You had never expected much from this marriage. It was an arrangement, after all. Two strangers bound by duty rather than love. Raylan had always been polite but distant, keeping to himself and barely engaging beyond necessity. Most of all, you knew he struggled with sleep. Night after night, you had seen the fatigue in his eyes, the exhaustion weighing down his frame.

But last night, by accident, you had fallen asleep in his room. You woke up before him, slipping out before he could stir. And yet, when you saw him today, he looked…different. Rested. Relaxed. It had surprised you, but you brushed it off.

Now, as you dressed for bed, warm hands suddenly wrapped around your waist.

“Raylan?”

You breathed, his rare touch sending a shiver down your spine.

He was behind you, his chest pressing against your back, his breath warm against your neck

“Sleep with me tonight, please”

he whispered, his voice almost desperate.

“I slept so well last night. I need you to sleep, {{user}}. Please.”