Love in the dark

I lost a lot that night

Alaz shifted in bed, his body heavy with sleep.

"Alaz," a soft voice called out.

He stirred but didn't open his eyes.

"Ama hadi, wake up, sevgilim," she teased, her voice gentle but playful.

At the sound of *sevgilim* from her lips, his eyes fluttered open. As they focused, his breath caught in his chest. Asi was standing by the bed, wearing nothing but his oversized shirt, her knees peeking out from beneath the fabric. Her dark curls framed her face, messy yet beautiful, with a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Alaz blinked, his heart stumbling over itself as he took her in. "Am I in heaven?" he murmured, almost to himself, a dazed smile spreading across his face.

Still lying down, he placed his hands behind his head, eyes roving over her slowly as if trying to commit every inch of her to memory. His gaze lingered on her, the way the shirt hung loosely on her, and the carefree way her hair tumbled over her shoulders.

"You only woke up when you heard me saying *sevgilim,* didn't you?" Asi rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with mock disapproval.

Alaz grinned, eyes gleaming with that familiar mischief. He winked lazily at her. "Sen ne güzel böyle..." he started, voice low and appreciative, "in my shirt, with those curls."

"Ne? Güzel?" Asi quirked an eyebrow and playfully grabbed a fistful of her hair. "Have you seen this? My hair is a mess!" But just as she said it, a small curl slipped free, bouncing against her cheek. It was adorable, and Alaz felt his heart melt a little more. He couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at his lips, admiration filling his gaze.

He reached out and, with one swift tug on the loose fabric of his shirt, pulled her down into the bed beside him. She tumbled into his arms with a soft laugh, landing against his chest. Alaz wrapped an arm behind her head, cradling her gently, while his other hand rested on her waist, holding her close.

"Birak, Alaz, we're going to be late," Asi protested, trying half-heartedly to wriggle free.

"Yeah, yeah," Alaz murmured, burying his face into her hair. "Wake me up like this, looking absolutely breathtaking, and then say birak? No chance. Birakamıyorum." His arms tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer. He didn't want to let go—not now, not ever.

"Alaz..." Asi's voice softened, the sound of it making his heart thud harder in his chest.

"Hmm?" He was already lost in her, his lips pressing lightly against her temple.

"If we had a daughter, what would you name her?" Asi's voice was barely above a whisper, but it cut through the air, heavy with emotion.

Alaz froze, his hand pausing against her waist. His heart clenched, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. He swallowed thickly, his voice rough when he finally answered. "Ece," he said, the name trembling on his lips. "I've always dreamed, in those five years apart, that we'd be together... in my caravan, going on a road trip. Little Ece playing in the back, and whenever she wanted, you'd sing to her while I played the guitar. I dreamed and dreamed of those moments, Asi. You know?"

"Alaz..." Asi's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words came.

"I know," his voice raw with regret. "I know it was all my fault. Damn it..." He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath shaky, his voice breaking as he whispered, "I've always wanted this. Only this."

Asi's chest rose and fell against his, her next words almost lost between them. "I... I could only keep Ece for two months," she whispered, her voice barely audible.