Hours had slipped by, and before anyone knew it, the night had settled deep around the bedroom. The heat and sweet chaos from earlier were long gone, leaving nothing but heavy silence and the steady sound of breathing in the dark.
Zarius hadn't moved. He was still sprawled behind Cherion, his much larger body wrapped around him like Cherion had somehow become his personal pillow. His heavy arm rested firmly across Cherion's waist, holding him snugly against his chest and leaving barely any space between them. Every now and then, almost without thinking, Zarius would lower his head and press a slow kiss to Cherion's bare shoulder, his warm breath brushing against the flushed skin.
Cherion lay quietly in the dark, letting himself sink into the warmth of Zarius's embrace. His lower back and thighs were still sore, reminding him exactly how they had spent the last several hours. Other than that, everything felt calm.
Then the realization hit Cherion so hard he nearly sat upright.
