Dusk&Summer

35.

mature

He still loved waking up beside her. His first thought when he opened his eyes was that he still wasn't tired of this. He woke up beside her just as happy as he was to wake up beside her the day before. Which was something. It was something kind of amazing. She was soft and warm and she smelled good and she looked so peaceful and happy. He loved waking up beside her.

She was beautiful. She was beautiful all the time, but somehow, in the morning, she was the most beautiful. He couldn't remember the last time they had gotten up in time for the sun rise, mainly because when he woke up next to her, he didn't want to move. As cheesy as it sounded, waking up next to Meredith every morning had become Derek's favorite part of the day.

Except for next week he wanted to wake up for the sunrise. He had to wake up for the sunrise. It was going to be there last week of sunrises and he wasn't about to miss that with her. He couldn't miss that with her in their last week because he was fully planning on holding onto those memories until he could be with her again. Because long distance was going to be hell.

There were sunrises in New York, and while she and Sophie had started talking about maybe staying in New York until they had to be back at school, Derek knew he probably wouldn't see her very much. He knew his life wasn't going to be his own, and he couldn't imagine ever being home to watch a sunrise with his girlfriend. He loved her, he wanted to be with her, but he knew that might not always be possible.

It didn't mean they couldn't make it work. He loved her. And even if she hadn't said it yet, he knew she loved him. They could make it work, they would just have to make it work without watching sunrises and laying in each other's arms first thing in the morning. He was going to miss this but he had to believe they could make it work. Because he loved her too damn much.

He was finally starting to understand what Brian meant when he said he just knew. Derek wasn't thinking marriage, but he couldn't help but think of forever. He couldn't help but want to wake up with her curled against his chest forever. Not that he'd ever say that. She was still finding the courage to say I love you, forever would send her into the type of freak out he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop.

He'd keep it to himself. It was okay. She had agreed to a relationship. She had agreed to make it a long distant relationship and that was what mattered. She wanted this. She wanted to be with him and she wanted to make it work. That was what mattered. He pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder, squeezing her sightly tighter as she let out a small snore. He definitely wanted forever.

"Hmmm," she breathed as she swatted at her nose, a sure sign that she hadn't woken herself up again. He couldn't help but laugh whenever she did it, and today was no different.

"Morning," he whispered.

"Mor...morning," she yawned before curling into him again.

"Hmmm..." he murmured. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," she breathed.

"Good," he smiled, kissing her softly.

"Hmm," she breathed, giggling slightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hmmm?"

"Morning breath," she laughed.

"Oh," he laughed. "Sorry."

"It's okay," she shook her head, kissing him again.

"It's okay that I stink?"

"Well...not okay..."

"Want me to pull clothes on and brush my teeth?"

"That requires you moving."

"Usually."