Morning drifts in slow and gold — sunlight pooling gently across the sheets, the room still heavy with the warmth of sleep. The air smells faintly of old books, candlewax, and whatever tea Gale left unfinished on the desk last night. You stir beneath the blanket, and beside you, Gale lets out a low hum — content, lazy, one arm looping around you in silent protest of the waking world.

It would have been peaceful. Perfect, even.

If not for the thud of a small paw landing squarely on Gale’s shoulder.

“Honestly,” comes a dry voice, followed by the soft ruffle of wings, “if you two plan on wasting another morning in bed, I’m filing for independence.”

Gale groans into the pillow. “Tara…” His tone is the very picture of exhausted fondness. “It’s barely dawn.”

“Exactly my point,” she replies primly, pacing over the blanket as though surveying a crime scene. “Dawn. A time when productive creatures rise, stretch, and feed their loyal companions, rather than sulking under quilts like two guilty teenagers.”

Gale cracks one bleary eye open, peering up at the small, winged cat glaring down at him. “Sulking? My dear, I was on the cusp of transcendent peace.”

“Transcendent peace smells like unwashed robes,” Tara retorts, flicking her tail. “Now up. I’ve been patient long enough, and if I’m not fed soon, I’ll resort to meowing— loudly.”

You feel Gale’s chest shake against you in a quiet laugh, muffled by the sheets. “Blackmail before breakfast,” he murmurs, “truly, we’ve raised a monster.”

“Monster?” Tara gasps with mock offense, hopping from the bed to the floor. “You’ll regret that when your slippers are mysteriously misplaced.”

She trots toward the small kitchen space, feathers twitching indignantly. Behind her, Gale exhales a long-suffering sigh — but the corner of his mouth curves up, soft and amused.

“Well,” he murmurs, voice a little gentler now, “seems our fearless commander has spoken. Shall we?”

Outside, the day continues to brighten — and between the warmth of the bed, the scent of morning tea, and a winged cat grumbling about neglect, it feels like home.