Sometimes, what we want in the morning isn't just an exciting news...
Maybe it is seeing the faces of the people we miss so much.
Seeing them thriving and with a smile ont heir faces...
The sun-ray stretched across the floor from the tiny gap between the curtains. Dust motes dancing in the air with a joyous choreography that made waking up seem like another part of the show.
Or maybe... Act one of the day.
"..." Helio silently stared at the bright light, not even bothering to waste his energies in reactions.
Slowly, he groaned.
Rubbing his eyes in frustruation. Cursing in three different languages at the sun.
"Why do you hate the sun so much?"
Helio froze.
That voice...
He slowly looked up.
And there she was.
Aefia.
She was sitting beside him, smiling down at him.
Her dark hair was completely loose, falling around her shoulders as she gently ran her fingers through his hair.
Helio blinked. Then blinked again.
His head was resting on her lap.
"..." For a few seconds, his brain simply refused to process the situation.
Aefia tilted her head. "Even when your name literally means the sun?"
Helio stared at her. Then, without saying anything—
He buried his face deeper into her lap.
Aefia immediately laughed. "Seriously?"
"Mhm."
"That's your response?"
"Mhm."
"Helio."
He didn't move. She continued running her fingers through his hair.
"You are aware that I can still see you, right?"
"Mhm."
"And you are aware that you are currently hiding your face in my lap?"
"Mhm."
"Then why are you doing it?"
"Because you are annoying."
Aefia raised an eyebrow. "I just woke you up."
"Exactly."
She laughed again. Helio finally lifted his head enough to glance at her. Only then did he properly notice what she was wearing.
Dark trousers. A loose, white button-down shirt. Her hair was down, unlike how he usually saw it tied or arranged neatly.
She looked far too comfortable for someone who had been gone for so long.
"You came back."
"Obviously."
"When?"
"Some time ago."
"And you didn't wake me?"
"You looked tired."
Helio narrowed his eyes. "You watched me sleep?"
"Perhaps," she tilted her head to the side a bit.
"That's creepy."
"So is sleeping with your face buried in someone's lap."
Helio immediately lowered his face again.
Aefia smiled."You are rather a very odd person."
"Of course I am." His voice came out muffled.
Aefia tilted her head. "Why?"
Helio shifted slightly, still refusing to move away. "I am your sunny pest, after all. I am supposed to be odd."
"..."
There was a pause.
Aefia stared down at him. Then she sighed. "You still won't get over it, it seems."
"No."
"It was one stupid nickname."
"It was an important moment in my life."
"It was embarrassing."
"To you."
"To both of us."
"Not to me."
Aefia lightly tugged at one of his hair strands.
"Ow."
"That is what you get."
"For loving you?"
"For being irritating."
"Same thing."
She rolled her eyes. But the smile remained on her face. For a while, neither of them spoke.
Helio simply stayed there. His head resting on her lap. Her fingers moving slowly through his hair.
The morning light continued stretching across the floor. And for the first time in a while...
The sunlight didn't bother him nearly as much.
Perhaps because there was something else in front of him.
Someone.
Someone who had finally come back. Helio closed his eyes again.
"...You really are back."
Aefia's hand paused for a moment. Then she continued. "Yes."
"Good."
A small smile appeared on his face. Aefia looked down at him.
"You were worried, weren't you?"
"No."
"You were."
"No."
"You literally have dark circles under your eyes."
"That's unrelated."
"Sure."
"And Felix was annoying me."
"That sounds more believable."
Helio smiled faintly. Then he murmured, "Welcome home, idiot."
Aefia's expression softened. "...Thank you."
And perhaps that was all either of them needed that morning.
No politics.
No enemies.
No royal families.
No mysteries.
Just a quiet room, sunlight across the floor...
And the person they had spent so long waiting to see again.
Although...
"You do know that I will leave again, right?" She spoke, solemnly.
He stared up at her face, completely silent. Then let out a deep sigh through his nose. "I don't care. And don't remind me."
"Why not?" She asked back, furrowing her brows. "Because the last time, you were so upset that I didn't inform you about my departure and how long it would take."
He stayed silent.
"Helio?" Her fingers poked him at the cheek, gently.
He grabbed her wrist and brought it to his mouth, reaching out to kiss her palm. "I am afraid of getting out of bed in the thought that you will have to leave again."
Aefia froze. Her eyes widening as she took in the sad look on his face.
"Really...?"
"I can't lie about my emotions, and you always knew," he whispered, tracing his thumb along her knuckles.
"Yeah... I did."
Aefia's fingers returned to his hair. Slowly, she brushed it away from his forehead.
Helio closed his eyes. For several moments, neither of them said anything.
Then Aefia quietly spoke, leaning down until her hair rested like ink on his. "I missed you too."
His eyes opened. "What?"
"I said I missed you."
