SHIP — Daniela and Manon.

Requested by @coochieeater05

Written by — @Minaliter (Me!!)

The evening was settling in, the golden glow of the sunset streaming through the apartment windows, casting warm shadows on the walls. Manon and Daniela had spent the day running errands and catching up on chores, but now, as the evening unwound, they had the entire night ahead of them. It was their favorite kind of evening: quiet, cozy, with no need to be anywhere else but here, together.

Manon stood in the kitchen, her back to Daniela as she hummed softly while chopping vegetables for dinner. The scent of garlic and herbs began to fill the room, and Daniela, who had been lounging on the couch with a book, glanced up at her girlfriend, her eyes softened by the glow of the soft, fading light.

"Smells good in here," Daniela said, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Manon glanced over her shoulder and winked. "Well, someone has to cook, since someone else is too busy reading."

Daniela laughed and put the book down, stretching out her arms with a small groan before standing up. "You know I'd offer to help, but I'm really not that great in the kitchen." She sidled up to Manon, wrapping her arms around her from behind and resting her chin on her shoulder.

Manon leaned back into her embrace, feeling the comforting warmth of Daniela's body against hers. "I think you're perfect at just being here," she murmured, her voice soft and affectionate. She reached up to squeeze Daniela's hand, the tenderness of the gesture making Daniela's heart flutter.

"I like being here," Daniela replied, brushing her lips against Manon's neck, the kiss light but lingering. "I like being with you."

Manon smiled, a small, contented sigh escaping her lips as she continued slicing the vegetables. "I think it's my favorite part of the day, too."

They stayed like that for a moment, with Daniela pressing little kisses to the side of Manon's neck, each kiss soft and gentle, making Manon's heart race just a little. It wasn't long before she set the knife down and turned in Daniela's arms, her face bright with affection.

"Do you want to do something after dinner?" Manon asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I don't really care what we do," Daniela replied, her voice hushed with a smile. "As long as I'm with you."

Manon smiled and pulled her closer, the two of them standing in the center of the kitchen, surrounded by the warmth of their quiet evening. "I love you," she whispered softly.

"I love you, too," Daniela whispered back, her voice tender as she cupped Manon's face in her hands. She tilted Manon's chin up and kissed her, slow and sweet, as though the world outside didn't exist. The kiss deepened as the minutes passed, the taste of garlic and spices mixing with the warmth of their closeness. Manon let herself melt into the kiss, her arms slipping around Daniela's waist as the heat of their embrace enveloped them.

It was a kiss that spoke of tenderness, of shared moments and memories, a kiss that neither of them wanted to end. When they finally pulled away, their foreheads rested together, breath mingling in the still air between them.

"Dinner can wait," Daniela murmured, her lips brushing against Manon's as she spoke.

Manon smiled against her lips. "I think you're right."

They shared another soft kiss before Daniela gently pulled her toward the couch, and the two of them settled in together, legs tangled, with their hands entwined. The world outside seemed distant and insignificant in that moment. They were home—together, happy, and content in each other's presence.

As the night unfolded, they talked about everything and nothing, watching a movie they'd seen countless times, laughing and cuddling close. But it wasn't the movie that made the evening so perfect. It was the way they shared these small, quiet moments—how a kiss in the kitchen could turn into an entire evening of love and laughter. How, even in the stillness, there was always something to say, something to share, a little something to remind them that in each other, they had everything they needed.

And so, as the night wore on and the apartment grew darker, they stayed there, wrapped in the warmth of the evening and the softness of their love, with nothing but the hum of the city outside and the soft beating of their hearts to fill the silence.