Morning light filtered through the curtains, spilling across the room in muted bands of gold.
Matteo was awake first, his gaze tracing the gentle slope of Felix's jaw in sleep.
His fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from the younger man's forehead, the touch feather-light.
The room was a sanctuary of quiet, broken only by the soft, even rhythm of Felix's breathing.
Careful not to disturb him, Matteo eased from the bed.
The floor was cool beneath his feet as he moved to his desk, his long fingers gliding over the smooth wood before he opened his laptop.
The quiet hum of the machine joined the morning's stillness.
"Good morning." Felix's voice was low, roughened by sleep.
He was awake, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, his movements languid.
He took a step toward Matteo, his eyes still soft with dreams.
Then he froze.
His head tilted, lips parting on a silent gasp.
A violent, invisible wave of dizziness slammed into him.
