As they rode towards their household, he stares at the sky. He can't help but be concerned about her friends. Are Armin and Gabi are going to make it in time to save Falco? Will Connie come to his sense and not make a mistake like he did? Are Jean and Mikasa safe from the attack? Will they even stop Eren if they get the chance? Granted his hands are not the cleanest after having a part in the chaos that ensured earlier, but right now, his guilt is overshadowed by his desire to have her friends, his friends be safe.
As they arrived at the Braus household, the moment everyone enters, they all have moment of relief, their safe for now, they can rest.
"Make yourself comfortable, Niccolo", Artur says to him, as the older man noticed he was looking a bit tense upon arrival.
"Please, sit down and rest", Lisa insists, and guides Niccolo to the dining room and takes out some glasses and water for everyone.
"Oh-uh, yes, thank you for having me", he says as he grabs a seat and takes a breather to collect his thoughts, it's his first time being at her house, it feels even more awkward for him with the fact that she wasn't here, as he is not really acquainted with her family totally.
"How about we have some Dinner? Today is a lot to take in, but let's have something to eat and think about all of it later, what do you think?" Mr. Braus asked, seemingly to lift the mood and ease everyone's confusion and exhaustion.
"That's right Dear, Niccolo, would you like to have something to eat too?" Lisa turns to Niccolo, who took a moment to register the question.
"Uh yes, I think it's good for everyone to have some dinner." And as he finishes his sentence, it comes to him, he was supposed to cook for her family, and this was his chance again to do so.
"If I may, I wasn't able to serve the main dish earlier, and I would like to make up for it now. As a way… to also pay my thanks for your kindness." He asks, and stares hopefully for an answer.
"Of course, your cooking was certainly delicious earlier, and I'm sure everyone would like to have a taste of it again, we're in your care, Niccolo" the mother says, as everyone in the household agrees.
And off to work he goes. He makes do of what the available ingredients in the house were and begins cooking. He made some stake, eggs and mashed potatoes for the Braus family. To everyone's delight, as the food had given them a moment to forget the chaos they have experienced earlier.
"I wish Sis was here, she would have loved this" Kaya says, holding back her tears as she remembers how her sister would have enjoyed eating this food. Everyone became silent as they also remember the beloved daughter.
"I know, I know she would, she would have already commented numerous times how the food is so good, and that she would have been on her third serving already" Niccolo fondly says, "She has given me so much purpose in life and that I would always be thankful for what she has done for me, that's why, I want you guys to also experience the joy we shared together. So, let's all enjoy our food, there's more to come." Kaya wipes her tears, and continues to eat, as everyone does to their heart's contents.
As night falls, Artur guides Niccolo to the room he'll be staying. It was her room that he will be staying in.
"You can take a rest here, this was her room, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind you using it for the meantime." He hands Niccolo some spare clothes, he seems to be his size, so the clothes wouldn't mind him that much.
"There still some of her stuff there, if you would like to, you can have a look at some of them, the pictures, they're all precious memories of her." "We'll talk things out tomorrow, but for now, have some sleep."
"Thank you, Mr. Braus, I'm sure the night would help me think things through, so goodnight." Niccolo waves as the older man closes the door and leaves for some rest himself.
Niccolo, sits on the bed, finally having some time alone to think. The room was arranged neatly and is noticeably arranged to reflect that someone used to be here. Even thought it has been that way, he can still feel her presence in it.
"Sorry for intruding, I promise I won't make a mess out of your room at least. I… still feel like you're here, this was yours after all, but this room feels warm, I guess that means you're welcoming me at least."
He notices the drawer on the side of the bed, he looks inside, he sees pictures. He notices that they're mostly recent, after all, the island didn't really had cameras before they arrive, so it's understandable that most of the pictures are new, most of the pictures are with her squad, they were all so close it seems, he also notices that some of the places seems familiar, some of them even had him in it, most likely the ones from his restaurant. After going through the pictures, he notices one faced down, framed, he takes a look, surprised to see that it was a picture of them, just the two of them, and that when it comes to him.
Everything, all of it flooded him, overwhelming him from everything that transpired today, each moment with her, the time they spent together, her face, her bubbly personality, her love of food, the way he felt, the way she smiled, they way she eats, everything about her flooded him. And as all of it floods his thoughts, his emotions follow, and as the emotions hit him, his eyes sheds tears, hitting the photograph.
As he wipes the tears off, he whispers:
"I miss you, Sasha."