The soft afternoon light spilled into the room, painting the white walls in hues of gold. João stood by the doorway, his curls slightly messy from his morning run, a small smile playing on his lips as he scrolled through his phone. He was wearing the white t-shirt you got him on a whim, the one with the slightly cryptic Cyrillic script, and it made you grin every time he wore it. He knew how much you loved it. You sat cross-legged on the couch, flipping through a novel you had started but hadn’t been able to put down. Every now and then, your eyes drifted toward João, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful he was. It was moments like these, quiet and unassuming, that made you realize just how lucky you were.

“What’s got you smiling?” you teased, your voice breaking the silence. João’s head tilted slightly, his attention shifting from his phone to you.

“Just looking at something funny,” he replied, his grin widening. “Want to see?”

You shook your head, closing your book. “Nah, I like watching you enjoy it more.”

João chuckled, crossing the room to sit beside you. “You’re always so cheesy, you know that?” His Portuguese accent softened his words, making them sound even sweeter.

You leaned your head against his shoulder, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne. “Takes one to know one,” you teased back, poking his side. João laughed, setting his phone on the table. “Alright, Miss Comedian. What are we doing for dinner? I was thinking we could try making that pasta dish you showed me.”

“Bold of you to assume I trust you in the kitchen,” you quipped, earning a playful nudge from him.

“Hey, I’m a man of many talents,” João said with mock offense, pulling you closer. “Cooking just happens to be one of them.”

You raised an eyebrow, pretending to be skeptical. “Fine, Chef Félix. You can handle the pasta. I’ll supervise.”

João leaned in, his forehead resting against yours. “Deal. But only if you promise to kiss the chef.”

A giggle escaped your lips as you nodded. “Always.”

The rest of the evening unfolded in laughter and clumsy attempts at cooking, João occasionally pulling you into a dance around the kitchen while the pasta boiled. It was messy and chaotic, but it was perfect just like every moment you spent with him.