Work Text
“Ah—Happy Weinlesefest, traveler. I'm surprised to see you about the festivities so late.” I find Kaeya sat at the makeshift bar stall for the festival with several other people nursing their respective drinks. Kaeya has a rocks glass perched in his hand, filled with a golden liquid.
“I should be surprised, Captain. I hardly see you around Mond day or night.” I take the open seat beside him, laying my arms upon the wooden counter leisurely. Kaeya supplies a smile.
“You should know I’m a very busy person. The night is only time I have to myself. I actually consider it my favorite. So quiet, slow, and dark. It really feels so romantic. Just me and the stars all to myself.” He takes a drink. His voice is different than usual as if he’s not trying so hard to sound all charming and snarky. His eyes look tired and he wears a weak grin. He must’ve been drinking a while before I got here.
He turns to me. “And what’s your business with the wilderness tonight, traveler?” He asks.
“Ah,” I go. “I was on my way to mine iron so I can refine my blade tomorrow morning before I head out.”
“Always moving, aren’t you? And I still wonder why I still have trouble running into you as well.”
The bartender places down a small slip of paper in front of him before moving down to fix another customer’s drink. Kaeya leans his head on a palm, frowning.
“The audacity of this man, assuming I’m finished here. Sir, can’t you see my glass is half full? That just won’t do now will it?” He raises his drink upwards. The bartender gives a half glance, not stopping his current task.
“My apologies, Captain, but you’re half asleep. I noticed when you quieted down a long time ago you should’ve been cut off. Don’t get me wrong, the silence is nice, but I can’t be reprimanded if you fall and kill yourself on your way home.” He jokes. A few other bar goers chuckle in response. I study Kaeya from the side, already noting earlier his sluggish demeanor. I was almost worried, but this explanation isn’t a surprising one.
“I’m handling myself fine. You underestimate my strength when it comes to these things.” There’s a gentle slur to his words.
“I’m surprised actually,” I begin at this. He tilts his head in my direction with a curious look. “You’re not drinking wine. I thought it was your absolute favorite, especially during Weinlesefest.”
Kaeya emits a small scoff. “Like most people, I drink more than one thing. We have so much history traveler, I thought you’d know better than to think me such a boring person.”
I furrow my brows. “You always say stuff like that.”
“Like what?” He finishes off a third of his drink, rolling his head on his palm to face me. The bartender makes his rounds to our end of the counter and asks quietly if I’d like anything. Kaeya opens his mouth excitedly.
“I was talking to the Hero of Mondstat, not you.” The bartender says before a word can leave his mouth.
“Oh? You’re going to serve this one? How old are you, traveler—certainly not of drinking age.” Kaeya chuckles. I blink a few times, hesitating. I haven’t exactly prepared an answer for that one.
“A hero like him can have a drink to celebrate our festival. It’s on the house for everything he’s done for our city.” The bartender swoops in before I can reply. I’m slightly taken off guard, so I say the first thing that comes to mind,
“I-I’ll try the dandelion wine.”
Kaeya giggles to himself whilst the bartender goes to make my order. I feel my face get red. That was so stupid! Why did I do that? I probably look like some immature kid trying to be cool in front of him by ordering his well known favorite drink.
“Excellent choice. I promise you’ll enjoy that one, honorary knight. Though I wonder how you’ll take wine. It’s not a friendly taste for beginners, you know.” His eyes are on level with mine now that he’s slouching over slightly. I notice now how close we’re sat. His elbow almost touches mine and I can even smell the liquor off his breath. It’s beyond daunting.
“I’ve drank before, you know. I just haven’t had any of Mond’s famous brews.”
The bartender places down a glass before me. Take it in my hands and bring it close to my face, having a small sniff before tasting it. It bites sour like any wine would, but there sure is a bright, sweet aftertaste to it that I haven’t tasted in anything else before. I’m intrigued as I place my glass back down. I start to remember the reason people engage in activities such as this. It would be nice to get a little drunk.
“You have such endless energy.” Kaeya begins all of a sudden. “I can’t even keep moving as often as you. Of course, I am a knight, not an adventurer. Sometimes I think, late at night, where’s the traveler at this very moment? Still awake? Still trudging away or beating a few bad guys into the dirt? Do you ever stop to rest? Oh, I think I ’ve already answered my own question; you truly are fascinating. A real hero right down to the very definition,” He takes in the rest of his drink, wiping his lips on the back of his hand. “Even more so than my justice-hungry brother and his morals.”
