Morning arrived without an alarm.
Ethan woke first to the feel of Gabriel's breath against the back of his neck and the solid weight of an arm draped over his waist.
For a long time he did not move. He listened to Gabriel breathe. Counted the slow rise and fall of the chest pressed to his back.
Gabriel stirred. His arm tightened, then his mouth found the place just behind Ethan's ear.
"You're awake," Gabriel murmured.
"I am."
"Stay here."
Ethan smiled into the pillow. "I wasn't going anywhere."
Gabriel shifted until Ethan was on his back. He looked at him for a moment, then leaned down and kissed him — unhurried, warm. Ethan's hands slid up Gabriel's back.
"We have the whole day," Ethan said when they parted.
Gabriel kissed the centre of his palm. "I know. I'm using it."
They stayed in bed longer than they meant to. Soft kisses. Quiet smiles. The kind of touching that had nowhere else to be
