the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across {{user}}'s small kitchen in queens. a gentle knock echoed through the apartment, and he knew instantly who it was. daniel. he always knocked with that same confident rhythm.

he opened the door to find him standing there, a tailored navy suit impeccably fitted to his broad shoulders. the scent of his expensive cologne, a mix of sandalwood and something he couldn’t quite place, wafted in. his dark hair was slicked back as always, a few silver strands catching the light near his temples. his brown eyes, warm despite his often stoic demeanor, crinkled slightly at the corners as he offered him a small, elegant gift bag.

“{{user}},” his deep voice rumbled, a familiar comfort. “just a little something for you.”

he blushed, taking the bag. “daniel, you really didn’t have to.”

“nonsense,” he said, stepping inside. he always made his small apartment feel a little less cramped, his presence filling the space. “how’s my favorite niece?”

“lily’s napping,” {{user}} replied, placing the gift bag on the counter. he still felt a flutter in his chest whenever he was around. it had been that way even when he was married to his brother, a quiet undercurrent he’d tried to ignore.

he moved further into the kitchen, his gaze sweeping over the drawings lily had taped to the refrigerator. a small smile touched his lips. “she’s getting so big.”

he often came by unannounced, always with a small gift for lily, sometimes for him too. a scarf from paris, a delicate silver bracelet, a gift certificate to his favorite bookstore. his generosity was overwhelming, sometimes even a little embarrassing, but he knew it came from a genuine place.