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Valentine’s Day had always been a reminder of distance for Peter Sutherland.
Distance between where he stood and where other people seemed to live.
Distance between duty and desire.
Distance between the version of himself who stayed alert and the one who might, in another life, have known how to relax into moments like this.
Zoe, his ex-fiancee, had always been very keen on celebrating it with him, going to a fancy restaurant, showing off her best dress, but to be very honest, he didn’t like it. Peter actually hated Valentine’s Day. Or, more exactly, he hated all the commercial ideas that Valentine’s Day brought. The urge of finding a gift, the stress of choosing the right restaurant, the tension of not knowing whether he would make it on time at home or not… Valentine’s Day, along with any other holiday, was a nightmare for Peter Sutherland.
Yet, things had changed in the last six months. He no longer feared it because he knew that Rose didn’t value it either. Moments together was what she wanted, not fancy restaurants or gifts. But this year, Peter wanted to do something special for his first Valentine’s Day with Rose.
Rose Larkin…
That beautiful, stubborn and smart woman he had fallen in love with. The woman who had been sharing his life for the past six months now.
She was standing in his living room, sitting on his couch (their couch), one bare foot hooked around the other ankle, phone pressed to her ear as she was arguing with someone on the phone, trying to keep her calm. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“No, that assumption is exactly how breaches happen. You’re thinking like someone who expects the attack to happen.”
He smiled for himself, and stared at her. They had finally found each other again six months ago. And he couldn’t be happier. Peter leaned against the counter, watching her. She was wearing one of his sweatshirts (too big for her of course), soft from too many washes. He could still remember the first time she had borrowed it.
The memory came… unforgettable. It had happened two years before. In New York.
They had been on the run then, adrenaline still humming beneath their skin …after Solomon had found Rose and hurt her …after Peter had managed to escape Monroe’s guys … after Catherine made sure he understood who was the boss.
They had been back sheltering in Peter’s safe apartment that smelled faintly of dust and old coffee. It was late. Way too late. Peter had gone to park the car and had grabbed a pizza for them on his way back.
A knock.
Rose emerged from the bathroom wearing his sweater. She loved to wear his clothes. His smell was soothing.
She had looked through the peephole and opened the door when she saw Peter. He had stared at her as he entered the apartment. He attempted to make a joke asking her not to lose his sweatshirt as he made his way into the kitchen. The truth was that he loved seeing her in his own clothes. Suddenly she was there, wrapped in something that belonged to him, sleeves covering her hands, hair damp and loose around her shoulders. She looked smaller like that. Softer. And he loved the sight of it. The sight of her. Right there. Safe. With him. When she was supposed to be on her way to California.
“Peter ? … Peter !”
He looked at her, her voice dragging him back to reality.
“You’re good?”
“Yeah.”
“No…you’re not. You’re acting weird.”
“I’m not.”
“You just flinched, Peter. You do this when you’re lying.”
“That’s just… how I stand.”
“Peter… What’s up?”
He sighed, defeated, his shoulders dropped.
“Okay, maybe… maybe I am acting weird. I’m a little nervous.”
“Why?”
He turned, finally meeting her eyes. She was frowning, not understanding why he was nervous. His expression softened immediately, like it always did when he really looked at her.
“Because it’s Valentine’s Day.”
“Ok…And?”
“I made reservations.”
“You … what?”
“Six-thirty. Georgetown. Candles. Cloth napkins. Romantic setting.”
“No fucking way…”
“You don’t like it? Of course you don’t. I knew you wouldn’t like it… shit, I…”
“Peter… I love the idea. I do…I really do…”
“But?”
“But you hate Valentine’s Day! I know it, Peter. So, you didn’t need to do this. We can stay home.”
“Well… I wanted to do something for our first Valentine’s Day together. I think I would like it. But…don’t get used to this every year though.”
He looked at her, smiling. She smiled back at him, something warm and genuine.
“Are you serious?”
“I am. I mean, we don’t get a lot of chances to do normal things. I wanted tonight to be… normal. For us.”
She stood up, took a few steps closer and rested her hands against his chest.
“Normal is overrated.”
They laughed. She rested her head against his chest, her arms around his middle, hugging him tightly. It didn’t take long for Peter to hug her back.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to.”
