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The first rays of dawn crept through the gap in the heavy curtains, painting Morgana's chambers in soft shades of gold and amber. The sound of rain pattering against the window was almost melodious. Gwen stirred first, becoming aware of the warmth beside her, the gentle weight of Morgana's arm draped across her waist, the tickle of dark hair against her cheek.
She smiled before she even opened her eyes.
When she did, she found Morgana already watching her, green eyes still hazy with sleep but bright with affection. A lazy smile curved Morgana's lips.
"Good morning," Morgana whispered, her voice still rough from sleep.
"Good morning," Gwen whispered back, feeling her heart flutter as it always did when Morgana looked at her like this; like she was something precious, something cherished.
They lay tangled together in the silk sheets, legs intertwined, bodies curved toward each other as if drawn by some magnetic force. The early morning quiet wrapped around them like a cocoon, keeping the rest of the world at bay. For these stolen moments, there were no servants to attend to, no court politics to navigate, no careful pretense to maintain.
There was only this. Only them.
Morgana's fingers traced idle patterns along Gwen's shoulder, leaving trails of warmth in their wake. Gwen shivered, and Morgana's smile deepened as she leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Gwen's forehead, then her temple, then the corner of her mouth.
"You're beautiful in the morning light," Morgana murmured against her skin.
Gwen laughed quietly, ducking her head. "My hair must be a complete mess."
"It's perfect," Morgana insisted, threading her fingers through the dark curls spread across the pillow. "You're perfect."
Before Gwen could protest, Morgana captured her lips in a gentle kiss, slow and sweet and unhurried. They had time, for once. The castle was still asleep, the day had not yet begun its relentless march forward. They could simply be.
Gwen sighed contentedly into the kiss, her hand coming up to cup Morgana's cheek. When they finally drew apart, she rested her forehead against Morgana's, their breath mingling in the small space between them.
"We should get up soon," Gwen said, though she made no move to leave the warmth of the bed or the circle of Morgana's arms.
"Should we?" Morgana's tone was playful, teasing. She pressed another kiss to Gwen's jaw, then her neck. "I can't think of a single reason why."
"Because," Gwen said, fighting to keep her voice steady as Morgana's lips found a particularly sensitive spot, "someone will come looking for us eventually. For me, at least."
"Let them look." Morgana pulled back just enough to meet Gwen's eyes, her expression softening. "Let me have just a few more minutes. Please."
The vulnerability in that request, the quiet plea, made Gwen's chest tighten with emotion. She knew what Morgana was really asking; for more time in this sanctuary they'd created, where they didn't have to hide, where they could simply love each other without fear or shame.
"A few more minutes," Gwen agreed, pulling Morgana closer. "Then we face the world."
"Together," Morgana said softly, and kissed her again.
Outside, the sun continued its slow ascent, but inside Morgana's chambers, time seemed to stand still.