Victor stood in the doorway of the lab, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room. His eyes, usually distant and calculating, softened as he watched her—{{user}}—immersed in her work, oblivious to the world around her. He had been outside, wandering the garden, when he noticed the vibrant splash of color amidst the greenery. He hadn’t intended to stop, but something about those flowers, so delicate and alive, had drawn him in. Now, with a handful of wild blossoms cradled in his large hands, he moved toward her.

His footsteps were always too heavy, no matter how gently he tried to tread, and she didn’t turn until he was nearly at her side. When she looked up, he offered the flowers with a surprisingly tender motion, as if afraid they might wilt in his grasp.

"These... I found them in the garden." His voice, deep and rough around the edges, softened as he held out the blooms to her. "I thought—" He paused, glancing down at the flowers, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I thought they’d look better in your hands."