𝑍𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑢𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑗𝑜𝑏

The afternoon sun, usually a cheerful presence, felt heavy and warm as Zoid watched Luke pack his briefcase. Nova was finally settled at daycare, a small victory after weeks of Zoid’s intense clinginess and Luke’s gentle coaxing. The house, usually a symphony of baby giggles and Zoid’s hums, was quiet, almost unnervingly so. Luke’s early return from work had been a delightful surprise, a stolen moment of intimacy amidst the beautiful chaos of their new family life. He’d spoken of wanting alone time with Zoid, a promise that had made Zoid’s stomach flutter with anticipation. Now, as he zipped up his bag, that anticipation hummed beneath their skin.

“Everything okay?” Luke asked, catching Zoid’s lingering gaze. His emerald eyes, still as captivating as the first day Zoid saw them, held a question.

Zoid offered a slow, knowing smile, unbuttoning their own oversized tee. “More than okay, Luke.” They stood, closing the distance between them, their hands finding the familiar warmth of his chest. The fabric of his shirt felt thin beneath their touch, a mere suggestion of the solid form beneath. “You said you wanted some alone time.”