The first rays of morning light slipped through the window, casting a gentle golden glow across the modest inn room. The air was still, calm, yet carried a certain… warmth—no, heat—from the night before.
Noah stirred in bed, arms loosely wrapped around the girl who had turned his world upside down in the span of one unforgettable night.
Layla lay curled against him, her breathing soft, her long black hair spread across the pillow like a silk curtain. Her face was peaceful, with the faintest smile playing on her lips—one that hadn't left since the moment she'd whispered "I love you" in his ear.
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, admiring the way the morning sun kissed her pale skin. His chest still fluttered with disbelief. That had happened. They really did it.
Just as he was getting lost in the memory, the door slammed open.
"Noaaah~!" came Scarlett's sing-song voice, far too energetic for morning.
Lyra followed behind, her arms crossed but a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Did the hero survive the night?" she quipped.
Noah jolted upright, the blanket nearly slipping off him—and Layla. He yanked it up in time, his face flushing deep red. "W-What the hell are you two doing?!"
Scarlett gasped theatrically, hand over her mouth as her crimson eyes sparkled with delight. "Oh my~ Did we interrupt the lovebirds post-battle cuddle?"
Layla stirred, blinking her eyes open. When she saw the two intruders grinning at the foot of their bed, she groaned and buried her face in Noah's chest.
"Go away," she mumbled into his skin.
Lyra walked closer and leaned down, her icy black eyes gleaming. "So this is what giving him a good night looked like, huh?"
Layla peeked up, scowling with a pink flush on her cheeks. "You two knew exactly what we were doing when you didn't come back to the room."
Scarlett shrugged innocently. "We just thought you might want to thank Noah for all the care he gave you during recovery... We didn't expect the thank you to last all night."
Layla grabbed a pillow and chucked it at her. Scarlett caught it and laughed.
Noah groaned into his hand. "Can I please get dressed before we start this interrogation?"
"Nope," Scarlett said sweetly. "You lost your rights after moaning Laylaaa~ so loud last night the neighbors complained."
Layla's face burned red. "They did not!"
Lyra nodded with a smirk. "They did. The innkeeper gave us complimentary breakfast this morning as an apology for 'the enthusiastic couple upstairs.'"
Noah covered his face with both hands while Layla muttered, "I'm never leaving this bed again."
Scarlett giggled, then walked up and poked Layla's cheek. "You look cute when you're flustered. But seriously... I'm happy for you two."
Lyra, quieter this time, added, "Yeah… you deserve some light, Layla. And Noah… thank you for giving it to her."
Noah peeked through his fingers and gave a sheepish smile. "I just did what my heart told me to."
Scarlett huffed. "So cheesy."
Layla smiled softly, looking up at him with a gaze full of warmth and adoration. "He's my cheesy idiot."
Scarlett and Lyra both rolled their eyes but couldn't hide their genuine smiles.
And just like that, the teasing faded into a soft, comfortable silence. The morning had begun with mischief—but under it all was a shared sense of closeness, the kind that only came from battles fought together, scars healed, and love quietly blooming between four hearts.
-To be continued...