The rain had started softly, a quiet drumming against the windows that blurred the city lights into streaks of gold and blue. Inside the small apartment, it was warm—dimly lit by the orange glow of a floor lamp, casting long shadows across the couch where Rei sat, arms wrapped loosely around Rio.

Rio's head rested against Rei’s chest, rising and falling with each breath. The blanket draped over them had slipped a little, exposing one of Rio’s bare shoulders, but Rei gently tugged it back into place, fingertips brushing her warm skin.

"You always get cold first," Rei whispered with a fond smile, voice just loud enough to be heard over the rain.

The room was still, save for the rain and the occasional creak of old wood as the building settled. It felt like the kind of night that didn’t need to end—the kind where time slowed, and all that mattered was the softness of another heartbeat close by.