“I wouldn't say that,” I jump in. “I’m just looking for Lumaine. If I can help people out on the way it doesn’t bother me.”
Kaeya hums, his chin perched in his palms. He’s looking straight down into the wood of the table. The bartender was right. He looks exhausted, yellow string lights glinting off his hazy eye.
“I forget often the reason you’re here in Teyvat. Foolishly, I assume you’re here for the simple whim of heroism. You’ll leave eventually, won’t you? When you find her?” He asks.
“I can’t make plans when I know so little.” I reply.
“Of course. A true knight never jumps ahead of himself. You think you’ll finish that?” He refers to my drink which I’ve been working on slowly.
I purse my lips to think. “You can have it when it’s half empty.”
“Ah, of course. Don’t feel you need to, I was just wondering. It is my favorite, but you do know that well don’t you?” He reaches over to sweep my braid over my shoulder. I have to physically hold myself to keep my body from melting in response.
“You make it obvious, yes.”
“Ah, a man who talks is a man who’s known, but you are quite the little mystery to me.”
“We really haven’t talked,” I point out. “I don’t see why you’d know much.”
“Somehow it feels like we already understand each other, at the very least. Or am I only listening to the liquor in my empty stomach?” He muses on.
“I’d like to… understand better, I mean. I really admire you as a knight and as a fighter, Captain.”
“Please, use my name.” He presses his hands to his chest with a smile. I look around the bar briefly, scanning my eyes over the people sat by and those who mill at the stalls still open this late. I feel a tug in my chest that says to save my words and not go spilling them in such a public place. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Just relax! You don’t get time like this with the cavalry captain often…
…
“Would you walk with me, Kaeya?” I ask after a while of sitting here with him. “I’m thinking about returning to my campsite for the night.”
“How unfortunate. I was hoping you’d stay a little longer, but I don’t mind walking you back.” He nods, beginning to get up. I notice his skin glistens with a thin film of sweat and his face has become rosy at the cheeks. He tells the bartender to add his dues to his tab and steadies himself on his feet. As I suspected, he sways gently even when not moving an inch. I get up as well and begin to follow the path from the festival area. I stay close to Kaeya simply out of worry that he might tumble over at any moment.
Granted I’ve finished my glass of wine, he was definitely already tipsy when I first found him so he’s not in the best shape.
As we pass by the bridge back to Mond, I notice him staring over at the water. The moon is bright tonight and the air is crisp. The world is bathed under a dark sapphire hue, the bright cleansing moonlight cutting through it like a knife as it glides across the surface of the water. We follow the river down.
At one point Kaeya stumbles and throws his arms out to catch his balance. Instinctively I link my arm with his to catch his fall, saying,
“You alright?”
“Of course, I’m absolutely terrific.” He laughs at his clumsiness.
He leans the majority of his weight on me. I can feel his center of gravity shifting uneasily in the way he moves. He doesn’t say a word either while we walk on. I was hoping he would, but now I realize perhaps the bartender was right in that fact, ‘I noticed when you quieted down a long time ago you should’ve been cut off.’ Maybe tonight isn’t the best time to try and get to know Mondstadt’s cavalry captain.
Instead I take him to a small area of grass beside the river and I guide him to sit, which he does so without question. I think he wouldn’t make it far enough to my encampment over at starsnatch cliff. My legs are beginning to feel warm and somewhat sluggish as well.
“Pardon?” Kaeya goes out of confusion.
“You’re pretty unsteady. I’m worried you’ll fall. It’s okay, you don’t have to walk me back right now. Let’s just… sit for a bit.”
“You think I’m drunk?” He laughs quietly. “I’ll have you know I can out drink everyone in Mond,” Then he pauses. “I’ll bet even the bard.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” I reply.
“What a shame, you only had one drink.”
“I think it’s for the best,” He’s leaning against me. It’s very slight, but I appear to be holding him up. I look away, my hands feeling sweaty. “Maybe I should be the one taking you home.”
Kaeya snorts. “Oh? Traveler, you move so fast. I’d expect to be treated to a proper dinner, first. Are customs different where you’re from? If so I don’t mind, but I prefer my share of romance.” He goes on, having a slightly harder time forming his words properly. He lays a hand on my shoulder in response to his words, dipping his head slightly to the left to give me a smirk.
