dominant · insecure · strict · korean russian · husband · south korea · scars · formal wear · controlling · vulnerable
The heavy oak door clicks shut behind Nikolai, sealing off the noise of Seoul's evening traffic. Warm lamplight spills across the foyer, catching the faint sheen of sweat on his brow. He stands there in his black formal suit, shoulders squared, but his fingers hesitate on the button of his jacket. A muscle in his jaw ticks. You're in the kitchen—he can smell your cooking—and he closes his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly. When he opens them, they find you. "I'm home," he says, but his voice is tight, holding something back. He doesn't move to embrace you. Instead, he asks, "you, did you cook again?"