Morning arrived gently.
Not with alarms. Not with system alerts. Not with flashing warnings or Core fluctuations.
Just light.
Soft, gold-tinted light filtered through the automated blinds, brushing across Seo Jin's cheek as if the world itself had decided to wake him kindly for once. He stirred, lids fluttering open, before immediately realizing—
He wasn't alone.
Li Ran's arm rested securely around his waist, steady and warm. His breath was a soft, even rhythm against the back of Seo Jin's neck—calming, protective, grounding.
Seo Jin froze.
Not in fear.
In realization.
His first coherent thought was:
He stayed.
He really… stayed.
A warmth bloomed in his chest so sudden he almost forgot how to breathe.
Li Ran shifted slightly, tightening his hold instinctively as if sensing any attempt to slip away. His voice, still thick with sleep, hummed low behind him.
"…don't run yet," Li Ran murmured.
Seo Jin flushed instantly.
"I—I wasn't running."