She looked up at him, her chin on his chest, and then, on her tiptoe, she kissed him softly.
“You know… I used to hate Valentine’s Day too.”
“Yeah?”
“It felt like proof I was doing something wrong.”
He nodded in agreement.
“And now?”
She tilted her head, meeting his gaze, looking at him.
“Now it just feels like… another day I get to be with you.”
She kissed him again, slow and lingering, and for a moment the world narrowed to warmth and familiarity. Something they had fought so hard to create over the past months.
*****
A few hours later, Peter and Rose were dressed up and ready for their date at the restaurant. Peter was standing in the living room when Rose walked in, wearing a beautiful long sleeves red dress, her hair loose and slightly curled, with a very neutral and natural make-up, wearing gold earrings.
“Wow… You look… gorgeous.”
Rose smiled, a little shyly. Then, she looked at him from head to toes. His dark blue suit was perfect on him and Rose’s favourite.
“Thank you. You look great too.”
She walked to him and took his hands in hers.
Before Peter could say anything, his phone buzzed. The sound cut cleanly through the moment. Rose didn’t pull away, but he felt the tension return to her body. She knew this rhythm. She had learned it the hard way. Peter took his phone from his back pocket and looked at the screen, making a step backwards.
“It’s Catherine.”
“How surprising!”
They looked at each other, and understood that they would have to cancel their plans.
“I don’t have to…”
“Yes, you do, Peter. If you don’t answer, she’ll assume you’re dead and she’ll send a team. It’s ok… just answer.”
Peter looked at Rose and made his way to the room next door. Rose sighed as she watched him walk away to their home office.
She looked at the screen of her own phone. It was 6.10pm. They had their reservation for 6.30pm. She sighed again. Peter was still working as a Night Agent. Rose hadn’t let him give up on his dream job. She knew the pros and cons, and she had signed up for it. Never would she have wanted Peter to give up on his job. So she had followed him to Washington and she was now working with the FBI as a tech expert. She would from time to time work with Night Agents when they needed her help, but mostly, she was helping the FBI to improve their software. A safe job, behind a screen, in an office, that didn’t involve much field. Peter hadn’t been a fan of the idea at first, but Rose didn’t give him much of a choice. She was stubborn. He finally gave up, admitting that it was a good compromise.
After some minutes, Peter came back to the living room.
“She needs us at the office.”
“Of course she does.”
“There’s a situation.”
“There’s always a situation. What is it this time ? Foreign assets? Missing intel? Someone who definitely shouldn’t be trusted?”
The irony in her voice made Peter smile.
“All three.”
She sighed and looked at Peter before walking to the door to grab her coat.
“Let’s go, then.”
“Rose…”
“She’s already ruined our dinner. I’m not letting her ruin the rest of the day by making you feel guilty.”
“I’m so sorry, I really…”
“It’s ok. It’s all good, don’t worry. We should go.”
She handed him his own jacket. He smiled, grateful and a little in love all over again.
“I don’t deserve you.”
“No, you don’t … but you’re stuck with me.”
She gave him a quick kiss before opening the door of their apartment. They both left the apartment and had no idea when they would be back. They were sure of one thing, is that their date at the restaurant wasn’t happening tonight.
*****
As they entered the office, Catherine Weaver took one look at them and frowned.
“You look dressed up.”
Peter and Rose exchanged a look. Yet, Rose couldn’t help but remind Catherine that there was a life outside Night Action.
“Well… we had plans, Catherine. You just ruined them.”
“I assumed as much. Unfortunately, national security doesn’t observe Valentine’s Day.”
Rose sat in front of the laptop and leaned back in her chair as she rolled her eyes.
“That’s tragic. Truly.”
Catherine gave Peter a look but ignored Rose. She was used to her sarcastic self and she couldn’t blame Rose for seeking a life outside the job. She was a good agent, and always available when needed. It was all that mattered to Catherine. She pushed a folder across the table as Peter took a seat next to Rose.
“We have reason to believe a foreign operative is attempting to extract classified information tonight.”
Peter flipped it open, instantly focused, while Rose scanned the documents.
“This could’ve been an email…”
“Not when lives are at stake, Rose.”
“Then let’s wrap this up quickly so our lives don’t suffer unnecessarily.”
