Shards of War: Eclipsian Secrets

Chapter 75

The next morning, soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains as the trio stirred from their slumber. Matsu was the first to wake, feeling a familiar soreness in his muscles—a pleasant reminder of the night before. He blinked groggily, his arms wrapped around both Calie and Marie, who were still nestled close to him, their breaths soft and rhythmic.

He smiled to himself, relishing the warmth of their bodies against his. It was the calm after the storm, a peaceful moment after the intensity of the night. Carefully, he began to rouse them, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on their skin. Calie stirred first, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a soft groan, stretching like a cat.

"Ugh... I'm so sore," Calie muttered with a lazy smile. She turned her head toward Matsu, her hair tousled, but her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You, my dear, were insatiable. I nearly passed out."

Matsu chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Sorry about that." He smiled sheepishly. "Had to make up for lost time somehow."

Marie, who had been quietly listening, finally opened her eyes, her face still pressed against his chest. She groaned, clearly feeling the same soreness. "Calie, shut up," she mumbled sleepily, her voice thick with exhaustion. "Stop being gross." She shifted slightly, and then added with a teasing smirk, "But yeah... you were more intense than usual."

Matsu let out a long yawn, stretching his arms carefully around the two of them. "Guess I got a little carried away," he admitted. "But I promise, next time I'll take it easy." His tone was playful but genuine.

"Next time?" Calie teased with a raised brow, her fingers lazily trailing over his chest. "We'll see if you can keep that promise."

Marie rolled her eyes but smiled, sitting up slightly and rubbing her neck. "He never can," she muttered, but her tone was lighthearted.

The trio took a moment to let the comfort of the morning sink in before they began using their projection aura to heal each other's soreness. A familiar, soothing energy passed between them, easing away the aches and fading the hickeys and marks left from the night. The healing process was second nature by now, an intimate ritual they always shared after their nights together.

As the soreness dissipated, they began to get dressed, slipping into their usual comfortable clothes for the day ahead. Calie, always the one to tease, threw a playful look at Matsu as she tugged on her shirt. "You know," she began, tying her hair up in a messy ponytail, "I think last night you broke a new record for intensity. I was seriously worried I might pass out."

Matsu rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "I guess I was a bit more, uh, eager than usual. Sorry, Calie."

"Don't apologize," Calie laughed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm just teasing. You were amazing as always."

Marie, now fully dressed, crossed her arms and gave Calie an exasperated look. "Would you stop being gross? We don't need to relive it."

Calie just stuck her tongue out at Marie, earning an eye-roll in return.

Matsu stood and stretched again, another yawn escaping him. "I really did miss you both," he said, his voice more serious now, his gaze soft as he looked at them. "Being away for that long... it wasn't easy. But being back here, with you two, makes it all worth it."

Calie's teasing smile softened, and she moved to stand beside him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "We missed you too," she said, her voice quieter now, more sincere. "It wasn't the same without you."

Marie joined them, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're back now," she said simply, but her eyes held the same warmth. "And that's all that matters."