𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 | f. w

14

Mattie awoke to the soft, dappled glow of morning light filtering through the thin curtains of her room. She blinked, slowly adjusting to the quiet brightness, and as her eyes focused, she realized she was nestled into the warmth of Fred's arms. His breath was slow and steady, his face relaxed, softened by the early light. She studied his features, noting the slight freckle near his eyebrow, the faint line of his jaw that she found herself tracing gently with her finger.

Almost as if he felt her touch, Fred's eyes fluttered open, and he looked down at her, a sleepy, gentle smile spreading across his face.

"Morning, you," he murmured.

"Good morning," Mattie whispered back, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest. She couldn't help but smile as he leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. The moment felt surreal, like something out of a dream—a stolen piece of peace and joy that didn't quite belong in their world, but one she desperately wanted to hold onto.

"Finally awake, are we? I was beginning to think I'd have to throw in a wake-up tickle, but I figured you'd start the day with a hex if I tried."

Mattie rolled her eyes, smiling as she sank back against the pillow. "If you had, I'd have hexed you into next week," she replied, playfully swatting his arm. "Besides, you're always the one who's impossible to wake up."

Fred scoffed, crossing his arms and pretending to look deeply offended. "Me? Difficult to wake up? Lies and slander! I'm a ray of alert sunshine at any hour of the day," he declared, though his sleepy eyes and mussed-up hair told a different story.

Mattie laughed, unable to hide the grin that spread across her face. "Oh, absolutely. A regular morning person, you are. Should I bring you coffee and breakfast in bed too?"

Fred arched a brow, smirking as he pulled her close, his hand slipping around her waist. "Well, now that you mention it, I'd quite enjoy breakfast in bed—although," he added, trailing his fingers along her arm in a way that sent a shiver down her spine, "this is already pretty much the perfect start to the day."

She rolled her eyes but felt her heart skip a beat as he leaned down to brush his lips against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. She could feel him smiling as he pulled back, his eyes full of that playful warmth she loved.

"Do you ever turn off the charm?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Fred feigned offense, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Turn off the charm? I'm afraid that's impossible. It's all natural, see?" He waggled his eyebrows, causing her to laugh as he leaned in closer. "Besides, you've already admitted you're rather taken with my natural charm."

"Oh, have I?" she said, grinning as she pulled herself up, pretending to look thoughtful. "I don't remember saying that."

Fred's expression turned mischievous. "Allow me to jog your memory, then," he murmured, leaning in again as his lips found hers, warm and teasing as he kissed her with a slow, playful intensity. His hands slipped to her waist, drawing her closer, his touch both gentle and insistent.

They broke apart, both of them laughing, and Fred grinned down at her, his gaze softening as he brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "You're trouble, you know that?" he whispered, his voice full of warmth.

"I think that's my line," Mattie replied, running her fingers through his already-mussed hair. "You're the one who always gets us into mischief."

Fred chuckled, leaning back against the pillows with a playful sigh. "Ah, yes. It's a curse, really," he said, feigning seriousness as he stared up at the ceiling. "A life of adventure and cheekiness is a burden only a select few of us can handle."