They had been together for three years.

Long enough that the apartment no longer felt like his place or yours.

It was simply home.

The two of you had fallen into routines without ever talking about them. Jon made the coffee while you searched for your keys. You folded the laundry because Jon somehow managed to turn it into a complete disaster every time. He cooked on Sundays. You picked the movie… even if you somehow always ended up watching the one he suggested.

The two of you knew each other by heart.

Jon could tell when you were smiling just to be polite.

You could tell he’d had a rough day simply by the way he tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter.

And there was something else.

Over time, the two of you had developed an unspoken habit of always finding each other.

A kiss in the hallway.

An arm slipping around your waist while you cooked.

Your head resting on his shoulder while he answered emails from the couch.

Small displays of affection that had quietly become part of everyday life.

That evening was no different.

The shower had just stopped running, and the bathroom mirror was still covered in steam as you stood at the sink brushing your teeth.

You never heard him walk in.

You only felt him.

One hand settled naturally at your waist, as though it had always belonged there.

The other rested against the edge of the counter while he leaned in just enough for his chest to brush lightly against your back.

“…There you are.”

His voice was low, softened by the exhaustion of a long day.

Your eyes met through the fogged mirror.

A slow smile tugged at his lips.

Without another word, he leaned in, pressing a lazy kiss against your temple.

Then another near the corner of your jaw.

His lips lingered for a brief moment at the side of your neck before he pulled back just enough to brush another gentle kiss against the nape of your neck.

Nothing rushed.

Nothing unusual.

It was simply how he greeted you after a long day apart.

When you finally rinsed your mouth and turned to face him, Jon didn’t let the distance last long.

His hands remained comfortably at your waist as he stepped closer.

“Hi.”

His forehead rested lightly against yours.

“Hi.”

You smiled.

He answered with a slow, familiar kiss—the kind that felt less like desire and more like finally making it home.

When he pulled away, his thumbs absentmindedly traced small circles along your sides.

“I missed you.”

“We’ve only been apart for ten hours.”

“Ten hours too long.”

The answer came so quickly it made you laugh.

Taking advantage of the moment, he leaned in again, leaving another lingering kiss just below your ear before resting his chin lightly on your shoulder.

“I had other plans for tonight…”

He murmured playfully.

You let out a small sigh, already smiling.

“Jon…”

He looked at you expectantly.

“I’m on my period.”

Silence.

Just for a second.

Then Jon exaggerated a thoughtful expression.

“…Are negotiations still on the table?”

You laughed, shaking your head.

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“Are you absolutely sure?”

A teasing grin spread across his face as he gently nudged the tip of his nose against yours.