Nathan woke to sunlight, a warm gold of mid-morning streaming through the apartment's single window. His leg didn't hurt again as he flexed it experimentally, the skin was smooth where the gash had been, the muscle beneath whole and strong. The Elixir of Renewal had done its work completely.
Lucy was still asleep beside him, her star-shaped nightlight flickering faintly on the bedside table. Both bunnies were curled on the pillow near her head: Mirko a ball of green fluff and Kuro a black shadow with white markings. He watched them breathe for a moment. The rise and fall of small bodies. The twitch of Mirko's ears, dreaming of something that was probably combat or food or both.
'master... Is ....awake,' Mirko muttered grudgingly through the link with her eyes still closed, battling to wake up.
"Barely."
'Today.... is the day.'
"That's right."
'You slept for... eight hours. I am... proud. I may compose a song... again.'
"Please... don't."
