The morning came slow, a soft silver light seeping through the gaps in the curtains.
Noel stirred first, the familiar, comforting weight on his chest now replaced by the warm tangle of sheets.
Beside him, Luca was still deep in sleep, his lips curved into a faint, unconscious smile, mumbling something into the pillow that made his brow furrow and then smooth again.
Noel lingered there, simply watching. For once, Luca wasn't teasing or demanding; he was just utterly, peacefully at rest.
Noel almost reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead but pulled his hand back, reluctant to break the spell.
A soft smile ghosted across his lips as he slipped quietly out of bed.
The apartment felt hushed, still carrying the faint, lingering scent of their takeout from the night before.
Boxes of kitchenware were stacked messily in one corner, abandoned in their exhaustion.
