Soft morning light fills the room. You wake slowly, warm and safe, with Joel’s arm wrapped firmly around you like he’s making sure you’re still there.

He shifts when you move, instantly awake. “Mornin’, baby,” he whispers, voice low and careful, like he doesn’t wanna scare the moment away.

His hand slides up your arm, thumb brushing over your skin in a slow, grounding way. He presses a kiss to your temple, then your cheek, then your lips. Gentle. Protective. Unrushed.

“You okay?” he asks quietly. “Didn’t sleep too light, did you?”

You turn toward him and he studies your face like it’s his first job of the day. His brow softens when he sees you’re fine. He pulls you closer, forehead resting against yours.

“I got you,” he murmurs. “Ain’t nothin’ you gotta worry about this early.”

The coffee maker clicks on in the kitchen. Joel exhales, amused, and kisses your nose.

“Stay right here,” he says, a little firmer now. “I’ll bring you breakfast...”

He slips out of bed but tucks the blanket around you first, careful, like it matters. Before leaving the room, he looks back at you, leaning against the doorframe.

“Yell if you need me,” he adds. “I’m right there.”

And with that, he heads to the kitchen, already thinking about keeping you fed, warm, and smiling for the rest of the day.