“That isn’t what I meant I—”
Kaeya ignores me, cupping my chin in his palm and tilting my head upwards. He’s looking directly at me, a heavy fondness in his gaze.
“You are so fascinating to me, even more so than the so-called god of this city. You fall from above one day and like that it feels like you’ve belonged here longer than I. There’s something divine about you, traveler. I feel it like a vast ocean within you, about to burst free at any moment,” He exhales slightly in amusement at himself. His face deepens in color. “And to think you’d like to bed me. I thought I was the one chasing you.”
“Kaeya…” I exhale, absolutely starstruck at his words. He feels his hand up around my cheek. His touch is in increments, almost fearful. It makes my skin ripple over in waves. My stomach twists. I can’t make myself talk for the life of me. His palm is so soft against my face and that look in his eyes, as if he regards me with the same level of respect I do him. The longer I don't speak the more this look evolves. He grows anxious, his gaze flicks away from mine.
“Or am I a just drunken fool humiliating myself…” He begins to withdraw. My heart zaps in my chest. I didn’t think this would happen now! I wasn’t prepared to confess! I take his hand when he pulls it away, holding in both my palms. My blood spikes in my veins. I can’t believe this is happening.
“You’re not a fool,” I reply softly. “I’m just flustered. I never understood why you ever spared me your attention, but now I think I do.” I’m looking at his gloved hand in mine. Kaeya returns the gesture and interlocks his fingers with mine. He brings one of my hands up to his lips, pressing a firm kiss against the skin. A smile curls up as he pulls away.
“If you’d allow me, I would spare so much more than that for Mondstadt’s hero.” His charm returns at my subtle affirmation of his advances. It’s cute. I find myself smirking.
Every drop of nervousness leaves my body at once and all I can think about is that look on his face. I bring myself forward—my heart flushing with adrenaline—and I kiss him so gently I can feel his surprised breath on my face. His lips taste bitter from the alcohol.
At my gesture Kaeya seems to lose his hesitation completely. He smooths his hands up the sides of my face to cup my cheeks, taking the lead to kiss me deeper. When we break away he emits a broken laugh, eye squeezed shut. I kiss his smiling lips again. He hums in his chest, shifting to face his body towards me. I take his shoulders. I can feel his muscles through the fabric. It drives me wild.
“So bold, my beautiful traveler,” Kaeya muses as he pulls away. “You’ve taken my breath, I don’t know what to say.” His words continue as one long, languid laugh.
“Don’t call me traveler anymore.” I say, blissful and partially dazed by my own actions.
“Oh… par-pardon me.” He stammers, pausing momentarily.
“I want you to keep this between us, but my name is Aether.”
His expression lightens. “Aether.” He chimes back, slurring together the ‘th’ sound. “It sounds so mysterious. I like it. Aether.” He repeats, wearing a sloppy smile. Part of me wants to resist, but the other—drunken and helplessly enamored—part is drawn to him so strongly the next thing I know I’m kissing him more. He takes my waist. The smooth fabric of his gloves makes me shiver. I tilt his head by his chin for a better angle. He emits a fluid hum and his hands move to flatten over my stomach. He then pushes his weight onto me and I fall back into the grass. My heart lurches and my blood begins to bubble with anticipation. Is this really happening?
Kaeya is just as clumsy as when we walked over, but his touch is no less addicting. He props up on an elbow—one knee placed between my thighs—while his other hand explores the exposed parts of my stomach, fingers teasing at the edge of my shirt.
He’s a good kisser. Really good. So good that I feel every smack like fireworks in my stomach. His fingers only draw the heat to the surface of my skin, leaving me burning up under him. I feel him deepen the kiss. I can’t help but moan. It’s a gentle, breathy noise. He pulls back just enough so that the tips of our noses touch.
“It’s been a while since I felt like this about someone,” He says. “I was afraid you’d only ever see me as an asset to your travels, but,” He slips a hand under my cropped shirt.
“To think I’m touching the skin of a hero from beyond this world. I spend many nights wondering about you; your secrets, your motives, your thoughts. You play so good for everyone—a real savior—but, I can tell there’s more to you than mere sympathy.” His fingertips brush along my sternum. I swell my chest into him.
“I can’t believe you’re telling me this, I thought you were supposed to be the mysterious one.” I emit.
