Quiet, domestic, charged with unspoken feelings
Morning – Breakfast & Routine Maintenance
"I dont like them too toasted," Leo called from across the kitchen island, flipping open the blade of a small knife, checking the edge.
"They were slightly toasted last time," Nox muttered, cracking eggs into a pan one-handed while cleaning the muzzle of a Glock with the other.
Dominik and the ex-boss were already huddled in the side room with binoculars.
"They're making breakfast together. Look at the synchronization. One's frying, the other's cleaning weapons. THIS is domestic insanity."
"That's foreplay in their language," the ex-boss said calmly.
"They're wiping gun oil while planning eggs!"
Leo adjusted the gas stove, glanced at Nox's posture. "You're not slouching. That means you're not in too much pain."
Nox grunted. "I'm functioning. That's what matters."
"You're a drama queen."
"And you're brushing my hair later."
"Shut up and finish cooking."
Mid-Morning – Hair Braiding and Paperwork
Leo sat cross-legged on the couch, braiding Nox's hair slowly. The strands were soft, freshly washed, and had that faint scent of antiseptic and rain.
"Tiger piercings today?"
Nox held up the box. The small black set gleamed: a stylized tiger fang ear stud and a matching navel ring. "It's the mood."
"You match your trauma to animal piercings. That's concerning."
"You're wearing three holsters just to check our email."
"Touché."
Nox plugged into the laptop again. "I got the governor to sign the dummy infrastructure project last night. We're cleared. The shell company is approved. By the time classes start, we're legally a paper shipping firm with no suspicious taxes."
Leo paused, hand still in his hair. "You hacked a state system."
"I got us a future."
Dominik choked on his coffee. "He said it so casually! Like he just ordered takeout!"
"That's love," the ex-boss replied. "Criminal, psychotic love."
Afternoon – Cartoons and Kid Chaos
Three children—two girls, one clingy boy—gathered around the living room TV. Leo had chosen an old cartoon film. Something about talking vegetables.
Nox sat with a blanket over his legs, bandage peeking under his tank top. The little boy had climbed into his lap like a koala.
He didn't push him away.
Instead, Nox just smiled faintly, hand resting gently on the boy's head.
Leo's entire body twitched.
He walked over, lifted the kid by the armpits, and deposited him gently to the floor. "You're injured," Leo muttered, not looking at Nox. "Don't encourage clinging."
Nox blinked up. "He was warm."
"Dominik is watching."
Nox's smile faded instantly.
"Where's your mask? You used to wear it 24/7."
Nox leaned back, looking at the ceiling. "I'll wear it when we go to college. I promise."
Dominik screamed into a pillow. "HE SMILED. HE SMILED AND LEO PANICKED. IT'S OVER. I'M DECEASED."
"Let them have this peace," the ex-boss said gently, polishing his cane.
Evening – Cooking & Clothing Inspection
Nox was smoking while turning something in a pan. Leo stood nearby, holding up a few folded shirts.
"You brought me back five of the same black turtleneck."
"Goth is efficient."
"You also bought four pairs of gloves."
"Fingerprints are inefficient."
Leo held up a jacket. "Did you really get this in Russia?"
"From a guy named Vadim."
"This reeks of gunpowder and betrayal."
"It'll match your soul."
Dominik hissed like a vampire behind the door. "Why is flirting so boring with them? They don't know it's flirting!"
Night – On the Terrace
The stars were especially visible that night. Clear skies. Chilly breeze. They sat on the cold stone edge of the villa's terrace, legs dangling.
Leo pointed at the sky. "Remember our first year? When we watched the moon together for the first time?"
Nox nodded slowly. "You were the mafia prince. I was the mysterious silent roommate. Always covered."
Leo smirked. "You didn't talk to anyone for the first week. I thought you were a robot."
"You were experiencing your first normal friendship—with Ash."
Leo's smile faded just a bit. "He was... a good watch."
"You talked a lot back then."
"So did you. Once I found out you weren't mute."
They chuckled.
Dominik peeked from behind a curtain.
"He's shot. Leo braided his hair. They're watching stars and reminiscing about their first year. THEY'RE GONNA KISS IN FIVE CHAPTERS."
"No they won't," the ex-boss said. "They'll dodge it emotionally for 30 more."
Inside Nox's Head
As Leo kept pointing out constellations, Nox let himself lean back against the stone.
He was shot. In pain. Still bleeding a bit.
But she had never felt this peaceful.
Not in her past world. Not in the years of betrayal, blood, and cold hotel floors.
Here, under stars, with Leo's voice humming in the air—she felt safe.
Whole.
Human.
And she didn't need to smile for it.