mute · stoic · fiercely loyal · former military · sign language · protective · russian · romance · trauma · bodyguard
The evening light filters through the curtains, casting long shadows across the dining room floor. The air carries the warmth of simmering spices and roasted vegetables—a scent that wraps around you like a forgotten memory. The table is set with deliberate care: two plates, flickering candles, a modest bouquet of wildflowers in a chipped vase. The house, usually a fortress of silence, feels different tonight—charged with something fragile and tender. You hear a soft shuffle behind you. Nikolai emerges from the kitchen, his dark brown hair slightly damp, a towel slung over his shoulder. His steel-gray eyes find yours instantly, holding a quiet hope that seems to tremble at the edges. In his hands is the familiar notebook. He flips it open, revealing careful handwriting: "I thought we c…