Marlos

The Quiet Aftermath

The first rays of dawn, painting the Auradon sky in soft hues of rose and gold, filtered through the window of their dorm room. Mal stirred slowly, her eyelids fluttering open. A sense of quietude filled the air, a stark contrast to the turbulent emotions and raw power that had permeated the previous night's events in her dream.

She stretched languidly, her senses returning to the familiar comfort of their shared room. The opulent furnishings, the soft sunlight, the faint scent of enchanted flowers drifting in from the gardens – all spoke of peace, a normalcy that felt both welcome and slightly surreal after the intensity of her dream.

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Carlos, who was still deeply asleep beside her. His face was serene, devoid of the stark blackness that had filled his eyes in her dream. A wave of relief washed over her, a silent affirmation that the terrifying power she had witnessed was confined to the realm of slumber.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, Mal slipped out of bed. The plush carpet muffled her footsteps as she moved towards the small kitchenette area in their dorm. The quiet clinking of dishes and the gentle hum of brewing enchanted coffee soon filled the air, a comforting domestic sound that chased away the lingering unease of her dream.

She hummed softly to herself as she prepared breakfast, a simple but heartfelt meal. Fluffy enchanted pancakes that flipped themselves in the pan, crispy bacon that sizzled with a gentle magical warmth, and a pot of steaming coffee that smelled of cinnamon and starlight.

As the aroma of breakfast filled the room, Carlos began to stir. He stretched, a soft groan escaping his lips, and his eyes fluttered open, the familiar hazel greeting her.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep. He blinked, taking in the sight of Mal by the kitchenette, the enticing smells filling the air. A soft smile touched his lips. "Something smells amazing."

Mal turned, a warm smile gracing her own features. "Morning," she replied. "I thought we could use a peaceful start to the day."

From their cozy dog beds in the royal kennels, a soft stirring began to break the morning quiet. Helios, a golden fluffball of sleepy energy, stretched his front paws out, letting out a little yawn that showcased his still-tiny teeth. His tail gave a tentative thump against his plush blanket.

Nearby, Luna, the elegant Samoyed puppy, also began to rouse. She stretched with a graceful arch of her back, her white fur rippling in the soft light filtering through the kennel windows. Her silver-tipped ears twitched as she listened to the familiar sounds of the palace waking up.

As their sleepy senses fully returned, their gazes met across the short distance separating their beds. A soft warmth seemed to pass between them. With a shared, unspoken understanding, they both rose and padded towards each other, their tails beginning to wag with increasing enthusiasm.

Helios reached Luna first, nudging his wet nose gently against her fluffy cheek. Luna responded in kind, pressing her head against his golden fur. It was a silent greeting, a comforting acknowledgment of their bond.

They circled each other for a moment, their tails now wagging in unison, little puffs of happy puppy breath escaping their noses. Then, with a soft sigh of contentment, they settled down side-by-side, their bodies pressed close together. Helios rested his head on Luna's back, and Luna leaned against his warm flank.

Helios, his chin resting comfortably on Luna's back, let out a soft sigh. "Mmm," he mumbled sleepily, his tail giving a slow, rhythmic thump against the kennel floor. "What should we do today, Luna?"

Luna, still half-dozing, shifted slightly so she could lick the top of his head. "Hmm," she murmured in response, her voice soft and a little gravelly with sleep. "Something fun. Something... exciting." Her tail gave a little flick.