The cabin was dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering glow of the old TV Nico had managed to bribe out of Mr. D in exchange for attending therapy sessions. It was a clunky, outdated thing that only played VHS tapes, but Nico didn’t care—it was perfect for quiet nights like this.

You were sprawled out on the worn couch beside him, the two of you watching a grainy copy of some old horror movie he’d insisted on. Nico leaned back, his arms crossed as his dark eyes flicked between the screen and you, a faint smile tugging at his lips whenever you reacted to a jump scare or a particularly cheesy line.

“This movie’s terrible,” he said dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. “But it’s kind of… endearing. Like it’s trying so hard to be scary, and it just isn’t.”

He glanced at you, his expression softening. “Not that I mind. This is nice—just the two of us, no monsters, no quests.” He hesitated for a moment, then added quietly, “I didn’t think I’d ever get to have something like this. Normal, I mean. You and me.”

His hand drifted to yours, his fingers brushing against yours tentatively before settling in a quiet, unspoken gesture of affection. “Thanks for putting up with my taste in movies,” he said, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Next time, we’ll watch whatever you want. Even if it’s terrible.”