Tell Me Lies (COMPLETED)

Morning Light

Dakarai

The sunlight cut through the curtains, warm and soft, brushing against my skin. I open my eyes and blink away the haze of sleep, and there she is—Zaire. Her head rests on my chest, her breathing steady and peaceful. Her warmth pressed against me.

I let my hand drift to her back, tracing small circles against her bare skin. She stirs but doesn't wake. For a moment, I just watch her, memorizing the way her lips curve into a faint smile even in sleep. Last night, everything felt right—her laugh, her touch, the way she looked at me like I mattered.

The weight of the moment hits me hard. She's here, in my arms, after all these years apart. I never thought I'd get the chance to feel this again. Back then, we were kids trying to figure life out, and I was too scared to hold on to something real. But now...

I tilt my head, letting my lips graze her forehead. She shifts, murmuring my name, and my chest tightens.

"Morning," I whisper, though I'm not sure I want her to wake up just yet.

Her eyes flutter open, amber pools catching the morning light. A slow smile spreads across her face, and she stretches against me, her fingers brushing my arm.

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

"How'd you sleep?" I ask, my hand settling on her waist.

"Better than I have in a long time," she answers

I grin, pulling her closer. "Good, because I wasn't planning on letting you go anytime soon."

She laughs softly, the sound like music to my ears. It feels easy, this moment, like we're exactly where we're supposed to be. But beneath the calm, I can feel the questions creeping in. What happens next? Where do we go from here?

Zaire props herself up on one elbow, her short coils catching the morning sunlight like a crown. She looks at me with those eyes—curious, a little shy, but holding something deeper, something I've been trying to figure out since the moment we reconnected.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asks, her voice playful but soft.

"Because I can," I reply with a grin. "You're beautiful in the morning. Has anyone told you that?"

She scoffs, but the corner of her mouth curves upward. "You've been corny since high school, Dakarai," she teases, resting her chin on her hand.

"Maybe. But I got you to smile, didn't I?"

Her laughter fills the room, warm and unguarded, and for a moment, it's like we're back in simpler times. But I know this isn't high school. We're not the same people anymore.

She shifts, rolling onto her back, and I take the opportunity to admire her. The sunlight kisses her deep brown skin, and the way she moves—unapologetic and confident—has me captivated all over again.

"What's on your mind?" she asks suddenly, turning her head to look at me.

I hesitate, running a hand over my face. "Honestly? A lot."

Her brow furrows. "Like what?"

"Like... us," I admit. "I didn't expect to see you again, let alone end up here. Last night... it felt like something I'd been waiting for, but it's also scary, you know? I don't want to mess this up."

Zaire doesn't answer right away. Instead, she shifts closer, resting a hand on my chest. Her touch is grounding, steady. "You're not the only one who's scared," she says softly. "But if we keep overthinking it, we'll ruin what's happening right now. Can we just take it one day at a time?"