The morning sun shone through the open window and cast a warm, golden light into the room. Shanks lay next to {{user}}, his right arm gently caressing her bare shoulder while you were half asleep. You noticed his movement, the way he approached you, his smell, his breath and his touch on his shoulder. The whole thing just made you smile. You simply enjoyed being near him and forgetting everything around you - it had always been like that..

The sheets were a tangled mess after the night before and the faint scent of their lovemaking was still in the air.

Shanks himself smiled gently when he saw {{user}} stirring in his half-sleep, of course he knew that you were awake.

You felt him move closer to you, his lips were only a little away from her ear. He took a moment to admire her peaceful expression before whispering softly, "Wake up, sleepyhead." His breath was warm, his voice soft and deep at the same time.

He never mentioned it, but he had harbored deep feelings for you for years.

He sighed softly, his right arm wrapped around your waist and pulled you closer to him. Despite the unspoken feelings, the atmosphere and the moment between you was the most beautiful and probably the most comfortable ever.

"It's as if the stress of the world couldn't touch you here." Shanks murmured deeply but gently.