Warmth. That was the first thing you felt. A quiet, steady warmth beside you that made it hard to open your eyes right away.

The room was still dim, the morning light just beginning to peek through the curtains. You shifted slightly, feeling something soft brush against your hand — fabric, and then… someone’s breath.

You blinked awake slowly, and your heart nearly skipped. Muichiro was there, right beside you.

He was still asleep, his face relaxed and calm in a way you’d never seen before. The faint rise and fall of his chest was slow, steady. Strands of his hair had fallen across his face, and without thinking, you gently brushed them aside.

For a moment, you just stared — the mist hashira, always so composed and distant, looked so peaceful lying next to you.

Then, his eyelashes fluttered. His eyes opened, hazy and soft from sleep. When he realized how close you were, he blinked once, then simply said in that quiet, sleepy voice of his, “…Good morning.”

You felt your cheeks heat up. “G-Good morning…”

He didn’t move away. Instead, he gave a faint smile — small, but real. “You were cold last night,” he murmured. “You fell asleep, so I stayed.”

You could hear his heartbeat faintly in the silence, steady and close. You couldn’t tell if it was his or yours racing faster.

“Thank you…” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

Muichiro’s eyes softened, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer before he closed them again, murmuring, “…Just stay a little longer. It’s warm.”

And for a while, neither of you moved — the world outside still quiet, as morning light slowly filled the room.