Chapter 40

The soft morning light filtered in through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the room. Jes slowly stirred, his body still heavy with the remnants of sleep, but a sense of comfort and contentment wrapped around him like a soft blanket. The scent of Ngern lingered on his skin, a reminder of the night they had shared, of everything that had passed between them.

As he shifted, he became aware of the weight of Ngern's arm draped over his waist, holding him close. Jes smiled to himself, the quiet peace of the moment washing over him. He didn't want to move—didn't want to break the perfect stillness that enveloped them.

But Ngern stirred beside him, a low murmur escaping his lips as he shifted closer. Jes felt his heartbeat quicken, not from urgency but from the warmth of being so close to him, feeling his breath on his skin, the heat of Ngern's chest pressed against his back. It was a feeling he could get used to, this closeness, this sense of belonging.

Ngern's hand gently slid over Jes's side, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of his back. "Morning," Ngern's voice was rough with sleep, but there was a tenderness there, something that made Jes's chest tighten with emotion.

Jes turned slightly, meeting Ngern's eyes. The morning light made his features softer, but there was still that undeniable intensity in his gaze, the same look that had consumed him the night before. Jes smiled softly, brushing his fingers through Ngern's messy hair. "Morning," he replied, his voice a little hoarse, but full of affection.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was comfortable, the kind of quiet that only came when two people truly understood each other, when words didn't feel necessary. Jes settled back into Ngern's arms, sighing contentedly as he closed his eyes.

Ngern's lips brushed against the back of his neck, and Jes shivered slightly at the touch. "You okay?" Ngern asked, his voice low and sincere.

Jes nodded, his heart swelling with a sense of connection he hadn't expected. "Better than okay," he murmured, his fingers tracing small circles on Ngern's chest. "I feel... good. Really good."

Ngern chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through Jes's chest. "I'm glad." He pressed a kiss to Jes's shoulder, lingering for a moment. "We don't have to rush. Let's just stay like this."

Jes smiled, feeling his heart settle in a way it never had before. "Yeah. Let's stay like this."

.......................................................

Jes stirred awake to the soft warmth pressed against his back, the slow, steady rhythm of Ngern's breathing against his shoulder about an hour or so later.

It took a few seconds for his sleep-addled brain to register the weight around his waist—Ngern's arm, draped over him casually, as if it belonged there.

Jes swallowed.

Ngern was still asleep, his grip loose but present, like even in his unconscious state, he didn't want Jes to go anywhere.

Jes turned his head slightly, just enough to glance back.

Ngern looked peaceful, lips slightly parted, his face relaxed in the golden hues of the morning light filtering through the window.

Jes let out a slow breath.

His heart was too full.

Carefully, he pried Ngern's arm off him and slipped out of bed, moving quietly so he wouldn't wake him. He needed a minute—to think, to breathe, to figure out what the hell to do with the fact that waking up next to Ngern felt so... right.

He padded into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Making breakfast seemed like a good distraction.

Except—

"You left me," a groggy voice whined from the hallway.

Jes turned, finding Ngern standing there, hair sticking up in all directions, topless, his neck peppered with bites all over, eyes still heavy with sleep.

Jes bit back a smile. "I made it five minutes without you."

Ngern blinked at him slowly. Then, without a word, he crossed the kitchen, wrapped his arms around Jes from behind, and buried his face against his shoulder.

Jes froze.

"You're warm," Ngern muttered.

Jes swallowed. "You—"

"Just stay like this for a bit."

Jes didn't move.

Didn't dare.

Because if he did, he knew he might turn around—

And kiss him again. Senseless.