In the quiet safe house, the living room was bathed in the soft glow of a single lamp on the side table. Vale sat cross-legged on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees, scrolling through the comments on their latest V Chefs video. The screen cast a blue hue on her face as she read aloud to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh! This one's saying the twins stole the show... and oh, another asking for more from the male chef. Cute."
The front door clicked open, pulling her from her thoughts. Viktor stepped in, looking tired but composed, his suit slightly rumpled from the day's events. He scanned the room out of habit. Vale set her laptop aside and stood up, walking over to him with a welcoming smile. She reached out and helped him shrug off his suit jacket, folding it neatly over her arm.
"Welcome back, big brother," she said warmly, her voice light to ease any tension he might be carrying. "Long day?"