"You did?"
"Don't make me repeat it."
"I wasn't going to."
"You were thinking about it."
"Maybe."
Aefia lightly flicked his forehead.
"Ow."
"That's for being annoying."
"You really like doing that."
"Perhaps."
Helio smiled. Then he shifted slightly, resting his head more comfortably against her. "...Can we stay like this for a while?"
Aefia looked toward the clock. "We probably should get up."
"That's not what I asked."
She stared at him.
He looked unusually serious. So Aefia sighed. "...Fine."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"Ten minutes."
"Twenty."
"Fifteen."
"Deal."
Aefia shook her head. "You negotiate time too?"
"You taught me."
"I absolutely did not."
"You did."
"When?"
"By existing."
Aefia stared at him. "...That makes no sense."
"I know."
She laughed quietly. And for the next few minutes, neither of them moved. The sunlight continued creeping across the floor.
For the next few minutes, neither of them moved.
The sunlight continued creeping across the floor.
Eventually, Helio shifted.
He slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes once before looking at Aefia.
"We still have a few minutes."
Aefia raised an eyebrow.
"A few minutes?"
"Yes."
"You mean the fifteen minutes we negotiated?"
"No."
"...Then what?"
Helio gave her a small smile.
"The remaining time."
Aefia stared at him.
"You are terrible at negotiating."
"I am excellent at negotiating."
"You changed the terms immediately."
"I call that adaptation."
"That is cheating."
"Perhaps."
Aefia laughed quietly.
Helio leaned forward until his forehead rested gently against hers.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Aefia's smile softened.
"Does that mean you want to extend the negotiated time?"
"Maybe."
"You are impossible."
"I have been told."
She shook her head.
"You really won't let this go, will you?"
"Not after waiting this long."
Her expression became quieter.
"...I missed you too."
Helio's eyes opened.
"You did?"
"I already told you that."
"I know."
"Then why are you surprised?"
"Because I like hearing it."
Aefia rolled her eyes.
"You are greedy."
"Only about certain things."
She gave him a suspicious look.
"That sounded suspicious."
"It wasn't."
"Sure."
The room fell silent again.
For once, there was no urgency.
No letters.
No missions.
No palace.
No people demanding answers.
Just the morning light slowly moving across the room.
Helio closed his eyes again.
Aefia remained still.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
Both froze.
The expression on Aefia's face changed immediately.
Helio opened one eye.
Another knock followed.
"Helio?"
Felix.
Aefia's shoulders began shaking.
Helio stared at her.
"Don't."
She covered her mouth.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You are laughing."
"I'm trying not to."
"That counts."
Felix knocked again.
"Brother Helio?"
Helio slowly sighed.
"Of course."
Aefia finally let out a quiet laugh.
"He has impeccable timing."
"He has terrible timing."
"Perhaps he sensed something."
"He probably did."
"Do you think he can?"
"No."
Another knock.
"Are you awake?"
Helio looked toward the door.
"Everything in the world changes."
Aefia tilted her head.
"What?"
"Kingdoms change. Borders change. People change."
He stood up.
"Even you disappeared for weeks and came back like nothing happened."
He reached for the doorknob.
"But Felix?"
Another knock.
"Brother Helio?"
Helio stared at the door.
"Never changes."
Aefia laughed.
"You find this funny?"
"Very."
"Traitor."
"I missed you too."
"That doesn't make you less of a traitor."
He opened the door.
Felix stood there, looking slightly sleepy.
His hair was messy, and his expression was still halfway between confusion and irritation.
He looked at Helio.
Then past him.
Then back at Helio.
"...Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"No."
Felix narrowed his eyes.
Then his gaze shifted.
His entire expression changed.
"Wait."
Helio immediately stepped slightly into the doorway.
"What?"
Felix pointed behind him.
"Is that—"
Aefia appeared beside Helio.
"Good morning."
Felix froze.
His mouth fell open.
"...Aefia?"
She smiled.
"Yes."
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then his eyes widened.
"You came back?!"
Aefia blinked.
"Apparently."
Felix immediately pushed past Helio.
"Hey!"
Helio stumbled sideways.
Felix didn't even acknowledge him.
He rushed toward Aefia before stopping himself just short of crashing into her.
Aefia laughed.
"Careful."
Felix stared at her.
"You really came back."
"I did."
He looked at her face as though trying to make certain she wasn't some strange morning hallucination.
Then his expression softened.
"...You didn't tell me."
"I wanted to surprise you."
"It worked."
Helio folded his arms.
"I told you she was coming back."
Felix turned toward him.
"You knew?"
"About five minutes ago."
Felix stared.
"Five minutes?!"
"Yes."
"And you didn't wake me?"
"You were sleeping."
Felix pointed accusingly at him.
"I hate you."
"Good morning to you too."
Aefia laughed again.
