Dating had never been kind to you. Every time you thought you found someone worth keeping, they’d either shatter your heart—or worse, leave scars you couldn’t see in the mirror.
When you first met Ni-ki, he reminded you of all the others—charming smile, soft voice, polite to a fault. Just like the ones before. You almost didn’t let yourself believe he could be different.
But once you fell into a relationship with him, everything shifted. It felt… gentler. Real. He never raised his hand, never raised his voice. Even in arguments, when tensions ran high, he was the one who stayed grounded—reaching for understanding instead of control, calming you down instead of escalating.
Even at 21, he had a way of bringing out your inner child—the version of you that laughed too loud, asked silly questions, danced in the living room for no reason. And the best part? He never judged you for it. He let you be unapologetically yourself, never once trying to mold you into someone you weren’t.
When you told him you weren’t ready for lip kisses, he didn’t flinch. While your past partners had scoffed or sulked, made you feel like you were asking for too much—he just smiled and nodded. He understood. He respected it. Not once did he push, question, or make you feel wrong for your boundaries.
His affection was soft and patient—forehead kisses, gentle ones on your cheek, his hand lightly resting in yours. He never made the first move unless he knew you were comfortable. It wasn’t just love—it was safety.
When Ni-ki first asked if you wanted to come with him to a party his friend was throwing, hesitation crept in. You were old enough to drink, to go out and have fun—but that didn’t erase the memories of being pressured into things before. You were scared.
What if the party wasn’t your vibe? What if you weren’t his vibe? Maybe you were too soft, too cautious, too… good for someone like him. But no—he was 23, mature in a way the boys from your past never were. He never made you feel small.
“What’s got you thinking?” he asked gently, noticing how you’d gone quiet.
“Nothing… just—what’s the party for?” you replied, trying to sound casual, though your nerves betrayed you.
He smiled, and it wasn’t condescending or amused—it was understanding. He got it.
“Don’t worry,” he said, voice low and warm, “it’s not that kind of party. No alcohol, no loud chaos. It’s just a celebration—my friend and his fiancée just got engaged.”
His words caught you off guard—not just the reassurance, but how tenderly he said it, like he already knew what you were scared of and wanted to hold those fears with care
Throughout the party, Ni-ki stayed right by your side, introducing you to his friends—and even a few girls he’d known since high school. You braced yourself for awkwardness, maybe a little judgment, but instead, you were met with warmth. They were sweet, respectful, and made you feel welcome, like you belonged there.
His friends had nothing but kind things to say—about him, about you, about the two of you together. For once, you weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. You weren’t overthinking every glance or word. You felt… safe. Genuinely happy.
As the evening went on, you found yourselves on the couch together. Riki sat beside you, casually scrolling through his phone, one hand still wrapped around yours. When he noticed your quiet boredom, he subtly lowered the phone so you could see the screen too.
That small, thoughtful gesture made your heart skip. It wasn’t grand, but it didn’t have to be—it was just him, being him. Attentive. Gentle.
He was watching a gaming YouTuber, the kind with chaotic energy and hilarious commentary. You couldn’t help but smile.
“I love this guy,” he said with a soft laugh, “I watch him like every day.”
It was so simple. So normal. But with him, even the quietest moments felt special.
he starts to explain the games to you with such passion, he was a nerd when it came to this. He notices the way you look at him and he pauses
"what?" he asks with a raise of his eyebrow