They stayed like that for a while.
Cassie didn't move. Even after the tears stopped, she just held on tighter.
Her arms were wrapped around Sunny's torso like he was the only thing anchoring her to the world, and she wasn't letting go.
Sunny didn't try to move her.
He just sat there on the edge of the bed, holding her as she leaned into him, her head pressed against his chest.
One of her hands had slipped under his shirt, her fingers resting against the bare skin of his back like she needed to feel he was really there.
"You're holding on like I'm about to vanish," he said softly.
Cassie's voice was muffled. "You might."
"I'm not going anywhere."
Her arms squeezed tighter.
Sunny ran a hand through her soft golden hair, stroking it gently. "Do you want water? Food? Anything?"
Cassie shook her head, her cheek brushing his shirt. "Just you."
Sunny's heart thudded in his chest. "Alright. I can do that."
A long silence passed. She didn't talk, and neither did he.
He just kept holding her, his thumb moving in slow circles against her shoulder.
Her body was warm and small against his, and the weight of her leaning into him felt… right. Light, in a good way.
After a while, Cassie finally spoke.
"You smell like blood."
"Yeah… killed a lot of nightmare creatures near Rain's school. Not a fun morning."
She hummed softly. "You didn't get hurt?"
"A bit. Just tired." He paused, then added, "Missed you."
Cassie's breath caught a little. "Really?"
"Yeah. A lot."
She was quiet again for a few seconds.
Then she slowly pulled away just a little, only enough to reach up and cup his face.
Her fingers gently brushed his cheek, then his jaw.
She always touched his face like she was reading it, like she could see him through her fingertips.
"I missed you too," she whispered.
Sunny leaned into her touch. "You always do that when you're feeling things."
Cassie tilted her head. "Do what?"
"Touch my face. It's cute."
"…Shut up."
(kicking my feet)
He grinned. "It is."
Cassie huffed softly, but didn't stop.
Her hands stayed on his cheeks, then moved to his hair. She played with it lazily, her fingers weaving through the dark strands like she was combing it. "You need a shower," she muttered.
"You're not wrong."
"But you're not allowed to leave yet."
"Okay."
She didn't smile, not really, but her expression softened. "You're warm."
"You're clingy."
"I know." She leaned forward again and buried her face in his neck. "I don't care. I want to be close to you right now."
Sunny's arms wrapped back around her without hesitation. "You can. You always can."
She breathed him in like his scent alone made her feel better.
"I had a bad dream last night," she said suddenly, voice small. "You weren't in it. And the world felt… empty."
Sunny's fingers stilled. He looked down at her. "But I'm here."
"I know." She nodded against him. "That's why I've been holding on so tight. I woke up and couldn't find you. It scared me."
"I went out early," he said. "I wanted to be back sooner, but the Gate was messier than I thought."
Cassie said nothing, just nestled deeper into his chest like she was trying to merge with him.
"…You're not allowed to disappear," she mumbled.
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
More silence. Her hands slid under his shirt again, just resting against his back like she needed to feel his heartbeat.
Sunny rubbed her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
"Do you want to lay down for a bit?" he asked. "I'll hold you."
Cassie nodded, already crawling back under the covers, pulling him with her.
They lay side by side at first, but that didn't last long.
Cassie quickly moved to press herself right up against him.
Her leg hooked around his, her arm draped across his chest, and her head found its way back to his neck.
Sunny pulled the blanket up over them and wrapped both arms around her.
"I can't see you," she said quietly, "but I know you're looking at me."
"I am."
"Are you… okay?"
He hesitated for a second, but the answer came out anyway. "Not really. But this helps."
She nodded. "Me too."
Sunny kissed her forehead. "You're everything to me, Cass."
Her hand reached up and rested on his heart. "I love you."
He froze for a second, then whispered, "I love you too."
Cassie smiled. "You're blushing, aren't you?"
"…A little."
She giggled softly. "You're always honest."
"I don't have a choice."
"I know." She hugged him tighter. "That's why I trust you."
Another silence passed.
Cassie didn't let go of him once.
Even when he shifted slightly or adjusted the blanket, she stayed wrapped around him, arms and legs tangled with his, as if any space between them would let him slip away.
"Hey, Sunny?" she murmured after a while.
"Yeah?"
"…If I ever forget where I'm going, or what I'm supposed to do… can you be the one thing I hold onto?"
His chest tightened. He pulled her closer. "You already are for me."
Cassie didn't say anything after that. She just held on.
And Sunny did too.