Sunny and Nephis had finally settled into bed, the warmth of the blankets wrapping around them like a cocoon.
Nephis was nestled against him, her head resting on his chest as she lazily traced patterns on his shirt.
Sunny, though exhausted, found himself wide awake, still feeling the slight buzz of the day's events. He could hear her soft breathing, the rhythm soothing and familiar.
"So," Nephis broke the silence, her voice light and playful. "How's your back feeling after that fight?"
Sunny let out a dramatic sigh, pretending to wince as he shifted under the covers. Before his flaw could kick in, he answered truthfully.
"Terrible. My muscles are all sore," he said with mock distress, and Nephis laughed softly.
"You're so dramatic." She poked him lightly in the side, causing him to squirm a bit.
"I'm just stating facts," Sunny smirked. "You did knock me down pretty hard."
Nephis hummed in agreement, her fingers still tracing the lines of his shirt. "True," she said, her tone turning teasing. "But I'm sure you'll recover. You always do."
Sunny chuckled, adjusting slightly so he was more comfortable. "I guess I'll have to heal and get ready for the next round."
"Oh? You think you'll win next time?" she teased, lifting her head just enough to look up at him.
"I'll make sure of it," Sunny replied with a playful grin. "No more losing to you."
Nephis grinned back but then, in an unexpected move, she shifted in the bed and playfully snuggled closer to him, pressing her face into his chest as if she were a child seeking comfort. "I think you'll be too tired to fight me tomorrow," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt, though her smile was clearly audible.
'This is the Changing Star? She's so cute..'
Sunny raised an eyebrow, one corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. "I think I'm supposed to be the one acting like a kid, not you," he teased, his hand gently brushing through her hair.
She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.
"Maybe I'm just showing you how it's done," she said, her voice playful but soft. "Besides, you're a softie. You like it when I act all cute."
He chuckled, his hand coming to rest against her back as he held her close. "Maybe I do," he admitted with a smirk.
"But don't get used to it. You're still not getting away with beating me so easily next time."
Nephis laughed, the sound light and happy. "We'll see about that," she replied, her voice teasing again before she let out a small yawn, clearly getting ready to settle in for the night.
Sunny smiled, closing his eyes for a moment, content with the peaceful rhythm of her breathing against him. He could feel the tension from the day melting away, replaced with the warmth he had been chasing for.
Nephis shifted again, her head now resting just beneath his chin, and she let out a quiet sigh, her voice small but genuine. "I'm glad we're doing this… together. It feels right."
Sunny smiled softly, his hand resting lightly on her side.
"Yeah," he whispered, his voice low and warm. "Me too."
Silence.. then-
She shifted again, this time curling up even closer to him, her arms wrapping around his chest in a way that was both affectionate and childlike. "Goodnight, Sunny," she murmured.
Sunny kissed the top of her head, his voice a soft whisper in the darkness. "Goodnight, Nephis."
As sleep began to pull them both under, Sunny couldn't help but smile to himself. It wasn't perfect, but with Nephis by his side, it was exactly what he needed.