The afternoon sun streamed through the observation window of the Asgard's captain's office, warmly illuminating the floor.
Kael had just finished a remote meeting with several departments, rubbed his somewhat throbbing temples, and leaned back in his chair to briefly rest his eyes.
Days of paperwork and strategic planning had left him mentally exhausted.
The office door was gently pushed open a crack, and Theresa's small head peeked in.
Seeing Kael with his eyes closed, looking very tired, she immediately lightened her steps and tiptoed in.
She was carrying a small basket containing various "love bento boxes" that she had recently become obsessed with researching.
She walked to the desk, looking at Kael's slightly furrowed brow and the faint shadows under his eyes, and a delicate pang of tenderness welled up in her heart.
Kael was always like this, working as if his life depended on it.
A bold idea suddenly entered her mind.
She gently put down the basket, walked around to the back of Kael's chair, extended her hand, and carefully pressed her fingertips onto his temples.
Kael suddenly opened his eyes, his body instantly tensing, the instinct of a warrior almost making him react defensively, but upon smelling the familiar, faint bitter melon scent, he immediately relaxed.
"Theresa?" He was a little helpless. Was she trying to scare him again?
"Don't move!" Theresa's voice, uncharacteristically, carried a hint of gentle command. Her fingers began to press, clumsily yet exceptionally seriously, massaging his temples. "Look at you, your brows are all furrowed from exhaustion! This won't do!"
Her technique was disorganized, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, but her focus and intention were clearly conveyed through the warmth of her fingertips.
Kael originally wanted to refuse, but the perfect amount of pressure and the undeniable concern made his tense nerves strangely relax.
He closed his eyes again and sighed, "...Your technique needs improvement."
"Hmph, it's good enough to enjoy! And you're still being picky!" Theresa grumbled, but her movements became even gentler.
After massaging for a while, Theresa seemed to feel that it wasn't "thorough" enough. She looked at the large office chair Kael was sitting in, then at the long sofa next to it used for guests, and her eyes darted around.
"Kael, why don't you lie down on the sofa over there for a bit?" she suggested. "It's not good to rest sitting like this."
Kael did feel a bit tired, so he got up as she said and sat down by the sofa.
He originally just wanted to lean against the sofa back for a short nap, but Theresa had already deftly stacked several cushions at one end of the sofa, making a makeshift "pillow."
"Lie down, lie down! It's more comfortable this way!" Theresa urged, her eyes sparkling as if she were planning some major operation.
Kael looked at her suspiciously, but still followed her lead and half-reclined, resting his head on the cushions. It was indeed more comfortable than sitting.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he felt the sofa beside him dip slightly.
Immediately after, the "cushion" he was resting on was gently pulled away, replaced by... a warm and surprisingly elastic "new pillow."
Kael suddenly opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was Theresa's slightly flushed cheeks and her feigned composure.
It was then that he realized his head was resting on Theresa's... lap?!
"Theresa! You..." He instinctively tried to sit up.
"Don't move!" Theresa quickly pressed down on his shoulder with her hand, her tone a mix of shy firmness. "Th-this is a standard lap pillow! Much more comfortable than cushions! You, you quickly close your eyes and sleep!"
Kael: "..." He was a bit bewildered by this sudden "benefit."
The soft and warm sensation of the girl's thigh came through the thin fabric, and the unique fresh scent of her body lingered in his nostrils, leaving him momentarily unable to move, his earlobes uncontrollably starting to heat up.
"Hurry up and sleep! That's an order!" Seeing him motionless, Theresa urged again, even deliberately putting on a stern face to hide her nervousness.
Kael looked at her, clearly shy to death but still trying to act tough, and the awkwardness and surprise in his heart suddenly turned into helplessness and a hint of... an indescribable softness. He sighed, ultimately relaxing again and closing his eyes.
Forget it, let her be. Indeed... it was much more comfortable than a cushion.
Seeing Kael finally comply, Theresa's heart was practically doing somersaults.
She could clearly feel the weight and warmth of Kael's head, transmitted through the fabric of her skirt, making her entire leg tingle as if electrified.
She was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she didn't dare to move, even softening her breathing.
She lowered her head, looking at Kael's sleeping face, so close to her. His eyelashes were long, casting faint shadows under his eyes when closed, and his lips, usually slightly pursed, were now relaxed.
Stripped of the captain's calm and the warrior's sharpness, he now seemed to possess a rare gentleness and... vulnerability?
Theresa's heart beat even faster.
A great sense of satisfaction and protectiveness spontaneously arose.
She carefully, very, very lightly, reached out and brushed a strand of black hair from his forehead with her fingers, her movements as gentle as if she were handling a rare treasure.
The sun was warm, and the office was so quiet that only their faint breathing could be heard.
Kael had originally only intended to humor her, but in such a comfortable environment and with Theresa's rare quietness, the fatigue of the past few days truly washed over him. His consciousness gradually blurred, and he actually fell into a deep sleep.
Listening to Kael's breathing gradually become even and deep, and confirming that he was truly asleep, Theresa's face broke into an incredibly bright and slightly silly smile.
Success! Kael fell asleep on her lap pillow!
She maintained this position, motionless, not caring even as her leg started to go numb.
She just lowered her head, gazing adoringly at Kael's sleeping face, as if she could never get enough of looking at him.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment, the whole world consisting only of the two of them.
After an unknown amount of time, Kael's eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
He still seemed a bit groggy, momentarily unsure of where he was.
It wasn't until his gaze met Theresa's close-up, emerald-blue eyes, filled with tenderness and joy, that he suddenly became fully awake, realizing he was still resting on Theresa's lap.
He immediately sat up, clearing his throat somewhat unnaturally, "...How long did I sleep?"
"Not long, not long!" Theresa quickly shook her head, trying to move her somewhat numb leg, but couldn't help letting out a soft "hiss."
Kael noticed her discomfort, his brow slightly furrowed. "Your leg's numb? I told you not to do this."
"I wanted to!" Theresa huffed, but her face held an undisguised happiness. "How was it? Isn't my lap pillow service the best in the world? Much better than those cold cushions, right?!"
Looking at her smug "praise me, praise me" expression, Kael swallowed the scolding words that were on the tip of his tongue. He was silent for a moment, then finally said in a low voice, "...Mm. Thank you."
Although it was just two simple words, it instantly made Theresa's heart blossom with joy, feeling that her numb leg was completely worth it!
"Hehe, then it's a deal! Next time you're tired, I'll be your pillow again!" Theresa announced, taking an inch.
Kael didn't agree, but he also didn't immediately refuse as he usually would. He simply stood up and walked towards the desk, "Alright, rest time's over, it's time to work."
Theresa looked at his back, her mood so good she felt like she could fly. She skipped over and picked up the small basket from the floor, "Then I won't disturb your work! Remember to eat your bento! It's my new bitter melon and avocado sandwich!"
As she reached the door, she turned back and added, her eyes curved into crescents, "I'll come check the bento box tonight! No leftovers allowed!"
Watching Theresa leave light-heartedly, Kael's gaze fell on the cute bento box. He then subconsciously raised a hand to touch his earlobe, which still seemed to retain a soft sensation, and shook his head helplessly.
This increasingly clingy little tail, who always acted unexpectedly, he seemed to... be less and less able to deal with her.
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