valentine | the old guard

xxii. morning "activities"

When I wake up, the first thing I hear is the sweet sound of the birds chirping in the trees outside. Soft rays of sunlight are drifting in through the window, finding paths into the room through the gaps in the curtains. I focus on the way it paints the white bedsheets a muted peach colour, reminding me of the sunrise back in Val D'Argent. Except, this time, I'm experiencing it with my boys beside me.

I'm on the edge of our king-size bed, lying on my side and facing the large, curtain-covered window. Hearing the soft snores coming from behind me, I hesitate before rolling over to face my two loves. The sight of their peaceful, sleeping faces greet me - prompting me to smile.

Joe is closest to me, lying on his back with Nicky's arm slung over his chest. Warmth fills my heart as I gaze across at the pair.

Before long, Joe's eyes gradually flutter open, his head turning to face mine. Our eyes meet and he grins, our focus drifting down to Nicky's arm then back to each other.

"Good morning," he says softly after a while, mindful not to wake Nicky up by being too loud. That was probably the last thing he wanted to do.

"Morning, Joe," I reply, my tone equally as muted.

He doesn't speak for a while, his eyes drifting over my face - taking in its details and shadows. "Somehow, you look even better now than you did last week. How is that even possible?" He chuckles quietly to himself. "Such beauty."

I stifle a giggle as I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks. "Oh, shush. If you're looking for beauty, look no further than yourself or Nicky. The two of you are pure perfection in human form."

"I am not perfect, believe me," Joe chuckles lightly. "I'm a troubled man, redeemed only by the love of you and Nicky."

"A true poet," I sigh softly, a smile turning up the corners of my mouth.

After a while, I roll towards the edge of the bed then sit up, getting to my feet and strolling across to the armchair. Joe looks over to me and grins. "Mind if I join you over there?"

I nod, flashing him a wry smile. "Just don't wake Nicky up."

With that, Joe gently lifts Nicky's hand up from his chest and rolls away, placing his arm back down in the empty space. He edges away then gets up, walking across towards me. Before I can get up, Joe extends a hand and I take it - watching on with curiosity as he lifts me up with no effort at all. He takes my place on the armchair and shifts his legs, his eyes fixed on mine as I kneel down between them, resting my chin on his thigh.

He's wearing the old, black joggers I brought him a few Christmas's ago with no shirt and I'm still wearing his sweater - something that he realizes as he runs his hand over my shoulder. A smile lights up his face.

"You're still wearing it?" Joe asks, his dark eyes bright and warm.

"Of course," I reply with a soft smile.

His smile grows into a grin as he places his hands on either side of my face, guiding me up. I press a gentle kiss to his lips and move to straddle his lap, placing my hands on the back of the chair behind his head.

We move together - his hands dropping down to my waist then my hips. I let him move my body closer to his, closing the gap between us until we are pressed tightly together. He kisses me back, his head tilting and following mine with ease.

"I love you," he whispers quietly when we stop for air, his eyes staring up into mine as I pull away, sitting back on his knees.

"I love you too," I whisper back.

He grins in reply and I kiss him again, tilting my head to the side and lightly bumping my nose against his as I raise my hands to tangle in his hair.