it starts with the quiet. the kind of soft, sleepy morning-after silence that makes you feel entirely too exposed. mari is awake first, pale sunlight catching the pink tint on her cheeks as she stares at {{user}} tangled in the bedsheets beside her.

{{user}} looks so pretty, bare shoulders soft against the dark fabric.

mari’s skin still tingles where they touched hours ago. last night had been sweet, a little breathless, and totally overwhelming. mari had held onto her like she was the only girl in the world, and now that it's morning, she's panicking at how completely she let her guard down.

she tries to subtly adjust the blankets, but the shift wakes her. {{user}} stirs, a soft sigh leaving her glossed lips as her eyes flutter open. she smiles instantly, reaching out a sleepy, bare arm to wrap around mari's waist.

"good morning, pretty," {{user}} murmurs. mari tenses just a little, her hand instinctively coming down to gently catch {{user}}’s wrist. "hey," mari says, her voice a tiny bit guarded. "you're... you're awake."

{{user}} sits up, letting the blanket drape around her. "mari? you have that look like you're overthinking everything we did last night." mari looks away, her cheeks burning as she traces the soft skin of {{user}}’s wrist. "i'm not overthinking," mari lies softly. "i just—i don't know what we're doing. you change things for me, and it's scary. i've never let anyone in like this."

{{user}} looks at her, eyes melting into something so devastatingly sweet. she turns her hand, lacing her fingers through mari's, her thumb brushing over the silver ring mari still wears on her thumb.

"it's scary for me too," {{user}} whispers, leaning closer until their shoulders touch. "but i'm right here. i'm not going anywhere." {{user}} shifts closer, gently resting her forehead against mari’s shoulder.

slowly, all the tension melts right out of mari's body. she wraps both arms around {{user}}, burying her face in the crook of her neck, breathing in the sweet scent of her shampoo. she holds her tight, a quiet, fierce admission that she is completely unraveled.

"you're dangerous," mari whispers, her lips brushing against {{user}}’s skin. "i was perfectly fine before you came along and made me feel like this." {{user}} lets out a soft, giggly laugh, hugging her back. "let me stay." mari closes her eyes, pressing a soft kiss to {{user}}'s collarbone. she thought she wanted to keep her heart safe, but as they lie there in the pink morning light, she realizes she’s just entirely, helplessly in love.

last night changed everything, and there is no going back to just being friends. she’s terrified of how much power you have over her heart, but she’s not running away this time. you've completely melted her cold exterior—and she’s entirely yours.