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The late afternoon sun hung low over the Mediterranean, bathing the city of Monaco in a warm, golden glow, the gentle waves rolled lazily against the rocky coastline below, their rhythmic crashing blending seamlessly with the distant cries of seagulls drifting overhead. A soft sea breeze carried the faint scent of salt and blooming jasmine through the open balcony doors, stirring the sheer white curtains inside the apartment.
Standing on the balcony was Nico, his long, blonde, German hair catching the breeze as loose strands danced across his face. He rested both forearms against the cool stone railing, the warmth of the evening settled comfortably against his skin.
He wrapped both hands around the warm porcelain mug of chamomile tea, lifting it for another sip before closing his eyes for a brief moment. Despite retiring almost five years ago, the quietness of retirement still amazed him sometimes. After years of living life at nearly 300 kilometers per hour, he'd finally learned to appreciate the simple moments, the sound of waves, the laughter echoing through the apartment, and the comfort of knowing that the people he loved were safe under the same roof.
"PAPA!"
A loud burst of tiny footsteps suddenly shattered the peaceful silence. Nico barely had time to turn around before a small blonde blur barreled onto the balcony. Tiny arms wrapped tightly around his leg with enough force to nearly make him spill his tea.
"Why hello there," Nico laughed softly, carefully placing his mug onto the nearby patio table before kneeling down. "And to what do I owe this surprise visit?"
The little boy looked up with bright blue eyes that mirrored his father's and a grin that was entirely too proud for someone barely four years old.
"Tell Daddy that Frosties are for dinner!"
Nico couldn't help the amused chuckle that escaped him.
"Oh?" he asked, lifting the toddler effortlessly into his arms before settling him comfortably on his hip. "Is that what we're having?"
Logan nodded enthusiastically, nearly bouncing out of Nico's grip.
"Yep! I decided."
"You... decided?"
"Mhm! It's yummy."
Nico smiled warmly as he gently bounced his son, everyday, Logan somehow found a new way to make him laugh. The little boy possessed an endless imagination and an unwavering confidence that every idea he had was unquestionably brilliant.
Before Nico could answer, another familiar voice floated through the open balcony doorway.
"Please don't encourage him…"
Nico looked toward the kitchen with a smile already forming.
Jenson appeared in the doorway, one hand resting against the frame while the other held a wooden spoon that he'd clearly forgotten to put down. A light dusting of flour decorated the front of his shirt, and a loose strand of blonde hair had escaped his messy bun, he looked every bit the exhausted parent trying desperately to prepare dinner while their son negotiated dessert as a main course.
"You've already started, haven't you?" Jenson sighed, though the fond smile tugging at his lips completely betrayed any attempt at sounding serious.
Nico tilted his head innocently.
"I don't know, Jense..." he mused thoughtfully, "he does make a rather convincing argument."
"I do?" Logan asked excitedly.
"You absolutely do."
Logan immediately threw one tiny fist triumphantly into the air.
"HA! TAKE THAT, DADDY! I WIN!"
Jenson pinched the bridge of his nose dramatically.
"I swear," he muttered, "I live with two toddlers."
Nico gasped in mock offense.
"I am deeply wounded."
"You should be."
Logan leaned toward Jenson with the biggest grin imaginable.
"We're having Frosties!"
"No," Jenson corrected patiently, "we're having actual food. Then, maybe, if someone eats all of their vegetables..."
The toddler's face immediately scrunched up.
"But vegetables don't taste like Frosties."
"They're not supposed to."
"They should."
Nico failed miserably at suppressing another laugh.
"I have to agree with his logic."
"You are impossible."
"And yet," Nico replied with an exaggerated smile, "you married me."
Jenson rolled his eyes, though the affectionate smile spreading across his face made it impossible to hide just how much he adored his husband.
"Mmm," Nico continued dramatically, gently swaying Logan from side to side. "Frosties actually sound incredible right now, schatz."
"They do?" Logan asked hopefully.
"They really do."
"See! Papa says so!"
Jenson pointed the wooden spoon toward both of them.
"No. Absolutely not. Logan already has enough energy without adding sugar into the equation."
"But Daddy..."
"And nutritionally," Jenson continued, slipping effortlessly into the voice he always used whenever he was explaining something, "Frosties are definitely not suitable as a balanced dinner for a growing little boy."
Logan looked up at Nico with enormous pleading eyes, and Nico pretended to think very hard.
"Hmm..."
He tapped his chin dramatically.
"I believe our son has presented a compelling case."
"He has not."
"I think he has."
"He absolutely has not."
"Mhm," Nico nodded seriously. "Very persuasive."
"I even said please," Logan added.
"There you have it."
Jenson let out a long, theatrical sigh.
"I've been outnumbered."
"You always are," Nico teased.
For a moment, Jenson simply watched them, the sight before him softened something deep inside his chest. His husband stood bathed in the warm orange glow of sunset, laughing effortlessly as Logan wrapped tiny arms around Nico's neck. The sea shimmered behind them like liquid gold, and the entire moment felt almost unreal, as though life itself had decided to pause long enough for them to simply exist together.
There had been years when peace like this had seemed impossible, especially before they both retired. Years filled with pressure, expectations, championships, endless travel, and constant scrutiny.
Now...
This was home.
This was enough.
Jenson walked over, resting his forehead gently against Nico's shoulder before wrapping both arms around his waist.
"Fine," he mumbled into the embrace. "One bowl."
Logan gasped.
"Really?!"
"But..." Jenson raised a finger. "If someone isn't asleep by ten o'clock tonight because they've turned into a tiny sugar-powered race car..."
He looked directly at Nico.
"...that's entirely your problem. I'll already be asleep."
Nico laughed quietly before leaning down to kiss the top of Jenson's head.
"You hear that, sweetheart?" Nico smiled.
"We're having Frosties for dinner!"
Logan threw both arms into the air before wrapping them tightly around Nico's neck.
"Love you, Papa."
Nico's expression softened instantly.
He gently kissed his son's forehead.
"Love you too, Loges."
Jenson smiled as Logan leaned over to hug him as well.
"Love you too, Daddy."
"I love you more."
The three of them remained there together on the balcony, wrapped in each other's embrace as the Mediterranean breeze drifted past. Nico looked out toward the endless ocean one last time before closing his eyes, and as he held the two people who meant everything to him, Nico knew with absolute certainty that he wouldn't trade this quiet, wonderfully ordinary life for anything else in the world.