Silver Lining ❥ daerin

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞

ℭ𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔞

I woke up slowly, the soft light filtering through the curtains casting a warm glow over the room. As my eyes fluttered open, I took a moment to appreciate the peacefulness of Sage's room. The calm, intimate space felt like an extension of the quiet morning, and my gaze drifted over to the figure beside me.

Sage lay there, her face relaxed in sleep, her hair splayed out on the pillow. I felt an overwhelming surge of affection as I watched her, my heart still fluttering from the night before. The kiss we shared—those lingering moments in the darkness—had left me feeling both elated and vulnerable. There was something profoundly comforting about waking up beside her, something that made me feel more grounded than I had in a long time.

I shifted slightly, careful not to wake her, and propped myself up on one elbow. The warmth of her body next to mine was a stark contrast to the cool morning air that seeped through the thin curtains. Her peaceful expression made my heart swell, and I couldn't help but smile softly. There was a raw honesty in the way she slept, a quiet beauty that struck me deeply.

Last night had been full of revelations and emotions, and as I lay there, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had shifted between us. The connection we had felt was more than just physical; it was an emotional bridge that seemed to span the gaps in our lives. The way she looked at me, the way she spoke about the future—there was a sincerity in her voice that made me believe in the possibilities of what could be.

I recalled our conversations, the way we had both opened up about our hopes and dreams. It was in those intimate exchanges that I realised how much I wanted to be part of her world, and how much I wanted her to be a part of mine. Her laughter, her thoughtful questions, and the way she responded to me made it clear that she was someone special—someone I was eager to understand more deeply.

As I lay there, I contemplated the day ahead. There was an undeniable excitement about it, but also a hint of nervousness. The morning was a blank canvas, and I wondered how the day would unfold for us. Would we find the same easy connection as last night? Would our growing bond continue to deepen, or would we face new challenges as we navigated this new chapter?

Just then, Sage stirred beside me, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled sleepily as she saw me.

"Morning," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, my heart leaping at the sight of her waking up beside me. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a long time," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "Thanks to you."

I smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at her words. "I'm glad to hear that."

We both lay there for a few moments, simply enjoying the quiet together. The soft light grew stronger, casting a gentle glow over the room. It was a perfect, tranquil morning, and I couldn't help but feel that it was a promising start to whatever lay ahead.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling my shoes back on, I noticed Sage watching me. She blinked a few times before sitting up, her eyes soft with lingering sleep. I smiled at her, and she returned it with a lazy grin.

"Are you sneaking out on me?"

I chuckled. "Not sneaking out, just getting ready to go freshen up. I don't want to scare you off with morning breath."

She laughed, her voice still groggy. "Oh, please. I can handle it."

I stood up and leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "How about I come back in a little while, and we can have breakfast together?"