Morning sunlight slipped softly through the curtains.
Warm.
Golden.
Peaceful.
For the first time in weeks—
there were no alarms.
No screams.
No fear.
Just silence.
Soft sleepy silence.
Meher stirred slightly in bed.
Still half asleep.
Her cheek pressed against something warm.
Firm.
Comforting.
Slowly—
her eyes opened.
And instantly—
she froze.
Aarav was asleep beside her.
Deep asleep.
One arm wrapped securely around her waist.
Pulling her close against him even in sleep.
And sometime during the night—
he had removed his shirt.
Meher's eyes widened immediately.
Then just as quickly—
her cheeks turned pink.
Very pink.
Because morning sunlight fell across him softly—
highlighting the bruises on his shoulders…
the faint cuts on his hands…
and the peaceful expression on his face.
Which was rare.
Very rare.
Without anger.
Without tension.
Just… calm.
Meher looked at him quietly for a moment too long.
Then instantly looked away again—
embarrassed by herself.
"Why is he sleeping so peacefully…" she muttered softly.
As if complaining would stop her blushing.
But the moment she tried moving slightly—
Aarav's arm tightened around her waist instinctively.
Even asleep—
he noticed.
Meher blinked.
"Aarav…"
No response.
Still asleep.
His face actually relaxed now—
almost boyish.
Nothing like the terrifying man from the warehouse.
And somehow—
that contrast made her heart feel soft again.
Carefully—
she reached out and lightly poked his shoulder.
"Aarav…"
A sleepy sound escaped him.
Barely awake.
"Hm…"
"Wake up."
He frowned slightly without opening his eyes.
"No."
Meher stared at him.
Actually offended.
"What do you mean no?"
Aarav shifted closer instead—
hiding his face near her shoulder lazily.
"Sleep."
His voice was rough with sleep.
Low.
Comfortable.
And before she could protest again—
his hand settled more securely around her waist.
Like he planned to keep her there.
Meher's cheeks turned red again instantly.
"Aarav!"
This time he opened one eye slightly.
Looking completely sleepy.
"What…"
"It's morning."
"So?"
He closed his eyes again immediately.
"People wake up in the morning."
"Not me."
Meher tried not to smile.
Failed completely.
"You're impossible."
"Hm."
No denial.
Just sleepy agreement.
Then after a second—
he quietly murmured,
"Five more minutes."
But the way he held her—
it clearly meant much longer than five minutes.
Meher shook her head softly—
still blushing—
but she stopped trying to move.
Because despite her embarrassment…
despite everything…
being held like this felt nice.
Safe.
And Aarav—
half asleep already again—
looked calmer than he had in days.
As if her being in his arms finally allowed him to rest properly.
Meher looked at him one last time quietly.
Then very softly—
she adjusted the blanket over him carefully.
Trying not to wake him.
And Aarav—
without even opening his eyes—
pulled her a little closer in response.
Like even asleep—
he knew exactly where she was.The peaceful morning didn't end quickly.
Mostly because Aarav refused to let it.
Even after another fifteen minutes—
he still hadn't properly woken up.
Or more accurately—
he simply refused to release Meher.
"Aarav…"
"Hm…"
"You said five minutes."
"It still feels like five."
Meher stared at him in disbelief.
"You're impossible."
A sleepy smile appeared on his lips.
"But you still like me."
That instantly made her blush again.
"Aarav!"
Finally—
after much complaining from Meher and absolutely no guilt from Aarav—
they somehow reached downstairs.
Well…
Meher walked downstairs.
Aarav followed behind her lazily—
still looking half asleep—
wearing black sweatpants and a loose t-shirt now.
But his hair—
slightly messy from sleep—
made him look softer than usual.
Dangerously softer.
And Meher absolutely refused to look at him too long.
Which Aarav noticed immediately.
A tiny smirk appeared on his lips.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
They entered the dining area quietly.
The staff instantly lowered their eyes respectfully.
But a few of them looked relieved.
Because after everything that happened—
seeing Aarav and Meher together peacefully again felt normal.
Safe.
Meher sat down first.
Trying to act completely calm.
Which failed the second Aarav sat beside her instead of across from her.
Very close beside her.
Not subtle at all.
Meher looked at him immediately.
"There are other chairs."
"Hm."
Yet he didn't move.
Not even slightly.
Instead—
he casually rested one arm behind her chair.
Like this was the most natural thing in the world.
Meher looked away instantly—
cheeks warming again.
Aarav almost smiled.
Cute.
The breakfast arrived.
Juice.
Toast.
Fruit.
And coffee.
Meher reached for the juice quietly—
but before she could take it—
Aarav moved it away slightly.
She blinked.
"Aarav?"
"First."
He pointed toward the water glass.
Meher immediately frowned.
"I'll drink it later."
"No."
His voice calm.
Dangerously calm.
"Now."
Meher stared at him.
"You're still obsessed with hydration?"
Aarav looked at her blankly.
"You nearly collapsed from dehydration twice."
A pause.
"So yes."
The staff quickly looked away to hide smiles.
Meher noticed immediately.
And became even more embarrassed.
"You're making it dramatic."
Aarav leaned slightly closer.
"You scared me dramatically."
That shut her up instantly.
Aarav calmly pushed the water toward her again.
"Drink."
Meher narrowed her eyes at him—
then purposely drank the water while staring directly at him.
Like she was proving a point.
Aarav watched quietly.
Then nodded once.
"Good girl."
Meher choked immediately.
COUGH.
COUGH.
"AARAV!"
The man looked completely calm while handing her tissues.
But the slight smirk near his lips exposed him completely.
"You did that on purpose!"
"Maybe."
Meher glared at him—
which only made him more amused.
Then suddenly—
she noticed a small bruise near his wrist again.
Her expression softened instantly.
Without thinking—
she gently held his hand.
Aarav looked at her quietly.
Meher carefully adjusted the bandage slightly that had loosened.
Completely focused.
Soft.
The entire dining table went silent again.
Because seeing terrifying Aarav sit there quietly while Meher fixed his bandage—
felt strangely emotional.
Aarav didn't move at all.
Just watched her.
Eyes softer than usual.
Then quietly—
almost teasing again—
"You take care of me nicely."
Meher looked up immediately.
"And whose fault are these injuries?"
Aarav actually looked thoughtful for a second.
Then calmly answered,
"Rudra's."
Meher burst into laughter instantly.
Real laughter.
The first real one after days.
And hearing that sound—
Aarav smiled too.
Small.
Rare.
But real.
Because after all the darkness—
this simple breakfast felt more healing than anything else.
.
.
.
Hope you like it I will post bonus chapter Tommorow 🌙🙏🏻