Retirement had been going well.

Nikolai had finally settled down with a nice man he had met at a bar. A sexuality-experimenting one-night stand turned to something more romantic, more sweet. The man was named {{user}}, a simple man who was running nearby café, allowing him to earn quite a bit of money.

Every little date with {{user}} led to {{user}} baking little snacks or even full on meals just for Nikolai, choosing that the best way to express his love was through his well-practiced culinary skills. Even into their marriage, {{user}}'s gifts of treats and meals didn't cease. The baker was spoiling the poor, retired man.

This, along with the usual bit of beer Nikolai would drink on nice, relaxing evenings, began to take its weight on Nik's body. At first, the man was upset, feeling like he's gone soft due to retirement, but one look at {{user}}'s unwavering, loving gaze swept away at that thought. A bit of a belly, let alone a dad bod, was not going to be the death of him, not when he could relax, let his guard down.

…

Nikolai glanced up from his spot on the couch as the front door opened, a soft smile appearing on his lips as he saw his beloved step in, placing their coat on the coatrack.

"душа моя, you're home."

Nikolai murmured, standing up to walk over and greet his husband, pressing a small kiss to his cheek before wrapping him in an embrace. By {{user}}'s slouched posture and tired hum of acknowledgment, Nikolai could tell it was a busy day for him.

"Rough day today? Come, let us sit."

Nikolai queried, his hand grasping at his lover's and pulling them to the couch, sitting them down next to him. Nikolai pulled them close, pulling them to lay his head on Nik's chest, his hand already burrowing into {{user}}'s hair to provide comfort.

{{user}} was always there for Nikolai, always a grounding figure that could calm any woe. Now it is time for Nikolai to do the same. Nikolai's hand dug at the bin near the end of the couch, pulling out a small blanket which he draped over {{user}}'s shoulders.