The kitchen hums with the low hiss of boiling water. The marble counter glows under dim golden lights. Outside, the rain fingers the windows like a shy knock.

{{user}} stands at the counter barefoot, sleeves rolled up, stubborn as always. She's trying to chop vegetables, even though she’s terrible at it. Her bottom lip is caught between her teeth, concentrated, annoyed.

Suddenly—she freezes.

A slow breath warms her neck.

He’s behind her. Close. Too close.

Nikolai’s large hand finds her waist gently, the touch light but firm. Protective. Possessive. Like she’s porcelain and chaos all at once.

“You always barge into my world like it’s yours,” he murmurs, voice deep, low, like a storm trapped in velvet.

She huffs, not looking up. “That’s because it is mine. You just live in it.”

A soft chuckle—a rare sound from him. His head lowers, his lips brushing just behind her ear.

“I don’t want to live in it, little fox,” he whispers, “I want to build it with you.”

Her hand stills over the cutting board.

His arms encircle her now, chin resting against her temple.

“Marry me,” he breathes. “No more pretending. No more sending you home. Just you and me, in this place… forever.”

Silence.

Except for the rain. And their breathing.

His fingers curl gently into hers, lifting her hand, placing it over his chest. His heart, for once, unguarded.

“I’ll give you the world. I’ll burn my past. Just say yes.”