In The Morning

The first light of dawn crept through the edges of the thick curtains, bathing the bedroom in a dim, golden glow. Kikidori sat slumped in the chair by the window, staring blankly at the faint line of sunlight that threatened to encroach on his territory. He hadn't slept—not that he ever really needed to—but last night's events had left him far too restless for even a moment's peace.

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, groaning softly to himself. "Damn it… Why did that have to happen?"

The sound of sheets rustling broke the silence, and Kikidori froze, glancing toward the bed where Ere'ana was still lying. Her dark hair fanned out across the pillow, her eyes closed, her breathing steady. She looked as though she were still fast asleep.

Or so he thought.

"I felt what happened last night," Ere'ana's voice cut through the quiet, low and smooth as silk.

Kikidori's body tensed, and before he could stop himself, he jerked so hard that he fell out of the chair, landing on the floor with an undignified thud.

"W-what?!" he sputtered, scrambling to sit up and staring at her in shock.

Ere'ana still hadn't opened her eyes, her face calm and unreadable as she lay there. "You heard me," she said, her tone casual, almost bored.

"You… felt what happened?" Kikidori repeated, his voice rising slightly in pitch. He clutched at his chest, trying to regain his composure. "What exactly are you talking about?"

Ere'ana finally opened her eyes, the faintest hint of amusement glinting in their depths as she turned her head to look at him. "You got hard," she said simply, her words cutting straight through him like a blade.

Kikidori's entire body went rigid, his face turning crimson as he stared at her in stunned silence. "I—what—I didn't—" he stammered, his usual charm and wit completely failing him.

Ere'ana sat up slowly, her movements deliberate as she pushed the blanket aside and crawled across the bed toward him. Her dark eyes never left his, and the smirk playing on her lips was enough to make Kikidori's heart pound in his chest.

When she reached the edge of the bed, she leaned down, her face inches from his. "What's the matter, Kikidori?" she asked, her voice a low, teasing purr. "Cat got your tongue?"

Kikidori swallowed hard, his blush deepening as he tried to form a coherent response. "Y-you were supposed to be asleep," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ere'ana chuckled softly, her breath ghosting over his skin. "You should know by now, Kikidori—I'm always aware of what's happening around me."

He opened his mouth to argue, but whatever retort he'd been about to make died on his lips when she leaned in closer, her hand resting lightly on his chest.

"And you know," she continued, her voice dropping even lower, "if you wanted me that badly… you could've just said so."

Kikidori's breath hitched, his entire body burning under her gaze. "That's not—I didn't—"

"Relax," Ere'ana interrupted, her smirk widening. "I'm just teasing."

She pulled back slightly, but the glint in her eyes told him she wasn't done yet. "Unless, of course…" she trailed off, her hand sliding down his chest, her touch light and deliberate.

Kikidori's head was spinning, his usually cool demeanor completely shattered. "Ere'ana," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "what are you—"

Before he could finish the question, she pressed her lips to his, cutting him off entirely. The kiss was slow and deliberate, her control and dominance evident in every movement. Kikidori's eyes widened in shock before they fluttered closed, his body responding instinctively as he kissed her back.

When she finally pulled away, he was left breathless, his heart racing as he stared at her.

"Now," Ere'ana said, her voice soft but commanding, "stop being so shy, Kikidori. We've been through far too much together for you to act like this."

Kikidori blinked, his mind struggling to catch up. "You're… really something, you know that?" he muttered, his blush still evident.

Ere'ana smirked, leaning in close once more. "And you wouldn't have me any other way."

She didn't give him a chance to respond before she pulled him to his feet and led him back to the bed. The rest of the morning was spent tangled in each other's embrace, the tension between them finally giving way to something far deeper.

The End of Chapter Eleven