She woke in his arms.
Yesterday she had kept a piece of herself back. A small reserve. Insurance. Her body remembered what her mind refused to name. This morning, nothing was separate.
She watched him sleep. His face was relaxed, softer than she had ever seen it awake. She almost didn't recognize him without the performance. His lashes were dark against his skin, and his breathing stayed slow and even.
She had never watched him sleep before. She had always been the one watched.
Franz stirred. His eyes opened without any startle, like he had known she was there before his consciousness caught up. He rolled onto his side to face her fully and leaned in to press a kiss to her crown.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"How long were you watching?"
"Not long." She paused. "Ten minutes."
"That's long."
"I was thinking."
"About?"
"How different this is. Waking up here. Not wondering if I should leave before you wake up."
His hand found hers under the blanket. "And?"
"I stayed."
