From Frost to Flame

Chapter 9: Morning Musings

Vegas woke up to the soft light streaming through the curtains, feeling the weight of sleep still clinging to him. It was 7 AM, and the peaceful morning air coaxed him to linger in bed a little longer. But as he lay there, thoughts of Nawee crept in, uninvited and persistent. After several minutes of wrestling with his reluctance, he finally pushed himself up, running a hand through his tousled hair.

Dragging himself out of bed, Vegas made his way to the bathroom. The shower's warm water enveloped him, providing a temporary refuge from his thoughts. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation of the water cascading over him, trying to wash away the remnants of Nawee's betrayal. After taking his time, he stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist, droplets trickling down his body and hair.

He opened the cupboard and grabbed a light blue t-shirt, the fabric soft in his hands. Its cool color felt right, and calming. He paired it with dark gray trousers, simple and comfortable. The colors were easy on his skin, making him feel at ease as he got dressed for the day.

He stepped out of his room, and on his way, he ran into Nop, who looked up from his phone.

"Good morning, Nop," Vegas greeted, a hint of weariness in his voice.

"Good morning, Mr. Vegas," Nop replied cheerfully. "Have you seen Kinn?"

"Yeah, he's in the dining hall," Nop answered, pointing in that direction.

"Okay," Vegas said, starting to turn away.

But Nop hesitated, a worried look crossing his face. "Mr. Vegas, wait! Are you all right? You seemed a bit off last night."

"Of course, just a bit tired," Vegas replied politely, offering a small smile. He appreciated Nop's concern; he treated him like family, knowing he genuinely cared.

With a nod, he continued toward the dining hall. As he entered, he spotted Kinn, sitting comfortably with a steaming cup of coffee. Kinn looked up and grinned, his relaxed demeanor instantly putting Vegas at ease.

"Morning, Vegas! How did you sleep?" Kinn greeted, motioning for him to join.

"Morning. It was alright, just a little restless," Vegas admitted as he slid into a chair across from Kinn.

Kinn raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Restless? Are late-night thoughts keeping you awake? Or were you plotting your next big move?"

Vegas chuckled, appreciating Kinn's playful nature. "Maybe a bit of both.

Kinn leaned back, swirling his coffee. "What would you like? I can whip up anything."

"Anything would be better than my midnight snack," Vegas replied, grinning.

By the way, I always make your midnight snacks."

"Hey, don't say it like that. You liked it, though!" Kinn replied with a teasing smirk.

Vegas chuckled again, the warmth in Kinn's voice easing the tension in his chest. "Okay, I admit it was good. What's on the breakfast menu?"

Kinn's eyes sparkled with mischief. "How about an omelet, juice, or... your pancakes? A balanced meal to start your day right."

"Now that sounds perfect. I'll go for the juice and omelet," Vegas said, his smile widening.

With a nod, Kinn called for the cook, instructing him to prepare their breakfast. As they waited, the conversation flowed easily, the warmth of the morning filling the room. It was moments like these that reminded Vegas of the bonds he cherished, even amidst the turmoil in his heart.

A few minutes later, the cook arrived, serving their breakfast with care. The aroma of the omelet and freshly squeezed juice filled the air.

"Eat well," Kinn said with a smile, lifting his cup in a mock toast.

Vegas felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he picked up his fork, looking forward to enjoying the meal and the comforting presence of his brother.

Personal Note:
Lately, I've been a bit short on time to write, so I've decided to split this chapter into two parts. Thank you for your understanding and support!