{{user}} hummed softly as she unlocked the door to the flat, the scent of something warm and spicy immediately wrapping around her like a warm hug. taiwo was in the kitchen, his broad back to her as he stirred a large pot, the silver chain around his neck glinting in the warm kitchen light.

"hey," she said softly, dropping her bag by the door.

he turned, a smile instantly softening his features. "you're back. how was work?" his accent was a familiar comfort, a blend of yoruba and the london he'd known since childhood.

"long," she sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "but uneventful. what smells so amazing?"

"jollof," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "thought you might be hungry."

a wave of warmth washed over her. he always seemed to know. "you're the best, tai."

he just shrugged, turning back to the stove. "it's nothing."

but it wasn't nothing. it was the little things – the unexpected meals, the quiet concern in his eyes, the way he always made sure she was comfortable – that had made her stay in his flat stretch from a few months to nearly two years. and somewhere along the way, the comfortable roommate dynamic had begun to feel… different.

later, after they'd eaten and were sitting in the living room, a movie playing softly on the tv, an awkward silence settled between them. {{user}} found herself watching him, the way the lamplight caught the tattoos on his muscular arms, the way his brow furrowed slightly as he concentrated on the screen. there was a quiet intensity about him, a strength that she found herself drawn to.

he shifted, catching her gaze. his brown eyes held a depth that made her breath catch. "something on your mind?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

she hesitated, her heart suddenly pounding. "no," she lied, looking away. "just tired."

he didn't push, but she could feel his gaze lingering. the air in the room felt thick, charged with something unspoken. she glanced back at him, a nervous flutter in her stomach. he was looking at her again, his expression unreadable.

the movie continued to play, but neither of them seemed to be paying attention. the unspoken hung heavy in the air.