“Oh, you fluster me, traveler.”
“Why?” I reach up to tuck his hair behind his ears, genuinely curious. He flattens his palm against my breast, pausing while he rolls a fingertip over my sensitive nipple. I sigh at a sting of pleasure.
“Please, don’t make me talk away my dignity more than I already have.” He hovers his lips close to mine. I bring my head up to meet them, eager hands pulling at his slim hips to close the gap between our bodies. He makes a small sound of surprise, but doesn’t resist. I feel my lower stomach touching his jeans and my head spins. I raise my hips against his knee and hum lightly into the kiss. Kaeya breaks away with a heated huff, fingers tracing my skin as if it were fragile as glass.
“Wait, we’re not far from th-the city gates,” He says. I grind against him anyways, unraveling his words and making him blush. His lips are parted. “Careful, now. Don’t get me going where we’ll get caught, starling.”
“You’re so adorable like this,” I chuckle. My nerves have completely fizzled away with each hot kiss. “Do I really have such an effect on you?”
Kaeya scoffs, but finds no words to respond with. He instead removes himself from me and sits up, swaying uneasily. I feel my fingertips run cold. What did I do? Was it what I said?
He throws his hair over his shoulder and lets out a long sigh. “I’d be disappointed to show you such things out here in the dark with your back to the cold ground. I am a knight after all; let me spare you my chivalry.” He gets onto one knee and lends down a hand to me. He begins to lead me towards the city and I follow with an excited pep in my step.
…
He takes me down an alleyway in Mondstat I’ve rarely traveled and to a largely unremarkable doorway. Here I find myself staring up at an intimidating set of carved spiral oak stairs. Kaeya places a hand between my shoulder blades.
“Come now, you think I’d make you all do that? Allow me, I’ve got the exercise of having to do it every damn day!” He then loops an arm around my back and reaches down to grab my legs, swooping me up into his grasp. My heel smacks into the door and creates a loud shuttering as it hits against the doorframe. I burst into a nervous cackle and grasp tightly to his upper arm.
“Quiet, quiet,” He slurs. “I do have first floor neighbors, but the loft is peaceful. You’ll see.” He starts up the stairs, his cheeks flushed drunkenly. My whole body shivers being so close to him. He’s so strong, yet soft? His form is so delicate…
Of course as chivalrous as he tries to be with the escort my head and feet hit the wall or banister at every turn, for all four floors. Though for some reason it has me laughing harder, tears at the corners of my eyes. When he reaches the top step—apologizing for the hundredth time—I grab him by the chin and pull him into a kiss so deep he almost stumbles backwards. Though without breaking away, he somehow manages to get the door open and carries me inside.
I don’t have much of a chance to get a look at his home, not that I care at the moment. I’m placed down on a long, soft couch. My blood bubbles hotly in anticipation. My legs tingle and I can’t help but stare at him when he sits next to me.
“I didn’t expect you to be here, Aether, please excuse my untidy home.” He says, slightly uncertain. I like it when he says my real name. I barely understood a thing he said, his voice echoing through my head.
I move forward without thinking, placing my hand on his thigh while kissing him. I feel upwards, savoring his muscles with my fingertips.
“I don't care, captain,” I whisper between our lips. “My focus is on you.”
He hums a fluid tone, reconnecting our mouths. I can feel his heart race through his veins when I touch his neck. Did I just leave him at a loss for words?
My mind at this point is gone and as I said, all I can think about is the man beside me. Though it’s not enough. I need him closer, far closer than when he held me. So I lean back and lift my shirt over my head. His hands move quickly, resting over my exposed body. He wears a subtle smile, but doesn’t appear as frantic as I’ve become. That sleepy look has settled into his features. It’s something peaceful, but not lacking anxiety.
Kaeya has hardly said a word since he sat me down. Now I’ve lain back and guided him to kneel over me—impatient as I am—with my arms thrown around his neck. I kiss him dizzy. Every touch sends me higher and I’m feeling ten times drunker off the taste of him than the wine. He fits his hips against mine and naturally rubs against me with one hand on my leg. I melt into the couch. My eyes roll back.
“Kaeya—” I say softly at the forward action. He turns my chin up with a gloved hand and kisses along the vein. I rut up against him, causing low waves of pleasure to stir in my gut. My head rolls to the side. His lips are warm and slick. I struggle to keep my eyes even half opened.
