The morning sun barely filtered through the blinds, casting a soft golden hue across the rumpled sheets. Aventurine lay beside her, one arm draped protectively over her waist, his usually sharp eyes softened with rare vulnerability.

The confidence he wore like a second skin had been replaced by quiet attentiveness, his fingers now brushing gently along her skin in soothing circles.

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Too much?" He asked softly, worry threading through his tone, even as his thumb continued to rub slow circles into her hip. "Tell me what you need, little one. I've got you"