Morning sunlight seeped through the windows, gently illuminating Laura's face — warm, golden, as if trying to wake her from a deep sleep. She slowly blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the light, and quickly looked around to understand where she was. The sofa. A blanket. The living room. Then she remembered: the movie on the TV, the beer, the warmth beside Tomas, the laughter from the screen…
"It was so cozy. So warm. And then… I fell asleep."
Her heart fluttered with a sudden emotion — safety.
"I don't remember the last time I fell asleep without fear or stress. Without guarding myself. Next to another person. And slept so well."
Then she thought: "Where's Tomas? If I slept here on the sofa… he probably didn't have a place to lie down."
Laura got up, feeling a bit thirsty — her throat dry. "I'll go to the kitchen for water."
She walked slowly, the floor cold under her feet, but the apartment already felt like home.
When she reached the kitchen, she saw Tomas sleeping at the table. His head rested on his arms, next to two beer cans and a black notebook opened with a pen beside it. Her heart beat faster — he looked vulnerable, sad, like someone carrying the weight of the world. She carefully wanted to step closer and see what was written in the notebook — curiosity tingled inside her, but guilt too, as if she were peeking into someone's soul.
But as she walked, the floor suddenly creaked under her foot. Tomas started moving, his eyes slowly opening. When she came closer and saw a list in the notebook, she managed to read the first point:
"Spend at least one day doing nothing, watching favorite movies, and eating unhealthy food."
Her heart skipped — "What is this? Dreams? Plans?"
Tomas suddenly opened his eyes, and when he saw Laura, he quickly closed the notebook, his face tightening, his eyes cold.
— What are you doing here? — he asked with a defensive tone, as if caught in the act.
Laura jumped back, her heart pounding, face flushing with embarrassment.
— Good morning… — she stammered, her voice shaky as she tried to smile. — I came for water. Tomas, how did you sleep?
Tomas sat up straighter, rubbing his eyes, his face still tense but his voice gentler.
— Laura… a bit strange. I haven't slept this well in a long time, — he said, with an unexpected warmth in his tone, as if surprised himself.
He smiled — barely, but his eyes softened.
— By the way, sorry about yesterday… — Laura lowered her head, her voice full of embarrassment and gratitude. — I didn't realize when I fell asleep on the sofa. I was probably tired. I don't fall asleep so easily… You didn't have a place to lie down and…
She fell silent, her hands nervously twisting together.
Tomas stretched, his voice calm but gentle, as if wanting to reassure her:
— It's fine. I had a lot of thoughts yesterday, so I just fell asleep at the table.
Laura glanced again at the notebook on the table, her heart fluttering with curiosity.
— I saw you wrote some sort of list… the first point… — she said quietly, her voice filled with empathy and curiosity.
Tomas suddenly interrupted her, his voice cold, but inside — panic, as if protecting a secret:
— Go wash up. I'll make breakfast.
Laura was a bit surprised, her heart tightening at his coldness, but she thought: "It's clearly important to him. He doesn't want to talk."
She didn't ask anything more about the list and went to wash up, feeling strange — curious, yet understanding.
She returned from the bathroom — hair damp, face fresh — and saw steaming coffee and a plate of pancakes. The smell filled the kitchen — sweet, crispy edges. She smiled widely, with deep warmth toward Tomas, her heart fluttering with gratitude.
— They look so good! — she said with joy in her voice. — Thank you for breakfast!
Tomas nodded, his voice calm, but his eyes warm.
— By the way, I'll take a shower and then head to work. I'll probably work until late.
Laura, cheerful and trying to lift the mood:
— By the way, I'm going to work at Obsidian today too, I'll be working until late. So if you want, after work you can stop by Obsidian…
Tomas:
— I don't really like places with lots of people, he said in a calm voice.
Laura, understanding but playful:
— But if you want to see me working, you can come. I'll give you a discount! — she smiled widely, her eyes sparkling.
Tomas:
— Alright, — he said with a small smile, warmth in his voice.
They ate.
Laura said:
— I'll wash the dishes, you can go take your shower.
Tomas:
— Alright.
While washing dishes, Laura kept thinking about Tomas's list, her heart fluttering with concern:
"Maybe he's writing things he wants to do? His first point was 'spend at least one day doing nothing, watching favorite movies and eating unhealthy food.' I didn't see the rest. He helped me so much, gave me a place to live. He seems cold, but he's actually kind-hearted. Just sad. I want to help him."
Suddenly Tomas walked out of the bathroom wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. Laura looked — nearly dropped a plate from her hands, blushing, seeing his slightly wet hair, physically strong, athletic body. She quickly turned away, scrubbing the plate harder, her thoughts racing:
"Why is it suddenly so warm? My heart is pounding…"
Tomas walked by with a calm tone:
— I left clean clothes in the room.
And went to dress.
A moment later Tomas came out dressed and said:
— I'm heading to work.
Laura replied:
— Alright, I'll get ready soon and head to work too.
They went their separate ways — the door closed, but warmth lingered in the air.