Chapter Text
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I like it when things are in order. I always have. And now, even more so since we have our own little family.
Organization, cleanliness, and a structured daily routine, sometimes more, sometimes less, give you a sense of security and comfort. A quiet promise that things will be alright. Combined with lots and lots of love, so much of it that it feels like it fills every corner of our home.
That’s how I was raised, and in my own way, I try my best to pass those principles on to my little son as well. Even though, at four months old, he is probably still far too young to be fully aware of it. But I like to think that he picks up on it anyway, somewhere beneath the surface.
No. I know he does.
I see it in the way he looks at me with his father’s eyes. In that small, toothless smile that somehow manages to undo me completely every single time. Or when his tiny hand wraps instinctively around mine.
Being a parent isn’t always easy. Doubts keep creeping in, the fear of doing something wrong never fully disappears, and sometimes I lie awake at night with my thoughts circling around the smallest, most unnecessary things.
It’s only when Niko pulls me into his arms, when I feel his warmth, his scent, the steady weight of his body against mine, that everything finally quiets down.
Niko. My wonderful, chaotic husband.
God, I never thought I could love someone like this. Not like this. Not in a way that keeps growing every single day, even in the smallest, most ordinary moments.
Even after all this time, he still drives me insane, leaving his clothes everywhere, never sorting the laundry, or turning my kitchen into chaos. And every time I try to lecture him, he just grins at me like it’s the very first time, like nothing and everything has changed at once.
It has become our ritual. A language only we understand. Me pretending to be annoyed, him refusing to take it seriously, and both of us knowing it’s just another way of saying I love you. And usually, I can’t stay upset with him for long anyway.
Not when Niko flashes me that reckless, infuriating grin of his. Our son has already picked up on it. And every time he does, my heart completely gives in.
To be brave. To be curious. To have no fear of the unknown. Those are the things Niko is already teaching our little boy.
And, as I’m now realizing with a quiet mix of disbelief and fondness, he can’t wait to show him how to create chaos too. Or, more precisely, how to turn the bathroom into a small disaster zone.
One step, and my socks are already completely fucking soaked.
For a heartbeat, I just stand there in the doorway, staring at them like I’ve just walked into a crime scene, caught between exasperation and something far softer. Because somehow, it’s impossible to be truly mad when I see them like this.
Father and son are sitting in the jacuzzi like two smug little masterminds, completely unbothered, clearly proud of their successful mission to flood the bathroom.
The little one’s cheerful laughter echoes off the tiles. Fascinated by the bubbles rising in the tub, he claps his tiny hands at them, sending water splashing in every direction. Levi’s dark brown hair sticks to his head, just like Niko’s dark strands, which cling to his forehead and cheeks, damp against his skin.
Laughing, Niko throws his head back. His large, tattooed hands keep the little one steady and secure while Levi kicks his legs, splashing his father even wetter.
"Whoa! You like that, huh? Giving your old man a hard time?"
Niko grins from ear to ear.
Without warning, he shakes his head like a dog, long hair whipping around him as a spray of water rains down over our son. Levi lets out another delighted squeal, tiny hands slapping excitedly against his father’s cheeks.
I let the heartwarming scene sink in for a moment, until I finally regain control over the ridiculous smile tugging at my lips. Clearing my throat, I tap my knuckles lightly against the doorframe.
"So," I say, finally making my presence known and trying to sound stern, "looks like you guys are having a good time in here."
My wet socks squelch against the floor as I make my way over to the tub. Niko’s head snaps toward me instantly, his entire face lighting up the moment he sees me.
"Lotus Flower!" he beams, shifting slightly to make room for me. "C’mere. Join us!"
"No, thanks."
Hands on my hips, I shoot Niko a pointed look, though it softens almost immediately when Levi lights up at the sight of me, babbling excitedly and kicking his little legs against the water.
Naturally, his father takes that as full support.
"See?" Niko grins triumphantly. "He wanna too. So strip and shove that sexy ass of yours in here."
He winks at me, his gaze wandering slowly and shamelessly over my body, and shit, I can already feel heat creeping into my cheeks. The way he looks at me should honestly be illegal.
That godddamn…
"Niko," I sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "When I told you to give him a bath, I did not mean you were supposed to turn the bathroom into an indoor pool."
"Uh oh, did you hear that, little Hunter?" Giggling, Niko tucks the little boy securely into the crook of his arm so he can lean against his father’s broad chest. "The petty police is here. Are we under arrest?"
