Morning light slipped through the white curtains, laying soft streaks across the rumpled sheets. Outside, the waves were still steady but gentler now, as if breathing along with the room.

Miu opened her eyes first.

Or rather, she tried to.

Her entire body felt like wet sand dragging her back into the mattress. Every muscle protested. Her waist ached faintly, her legs were weak, her shoulders felt boneless.

"...oh my god."

Her voice came out hoarse enough to surprise even herself.

Beside her, Lena lay on her side, one arm draped comfortably around Miu's waist, breathing slow and even. Her hair was slightly messy, her face relaxed in a way that almost never happened.

She looked... perfectly fine.

Miu glanced at her.

Completely unfair.

Lena looked like she'd just had an excellent night's sleep.
Miu felt like she'd run a three-hour marathon.

She tried shifting.

Instantly a dull soreness spread from her thighs up to her hips, and she let out a small, involuntary sound.

"Ah..."

Lena's eyes opened immediately.

Not sleepy.
Not hazy.

Alert. Instinctive.

She took one look at Miu, then her lips curved—slow, unmistakable.

"Can't get up?"

Miu grabbed a pillow and threw it at her face.

"...shut up."

Lena caught it easily with one hand, then propped herself up and leaned close.

"You sound really nice when you do that."

"LENA!"

Miu flushed crimson and yanked the blanket over her face.

Lena chuckled, her morning voice low and dangerous.

"I warned you."

"... "

"You take the lead, you deal with the consequences."

Miu kicked weakly at her under the covers.

"I'm not talking to you."

"Not allowed."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm hungry."

Miu assumed she meant breakfast until Lena's gaze drifted slowly along Miu's neck... and stopped.

Miu froze.

"...hungry for what?"

Lena hooked one finger into the edge of the blanket and pulled it down just enough to expose Miu's shoulder.

Against her pale skin, a deep red-purple mark, unmistakable.

Miu squeaked.

"LENA!!!"

Lena raised a brow, thoroughly pleased.

"Pretty."

"It is NOT! I have to see people today!"

Lena leaned in and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to the mark.

"It's fine."

"It is NOT fine!"

Miu tried pushing her away, but her arms were so weak it barely counted.

Lena laughed openly.

Miu gathered her strength and tried to sit up.

Big mistake.

Her back and thighs immediately rebelled.

She collapsed back onto the bed, face buried in the pillow.

"I can't walk..."

Lena lay down beside her, propping her head on one hand, voice gentle and smug all at once.

"I told you."

"... "

"You weren't leaving this bed."

Miu smacked her with the pillow again.

Lena caught her hand this time, lacing their fingers together and kissing each knuckle.

"I'm proud of you."

"For WHAT—"

"You made me lose control."

Miu went so red she thought she might combust.

"Stop talking..."

"Can't."

"Lena!"

"You have to hear this."

Lena leaned in, lips brushing Miu's ear.

"You were incredible last night."

Miu kicked her again—so weak it only made Lena laugh.

After a while, Miu managed to breathe properly again and tried to sit up once more.

"I need to wash my face..."

She braced her hands against the mattress and pushed.

Lena crossed her arms, clearly waiting.

Miu stood.

One second.
Two.

Then her knees buckled.

Lena caught her instantly, pulling her close.

"Going somewhere? Tell me. I'll carry you."

"I don't need—"

"You almost fell."

"I just— just didn't warm up!"

Lena tilted her head.

"You were planning yoga before the bathroom?"

"... "

No argument.

Lena lifted Miu effortlessly, one arm under her legs, one behind her back.

"Lena! Put me down!!"

"No."

"I can walk!"

"You said that five minutes ago."

Miu lightly punched her shoulder.

"Don't get smug!"

"I'm not smug."

Lena bent down and kissed her slowly just enough to steal her breath.

"I'm proud."

In the bathroom, Lena set Miu gently on the counter.

Miu looked into the mirror and nearly fainted.

Her neck.
Her shoulder.
Just beneath her collarbone, three very visible marks.

"Oh my GOD!!"

She spun around.

"Lena Lorena Schuett! What did you DO?!"

Lena leaned against the wall, arms crossed, utterly unapologetic.

"I marked you."

"I have to see my family!"

"Yes."

"They'll SEE!"

"Yes."

"LENA!!"

She stepped closer and kissed Miu's neck lightly.

"Let them know who you belong to."

Miu stared at her.

"You cannot say that with a straight face!!"

Miu grabbed concealer.

Her hands shook.
Coverage uneven.

Lena took it from her.

"Give it."

"No!"

"Do you want to walk out with three coin-sized bruises on your neck?"

"...fine."

Lena dabbed gently with her fingertip, surprisingly careful.

Miu stayed very still, breath uneven as cool fingers brushed warm skin.

Lena smiled.

"There."

Miu checked the mirror. Faded. But not gone.

"SEE?!"

Lena shrugged.

"No one will look that closely."

Right then Miu's phone chimed from the bed.

She reached for it.

A message from her father:

Where are you? Everyone's asking for you two.

Miu went pale.

She looked at Lena, helpless.

"We're dead..."

Lena kissed her forehead.

"It's fine."

"How is this fine?!"

Lena opened the bathroom door and picked Miu up again.

"I'll take you out."

"No! I can walk—"

"You can't."

"I—"

Lena whispered by her ear.

"Trust me."

Miu bit her lip.

"...okay."

And so they appeared at the morning gathering, Lena carrying Miu bridal-style, Miu desperately tugging her hair over her neck.

No one spoke for a second.

Then Miu's mother laughed.

"She really can't walk, huh?"

Miu wanted the sand to swallow her whole.

Lena only tightened her arm around Miu's waist and murmured:

"You did very well last night."

"LENA!!!"