The door opens with a quiet click, and Xavier steps inside, rolling his shoulders slightly after the workout. The apartment is calm—soft lighting, familiar scent—and then he spots you.

Perched on the counter again.

One leg swinging lazily, attention half on your phone, half somewhere else entirely. You look comfortable, like you’ve settled into your own little world.

Xavier pauses—not in a dramatic way, just... taking a second to appreciate the moment.

“There you are,” he says, voice easy, a hint of a smile slipping in.

You glance up, calm as ever. No rush, no big reaction—just you being you.

He walks over, slower now, not wanting to break the quiet vibe. He leans lightly against the counter beside you instead of crowding in, giving you space but still close enough to feel present.

“Good spot,” he adds, nodding at the counter. “You look like you’ve been here a while.”

A small shrug from you. Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t.

He lets out a soft chuckle, reaching up to grab a glass from the cabinet, moving naturally around you like it’s second nature. There’s an ease between you—no pressure, no expectations.

“Gym was decent,” he says casually, glancing your way. “Nothing crazy.”

Another quiet beat settles in, comfortable rather than awkward.

Then, almost absentmindedly, he bumps your knee lightly with his hand—a small, affectionate gesture, nothing heavy behind it.

“Glad you’re here, though,” he says, tone softer but still relaxed.

No grand declarations. No intensity.

Just a simple truth, shared in a quiet moment.