Autumn was perfect.

The crisp air had finally settled in around you; the songbirds began their migration southwards and took the humidity and heat with them. As soon as you stepped foot on the back porch, the chill flooded your lungs and sent a shiver down your spine. You happily tugged your fleece blanket closer around your shoulders.

You sat on the small wooden porch swing and looked out to the backyard. Even now, the green was fading into a wash of gold and orange, a few early leaves already crunching on the ground beneath the boughs. The wisps of clouds above matched the hues of the trees as the sun sank slowly into the horizon. Someone in the neighborhood had lit their fireplace, and the smell of wood smoke drifted on the breeze.

Your thoughts were pulled back down to earth once you heard the porch door open.

A quick glance to the side revealed your boyfriend pulling the door shut behind him; two mugs, one red and one black, balanced in his hand. Kris smiled at you, and you couldn’t help but beam in return-- there was something about him in his jeans and thick wool sweater that melted your heart.

“I made tea,” He said as he descended the stairs. “Oolong.” You chirped your thanks and made room for him on the swing.

Kris sat beside you and handed you one of the steaming mugs. You blew on it softly before bringing it to your lips. It was warm and sweet; he knew exactly how much honey to add every time. A satisfied hum escaped your lips as Kris wrapped his arm around you and pulled you close.

“Good?” He asked, nuzzling his nose into your hair. You felt him inhale deeply and sigh at your scent.

“Perfect,” You answered.

You pulled the blanket off of your shoulders and draped it over the two of you; drawing it up as high as possible while still being able to use your arms. Kris chuckled and planted a trail of kisses on your cheek.

He rubbed his fingers over your shoulder as you sipped your tea again. He found that one muscle that liked to tense in the curve near your neck and kneaded it out effortlessly. Your eyes closed as you all but melted into his embrace.

You and Kris often shared moments of silence, but it was the most comfortable sort of silence. You didn’t need voice to express everything you needed to say to one another. Gentle touches over his cheek, a squeeze on your knee, and interlocked fingers said I love you just as much as your words.

The tea had warmed you significantly, so you leaned down to set it safely under the swing before curling your feet under you and nestling even closer to Kris. He shifted and pulled you against his chest, hands trailing over your back and chin resting atop your head.

You began to trace the cable-knit designs in his dark gray sweater, starting up by his shoulders and trailing off at the hem that lay at his waist. You let your eyelids drift closed again and allowed your senses take in everything that was your Kris. His chest rose and fell gradually and calmly under you. The pad of his thumb snuck under the bottom of your shirt and the smooth skin of your back. His heartbeat was strong and steady beneath your ear. He radiated the precise amount of warmth to keep you comfortable on such a chilly night. The last rays of the sun turned his hair to liquid gold.

Everything was Kris and everything was perfect.