"Not happening. Everyone downstairs will know we're having sex."

He pulls back with a small pout, muttering, "Fine," before he trudges to the bathroom, probably to wash his hands.

You know you’re supposed to go downstairs first, but you’re notoriously weak to his adorable pouts.

So you follow after him and stop when you’re behind him as he dries his hands. You meet your reflection in the mirror.

You can finally look at yourself in the mirror without feeling the need to smash it to pieces. You still haven't been able to smile at yourself like the therapist has been urging you to. It just feels weird.

Tattooed arms wrap around your waist from behind before Nikolai's chin rests on your shoulder. You didn't even notice when he changed position and slipped behind you.

"You're the most beautiful thing on earth," he whispers against your neck, peppering kisses there as he meets your gaze in the mirror.

"I'm lucky you allowed me in your life." Kiss. "I'm lucky you love me." Kiss. "I'm lucky you're letting me fight your demons with you"

Your heart crawls its way to your throat and you have to swallow down the burst of emotions to remain standing.

"I'm the one who's lucky to have you, baby." you unlock his arms from around you, turn, and face him. "I was supposed to give you this present later tonight, but you're making it impossible to hold it in." You tug your shirt free and his grin returns. "You're going to give me my prize anyway..?"

His words trail off and his lips part when he sees the actual reason why you removed your T-shirt.

"What do you think?" you ask carefully.

His fingers ghost over the elegant font you had tattooed on your heart. Like where he got the tattoo for you.

"You had Niko's lotus flower tattooed on your chest?"

"Not on my chest." you take his hand press it on the skin. "My heart."