C104 The Morning After

Riku woke before dawn.

The first pale light crept through the curtains, brushing against the lines of Arun’s sleeping face. For a long time, Riku didn’t move — afraid that even the sound of his breath might disturb that rare, peaceful expression.

Something inside him ached. Not the usual weight of duty or the sharpness of regret — this was softer, almost unbearable in its gentleness