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The soft glow of morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of their bedroom, painting the walls with a warm golden hue. Outside, birds chirped faintly in the distance, their melody blending seamlessly with the serene quiet of the countryside. But inside their cozy home, a gentle warmth radiated from the bed where Rean and Emma lay tangled together beneath the blankets.
Rean, still half-asleep, rested his head on Emma’s shoulder, his breathing calm and steady. His arms loosely encircled her waist, his body fully relaxed as if this was the one place in the world where he could truly let go. Emma, however, was very much awake—and in a playful mood.
“Rean,” Emma whispered, her lips close to his ear, “Are you going to sleep the whole morning away? Or are you planning to give me some attention?”
Rean let out a soft groan but made no move to lift his head. “I’m right here, aren’t I?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “You’re holding me hostage in the best way possible.”
Emma smirked, a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. She shifted slightly, running her fingers gently through his messy black hair. “Hmm, if that’s the case, I guess I should make the most of my captive.”
Before Rean could respond, Emma leaned down, planting a light kiss on his forehead, then his cheek, then the tip of his nose. Each kiss was slow and deliberate, her warm breath brushing against his skin.
Rean finally stirred, his lilac eyes opening lazily to meet hers. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he asked, his lips curving into a small, sleepy smile.
“Of course,” Emma replied, her tone teasing as she rested her forehead against his. “How could I not, with such a handsome husband who’s all mine?”
Rean chuckled softly, his voice low and husky in the quiet room. “You’re in a playful mood this morning.”
“I blame the day off,” Emma said with a giggle, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him even closer. “It’s rare to have you all to myself, so I’m taking full advantage.”
Rean sighed contentedly, letting himself sink further into her embrace. “I don’t mind. In fact, I could stay like this forever.”
The air between them was filled with warmth, love, and the faint scent of Erynflower from Emma’s hair. The sheets rustled softly as they shifted, Emma cradling Rean’s head against her chest while her other hand gently traced circles on his back.
“You’re so comfortable,” Rean murmured, his voice muffled by her. “I could fall asleep again like this.”
“Not so fast,” Emma replied, laughing softly. She cupped his face in her hands and tilted it upward so he could meet her gaze. “You owe me at least a few more kisses first.”
Rean’s cheeks flushed faintly, but he obliged, leaning in to press his lips softly to hers. Their kiss was slow and unhurried, a silent promise of love and devotion that didn’t need words. When they pulled back, Emma’s cheeks were rosy, and her smile was radiant.
--
Rean stretched languidly, his tousled black hair a mess from sleep, as he attempted to rise. “Alright, time to get the day started,” he said with a sleepy grin, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Emma’s forehead.
But Emma had other plans.
Before Rean could even move to the edge of the bed, Emma’s arms wrapped around his waist like a vice, pulling him back into the soft blankets. “Not so fast,” she purred, her voice playful but with a tinge of mock seriousness. “I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
Rean blinked, slightly bewildered. “Emma, it’s almost eight. We should—”
She silenced him with a finger to his lips and a sly smile. “Nope. Today is a day off, which means I get to keep you here for as long as I want."
Rean tried to sit up again, but Emma clung to him with surprising strength. “Emma, come on,” he chuckled, amused. “We still need to make breakfast.”
“But I’m not hungry,” she replied sweetly, shifting so she was half draped over him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tilted her head. “Well... not for food, anyway.”
“Emma...” Rean groaned, his cheeks reddening as she planted a quick kiss on the corner of his lips.
She wasn’t done. Emma leaned in close, letting her soft breath tickle his ear. “Rean Schwarzer, I’m invoking my rights as your wife,” she murmured in a mock-serious tone, her lips brushing against his neck. “And as your wife, I demand more cuddles.”
Rean shivered at her words but couldn’t suppress a laugh. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”
“And you love me for it,” she teased, pressing a trail of feather-light kisses from his jaw to his cheek.
Rean tried to feign exasperation, but he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips. “I do,” he admitted, his tone softening. “But if we stay here all day, we won’t get anything done.”
“Oh, please,” Emma countered, pulling the blanket over both their heads like a mischievous child. “The chores can wait. The world won’t end if we’re a little selfish for once.”
Rean sighed in defeat, falling back against the pillows as Emma nestled against his chest with a triumphant grin. “Alright, alright,” he said, stroking her hair fondly. “You win. Five more minutes.”
“Make it ten,” Emma whispered, her voice muffled as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.
The warmth of her body against his, the faint scent of Erynflower in her hair, and the sound of her steady breathing lulled Rean into complete relaxation. He tightened his arms around her, a sense of peace washing over him.
“I don’t know how you always manage to do this,” Rean said with a chuckle, resting his chin atop her head.
“It’s called love,” Emma quipped, her tone teasing yet sincere.
Ten minutes turned into twenty, and by the time Rean finally managed to wriggle free, the sun was higher in the sky. “You’re impossible,” he said with a laugh, standing beside the bed and stretching.
Emma sat up, a smug expression on her face as she watched him. “You didn’t seem to mind.”
Rean leaned down, giving her one last kiss before heading to the kitchen. “You’re lucky I don’t,” he said affectionately. “I’ll make breakfast. You can stay here and be lazy if you want.”
As he walked away, Emma called after him, her voice light and teasing. “You’re not getting out of more cuddles later, Rean!”
Rean shook his head with a smile, already looking forward to it.