𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

the morning after

Newlyweds, apparently.

Bea woke first.

Which was weird, because usually it was Nico who stirred before her, all quiet yawns and sleepy grumbles as he untangled himself from whatever ridiculous position she'd rolled into during the night.

But this morning?

He was out cold.

Hair sticking up. One arm flung over her waist. Face buried against her shoulder like some feral cat who'd finally found a place to curl up and die peacefully.

She blinked at the ceiling.

Right.

Married.

That had actually happened.

A slow grin crept across her face as she glanced down at her hand. The ring wasn't fancy — bronze with a chipped sea-glass stone, carved with something old and salt-worn — but gods, it was theirs. She twisted it slightly and whispered to herself,

"We really did it."

Nico shifted. He made a sound that might've been a yawn or a groan or maybe the distant echo of regret. Then, without opening his eyes: "You're staring at me."

"Yeah, I married you. I'm allowed."

"Unfortunate."

"Rude."

He finally cracked an eye open. Still foggy with sleep. Still him.

"What time is it?"

"Early," Bea said, nudging his knee with hers. "Probably breakfast time. Want me to carry you to the kitchen, husband?"

He groaned. "Never say that again."

"Husband?"

"Ugh."

"You're stuck with me," she teased, leaning over to press a kiss to his forehead. "It's legal now. Gally said so."

"Gally is not a legal authority."

"Then we've got bigger problems, Nico."

They were still bickering when Frypan burst in, already dressed, already smug.

"Well, well, well. The married couple rises."

"I literally just woke up," Nico muttered, dragging the blanket over his head.

"I brought you bread," Frypan said, tossing a roll onto the bed. "Also, Matt says you're on clean-up duty today."

"We got married," Bea called after him. "Give us a day off!"

"You got married without telling anyone! This is your punishment!"

Bea turned back to Nico with a sigh. "Think it's too late to annul?"

He tugged her closer, kissed her collarbone lazily, and mumbled,

"I'd object."

Bea smiled, letting the world stay soft and simple for a little longer. Just her, her pirate, their stupid ring, and the morning sun spilling over the blankets like a quiet promise.