The Withering

Aflame

The soft morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.  

You slowly awakened, feeling the gentle embrace of the sheets and the lingering warmth of sleep. You found yourself nestled in a cozy bed, the rich, dark wood of the furniture around you creating a comforting cocoon. The soft scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the faint hint of sweetness and the purple accents scattered throughout the space.

It took a moment for the reality to settle in, you were in Ydris' wagon.

The bed was soft and inviting, and as you turned your head, you saw Ydris lying next to you, still asleep. 

His expression was peaceful, a slight smile playing on his lips. In the soft light, he looked serene, almost ethereal, with his hair tousled from sleep and his breathing slow and steady. The sight made your heart swell with a quiet joy, a tenderness you hadn't expected to feel so acutely.

For a few blissful moments, you simply lay there, watching him, savoring the peacefulness of the morning. It was a rare quiet moment amidst the chaos of recent events, and you felt a sense of calm wash over you. The world outside could wait, for now, it was just the two of you.

Yet, the moment really did fade quickly as it was soon interrupted by the soft buzz of your phone. 

Careful not to disturb Ydris, you reached over to the bedside table and picked it up, seeing Alex's name on the screen. You answered the call with a whisper, "Hey, Alex. What's up?"

"Hey! Why are you whispering?" Alex's voice was cheerful and loud enough that you winced, glancing at Ydris to see if it had disturbed him. 

He stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent but clearly awake now.

Alex caught the sound and immediately, her tone shifted to one of playful realization. 

"Oh, I see," You could feel her grin through the phone, "Didn't mean to interrupt anything. Just wanted to let you know Fripp gave us a day off. So, uh, enjoy yourself. Don't let me keep you,"

You couldn't help but playfully roll your eyes at her knowing tone. 

"Alright, talk to you later," You replied, trying to suppress a smile as you hung up. The air of the room returned to its peaceful quiet, though now tinged with a subtle, shared amusement.

You turned back to Ydris, who, despite the remnants of sleep still lingering in his eyes, regarded you with a lazy smile.

"So, you find yourself with a day of ease while I'm left to deal with work?" He teased softly, his voice still thick, "How charmingly unfair,"

You smiled at Ydris's playful remark, your fingers gently tracing the curve of his cheek. 

"Well, you're the one who decided to be so talented and in demand," You teased, your tone light and affectionate.

Ydris chuckled softly, pulling you closer with a mischievous glint in his eye. His lips brushed against yours in a tender kiss that lingered, warm and comforting. 

"And you're the one who makes all this talent worth showing off," He replied, his voice a low murmur as he pressed another gentle kiss to your lips.

The two of you drifted back into comfortable silence, sharing a few more tender kisses, letting the morning linger around you. His fingers brushed lazily against your skin, and you felt a contented warmth settle between you.

You let out a satisfied sigh, snuggling closer, "How about we spend the day together? We could just relax or maybe go out for a while. It'd be nice to have a day with just us,"