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Viktor looks so serene, sitting there like that. Invested in his book, the dim light of the lamps in the living room reflecting on his skin like gold. He’s so beautiful, and you never tire of seeing his face no matter how long you’ve been together. You’ve memorized every mark, every scar, every crease. He’s your everything.
You don’t realize how long you’ve been in the doorway staring at him until he glances up and smiles his cheeky grin he reserves only for you.
“Care to join me?”
You nod, a huge smile stretching across your face as you rush over and snuggle into his side. You kiss his jaw and rest your head on his shoulder.
“How was your shower, darling?” Viktor asks, wrapping one arm around you and transferring his book to the other.
“Good. You going to be up much longer?”
“No,” he closes his book and sets it on the side table. “Just waiting for you, love.”
You give him one last squeeze and kiss before standing up, offering him your hand. He takes it, leaning on you for support as you both walk to the bedroom. Viktor would never let anyone else be his crutch, but he appreciates the closeness.
You rummage through the bathroom drawer while Viktor gets undressed, grabbing a bottle, towels, and soap. You then join him on the bed and help him take his back and leg braces off. Despite all the buckles and locks, the process is quite quick from the practice. Even though Viktor constantly told you that you don’t have to do this every night, you insisted on it so much that he doesn’t try to stop you anymore. You do this because you love him, not out of a feeling of obligation.
Opening the bottle of pain potion, you pour some into your palms and begin massaging it onto his back, handing him the bottle afterwards so he can use it on his leg. It’s a far from perfect fix, but it usually soothes the aching enough to help him fall asleep. He sighs in relief once you’ve spread it around and massaged every inch of his skin, leaning back onto you, his head colliding with your shoulder. You wrap your limbs around him and pull him in until there’s no space between you, kissing his temple.
“You’re too good to me, love,” he says softly.
“I’m good as you deserve, darling,” you assure him, moving up a hand to tangle your fingers through his soft hair. He hums at your touch, sinking further into your embrace.
“Hang on,” you say, gently pushing him away. You grab his braces and wipe them down with the soap and wet towels, then hang them up to dry overnight. You also turn off the lights in the room before returning to the bedside.
Viktor looks up at you in adoration, still failing to understand how someone could do so much for him without a second thought. Your love for him is constantly pouring out of you like an overflowing fountain, and he knows he’s powerless to stop it, not that he’d ever try. It’s taken him a long time to accept this type of love as his reality, the kind that’s unconditional and unwavering, but he finally has. He’s allowed his heart to be calm with you, be trusting.
You will always be the vision of perfection in Viktor’s eyes, the person no other living being could live up to in tranquility, character, and allure. He could never tire of listening to you or looking at you. You make him feel like the person so many others in his life told him he could never be.
You stand between his legs as he sits on the edge of the bed, returning your fingers to his hair. His hands desperately cling to your hips, pulling you closer until his face is nuzzling your stomach. He looks up at you, melting under your soft gaze.
“I love you,” he says.
“I love you too,” you smile warmly, caressing his face a bit before sitting next to him.
You pull off the covers and wiggle under them, gently pulling on his arm for him to join you. He follows suit, instantly cuddling you close. He presses kisses to your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, and finally locks your lips. When he can’t find the words to describe just how much you mean to him, he puts everything into his soft, affectionate touches. You understand every phrase, every sentence he says with each stroke of his hands on you, lulling you into peace and relaxation.
“Viktor…” your eyes are barely open, but you don’t want to stop looking at his handsome face. You brush a hand across his cheek.
“Shh, darling, you’ve more than earned your sleep,” he guides your head to his chest, feeling your breath on his bare skin.
Viktor is never the first to fall asleep, but he’s never minded that. He watches as your eyes shut and you mindlessly snuggle him in your slumber. He will never take nights like this for granted, nor you or your love.
He kisses the top of your head one last time before succumbing to his own fatigue.
“Goodnight, my love.”