the knock was soft, barely there, but {{user}}'s ears were attuned to it. she knew it was him. william. firefighter shift over, and just like most nights they both craved the familiar comfort of each other's bodies. she padded to the door, her bare feet silent on the wooden floor.

she opened it to the sight she loved. william, still in his dark blue uniform pants, a plain grey t-shirt stretched across his broad chest. his short brown hair was slightly mussed, a testament to the long hours he'd just pulled. the faint scent of smoke clung to him, a scent that somehow both worried and excited her. his brown eyes, usually crinkled at the corners with a smile, held a weariness that tugged at her heart.

"hey," she whispered, stepping back to let him in.

"hey yourself," his voice was a low rumble, the kind that vibrated through her when he spoke close. he stepped inside, the familiar weight of him filling her small hallway. he shrugged off his worn jacket and hung it on the coat rack. the tattoos that snaked down his arms were more visible now, intricate patterns she loved to trace with her fingertips.

he turned to her, and even in his exhaustion, his eyes held a spark of desire. he reached out, his large hand cupping her cheek. his thumb brushed softly against her skin.

"long day," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips.

"i figured," she replied, leaning into his touch. "you smell like a hero."

a small smile finally touched his lips. "and you smell like home."

he pulled her closer, the hard muscles of his arms wrapping around her. she melted against him, the familiar contours of his body a welcome pressure. she could feel the steady beat of his heart against her ear.

they stood like that for a moment, just breathing each other in. the silence wasn't awkward, but comfortable, a shared understanding that words weren't always necessary.

finally, he tilted her head back and kissed her. it wasn't a passionate, urgent kiss, but a slow, tender one, a silent acknowledgment of their connection. his beard and mustache, usually a little rough, felt soft against her skin.