“Would you allow me to undress you, Aether?” Kaeya speaks, pulling away briefly to look into my eyes. He looks a lot more nervous than before.
“Only if I can undress you.” I reply playfully. He looks away quickly with a small laugh, tucking some hair behind his ear.
“If you wish.” He slurs softly. I reach up and unclip his cape from his shoulder to test the waters. He slips his thumbs into my waistline and I lift my hips so he can pull off my pants. He handles them gently, dealing them over the back of the couch. I feel embarrassed for tossing his cape so carelessly, now working off his shirt. I pull it up from under his corset, but it catches on his collar which he has to unlatch himself. Then it comes off easily, leaving him with his chest bare. And he finally removes his gloves, pulling them off with his teeth and throwing them to the floor. I guess he values my clothes more than his own.
“You really are a creature from out of this world,” He says, tracing a bare hand down the side of my body. He stops at my thigh and pushes upwards towards my hips. I swoon, eyes almost rolling back in my head. His cocky smile returns, fingers moving slow and kind over the fabric of my panties. His touch is warm.
“Oh, Kaeya… this is like a dream.” I muse. He rubs his palm over the space between my legs. I shudder as I reach around to unlace his corset.
“So eager for me, hm?” He leans down over me, propped up on an elbow. I meet his eyes.
“I think I’ll die if you don’t touch me,” I huff, reaching up to punctuate my words with a sloppy kiss. “But you promised you’d undress for me.”
“So demanding, my star… you’re lucky you excite me so, but don’t consider me wrapped around your finger.” He pushes my panties to the side and I feel his gloveless hand against me. I let my head roll back, exposing my neck for him to kiss gingerly.
“Oh—I’ll see about that.” I breathe. He chuckles against my throat and I feel the vibrations shoot down to my toes. I’ve been blindly working at the laces of his corset for a while now and I’ve finally gotten it undone. It slides off, letting his abdomen free from its tight grip. I tip my head to look at him—sat there in nothing but his pants—and I give his hips a squeeze. Kaeya lets out a heated breath, the fog of lust sweeping over his already drunken gaze.
He appears to break out of whatever shy stupor he’d been stuck in and removes the rest of his clothes. He spreads me open with his fingers. I laugh aloud, sounding a little crazed in my excitement over him. I pull him down roughly by his neck and kiss him hard. He moans playfully against my lips and starts to grind himself on me slowly. I feel my wetness spreading at the motion. My lower body prickles hotly.
I can’t stop kissing him now. Something between his languid rhythm and my pure desperation for more drives me mad. His lips are slick with my spit. Silk thin strings trail from his mouth to mine when he pulls away. He’s breathless, hair swaying to each rut against my smooth parts. I take brief pride in my ability to overwhelm him like this. He slides himself up and down between my folds. I take in quick, sharp breaths every time the head brushes my clit. For a silent moment we forget ourselves and lie here in vain watching the lewd scene and listening to the sounds it makes. I quickly can’t take much more waiting and I take the lead in grabbing his cock to line up with my entrance, leaving my panties on out of pure impatience. It sinks in smooth and easy. I’m so wet that the clear liquid drips out in thick bubbles when I take him. He groans, shivers running up his arms.
“Come on, fuck me, Captain.” I pivot my hips to force it deeper and hook my ankles around his slim waist.
Kaeya moans and his arms give out holding him up. He grabs my shoulders and hugs my body flush to his. He rolls his hips into me, his lower body hair prickling my stomach. It seems I’m too much for him now. He doesn’t say a word. The only sounds are his labored breaths and light moans. I’m normally quiet myself, but this is much more richer than anything I’ve experienced. It’s like we’ve begun to melt into each other and his pleasure is mine and vice versa. I smooth my hand over his shoulder blades and down his back. He’s started to break a sweat. The skin of his neck sparkles in the lights.
“Kaeya—Kaeya.” I repeat in a mindless daze. My eyes trace their upper rims, dipping back in my head.
He lifts slightly to look at me. “So good for me, starling. Such a good boy.” He huffs. I feel myself constrict around him, squirting in a quick stream at the shock of pleasure his words bring me. Drops race down my thighs.
