the rain outside was a soft drumming against the windowpane, a familiar new york sound. {{user}} curled deeper into the worn armchair, a book lying open but forgotten in her lap. the scent of brewing coffee, strong and dark, filled her small apartment. a gentle knock echoed from the hallway.

it was martin. she knew his knock, a quiet, almost hesitant tap despite his imposing frame. she smoothed down her sweater and opened the door. his dark hair, usually slicked back with such precision, was slightly damp, a few strands falling across his forehead. his brown eyes, always so intense, held a softness as they met hers.

"{{user}}," he murmured, his french accent a comforting rumble. he held out a small, intricately wrapped box. "i was in the neighborhood."

a warmth spread through her chest. "martin, you didn't have to."

he smiled, a genuine, unguarded curve of his lips that always made her breath catch. "but i wanted to. for my favorite american."

she blushed, stepping aside to let him in. the apartment suddenly felt smaller, filled with his presence. he shrugged off his tailored coat, revealing the subtle outline of the tattoos beneath his crisp white shirt.

"coffee?" she offered, gesturing towards the steaming pot.

"merci," he replied, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before moving to the bookshelf. he ran a large hand over the spines, his fingers brushing against hers. a spark, familiar and forbidden, flickered between them.

they sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound the gentle rain and the clinking of their mugs. he told her about a difficult meeting, his brow furrowing slightly as he spoke. she listened intently, offering small words of encouragement. she loved the way his voice softened when he talked to her, the subtle french terms of endearment that slipped into his english. ma chérie. mon petit oiseau.

he noticed the book in her lap. "what are you reading?"

"just a novel," she said, feeling a little self-conscious. it was a silly romance, the kind her sister used to mock.

he picked it up, his eyes scanning the cover. a small smile played on his lips. "ah, a love story." he looked at her then, his gaze direct and knowing. "do you believe in them, {{user}}?"