

Tonight, he 's home first. Anya is in her room working 'he hopes, at least 'on whatever homework she has assigned while he has cabbage braising in a pot, bratwurst spitting in a pan, and potato pancakes cooling to the side.