Falling (repeatedly)

44- Calm Morning

*+*The next morning*+*

Madeleine wakes up first. Espresso is hugging him from behind.

He tries to sit up, but Espresso tightens his grip. Madeleine squeaks and stops trying to leave.

After a few minutes, Espresso groans and moves slightly away.

Madeleine looks at him. "Ess?"

Espresso has his arm draped over his eyes. "Tired..."

"Oh."

Madeleine looks at Espresso's face. "I can still taste coffee."

"I am not surprised."

Madeleine hums, then sits up. His hair is a mess.

He looks down at Espresso. "Are you getting up?"

"Not yet."

"Is there a reason?"

Espresso stares at him. "Take a wild guess."

"You... are tired."

"Obviously."

Madeleine gets up, walking over to the closet. "Would you like some coffee?"

"That would be nice, but I don't want to ask that of you."

Madeleine puts on some comfy clothes. "If I didn't want to make coffee, I wouldn't have offered."

Espresso sits up and grabs Madeleine's hairbrush. "Come here, your hair is a mess."

Madeleine grabs an outfit for Espresso, then sits on the bed. Espresso gently brushes his hair.

Madeleine smiles. "I like this. Can we do this more often?"

"The waking up together or the-"

"Waking up!" His face is red. "I- I would like to wake up like this more often."

"If you actually manage to get me to sleep regularly, it would be every day."

Madeleine hums. "I suppose I'll have to do that, then."

"It is not going to work."

"You don't know that."

Espresso stays quiet.

When he finishes brushing, he leans on Madeleine, resting his head on Madeleine's. "Soft.."

"Espresso?"

"Hm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Your hair is soft."

Espresso closes his eyes, but doesn't fall asleep.

Madeleine looks at his own hands. He frowns. "What if Canelé sends birds to grab us again? What if she grabs only me or only Espresso?? What if she just has the birds drop Espresso from way too high in the air?!"