You roused slowly from your bed.

You yawned and stretched gently, the familiar weight of the day’s expectations settling over you. The mission was coming up, and it was time to wake him. You rolled out of bed quietly, glancing over at the still form across from you.

Hong Lu was a heavy sleeper, always reluctant to get up.

You shuffled over to his bed and sat gently at the edge, watching his peaceful face. His hair was a disheveled mess, spilling out in every direction. A soft sigh escaped you as you leaned over to tap his shoulder.

There was a low groan in response, and Hong Lu shifted slightly, mumbling something incoherent into the pillow. His eyes didn’t open.

You brushed the hair out of his face. Your fingers grazing his soft skin as he murmured and huffed from the touch. His eyes fluttered open, squinting at the morning light as he muttered something under his breath.

"Just five more minutes…" His voice was thick with sleep.

Hong Lu shifted slightly, his one eye fluttered open as you were met with the hazy cyan gaze as he smiled before mischievously chuckling to himself. He was laying on his back before rolling onto his stomach, looking up at you with a tender expression. His hands reached out, grazing your bare thigh before tracing up to your waist.

"I can't fathom how you always wake up so early." He pouted jokingly with a huff.

And with swift motion, he pulled you down into a tight and warm embrace. His limbs tangling with yours as he buried his face into your hair, inhaling deeply as if trying to memorize your scent, and the feeling of your warmth against him.

You has gasped at the notion, before chuckling softly, embracing him back in the cocoon of warmth.

"You know, I could lay here all day if I truly wanted to.~" he murmured into your hair. His voice was slightly muffled, hinted with a teasing tone.

With a quiet sigh he rolled to sit up, clearly aware that there would be no escaping it today. His movements were slow, reluctant, as he pushed himself up from the bed, groggily sitting with his legs hanging off the side.

"Always one to wake up so early, can't you sleep in for once?" his murmured laced with sleep. He stretched, and let out a yawn before rubbing his face with his hand.

Your arms were loosely wrapped around his hips as you laid beside him. He looked down at you, his hand met your cheek. His slender fingertips grazing your skin, ever so softly. He gazed at you with affection, as a soft grin sprawled across his face.

"You're like a little cat. Huffy and sassy one moment, the next...soft and clingy. I could easily tell you which one you are right now, but I feel like you'd nip at my fingertips.~" he sighed dramatically, as his hand met your hair. Combing through the smaller knots gently, he was practically petting you at this point.

After a moment you sat up. His hand still in your hair before patting one more time before turning around for your daily routine.

Hong Lu didn't move much, leaving you to take the lead. He leaned back for easier access.

You reached for the hair tie, fingers gently pulling his messy strands into a manageable position. The air felt thick with the usual stillness of mornings, but you both hadn't seemed to mind. The silence was comfortable, the room was warm and you had each other's company.

He hummed, relishing in the warm touch of our fingers in his dark locks as we pulled his hair back gently.

With a final, quiet pull, you tied his hair back, making sure it was neat and secure. He shifted his body to face yours, as he met your gaze. The bed sunk a bit due to his weight. His expression was a bit more tender than usual.

What could it be?

His hand snaked around your waist, before pulling you back down onto the bed with him into another warm embrace. He buried his face in your neck once more, causing you to shiver. But you laughed, and he did too.

"I'm just returning my favor, by keeping you warm. You always seem to be shivering when I'm nearby.~"