Felix immediately looked back at her.
"Are we still going to the ice-cream truck?"
She blinked.
"At this hour?"
"You promised!"
"I don't remember promising."
"You did."
Helio sighed.
"Apparently, I am the only person in this house who remembers that sleep exists."
Felix grabbed Aefia's hand.
"Come on!"
Aefia stumbled after him.
"Wait—my shoes!"
Helio watched them disappear down the hallway.
Then he looked at the empty doorway.
"...And there goes my fifteen minutes."
From the hallway came Felix's voice.
"I HEARD THAT!"
Helio closed his eyes.
"Of course you did."
Aefia's laughter echoed from somewhere beyond the hall.
And just like that—
The peaceful morning was gone.
But somehow, Helio didn't mind.
Once they came back, they were both panting and clenching their shoulders. A plastic bag slung at Felix's elbow. Aefia immediately kicked off her shoes at the entrance and walked over to where Helio was making breakfast.
"Finally..." She breathed.
Felix immediately disappeared toward the living room.
The television switched on almost instantly.
Aefia stared after him.
"...He really likes that thing."
From the kitchen came the faint sizzling sound of something being cooked.
She followed it.
Helio was standing in front of the stove, sleeves rolled slightly upward as he worked on breakfast.
He glanced over his shoulder.
"You survived."
"Barely."
"I can tell."
Aefia walked closer.
Helio turned back toward the pan, spearing a small piece of meatball with his fork.
"Here."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Try it."
He blew gently over the piece to cool it before holding the fork toward her.
Aefia leaned forward and took the bite.
She chewed thoughtfully.
"...It's good."
"Good."
"What are you making?"
"Sandwiches. Meatballs too."
"You made all of that?"
"I woke up hungry."
"That explains the motivation."
Helio smiled faintly.
Aefia glanced toward the living room.
Felix was already absorbed in whatever ridiculous program was playing on the television.
She turned back toward Helio.
"He's going to finish everything."
"He always does."
"Then you should make more."
"I already did."
"...You planned for him?"
"I know him."
Aefia laughed quietly.
Helio reached up with his sleeve and gently dabbed the sweat from her forehead.
"You ran too much."
"We were going to miss the truck."
"You still look exhausted."
"I'm fine."
"That answer is becoming suspicious."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm actually fine."
"Sure."
Aefia remained beside him.
For a while, she simply watched.
The movement of his hands.
The toast warming beside the pan.
The smell of food filling the kitchen.
The quiet noise of the television from the living room.
Then, gradually, her eyes began to droop.
Helio noticed.
"Are you falling asleep?"
"No."
"You are."
"I'm standing."
"That doesn't prevent sleeping."
She ignored him.
Instead, Aefia stepped closer and loosely slipped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder.
Helio immediately went still.
"Aefia."
"Mhm?"
"You're going to fall."
"No."
"Your eyes are closed."
"They can open again."
"Eventually."
She hummed.
Helio sighed.
"You were supposed to rest."
"I am resting."
"Against me."
"Exactly."
He shook his head.
"You are impossible."
"Apparently, you like impossible."
"I walked directly into that one."
Aefia smiled faintly.
Helio continued cooking with one hand, carefully keeping the toast from burning.
After a moment, he finally asked,
"Just to make things clear... when exactly did you come home?"
Aefia was quiet for a few seconds.
"Around three or four."
Helio's eyebrows rose.
"In the morning?"
"Yes."
"And you stayed awake?"
"It was too dark to read the clock properly."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I wasn't tired."
"That still doesn't answer my question."
She lifted her head slightly.
"I stayed awake because I couldn't sleep."
Helio stared at her.
"You came home at three or four in the morning and decided not to sleep?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
He sighed.
"Aefia."
"What?"
"You've been gone for weeks."
"I know."
"You finally return, and instead of sleeping, you stay awake until morning."
"I said I wasn't tired."
"That doesn't mean your body wasn't."
She frowned slightly.
"You are scolding me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because someone has to."
She looked at him for a moment.
Then quietly rested her head against his shoulder again.
"...Fine."
Helio sighed.
"Good."
He carefully wrapped an arm around her head, keeping her comfortable while his other hand remained near the stove.
His fingers slowly moved through her hair, gently massaging her scalp.
Aefia's breathing became quieter.
"You really are sleepy."
"No."
"Mhm."
"I can hear you."
"I know."
The toast began to crackle.
Helio glanced toward it.
"Don't fall asleep yet."
"Why?"
"Because you're leaning on the person responsible for breakfast."
Aefia gave a tiny laugh.
"Then don't burn it."
"I wasn't planning to."
He continued watching the toast while his fingers moved slowly through her hair.
And somehow, despite the chaos of the morning...
Breakfast remained perfectly ordinary.
Which, after everything they had been through—
Was probably exactly what they needed.