Mein Liebling

Untitled Part 16

Sleep seems to allude you, though, with the dreams you'd been having, you can't say you're too upset. Edward, sound asleep beside you, doesn't seem to notice as you carefully stand and grab your gym bag. Gaius lifts from his dog bed at the other side of the room, coming to sniff the bag, asking permission to accompany you. When you press your finger to your lips, he lowers his head slightly, seeming to understand entirely and slowly steps up into the bed to lay alongside Edward.

Seeing them together like this warms your heart, almost skipping a beat entirely as Gaius rests his head on Edward's arm. They continue their peaceful slumber as you quietly exit and very slowly shut the door behind you.

It's still in the wee hours of the morning, so the halls are understandably empty, which is somewhat relieving. The gym facility in your building stays open 24/7, but you still find yourself to be the only occupant. Though not unusual, it still brings a smile to your face to have all of the equipment to yourself.

Your mind had been working on overdrive lately, and while your body ached, you needed something to set yourself at ease; something to help process everything that had been happening; something familiar; a coping mechanism you had developed even before the world had ... changed. The gym had been your outlet for a long time, and as you put in your earbuds you already feel the tension fading.

Time flies, and before you know it you're covered with sweat; absolutely dripping. Every ounce of energy drained from your muscles, but also, feeling invigorated and ready to take on the day. The sun had begun to rise, and others made their way into the gym, signaling the awakening of the early risers and cue-ing your time to leave. It had been long enough, and you got what you needed already: a sense of normalcy, and a way to set your mind at ease.

Even though you're positive you stink, and absolutely require an immediate shower, you opt instead to swing by one of your favorite breakfast places just outside before returning up to your apartment. Edward had still been fast asleep when you left, but you hoped to greet him with food – if he hadn't awakened to find you gone and returned to his own room already.

As you approach your door, you shift your to-go bags to one hand, and carefully twist the handle just in case he was still sleeping. As soon as you push the door, you notice the lights being on, and smile to yourself before stepping inside.

" Guten morgen." Edward greets as you close the door behind you.

Wearing his pajama pants and no shirt, he's sitting with his legs criss-crossed atop your bed, his back against the headboard, the sheets having been made up and Gaius laying affectionately at his side. Closing the book he had been reading, he flashes a warm smile.

"You didn't have to make the bed you know." You stand at the edge of the bed, setting the to-go bags at the foot of it and out of the way of Gaius' now sniffing nose.

"Ja," He nods. "But I vas bored und I vas hoping you vould be back soon."

"Sorry," You furrow your brows. "I just couldn't sleep. I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?"

"No," He lifts the book briefly before reaching over to replace it at one of your side tables. "I had just started reading one of your astrophysics books, und it vas shurprisingly interesting. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," You grin as you notice how far he had already gotten in the book, as well as the fact that he had marked his spot, as though intending to return to it later to finish. "You can read any of my books that you like."

Your apartment isn't the most furnished, but it has copious books stacked along various bookshelves that line the majority of the main walls. It had turned into a bit of a mission of yours, collecting various interesting reads from the scouting ventures, especially since you had set up an actual stationary residence. It made you feel at home.