Chapter Text
A vigorous hand shook me awake.
"Come on, Tessa, wake up! We're going to miss it!"
Chiharu's voice filtered through my drowsy mind, and I was slowly struck by the realisation that I was forgetting something. She shook my shoulder again, and I managed to crack my eyes open a bit. The inside of the tent was still almost pitch black, but Chiharu looked like she was dressed to go outside. I shut my eyes tight and reached up to run my hands through my messy hair, yawning softly and stretching myself beneath the blankets in the process.
"Alright, I'm getting up…" I assured her, and she pulled away from my bedroll silently as I sat up, opening my eyes fully and glancing around the tent. I quickly found the small ceruleum lamp that I had left beside my bedroll, and switched it on immediately before stretching my arms above my head and arching my back.
I slowly recalled the reason for her urgency as I stretched—we had planned to see the sunrise together.
"Do I have time to eat?" I pondered aloud as I stood up, pattering over to where the large case of our clothes sat and rummaging through it.
Chiharu breathed out contemplatively and stuck her head out of the tent for a few moments. "I think we may have time to buy something, if you are quick."
"Gotcha." I pulled off the sweater that I had been sleeping in and swiftly pulled a simple cotton shirt over my head, then similarly divested myself of my woollen pants in favour of a nice, insulating pair of trousers.
I frowned into the small mirror we had set up between the case of clothes and Chiharu's bedroll.
Chiharu's hand came to rest on my shoulder. "Let me do your hair while you wash your face," she offered.
I hummed appreciatively and reached for the stool in the corner of the tent, snagging the bowl we used as a makeshift washbasin on the way.
———
"Up early today, aren't we?" The Reunion merchant commented as she handed us a pair of steamed buns.
Chiharu smiled. "Tessa wanted to show me the sunrise. I hope it lives up to its reputation."
I nodded quietly and brought the still-steaming bun closer to my face, enjoying the gentle warmth against my cheeks in contrast to the stark chill of the predawn air. It was still winter, after all.
"Well, we should be going. Thank you for the food!" Chiharu said, snapping me back to attention as she pressed up against me.
We started to walk. "Right," I said in between bites of bun. "The spot should be just outside the camp—it's right there, actually," I said, pointing to the rocky outcrop that overlooked Reunion.
Chiharu took another bite of her bun, then huffed in amusement after a moment. She hooked her arm around mine and pulled me closer to her. "This reminds me of that time back in Kugane. You still haven't told me where you bought those buns, either."
"Really? These taste totally different," I noted.
There was a pause.
"Well, sure, they're—"
"—Spicy."
We laughed together.
"It's good, though! I quite like these, even if they're different."
"It definitely warms you right up. Very helpful in the winter."
She hummed thoughtfully and took another bite of her bun, and I let my gaze linger on her for a while as we continued walking.
She had wrapped herself up in a long wool coat—white with gold trim—with a dark purple scarf that matched the colour of her horns. Since I bought it myself, I knew that her coat was the best that gil could buy in Sharlayan, and Thaliak knew that it still got pretty cold in the winter even there. But the weather of the Steppe was decidedly different from the weather in Sharlayan, and the wind had a way of worming itself into everything, no matter how tightly bundled it was.
I shivered a little beneath my own coat as a gust of wind blew past us. "How are you feeling? Not too cold?" I asked softly.
Chiharu smiled reassuringly. "I'll manage until we see the sunrise."
As we climbed up to the viewing point, the soft crunch of snow against boots filled the silence between us. Nothing more needed to be said, not yet. As we crested to the peak of the outcrop, I took in the sight of the trading post below us, then trained my eyes on the bare, flat rock that sat in the middle of the structure. People came up here frequently, for a variety of reasons, so the Qestir made a point of sending someone to clear the area occasionally. Thankfully, for the moment the space was ours, and ours alone.
I unfurled the blanket that I had kept tucked under my arm for the short trek, draping it on top of the rock and settling myself down on top of it with a sigh. "Come on, sit," I motioned, patting the spot beside me.
Chiharu lowered herself down onto the blanket, then nuzzled against my shoulder. "How are you feeling?" She quietly asked a moment later.
I pondered for a few seconds, raising my hand instinctively to the middle of my ribcage. "I think it's almost completely healed now. Doesn't hurt much anymore. Not at all, really."
She sighed, a mixture of contentment and worry. "I still think you should rest more, though."
"I'm not eager to do anything too taxing just yet, don't worry. After all, I still have a honeymoon to enjoy with you," I mumbled back, reaching out and intertwining our gloved fingers together.
Chiharu fell silent for a few moments longer, then perked up. "Oh! I think it's starting."
I trained my eyes on the horizon. Sure enough, the warm rays of the sun were just beginning to peek out from behind the distant landscape. I squeezed Chiharu's hand and smiled, and as the rays of light began to gently warm everything beneath them, I felt Chiharu shift just a little bit closer to me, her hip pressing against mine as she sandwiched my hand in between both of hers and nuzzled a little bit closer.
"Good morning, darling," she hummed, not a greeting, but a statement. This morning had been good—maybe even better than good, judging by the content smile on her face. I didn't need to ask why.
I smiled back, then responded, "Good morning, love." Because every morning spent with her was a good one.