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Stu's eyes slowly open. He can feel the dampness of his pillow against his face from his drool, and instantly he sits up and wipes at his mouth. It's always a horrible feeling to wake up to slobber. He could see the sun trying to peek through the curtains; the sun wasn't too bright, so it must have meant it was still early morning. Stu had never been one to be an early riser, but the longer he lived with Nina, the more accustomed his internal clock became to her work schedule. It would have meant something if today was a workday for her, but it was the weekend, meaning that Nina was sleeping in.
Nina's mouth was slightly parted, a quiet snore coming out with each breath she took. She lay on her side with a bit of the blanket bundled in her arms as if she was hugging it. Stu softly smiled; he always thought that the way Nina slept was adorable. He had offered to buy her a long back pillow, but she scoffed, saying that she didn't need it. Maybe she didn't realize what she did while she slept. With one finger, Stu placed the tip on her shoulder, just barely touching her, and slowly ran his finger down her; down her arm, over her curve, and then back up to her shoulder. On Nina's shoulder, she had a tattoo of the Strayz logo, a black cat's face with green eyes. At the time, Stu was amazed that Nina could endure the pain of getting a tattoo. In a way, it turned him on, and he remembers that he kissed her after looking over her tattoo. One thing led to another, and they ended up in bed together. Afterwards, she offered to take a shower with him so she could help him wash his hair, and then later she'd cook them something to eat.
Sweet, beautiful, caring Nina. How did he get the chance to be the one to wake up beside her? To be with her every day? They say that it's work to keep a lasting relationship, but being with Nina didn't feel like work at all. It came naturally to love her unconditionally and be by her side. It was as if they were made for each other. Stu lay back down on his side, wrapping an arm over Nina and pulling her towards him as he pressed his forehead against her back.
"Stu, what's wrong?" Nina sleepily mumbled. Stu could feel her lace her fingers with his.
Stu took a deep inhale, smelling the cucumber melon lotion she had put on the night before. "I can't believe I get to love you."
Nina quietly chuckled, "It's too early to be sappy."
"Never too early to tell you how much I love you."
They stayed like that, neither one of them wanting to move away from the other's embrace. It was a perfect morning.