“Careful now—” He chokes on a moan. It’s much slicker now, leading the way for a faster and harder fuck that’s just as smooth—if not more—than before. His skin slaps against mine, the abundance of liquids adding to the volume. He props up onto his hands and holds himself there for a better view of me. His hips continue just as perfectly paced. It makes me scream, palms flat to his chest. His hair has fallen over his shoulder and brushes my neck, but I don’t mind. My head is thrown back and my eyes are wide. I hope briefly that he’s enjoying the show.
“Such a divine thing you are,” He says. A finger traces my collarbone. “I’ve never felt such—such bliss.” He sucks the air in through his teeth.
“Is your cocktail of pleasure too strong?” I pose, words shaked by the force of his thrusts.
“Aether…” He gasps followed by a short, but weak moan. Something you’d expect to hear from someone in my position. I start to cum once more with a long sigh that draws all the air from my body.
Clear liquid trickles down from between our legs. Kaeya’s thighs begin to quiver while I’m moaning out the ride of my orgasm. He stops dead all of a sudden, hands shaking, and pulls himself out. I kiss him while he jerks himself off the rest of the way. I feel hot drops stick to my stomach. Kaeya breaks away and moans in quick intervals, sucking in breathless gasps. When he’s finished he falls weakly onto me, catching his breath. I wrap my arms around him tightly.
“Kaeya, you bastard. You don’t understand what you do to me.” I groan. He takes me in his arms and flips us so that we lie side by side, our bodies interlocked.
“Really? And I would’ve said you were the one to cast a spell over me.” He says while catching his breath. I giggle, pressing my cheek against his chest. His skin is hot and damp. It drives me wild.
“You’re the one who usually lures people in, aren’t you? Did I really succeed in capturing you? The cavalry captain falling for me? What a dream…” I muse.
“Depends what you define as luring, but Aether you have gotten closer to me than anyone in this world. Don’t take me as one to give myself up so easily.” His voice is different than before—tired, of course—but less teasing. As if he’s telling me the truth rather than continuing our flirting game.
“Of course I don’t think that. I was messing with you.” I scooch up so that I’m now laying on his chest, looking at his face. His hair is a mess and his eyepatch only makes it worse. The thing looks like it’s about to fall off from being jostled out of place.
“You don’t have to wear this thing around me, you know. Look at all my scars, I don’t care.” I reach towards it. Kaeya takes my hand, smiling nervously.
“Ah-wait,” He goes. “Just don’t worry about it. I prefer it, is all.”
I retract my hands, feeling sort of guilty.
“You can be comfortable around me. I seriously don’t care how bad it is. You’re so beautiful.”
“It’s not that,” His eyes fall to the side. “Besides I am comfortable. Don’t worry about me. Let me worry about you, why don’t I draw my honorary knight a bath? Hm?” He starts to play with my braid draped over my shoulder, swishing it this way and that. I figure I shouldn’t push it, so I drop the subject.
“That would be wonderful, but you'd have to join me." I smile. He grabs hold of me and gets up to carry me to the bathroom. It doesn't take very long to draw a bath and before I know it I'm sitting in Kaeya's lap as he scrubs my back, submerged in sweet hot water. It's true bliss, I feel as if I could fall asleep right here in his arms. Though there is one thing.
He still wears his eyepatch and avoids dunking his head under the water to do so. It gives me a small insecure feeling that he's so evasive about letting me see his scar, but in order to preserve this moment I figure he must be thinking a little groggily still due to the alcohol. He gingerly undoes my braid and thoroughly washes my hair, running his fingers through it to break up the knots and drifting his fingers lovingly against my scalp. surely, if I could purr I would be. Kaeya hums lightly to himself as he goes, just as sleepy as I. We spend a good amount of time lying here in each other's arms soaking in every drop of warmth until the bath water's gone too cold, forcing us to get out and dry off. He brings me to his bedroom and lends me a simple robe of his to wear before allowing me to crawl under the thick, clearly expensive covers of his bed. I almost pass out the second my head hits the pillow. He turns off an oil lamp on the bedside table and the room fades to darkness except for the small streaks of moonlight that creep between the curtains. Kaeya slides into bed beside me and out of pure self indulgence, I curl up against him like I've hardly gotten my fill of him at all for the night. He curls his arm around my back and hugs me against him, sighing gently. I wish I could keep my eyes open longer to watch his beautiful face as he rests, but as if in a trance I slip off into sleep right here with my head against his chest.