Viktor was quite surprised you liked him. Your taste… intrigued him. Was it his sharp, intelligent eyes that drew you in? The soft hair he sometimes felt your hands brushing through? Or perhaps the measured cadence of his voice when he spoke?

Regardless, he wanted to show his appreciation for you—your kindness, your patience, everything that made you, you. One evening in his room, he meticulously planned how he might treat you. Perhaps an evening at an elegant restaurant, accompanied by the soft strains of live music? Lavish meals and fine wine? No, wait—he stopped himself. That might feel over the top for you, maybe even a bit uncomfortable.

He went over his plans again and again, trying to strike the perfect balance, only to have his musings interrupted when you unexpectedly asked him out. His initial surprise quickly turned into relief—it saved him from overthinking—but also left him pondering how he might repay the gesture.

Finally, the day of your date arrived. Viktor dressed up in his best, nerves fluttering faintly beneath his calm demeanor. When he stepped into the restaurant, he was struck by how different it was from what he had envisioned. It wasn’t the extravagant venue he had originally considered—it was cozy, warm, and alive with the mingling scents of comfort foods.

And then he saw you. Across the room, seated at a small table illuminated by a single flickering candle. The soft, amber glow lit your features with an otherworldly radiance, making your skin seem to shimmer. He paused for a moment, taking in the sight, before a genuine smile spread across his face.

He made his way over, his cane tapping softly on the floor. Standing before you, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability.

“You always manage to surprise me,” he said, his voice low and tinged with fondness. “This is perfect. I couldn’t have planned anything better myself.”