Peter coughed, trying not to smile. Rose was a very hardworking person, but she also knew how to be bossy, even in front of their own boss. Peter looked at Catherine.
“We got it.”
“Good. I wasn’t expecting less from you. I’ll be right back.”
With these words, Catherine left the room. Peter looked at Rose, but before he could say anything, Rose stopped him raising her hand.
“Don’t say anything. Let’s get done with this quickly so we can get back home.”
Rose opened her laptop and started typing.
*****
Three hours and many swear words later, the threat had been neutralized, the operative located and apprehended, and Rose was exhausted despite the coffees they drank. Catherine stood and gathered all the folders in her hands.
“Good work, you two. You’re dismissed.”
Rose didn’t hesitate. She stood immediately, took her coat and her handbag.
“Great. Bye!”
Peter glanced at Catherine and nodded, before he followed Rose out, barely keeping up as she marched down the hallway.
“She didn’t even apologize.”
“She never does, Rose.”
“Well… she ruined our plans, it was the least she could do.”
“I thought you didn’t care about dinner?”
They stepped outside into the cold February night. The city lights glowed softly, the air crisp. Rose turned to him, and she could see a smirk on his face. She smiled, then kissed him, right there on the sidewalk, arms tight around his neck.
“I don’t care about dinner. Take me home so we can enjoy what’s left of our evening.”
He smiled, something warmer and darker flickering in his eyes. He kissed her back.
“I had the same thought.”
*****
As they made their way inside the apartment, they kicked their shoes off and put their jackets on the coat rack before Rose went to the kitchen to get some wine and order dinner.
“You’ve been working too hard lately, Peter. Tonight, we just… relax… eat… cuddle… and… well I have a little surprise for you after.”
She glanced at him with a smirk. There was a pause, a beat heavy with lust and desire. No matter how long they have known each other, no matter how long they have been living together, the desire was still the same as that day on the boat. He closed the distance between them and hugged her from behind, his arms around her waist.
“A surprise?”
“Mhh… yeah, but first… dinner! I’m starving.”
“Are you sure?”
He kissed the side of her neck once, twice… then her shoulder, once, twice…his hands slowly going down her sides.
“Peter… stop.”
He smiled and let her go. As she walked to the living room, she teased him.
“Pour us some wine while I order food. The surprise is for later.”
Peter shook his head and smiled as he did what she asked.
Dinner was simple. They ordered their favourite food to share. With work, they were used to eating takeouts. Not that it bothered them, they actually liked it and didn’t like to cook. And Valentine’s Day was no exception. When the food arrived, they ate together, moving in that familiar rhythm that comes from months of knowing someone’s habits, their quirks, the way they reach for things.
Peter watched her as she laughed at some story he told, the kind of laugh that started in her chest and spilled out freely, with no hesitation. Just the happiness of being together, in the same room, safe, and away from any danger. Her eyes sparkled, catching the light in a way that made him momentarily forget how to breathe.
“You remember the time you burned the pasta?”
She was smiling in that way that meant she was trying not to laugh too loudly, teasing him.
“Hard to forget. You ordered pizza and lectured me for thirty minutes about kitchen safety.”
“And yet you still insisted on cooking the day after!”
As she said that, her hand brushed his as she reached for her glass. That small, accidental touch was enough to send warmth coursing through him. He wasn’t sure if it was adrenaline, love, or just the fact that she existed in his space, in this quiet, safe apartment. Six months had passed, and he wasn’t used to it yet. Her presence often surprised him, in the best way possible. They kept eating, laughing and talking about old memories.
After dinner, Rose walked to the balcony with a cup of tea in her hands and put her forearms on the balcony rails. She took a deep breath. Outside, it was quiet. She breathed the fresh air of that starry Valentine’s Day night. She looked up at the stars. After a few minutes, Peter came, a blanket in his hand. He put the blanket on her shoulders and cuddled her from behind, his arms around her waist, his chin on the top of her head.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was looking at the stars. When… when I was a kid… we used to lay down on the grass to look at the stars with Emma and Henry. We would imagine shapes, count the stars, the clouds. These were fun moments I’ll never forget.”
Peter tightened the hug, and kissed the top of her head.
