The neon lights brightened certain parts of the city as it was still asleep before dawnbreak. The gentle breeze blew past, rustling past reddish leaves still hanging to the branches. The fallen ones were lifted from the ground and drifted further away.
Wrapped in the comfort of each other's arms, Lariette and Ruediger lay entangled in bed. She stirred first, her eyelids twitching, but not because she had enough sleep.
'...what... weird...'
An odd, uncomfortable sensation slipped past her unconsciousness, luring Lariette to wake up. It was warmth, but not the kind that brought her peace.
In the haze of fading sleep, she slowly blinked awake.
Lariette felt Ruediger's arms around her, hugging her closely. His broad chest lay on her back as their limbs tangled under the blanket. The steady, quiet rhyme of his chest falling and rising told her he was still asleep.
'...no!'
