"Thanks," she said quietly, looking up to meet his gaze. "I'll keep that in mind."
Niklaus nodded, satisfied with her response. They resumed eating in companionable silence, the clinking of cutlery against plates filling the space.
As the meal continued, Hermia couldn't shake the thought of Steffon working late or the fact that Niklaus was being so considerate.
It wasn't something she was accustomed to, and yet, sitting across from him, she felt a strange sense of security.
Niklaus, on the other hand, was content to watch her eat, noting the subtle shifts in her expression as she mulled over her thoughts.
He didn't press her for conversation, letting her process in her own time.
Slowly, bite by bite, the tension eased, and the warmth of their connection deepened, unspoken but undeniably present.
Their quiet dinner was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"Nik?"
