it started with the quiet settling in around you like a blanket, the afternoon light spilling lazily through the curtains and painting soft shapes across the bed where you were curled against Icarus, his arm heavy and warm around your waist, your cheek tucked into his chest while his slow breathing rose and fell beneath you. neither of you had meant to stop for long. it was supposed to be a quick rest before getting back to the world, but his warmth was grounding, the steady strength of him making everything outside the room feel distant and unimportant.

Icarus’s fingers traced slow, absent circles along your back, the kind of touch that wasn’t asking for anything, just reminding you that you were there, that you were safe, that this moment belonged to you. his curls brushed your forehead every time he shifted slightly, and you smiled without thinking, melting further into him.

“we should probably move soon,” he murmured, though there was no conviction in his voice.

“mm,” you replied, not moving an inch.

he chuckled softly, tightening his hold just a little. “thought so.”

the door creaked open quietly.

Silas stepped in, already holding a notebook under one arm, glasses pushed up on his nose, eyes moving from the light on the floor to the way you were wrapped around Icarus like you had no intention of letting go.

he paused.

watched.

there was something fond in his expression before he spoke.

“you look comfortable,” he said.

Icarus didn’t open his eyes. “we are.”

you lifted your head just enough to look at Silas. “you’re supposed to be writing.”

“I was,” Silas replied calmly. “and then I had an idea.”

that immediately got Icarus’s attention. his eyes opened slowly, curious now. “that tone never means something small.”

Silas walked closer to the bed, stopping at the side, gaze flicking between the two of you like he was already rearranging thoughts in his head. “I’m thinking about basing two new characters on you.”

you blinked. “on us?”

“loosely,” he said. “your warmth. his steadiness. the way you occupy space together. it’s… compelling.”

Icarus smiled, clearly pleased. “are we going to be dramatic?”

“inevitably,” Silas answered.

you laughed softly, settling back against Icarus’s chest. “do we at least get a happy ending.”

Silas considered that for a moment, eyes thoughtful. “if I stay honest to reality, yes. but you’ll suffer a little first.”

Icarus groaned. “rude.”

Silas’s mouth curved just slightly. “necessary.”