VulnerabilitiesThe morning light crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room where Liza and Viktor lay entangled beneath the sheets. The battle from the night before seemed like a distant memory as they woke in each other's arms, the world outside quiet for once.Viktor stirred first, his arms still holding Liza close as he pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. Her skin was warm under his lips, and the scent of her hair—soft, floral—filled his senses. He had always been a man of control, but with Liza, something shifted. She had seen his darkest sides, but here, in the intimacy of their shared moments, she made him feel human again.Liza stirred next, a soft hum escaping her lips as she turned to face him. Her eyes met Viktor's, and for a moment, they simply lay there, gazing at each other, the weight of the world no longer pressing down on them."Good morning," Viktor murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.Liza smiled softly, her fingers tracing the outline of his jaw. "Morning," she whispered back, her heart swelling with a quiet kind of happiness.For a long while, neither of them moved, content to simply exist in the quiet of the morning. It was a rare moment of peace, one that Liza had come to cherish in the chaotic whirlwind of their lives. Viktor's hand rested on her hip, his touch gentle but possessive, as if he couldn't bear to let her go."I meant what I said last night," Viktor said softly, his thumb brushing over her skin. "You've changed me, Liza. I never thought I could feel like this—never thought I'd want to."Liza's heart fluttered in her chest, her eyes searching his for the truth of his words. She could see it—the vulnerability in his gaze, the cracks in the armor he had built around himself. Viktor had always been so guarded, so hardened by the life he led, but with her, he was letting those walls down."I'm glad," Liza whispered, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. "Because you've changed me too, Viktor."Viktor's hand slid up her side, cupping her face as he leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was slow, tender, a stark contrast to the fierce passion that usually defined their moments together. This was different—this was love.Liza melted into the kiss, her body pressing closer to Viktor's as his hands roamed her skin. The sheets slipped down, exposing more of her to him, but she didn't care. With Viktor, there was no need for modesty. He had seen all of her—her strength, her fear, her desire—and he loved her for it.Viktor pulled back slightly, his lips hovering just above hers as he looked into her eyes. "Stay with me today," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet intensity. "Let's forget everything else, just for a little while. I want to spend the day with you."Liza's heart skipped a beat at the vulnerability in his voice. Viktor was a man used to living in the shadows, used to the demands of the underworld. But here, in this moment, he was just Viktor—the man who had fought for her, who had protected her, and who loved her."I'd like that," Liza whispered, her hand slipping down to rest against his heart.Viktor smiled, a rare and genuine smile that made her heart flutter. He pulled her closer, his lips finding hers once more as he deepened the kiss. His hands roamed her body, exploring every inch of her skin with a tenderness she hadn't expected.The morning stretched into afternoon as they spent the day together, lost in each other's embrace. They made love slowly, savoring each touch, each kiss, as if the world outside didn't exist. For once, there was no danger, no betrayal—just the two of them, together.