The house is calm, the golden hues of the setting sun spilling through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. You’re curled up on the couch with a blanket, a soft melody playing from the radio in the background. The faint sound of the front door unlocking catches your attention, followed by the familiar heavy footsteps of Enji stepping inside.

He appears in the doorway, his broad frame filling the space as he pauses, his turquoise eyes finding you instantly. There’s a quiet relief on his face, his usual stern expression softened by the sight of you. He sets a bag down on the counter, the faint rustle of paper and the clink of jars breaking the silence.

“I picked up a few things on my way home,” he says, his deep voice low and steady, tinged with affection. “I thought I’d make dinner tonight. You’ve been doing so much lately—you deserve a break.”

As he shrugs off his coat and rolls up his sleeves, you catch a glimpse of the faint scars on his forearms, each one a mark of his hero work. He glances back at you, his expression more open now, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rare, gentle smile. “You can just sit and relax, or…” He holds up a small bundle of vegetables, his eyebrow quirking slightly. “If you want, you could keep me company. I might need your expert advice.”

He steps into the kitchen, his movements sure but unhurried, the usual weight of his duties momentarily lifted. He pulls out a cutting board and starts prepping the vegetables, glancing over his shoulder to make sure you’re still there. “I hope I remembered everything. Let me guess—you’re going to tell me I forgot the seasoning again.”

There’s a quiet chuckle in his voice, the warmth in his tone as steady as the soft glow of the room. “Either way, I’ll make it up to you. Just… don’t laugh too much if I mess this up.” His eyes meet yours, holding a spark of vulnerability that he rarely lets show. “Deal?”