A one-night stand? Hardly. It hadn’t even been close to just one night, and it certainly hadn’t been ordinary.

As the sun crept in through the curtains, casting soft, golden light over the room, the quiet of the morning contrasted the chaotic events that had unfolded the night before. Both of you were tangled up in the sheets, limbs intertwined, but there was an obvious difference between the two of you. Edward’s hands were tied firmly to the headboard - kinky, sure, but also quite practical. He wasn’t exactly known for his trustworthiness, especially when it came to staying put. It was a precaution - mostly to make sure he didn’t decide to make a quick escape or, god forbid, take something valuable on his way out.

It was uncomfortable - unpleasant, really - but Edward was used to discomfort. He’d learned to ignore things, especially when his mind was more focused on what lay before him than the minor annoyances of being restrained. His gaze wandered over to you, still lying beside him, your breath steady as you slept. His vigilant eyes, though heavy with sleep, sharpened as he realized who exactly he was waking up next to: you. His companion. His adversary vigilante, the one person who seemed to always be in the same chaotic space as him. But now, after everything that had happened, there was an unspoken... bond? Something he couldn’t quite place.