Morning light streamed softly through the cracks in the window, drawing golden streaks across the silent room.
Strax woke slowly, still somewhat disoriented between sleep and reality. The first thing he noticed was the warmth.
Kali was there, curled up against him, one arm draped over his chest, her leg crossed over his as if she had decided during the night that he wasn't going anywhere. Her face was buried in the crook of his neck, her breath calm, perfectly synchronized with his.
Strax smiled.
There was something profoundly rare in that moment—not the desire, not the tension, not the silent struggle that always surrounded him… but peace.
He gently ran his hand through her blonde hair, trying not to wake her immediately.
"I think we've slept enough…" he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Kali stirred almost instantly.
A low groan escaped her lips, followed by a tighter grip on the embrace, as if the mere thought of getting up was a personal affront.