“We did that too with my dad… after my mom died. He once told me that every star was someone who had passed away. So we used to look for the brightest star and we would assume it was her looking at us.”
Rose smiled and glanced at him.
“Like in the Lion King ? That’s sweet.”
For a moment, they remained silent, safely in each other’s arms, simply enjoying each other’s presence. After a couple of minutes, Rose broke the silence as she slowly stroked his arms that were crossed on her waist.
“Do you think we will do it with our own kids one day? Laying on the grass, looking at the stars, finding shapes in the sky?”
Peter glanced at her a little bit surprised but smiled for himself, and kissed the top of her head again.
“Well… If it’s what you want, I would love it. With you.”
Rose turned around, smiling, her free hand sliding into his hair.
“Do you think we could … start our own family?”
Peter looked at her, and she could see something shining.
“I think we could, yeah.”
“Seriously? You … you’ll be okay to … have a kid?”
“We’ll need to talk about it…but yeah…I…I like the idea.”
Rose looked at him, surprised but happy. His big smile left no doubt about how happy he also was. They had never really talked about it before. There had been a few hints during the time they had spent together. They both knew they wanted kids, but they never had settled down and talked about it. They both had grown up as an only child and they knew they wanted to have a family. Rose put her cup of tea on the small table and cupped his face with both her hands.
“I think I would love it too…with you.”
She smiled at him and kissed him, her hands down his neck now. They moved together instinctively, melting into something safe and intimate. They knew each other by heart. They knew how to perfectly kiss the other, the exact place for their hands, the exact pressure to apply on the other’s body. Two magnets. Two pieces of the same puzzle. The kiss deepened, and their bodies heated up. Peter broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers.
“I still want to make tonight special.”
Her eyes were still closed, her forehead against his.
“You already have.”
“There’s … there’s something else I want to do before we go to bed.”
Rose frowned then smiled when Peter took her hand and dragged her inside. He closed the sliding doors, and took his phone out of his pocket to put some music on. He looked at Rose and smiled.
“Would you join me for a dance?”
Rose laughed and immediately took the hand he was giving her. She closed the distance between them. The music drifted through the room like a held breath, slow and slightly imperfect, filling the quiet of Valentine’s Day night.
His hand settled at her waist, hers found his shoulders, then the nape of his neck.. The closeness was intentional, chosen, the kind that carried meaning simply by existing. For a moment, their bodies moved together. They didn’t say a word, they didn’t need to. They simply let themselves enjoy the moment. Her red dress hugged her body perfectly, making her even more attractive in Peter's eyes. They swayed more than they danced, guided by instinct instead of rhythm. Their steps were uneven, sometimes colliding, sometimes aligning just right. Rose’s hair brushed his cheek when she leaned closer, and Peter adjusted without thinking, slowing to match her pace.
As the song faded, neither of them noticed right away. They kept moving, slowly now, almost still, sharing warmth and the quiet of their safe apartment. In the dim light, on a night made for grand gestures, their simple, unpracticed dance became something private and complete, just for the two of them.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, his hands settled at her waist again, pulling her closer, his eyes moving between her eyes and her lips. Peter didn’t rush her. That was the thing Rose loved most in moments like this. Indeed, even when his hands were warm and firm at her waist, even when his breath caressed against her skin, he always checked in without words. A pause, a look, he always gave her space to say no.
She kissed him instead. That was her way to answer. His hands slid up her back, slow and deliberate, like he was memorizing her all over again. He kissed her like he’d been holding himself together since morning and could finally exhale. It wasn’t desperate. It was sweet. They moved together toward the bedroom without really deciding to, fingers tangled, steps uncoordinated. Rose laughed softly when he bumped into the doorframe.
“Slowly, Agent Sutherland.”
“I’m a little distracted, Agent Larkin.”
She leaned in, voice low., close to a whisper.
“By me?”
“Always.”
“Well… I guess it’s time for your surprise.”
Peter looked at her, his eyes filled with a fire she had never seen before. The room was dim, city lights spilling in through the window. Peter’s hands trembled just slightly as he helped her out of her dress. Like it still mattered every time. Like it wasn’t routine. As her dress slid down her body, he discovered her new lingerie she had secretly bought a few days ago. Red, perfectly matching her dress that was now on the floor, a perfect color on her golden skin. A smirk appeared on his face, his eyes shining, and then, he let his fingers touch the delicate lace, slowly, carefully, memorizing again her curves.
