Dave felt the change in the atmosphere as soon as he walked through the door of the apartment. Something was missing. Normally, she would be on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, drawing or watching some movie. But this time, silence reigned, as if the entire place was holding its breath.

He called her name quietly and walked around the living room, his heart racing a little. When he reached the bedroom, a soft sigh of relief escaped his lips. There, amidst a pile of tangled pillows and blankets, was she, fast asleep, a lock of messy hair falling over her forehead.

A smile spread across his face as he approached, his suppressed laughter filling the space. Carefully, he sat down beside her on the bed, gently running his fingers through her hair. The warmth of her presence, even in his dreams, reminded him why he needed nothing else in the world.