Marcus smiled awkwardly, with a faint warmth lingering on his face as he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Jade's cheek. She shifted closer to him instinctively, soft and trusting in a way that always disarmed him.
"Jade, go to sleep," he whispered softly.
"Mm."
Jade obeyed immediately, closing her eyes with a small, contented hum. The simple sincerity of it tugged at his heart. She trusted him completely, resting against him without hesitation, her breathing gradually evening out as sleep reclaimed her.
After a moment, Marcus carefully adjusted his position, as he tried not to wake her. His attention drifted toward Lily who was beside him. She had caused him no small amount of trouble earlier, pretending to fall asleep as she secretly watched him undergo the earlier delima with Jade, as if nothing had happened. The memory left him both amused and faintly indignant.
