The house was spotless, the kids already fast asleep. You’d been home for two hours, your body aching from the day’s work. Ni-ki still wasn’t back—nothing unusual. The company rarely gave him a break, and days spent entirely with the kids were a luxury he almost never had.

Just as you finished preparing a candlelit bath, the front door opened. You stepped out of the bathroom to see Ni-ki slipping off his shoes. His face softened the moment he spotted you.

“Hey, pretty girl. Sorry I’m late,” he said, glancing around as if expecting small footsteps to come running.

“I put them to bed,” you replied gently. “They have school early tomorrow.” He nodded, understanding written all over his tired features.

“You must be exhausted, hm?” He cupped your cheeks, thumbs warm against your skin. “Not as much as you,” you teased, earning a quiet chuckle from him.

“Oh, please. I don’t work half as hard as you do.”

You laced your fingers with his and led him into your shared bathroom. The lights were off, candles flickering softly around the spacious tub, placed carefully at a safe distance. He paused, taking it all in.

“You did this?” he asked, looking down at you. Romantic gestures weren’t usually his thing—but for you, he’d do it a thousand times over without hesitation.