POV: Ashina
Consciousness returned slowly, like surfacing from deep water. Ashina became aware of sensations in layers warmth against her back, the steady rhythm of breathing that wasn't her own, an arm draped possessively over her waist and underneath it all, a presence in her mind that was new and yet familiar, a constant hum of contentment that didn't belong to her alone. Her eyes fluttered open to find sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows, painting the room in shades of gold. His room. His bed. Where she'd fallen asleep wrapped in his arms after. Heat flooded her cheeks at the memory, followed immediately by a wave of satisfaction that definitely came from the man behind her.
"Good morning," Kendrick murmured against her shoulder, his voice rough with sleep and something warmer. She felt his pleasure at waking up with her, his wonder that she was still here, still real.
