When they finally reached the familiar doorstep of their home, the night air cool against their skin, Ava couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through her chest. It had been a long evening filled with laughter and the quiet intimacy of shared moments.

Devon, with her usual calm and purposeful stride, stepped inside first. "I’ll just put the food away," she said, her voice soft and casual. She slipped off her shoes by the door, and Ava, with a quiet hum, followed her lead.

Ava lingered for a moment, slowly unlacing her Dr. Martens, the familiar tug of the laces grounding her in the comfort of the evening. With a quiet sigh, she finally slipped her boots off, placing them neatly next to Devon’s shoes, and padded further inside, her socks soft on the cool floor.

As she walked into the kitchen, her gaze immediately landed on a pink cake box resting on the table, its delicate, pastel hue standing out against the otherwise neutral kitchen tones. Her heart skipped a beat, the unexpected sight catching her by surprise. She blinked, momentarily stunned.

Devon turned toward her with a soft smile. "I know you said you didn’t want a big birthday cake," she explained, her tone gentle but laced with an unmistakable care. "I thought these would be better... little cakes, so you can have a bite now and then, whenever you want, without it feeling like too much."

Ava felt her throat tighten, an unexpected rush of emotion flooding her. She hadn’t expected this—this quiet thoughtfulness. She stepped forward, her fingers trembling slightly as she lifted the lid of the pink box, revealing a collection of miniature cakes nestled into their slots. Each one was a perfect little jewel, colorful and delicate, looking almost too pretty to eat.

Ava’s eyes watered for a brief second as she looked at them, each cake a tiny masterpiece. They were soft pastel hues of lavender, pale pink, mint green, and sky blue, decorated with tiny flowers, fondant ribbons, and little edible glitter. A rush of gratitude welled up inside her—Devon had thought of everything. Every tiny detail.

"Oh my god..." Ava whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she gingerly lifted one of the cakes from its slot. "These are... perfect."

Devon stepped closer, her voice quiet but filled with warmth as she smiled at Ava. "I thought you'd like them," she said, her eyes softening with affection. "So, which one should we try first?"

Ava swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes lingering on the cakes before she finally pointed to one that stood out to her. "The mint chocolate mousse," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It looks... amazing."

Devon grinned, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Good choice," she said, setting the other cakes aside and carefully placing the mint chocolate mousse onto a chopping board. She delicately cut it in half, handing one half to Ava. "Here," she said softly. "Try it."

Ava’s lips curved into a shy smile as she took the cake, her fingers brushing lightly against Devon’s as she did. The tiny cake was soft and delicate, the minty flavor cool against her tongue, and the chocolate mousse inside was rich but not overwhelming. It was absolutely perfect.

"Oh, wow," Ava said, her eyes lighting up. "It’s... so good."

Devon chuckled softly, taking her own half of the cake. "Told you," she said, her voice low and teasing. "I always know the best places to find the good stuff."

Ava laughed softly, a warmth blooming in her chest as she watched Devon savor the cake as well. It was such a simple, sweet moment—two people sharing something small but meaningful—and it made Ava feel so utterly at home, surrounded by Devon’s care.

After they’d finished their halves, Devon reached over and took the rest of the cake, carefully placing it in the fridge. “Let’s save this for tomorrow," she said, her voice light, but with an undercurrent of playfulness. "We can’t let you get any ideas of eating it all tonight."

Ava smirked, the playful glint in her eyes mirroring Devon’s. "You know me too well," she teased, before Devon gently nudged her.

"Come on," Devon said, her hand finding Ava’s and squeezing it gently. "Let’s wash up and get ready for bed. It’s been a long day."

Ava nodded, following her to the sink where they started clearing the table. The quiet rhythm of their movements, the soft clink of dishes, and the feeling of Devon’s presence next to her made Ava feel peaceful, content in a way that was rare.

As they finished tidying up, Ava’s heart felt lighter. Tonight had been exactly what she needed. With Devon, she felt seen and cared for, in a way that was both soft and intense. She felt safe, cherished, and entirely at home, with no need for words to express how grateful she was for every little gesture, every shared moment, and every laugh they had together.

When they finally made their way to the bedroom, Devon turned to her, her voice gentle but with a hint of mischief. "I think this calls for a goodnight kiss, don’t you?"

Ava’s smile widened as she stepped closer, her heart fluttering in anticipation. "I think that’s a great idea," she whispered back, as their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, marking the end of a perfect night.

After a bath and a quick change of clothes into a soft negligee and light cotton undergarments, the soft light from the hallway spills into Ava's room as she finishes braiding her hair, the quiet of the evening peaceful and serene as Ava enjoys a little alone time before bed.

 Just as she’s about to finish, a knock on her door startles her, the gentle sound breaking the silence. She opens it to find Devon standing there, casually leaning against the doorframe, looking effortlessly cool in her black sweatpants and a black tank top that clings just enough to hint at her physique. Her eyes are warm, a playful glint dancing in them as she tilts her head and asks, her voice low but enticing, “Hey, you want to join me for a movie? Just for a little while.”

Ava blinks, the suggestion unexpected but tempting. "Ponyo?" she asks, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Devon gives a sly smile, her eyes trailing over Ava's pink satin robe that was hiding the negligee beneath, the soft fabric catching the light in a way that makes Ava feel suddenly aware of her own skin. "Yeah. I thought it’d be nice... we can cuddle up and just relax," Devon adds, her tone playful yet full of intent. "Come on, just for a little while. Besides, you still haven’t paid what you owe for dinner tonight"

Ava’s heart skips a beat, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling in her chest. Before she can overthink it, she nods, a small smile spreading across her face. "Okay, just for a little while."

Devon steps aside, gently guiding Ava with a hand on her lower back, her touch lingering as she leads Ava to her room. The hallway feels longer than it should, the distance between their two rooms suddenly charged with electricity. Devon’s presence is all-consuming, and Ava can’t help but feel the pull toward her, drawn into her orbit like a moth to a flame.

As they enter Devon’s room, the soft glow of the dimmed lights and the flickering screen of the TV creates a cozy atmosphere. The bed is already made, the pillows propped up just right, waiting for them. Devon gestures toward the bed, an unspoken invitation, and Ava sits down, the warmth of the covers meeting her skin as she settles in.

Devon moves besides her, her movements slow, deliberate. She puts on Ponyo, the film starting with its familiar gentle soundtrack, but Ava doesn’t really register the story. She can feel Devon’s presence in the space, the air around them thick with something unspoken.

Then, without warning, Devon is close—too close. She leans down, her lips brushing against Ava’s, soft at first, slow, as if savoring every second. Ava melts into the kiss, the warmth of Devon’s body against hers making her heart race. Devon’s lips move with purpose, coaxing Ava into the moment, her hands resting gently at Ava’s waist, guiding her ever so subtly toward her.

As the kiss deepens, Devon pulls back just slightly, her breath warm against Ava’s lips. “Still too full from dinner?” she murmurs softly, her voice like a caress. “I was hoping you’d still have an appetite for something.”

The words hang in the air, heavy with meaning, and Ava’s breath catches in her throat. Her heart pounds, her body trembling slightly under Devon's gaze. There’s something in Devon's tone, the way she speaks, the way she moves—slow, deliberate, coaxing. It’s as if Devon is pulling her into something deeper, something more intimate, and Ava can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and desire, a pull toward Devon she’s finding harder to resist with every passing second.

Ava swallows, her voice barely a whisper, “I— I think I’m hungry for more than just food."

Devon’s smile is slow and satisfied, and before Ava can think any further, her lips are on hers again, and the world around them fades away.