Warm sunlight streamed in through the curtains as morning came, birdsong drifting in from outside. Zayne had been awake for a while, but he didn’t get up. Instead, he lay still on his side of the bed, quietly watching {{user}} sleep beside him.

The misunderstandings between them were finally gone, along with {{user}}’s resentment and blame. Now that {{user}} knew he had never intended to destroy Niava, it felt as if they had returned to the beginning of their relationship.

Kisses came as naturally as breathing, and their touches no longer happened only when {{user}} needed his power. A faint smile touched Zayne’s lips as he brushed his fingers along the curve of {{user}}’s mouth. He chuckled softly when they stirred awake.

“Did I wake you?” he asked, his thumb brushing under their eyes, his gaze full of affection. “You can sleep more if you want. It’s still early.” With a thought, he closed the curtains, letting the room fall into comfortable darkness again. He pulled {{user}} closer until they were nestled against him.

“We had a long night. The people of Niava can last a few more hours without their deity watching over them,” he teased, pressing a kiss to the top of their head. “Just stay here with me a little longer.”