The soft morning light crept in through the curtains, sweeping across the bed like a silent intruder. It crossed the rumpled sheets, over the warm space where two bodies slept close together, and finally swept over Erven still curled up close, his breathing soft, calm, trusting.
And then… he touched the mark.
A soft golden imprint gleamed on the side of his neck. Not a bite, not a wound but something deeper. Something instinctive, unintentional, but unmistakably Lucas's.
Lucas was awake, his eyes fixed on the gleaming mark with a mixture of awe, panic, and desire. His arms were still around Erven's waist, holding him tightly, almost protectively as if he was afraid letting go would make Erven disappear.
Erven moved slightly, his eyelashes fluttering before he opened his eyes.
Erven: "Mm… what time is it?"
Lucas's voice was husky, low, too close to Erven's ear.
Lucas: "It's early. You can go back to sleep."
Erven froze for a moment, suddenly realizing how tightly Lucas was hugging him. How close Lucas's breath was. How warm his body was behind him.
Slowly, Erven turned his body and turned towards him, his cheeks red.
Erven: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lucas didn't even try to hide it.
Lucas: "Because I woke up and saw something of mine shining on your neck."
Erven's eyes widened slightly. He touched the side of his neck.
Erven: "Still there? Still... shining?"
Lucas pushed himself up, leaning on one elbow, coming closer, his expression dark and strangely gentle.
Lucas: "Yes. And I don't want you to cover it."
He ran his fingers slowly over the warm imprint. Erven gasped softly at the touch, not from pain, but from the gentle warmth that seemed to respond.
Erven backed away slightly.
Erven: "Lucas… what exactly did you do to me last night?"
Lucas sighed slowly and sat up completely, combing his hair. The morning light illuminated his face perfectly, sharp jaw, tired eyes, a beauty that felt intense when close.
Lucas: "I didn't mean to hurt you. But something inside me… reacted."
Erven waited, heart pounding.
Lucas's voice dropped lower.
Lucas: "Your presence… your warmth… the way you look at me. It triggers something I've never felt with anyone."
Erven swallowed.
Erven: "Lucas… don't say things like that so early in the morning."
Lucas: "Morning or night doesn't change what I feel."
His serious tone made Erven blush, looking away.
But Lucas wasn't done yet.
He reached out, gently holding Erven's chin and turning his face towards him.
Lucas: "Let me see."
Erven tensed as Lucas approached. His warm fingers brushed Erven's hair to the side, exposing the golden imprint that shimmered softly under the skin.
Lucas: "Beautiful."
Erven's cheeks burned.
Erven: "Lucas… stop staring."
Lucas: "I can't."
He said without shame, without hesitation.
Lucas: "This is the first time I've marked someone. I didn't think… my body was capable of something like this."
Erven laughed nervously.
Erven: "You sound proud."
Lucas: "I am."
Erven stared at him, trying to understand.
Erven: "Why? It's just a mark."
Lucas' eyes sharpened.
Lucas: "It's not 'just' anything. It means your body is responding to me too. That sign wouldn't be glowing otherwise."
Erven's heart stopped for a moment.
Erven: "Body… I'm responding?"
Lucas moved a little closer, his voice low and warm.
Lucas: "You feel safe with me."
Erven's breath hitched. Lucas didn't give him a chance to argue.
Lucas: "You held onto me in your sleep. You didn't let me move far."
Erven looked surprised.
Erven: "I didn't do it!"
Lucas smiled a little sarcastically for the first time since waking up.
Lucas: "You did. More than once."
Erven sighed and covered his face with his hands.
Erven: "Why did you say that so loudly?"
Lucas slowly lowered Erven's hand, holding it.
Lucas: "Because I like remembering it."
The atmosphere turned warm, thick, full of emotion.
Erven looked down at their touching hands.
Erven: "…Lucas. About last night. We didn't do anything… wrong… right?"
The hesitation in his voice made Lucas' chest tighten.
Lucas slowly reached out, placing his hand on the side of Erven's neck right above the glistening imprint. His thumb brushed the warm skin, soft and steady.
Lucas: "No. I didn't hurt you. I hugged you. I kept you warm. That's all."
Erven's shoulders also relaxed.
Lucas lowered his head, his eyes scanning Erven's sleepy face, tousled hair, rosy cheeks.
Lucas: "But I won't lie… I want more."
Erven's breath hitched.
But Lucas immediately softened his tone.
Lucas: "Wanting something different means waiting. I won't cross that line again. Unless you pull me to you."
Erven stared at him for a long time, surprised by his honesty.
Erven: "…You've changed."
Lucas blinked.
Lucas: "I haven't changed. I just… protect what's mine in a different way now."
Erven's head suddenly turned.
Erven: "Lucas, I haven't"
Lucas tapped the shiny mark with his finger.
Lucas: "This is another word."
Erven blushed.
Erven: "You're so unreasonable."
Lucas's voice was soft but possessive as he approached, his forehead touching Erven's temple.
Lucas: "And you're the first person to make me want to be gentle."
Erven's lips parted, her breath quivering.
Lucas slid his hand behind Erven's back, pulling him into the warm embrace of that morning. No tension. No coercion. Just a deep embrace that conveyed everything he couldn't say.
After a moment of silence, Erven whispered:
Erven: "…What now?"
Lucas kissed the side of his head, slowly and carefully.
Lucas: "Now? You stay close to me. I stay close to you. And we understand what this stamp means."
He pulled Erven closer.
Lucas: "And Erven, you don't walk around the penthouse with your neck covered. I want it to be visible."
Erven was shocked.
Erven: "Lucas!"
Lucas: "Let people know who you slept with."
Erven's cheeks burned, and Lucas smiled slowly, content, clearly possessive as he pulled Erven back into his arms.
Their morning began like this:
With warmth.
With the soft shine of the stamp.
And with Lucas refusing to let go.