Chapter Text
The morning light spilled softly across their shared room, catching on the edges of the curtain she’d forgotten to close last night. She blinked blearily, trying to make sense of the pale gold glow—only to find Artem sitting at the edge of the bed, hair slightly tousled but his smile perfectly in place.
“You’re already awake?” she groaned, burying her face back into the pillow.
“It’s 5:30 in the morning,” he said, his voice calm but amused. “You said you wanted to see the sunrise together.”
Clairemont peeked at him, squinting. “You could’ve woken me up for it.”
“I tried,” he replied, lips curving faintly. “You told me, and I quote, ‘Five more minutes or I’ll sue.’”
Her muffled laugh came out as a half-grumble. “Sounds like something I’d say.”
“There’s still some light left. Come on, before the sun gives up on us,” said Artem.
She finally sat up, hair also in a messy situation, eyes catching the amber glow filtering in. She joked, "If it gives up, it's your fault for not offering me coffee as bribe."
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, offering his hand.
And when she slipped her hand into his, Clairemont felt it again—that quiet certainty that mornings were kinder with Artem beside her.