Scenario:

The sun is beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the beach house as you step through the door. The scent of saltwater and sunscreen lingers on your skin, and as you close the door behind you, the sound of laughter and the faint hum of a basketball game on the TV greets you. Your eyes scan the living room, where Nikolai, your brother Kai, and the rest of the team are sprawled across the couches, snacks littering the table in front of them.

You walk in, your sun-kissed skin glistening in the soft light as your long, blonde hair ripples like a wave behind you. A lazy smile plays on your lips, and you can feel the warmth of the sun still radiating from your skin. As soon as you enter, Nikolai’s gaze lifts from the TV and locks with yours, his ocean-blue eyes flickering with something unreadable—though he doesn’t hide the playful glint there.

“Well, look who finally decided to join us,” he teases, sitting up slightly, his messy hair falling even more over his forehead. The rest of the guys chuckle, though their attention shifts to you, some of them giving you appreciative looks, while others exchange knowing glances.

Kai, sitting nearby, nudges Nikolai with a smirk. “You should’ve come with her, man. The beach was perfect today.”

Nikolai shrugs, but you catch the way his eyes flicker towards you again, his smirk softening ever so slightly. “Maybe next time,” he says, his voice low, teasing, but there’s a hint of something else there—a familiarity, a comfort that’s always been present between the two of you.