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Yunara was roused from sleep to the sound of someone moving throughout her and Zaahen’s home.
A part of her just wanted to go back to sleep. The other, louder part of her thought better of it. Her body was awake and alert before she’d even had to make up her mind. Her years with the Kinkou Order tended to do that.
Yunara blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to her dark surroundings. The first thing she noticed was that Zaahen was not in bed with her. This was not too uncommon; he did not need sleep the same way she did, and while he often chose to remain at her side while she rested, he did sometimes get up. She decided to call out for him.
“Zaahen?”
The sounds stopped for a second, then resumed, this time coming towards the bedroom. A few seconds later, her love was standing in the doorway.
“Apologies, Yunara. Did I wake you?”
Seeing it was just him, she smiled. “Yes, but if it is you waking me, no apologies are needed.”
He gave her a soft smile in turn. “You flatter me.”
He walked over, reaching up to place a hand atop her head. He stroked her hair, then leaned down to place a kiss upon her forehead.
“Rest now, my heart. I will return soon.”
Yunara hummed in acknowledgement, and pulled away. She was just about to settle back down when she noticed something, originally hidden by his wings: one of Zaahen’s arms was folded behind his back.
Her curiosity peaked, she asked, “Is there something in your other hand, Zaahen?”
The man in question froze, just for a second. But she noticed.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Zaahen lied, and so clearly, too. He lacked even a single dishonest bone in his body when it came to her.
Yunara chuckled. It seemed she’d caught him in some sort of act.
“Come now, you can show me,” she coaxed, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek, “Please, my love?”
She saw his throat work, and knew her plan had succeeded. Calling him her love was one of his greatest weaknesses.
Zaahen sat down on the bed, then carefully moved his arm in front of him. In his hand was a small paper bundle wrapped in twine.
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” he said, sounding mildly disappointed, before placing it on her lap.
Yunara tilted her head and placed a hand on the bundle. It was slightly cool, and yielded under her touch. Curious as to what this was, she finally decided to untie the twine.
Sitting in her lap was a strawberry shortcake. Confused, she looked up at Zaahen. He smiled back at her.
“Happy birthday.”
Then it clicked.
“You remembered?”
“Of course.” He raised an eyebrow, the look in his eyes shifting to amusement. “Did you?”
“No,” she said, beginning to chuckle, “It appears I did not.”
She reached up, careful not to jostle the cake. She wrapped her arms around Zaahen’s broad shoulders in a hug.
“Thank you, my love,” she murmured.
She felt Zaahen’s arm wrap around her back, and his smile against her hair. After a few seconds, she pulled away.
“We will have this tomorrow morning,” she said, about to get up before Zaahen placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Allow me.” Without waiting for a reply, he took the cake in his hands and left the room. In the time it took her to resettle herself in bed, he had returned. He wasted no time in taking his place on the other side of the bed, and likewise, Yunara wasted no time in wrapping her arms around him, pulling his body to hers.
“What would you like to do for your birthday tomorrow?” Zaahen asked, beginning to slowly stroke her back.
Yunara yawned. Now that the excitement was over, sleep had begun to encroach upon her mind, spurred on by her love’s caresses.
“We’ll figure it out tomorrow,” she replied, her voice lowering to a drowsy mumble, “Right now, I would like to sleep, just like this.”
“As you wish, my love,” he whispered, placing another kiss on her head. “Rest well.”
Yunara hummed in response, before her eyes slid closed. The last thing she heard was the sound of Zaahen’s heartbeat, a steady and soothing rhythm that carried her into welcome darkness.