Daylight

11 | Caroline

The following morning was gentler than last night, the sky was still gray with dark clouds and there was a mist that settled outside of their home but still felt cold and relaxing.

Madonna slowly opened her eyes, batting her eyelashes and eyelids fluttering. It was past noon but like her usual mornings, she didn't feel well rested. Perhaps it was because of how late she went to sleep last night or perhaps it was because by the time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Caroline, her face pale and eyes haunted.

Her eyes felt heavy and hot and her body ached all over from sleeping on the uncomfortable sofa, the only comfortable thing she felt was having Caroline still fast asleep by her side.

Caroline laid resting on her, with her head on Madonna's chest and an arm over her stomach, hugging her close. Unlike last night, her skin was starting to gain back its color and her face looked more at peace now. She shifted, shivering at the cold before nuzzling her nose under Madonna's jaw, protecting her from the cold.

Madonna yawned behind her hand, tilting her head closer to Caroline. She didn't feel like moving, she didn't want to wake Caroline but she was really uncomfortable now and the way her stomach growled was another thing.

The house was quiet, she couldn't even hear their cats purring. That was when it occurred to her, the house was extremely quiet. The house is never quiet, it is always filled with Drizella and Anastasia's screaming, if not their screaming then their laughter. Were they still asleep? They were probably still asleep since they always woke up late whenever it was a cold morning.

Even the fire crackling from the fireplace was gone. The only thing she could hear was Caroline's slow and steady breathing. It brought her relief to notice it wasn't fast and labored anymore.

The events of last night had... bothered her. Not in a bad way but it made her stomach twist. She has never seen Caroline like that, she always puts on a bright and brave face like the strong woman she wanted everyone to see. Having fears were normal and Madonna would never blame Caroline for being afraid of thunderstorms but she was really curious what brought that fear.

She doesn't wish to see Caroline like that again, so tormented and haunted, so lost in her own home, shaking violently and unable to say a word.

Madonna tilted her head towards Caroline, breathing in how peaceful she looked. She lowered her gaze, just realizing that Caroline was still wearing the same dress she wore when they went to town yesterday. She frowned and gently moved her hand towards the back of Caroline's dress, slowly pulling the strings loose. The dress that hugged her waist tightly eventually loosened up and Madonna could see the slight relief on Caroline's sleeping figure.

The woman stirred in her sleep, rubbing her face against Madonna's soft robe. Once she gained consciousness, she slowly opened her eyes and met Madonna's gaze. At first, her vision was blurred but when her world stopped splitting into three, the sight made her smile dreamily.

Caroline sighed softly, staring at Madonna with heart in her eyes "I could kiss you right now." she murmured.

Madonna blinked, a wicked smile forming on her lips "Really?" she asked, amused by this side of Caroline she was seeing. This was morning Caroline who wakes up with heart in her eyes and a dreamily smile on her lips whose first thought is to kiss the woman in front of her.

Caroline stared at her with wide eyes, she sat up and looked around, realizing she wasn't in her own home. She looked back at the redhead beside her who smirked at her "I–" she stammered "I didn't just say that out loud, did I?" she asked, putting her hands on her red cheeks.

Madonna shook her head playfully "No, no..." she chuckled, feeling very relieved to know that Caroline was back to her normal state "I think you more of whispered it to me, my dear."