Ashen is the first to stir today.
Warmth cocoons him.
The soft rise and fall beneath his cheek lulls him deeper into a haze he doesn't want to shake off just yet.
He realizes slowly, quietly, that he's curled into Kyle, head tucked into the crook of his neck like he'd instinctively sought out comfort in the night.
His body is flush against Kyle's, legs tangled, breath ghosting over skin that smells like sleep and fabric softener.
He doesn't move. He stays there, eyes still half-lidded, letting the moment stretch, letting himself feel.
Every breath he takes seems to echo with something deeper, more intimate. He edges closer, barely noticeable even to himself, until their bodies are as close as they can get.
Ibb
Something inside him hums with need, not lust, not even love, just a desperate, unexplainable pull like he wishes they were one being. One heart. One breath.
But then a jolt of reality crashes through him.
His eyes dart to the watch on his wrist: 5:37 AM.