And there it is again. That sexy grin that makes it almost impossible for me to stay serious with him.
I let out a slow, resigned breath. "You’re unbelievable, Nikolai Sokolov."
Niko wiggles an eyebrow, grinning. "Yeah, but that's what you love about me, baby. So… you really don’t wanna come in?"
Then, like the menace he is, he pouts at me with ridiculously big eyes, looking like a giant toddler who has just been denied attention.
I sigh again, softer this time.
"Mhm-hmm. And it’s about time you two got out. The water’s getting cold."
Reaching for a towel, I sit down on the edge of the tub first. My fingers brush Levi’s damp dark hair away from his forehead before I lean down and press a soft kiss against it.
"Hey!" Niko protests immediately. "What about me?"
My goodness. He's so adorable when he's jealous of his own son.
My hand rises on its own accord, brushing his damp hair away from his face and tucking it gently behind his ear. Water still clings to the strands, running down his temple.
A low hum rises from Niko’s chest, turning into something rougher as my fingers thread into his hair and tilt his head back just slightly.
I lean in, close enough that there’s barely any space left between us.
My voice drops, softer now, meant only for him.
"If you behave," I whisper, my lips brushing his as I speak, his breath warm and familiar against my skin, "and clean up this mess… you might earn a kiss. We’ll see."
A low groan rumbles in his chest.
"Mhm. Fucking bossy," he mutters, but there’s another grin in his voice. His tongue briefly traces the corner of my mouth.
"Fuck, baby… you’re so hot. There’s no way I can say no to that."
I swallow, letting out a small, satisfied hum.
"Good."
Before Niko can bring his tongue into play again, I pull back just slightly and reach for Levi instead, carefully wrapping the little bundle in the towel.
"Time for bed for you, sweetheart" I whisper softly into his hair.
I can feel Niko’s gaze burning holes into me even before I look up. And when I do, my eyes drift over him too.
Over his shoulder. His bare chest, the lotus tattoo resting over his heart. Over the defined lines of his torso, the tattoos shifting as his muscles tense under my gaze.
A wave of heat rises deep in my stomach. With our yawning baby in my arms, I tear myself away and head for the door in my dripping wet socks.
Niko’s going to be busy.
"Dry yourself off properly. I don’t want you getting sick," I call over my shoulder as I adjust Levi against my shoulder. "And please don’t forget to hang up your towel."
There’s a soft, amused sound from behind me.
"Yes, boss," Niko answers immediately.
"And Niko…"
I stop in the doorway and glance back at him.
He’s still looking at me.
Fully focused, like I’m the only thing in the room that matters, even with Levi in my arms and water still dripping everywhere.
It makes my breath catch for a second longer than it should.
"Yeah, baby?" he grins, but his eyes don’t leave mine.
"No… no more swearing in front of our baby," I say, quickly turning away so he doesn’t notice the blush rising in my cheeks. "Is that clear?"
"Oh, crystal clear, baby."
His laughter follows me down the hall, and even as I get Levi ready, tuck him into his crib, and read him a story from the book Lan brought on his last visit, the heat inside me doesn’t fade.
Still, I take the time for this ritual. When I close the door behind me a little later, Levi Hunter is fast asleep. I tiptoe carefully into our bedroom, hearing Niko cursing and grumbling down the hall.
I don’t have to wait long.
My nostrils flare as his scent hits me the moment he enters the room, sending a shiver of anticipation through me. My cock twitches inside my pants.
Nikolai is naked, completely stripped down. Except for a towel he’s using to dry his hair. But the moment I throw myself at him, even that last scrap of fabric hits the floor.
Crossing the distance in a few quick steps, I grab a fistful of his hair, pulling him into me as my lips crash against his, fucking claiming him.
There’s a raw rumble in his chest, half surprise, half something deeper, I push him back against the wall, pressing myself against him and kissing him hard and deep.
Niko’s hands find waist, bringing our hardening cocks together. His teeth catch my lower lip as he kisses me back just as rough and passionate, until we’re both feasting on each other, barely able to breathe.
"Fuck me, baby," growls when we finally break apart long enough to gasp for air. "Jesus, if that’s the reward, I definitely want to know what happens when I mess up."
"Don’t stop talking," I whisper, biting the corner of his mouth, "and maybe I’ll show you."
He flashes me a sexy grin, Kolya gives me a standing ovation, and I suck that grin straight off his lips as we stumble our way toward the bed.
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