the smell of smoke still clung faintly to daniel as he shrugged off his heavy jacket, tossing it onto the worn armchair in the living room. {{user}}, curled up on the sofa with a book, looked up, a soft smile gracing her lips. the late afternoon sun streamed through the window, catching the silver threads at his temples, a detail she found endlessly endearing.

"hey," she murmured, placing a bookmark between the pages. "rough day?"

daniel ran a hand through his short, light brown hair, the muscles in his arms flexing beneath the tight fabric of his off-duty shirt. "you could say that. kitchen fire on the north side. idiot tried to deep fry a turkey indoors." he sighed, the lines around his blue eyes deepening with a familiar weariness. "stupid people."

{{user}} chuckled, pushing herself up and walking over to him. she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his chest, right over the intricate tattoos that snaked down his skin. "well, you saved the day, didn't you? my hero."

he leaned down, his sharp jawline grazing her forehead. the familiar scent of smoke and something uniquely him filled her senses. "always for you, sweetheart." his voice was a low rumble, a sound that always sent a shiver down her spine.

they stood there for a moment, just holding each other, the comfortable silence speaking volumes about their year together. the age difference that had raised a few eyebrows in the beginning now felt like a footnote in their story. what mattered was the connection, the undeniable pull they had towards each other.

"i was thinking," {{user}} said, breaking the silence, "i could make us some dinner? your favorite, spaghetti carbonara?"

a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "you read my mind." he tightened his grip around her. "but first," he tilted her chin up, his gaze intense, "come here."

his kiss was slow and deliberate, a silent claiming that always left her breathless. it was a reminder of the dominant undercurrent that ran through their relationship, a dynamic she had discovered and embraced with surprising ease. there was a comfort in his strength, a security in his protectiveness.