“It’s… stunning. You’re stunning.”
She reached for him in return, undoing his shirt button by button, palms warm against his chest until she started to play with the buckle of his belt.
“You know…This is a much better Valentine’s Day than the one I was expecting.”
“Mhhh… I agree…”
She laughed, then sobered when his hands slid under her bra, thumbs brushing her skin that made her shiver, his lips on her neck.
“Peter…”
“Mhh mhh?”
“Don’t stop.”
His forehead rested against hers.
“I didn’t plan to… I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Everything after that felt unhurried and deeply familiar. Kisses that lingered. Hands that explored without urgency. The kind of closeness built from trust rather than heat alone. When they finally sank onto the bed, Peter hovered over her, eyes soft but intense.
The night unfolded in whispers and shared breath, in the quiet creak of the bed and the warmth of skin against skin. It was passionate without being frantic, sensual without being rushed. He paid attention to every sound she made and she felt every shift in his breathing. They stayed connected long after, limbs tangled, hearts slowing together.
Rose let her head rest on his chest, her arm across his chest, as he held her body tightly against his. Peter pressed a kiss to her hair.
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go the way I planned.”
“It went exactly the way it was supposed to.”
“You make everything feel… possible.”
She looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
“You make me feel safe.”
Peter looked at her and swallowed.
“This means everything to me.”
They fell asleep like that, their bodies intertwined, unguarded and the world outside …quiet.
*****
Morning came softly.
Surprisingly, Rose woke up first, sunlight warming her face. She shifted slightly and smiled when she felt Peter still there, arm heavy around her waist, breath even against her shoulder. She stayed still for a moment, just listening to him breathe. Then she moved, just enough for his eyes to open immediately. She laughed.
“You’re unbelievable.”
He blinked for a second, then relaxed when he saw her smiling.
“Sorry. It’s an old habit.”
She turned to face him, brushing her fingers along his cheek.
“Good morning.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Well …technically it’s the day after.”
“Then it’s still working out better than yesterday.”
She laughed and kissed him, gentle and lingering. They stayed like that for a while. There was urgency, no alarms and, most importantly, no phones ringing. For now. After a moment, Peter sighed and tightened his hug.
“We should probably get up.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re on duty today. If Catherine calls and we’re still in bed, she’ll be pissed...”
Rose grumbled and buried her face in the pillow that was next to his head.
“Grrr…You’re right... She has that energy.”
He laughed too and kissed her temple before he got up.
“Next year, we’re turning our phones off.”
“Next year?... Planning that far ahead?”
He turned his head to look at her as he put some sweatpants on. He then leaned forward to look at her right in the eyes.
“I plan on a lot of years.”
“Peter…Stop this or I’m gonna cry.”
He smiled at her and gave her a peck.
“I don’t know what the future looks like. We don’t know what the future looks like. But I know I want it with you.”
“Good. Because you know what … I’m not letting you get away that easily.”
“Promise?”
Rose smiled at him then pretended to be offended.
“Do I really need to promise you this?”
Peter laughed and gave her another kiss before walking to the bathroom.
“Nah… You’re good”
Rose shook her head and let herself fall back on the bed with a sigh. Then she smiled for herself. She was happy. She never thought she could find someone that would complement or understand her the way Peter did. She had found her place in this world. After a minute lost in her thoughts, she looked at the bathroom door.
“You know, Catherine may have ruined our evening...”
“But?”
“But she accidentally confirmed something.”
Peter appeared at the doorframe, a towel on his shoulders
“What’s that?”
“That no matter how chaotic things get… we always find time for each other.”
He smiled at her.
“Best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had.”
“Me too.”
Rose got up and walked to the bathroom. She hugged Peter from behind and put her arms around his chest. They looked at each other in the mirror. They knew how lucky they were to have found each other. Rose let her arms fall down his sides as he turned to face her. A beat after, they kissed again. Nothing mattered but them.
For once, Peter didn’t feel the urge to check his phone.
For once, morning wasn’t a beginning Rose dreaded.
It was just another moment, together.