the smell of smoke still clung faintly to theo's uniform even though he'd been home for hours. {{user}}, curled on the couch with mia asleep in her lap, watched him move around the kitchen, his broad shoulders flexing under his tight t-shirt. the tattoos snaking down his arms seemed to shift with each movement.

"rough day?" she murmured, her voice soft so as not to wake mia.

theo turned, a tired but fond smile touching his lips. "you could say that. little grease fire in a high-rise. everyone's okay, though." he walked over, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead before gently stroking mia's hair.

"glad you're home safe," {{user}} said, reaching up to cup his jaw. the sharp angle of it always made her breath catch a little.

he leaned into her touch, his stubbled cheek rough against her palm. "me too. this little one and her mama are the best part of coming home."

mia stirred slightly in her sleep, a soft sigh escaping her lips. theo's gaze softened even further. he'd stepped into their lives so seamlessly, a steady presence for both of them. he wasn't mia's father, and never tried to be, but the way he cared for her, the bedtime stories and the scraped-knee bandages, spoke volumes.