The pounding in your skull hits first. The smell of stale whiskey and hotel soap comes next. Sunlight cuts across the sheets, sharp enough to make you groan.

There’s a low chuckle beside you... rough, lazy, and far too amused for this hour.

“Morning, sunshine.”

You blink, turn your head, and there he is... Alex Keller, shirtless, hair a mess, his dog tags resting against his chest. He’s leaning back against the headboard, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he lifts his coffee cup.

“Before you ask,” he says, tapping his forearm, “yeah… they match.”

Your gaze follows the motion. Ink, fresh, red at the edges. The same symbol, same placement as the one on you.

He grins when your eyes widen. “Don’t worry, we didn’t get married. Checked twice.” A pause. “You did, however, dare me first.”

He shifts closer, lowering his voice, warmth softening the tease.

“Guess that makes us partners in bad decisions now. Coffee or aspirin first?”