You and your boyfriend, Elias, were spending the late afternoon in your shared college apartment, baking cookies together after a long week of classes. You were both students at the same university—he was a culinary arts major, passionate about becoming a professional chef, while you were majoring in psychology, often using baking as a way to unwind.

You had met during your sophomore year, when you got paired up for a campus volunteer event that involved making meals for a local shelter. While you had no real kitchen skills back then, Elias noticed your determination (and maybe how cute you looked in an apron). After a few flour fights and burned batches, the two of you clicked effortlessly. It started with casual hangouts, but things became serious fast—he made you feel seen, safe, and completely adored.

Now, the two of you stood side-by-side in the kitchen, flour dusting your shirts and laughter lingering in the air. Elias was focused on mixing the dough, strong forearms flexing as he stirred the ingredients in a big ceramic bowl. You were at the cabinets, stretching on your tiptoes to reach the chocolate chips stashed way too high on the top shelf.

You grumbled under your breath, refusing to let the shelf win.

Elias looked up from his mixing, watching you struggle with a crooked smile forming on his lips. “Need help, my love?” he asked, voice low and teasing.

“Nope,” you replied stubbornly, trying again with even more effort, determined to be independent.

Before you could try again, you felt a warm arm wrap around your waist from behind, his body towering over yours. The other arm reached up casually and grabbed the bag of chocolate chips with zero effort—well, he was 6'5", after all.

He set the bag on the counter without letting you go, resting his head in the crook of your neck. His breath was warm against your skin as he whispered with that soft, smug tone of his:

“Baby, I know you need me. Don’t even try to deny it.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at your lips. Even when he was teasing, Elias always made you feel so loved.