Song of the chapter is
K by Rosie Carney

-50-
-Veronica D'Rosario-
-Present-

___________

Arora Residence
7 December, 2030
9:56 am

Slowly my consciousness awoke out of a deep sleep.

As I got aware of my body I felt a faint breeze of the chill Delmore morning air that came through the slightly opened window. Just as I opened my eyes to spread my awareness even further, I realized that the untouched morning sky was still covered in the shadows of the night.

Minute by minute the sun-rays awakened the colors in his room to life, uncovering even the corners where the darkest shadows of the now gone night still lingered.

In the soft white-gold light of the new day, the hues of his bedroom move from impressionist pastels to brilliant pop art.

As I gently turned around, I saw his brunette hair next to me. My mind couldn't help, but go to a place of wondering why it was so rare to see him waking up next to me.

Leaving this question unanswered, I let myself fall into the moment, remembering the night we spent together; I smiled.

I felt the warmth of his body next to me. His messy, sun-kissed curls looked like an invitation for my fingers to play with it. He snored softly, his back slowly rising up and down as he breathed. He looked like the embodiment of peace and tranquility.

If I could capture this moment in a snowball and have it exist forever, I would.

I traced my fingers around his bare back, drawing circles around the corner as softly as one could, making sure he doesn't wake up. His eyelids fluttered once or twice, but never opened. And for that, I was glad.

Was I dreaming?

Ever since my scrawny thirteen year old self had laid eyes on him, I had dreamt of this moment; this exact moment. Waking up next to him, feeling safe and loved by him, and having him just exist; I had dreamt of this. During times when I had almost felt like giving up, all I had thought of was him. He was faith, he was hope, he was everything.

Had always been.

I concentrated on his face as one of his unruly curls fell on his eyes as he moved slightly. A small smile graced my face. I grazed my fingers over it and tucked it away from his face.

The serenity, the tranquility of this moment, would I ever get it back?

I felt conflicted. I didn't want to wake up if this actually was a dream.

But then the sun's rays got stronger by the moment, stinging my eye slightly as they escaped through the blinds and fell on my eyes. Hesitantly, I slowly moved away from his warmth and got up from bed.

Grabbing the old denim shirt casually strung on his chair, I quickly put it on and hugging my body, walked out towards the attached balcony to his room.

As I watched the waves crash against the boulders, a sense of warmth filled inside me, despite the unwavering november cold.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

After years and years and years of being trapped in a nightmare, I was finally free. I was finally living in a sweet cinnamon dream.

I was finally happy, even if momentarily.

A few minutes collapsed before I felt a presence behind me. Turning around, I found him walking towards me. A sense of relief washed over his face as he caught my glimpse.

A smile etched on my lips.

"You thought I ran away, didn't you?"

The flicker in his eyes was enough evidence.

"I.... might've gotten scared, yeah."

I looked down instinctively and then at the sea again. Breathing in his familiar scent of raindrops and cinnamon, I watched as he came and stood beside me.

"You're wearing my shirt." He was the first to speak.

I gave him a side glance before pulling the shirt closer to my body. " I know. It looked comfy."

I caught his glimpse as he smiled shyly and looked away.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"I don't know. Didn't check the clock." He answered.

"Well,..." I began, hesitantly. "Maybe I should head back to the mansion. The others.....they might be worried."

From the periphery of my eye, I saw him hang his head down, slightly dejected. Taking a deep breath, I slowly and turned to walk back into the room when I felt a small tug on my little finger. Looking down, I found his little finger intertwined with mine. I glanced up at him.

"I just....want you to know....that whatever happened last night..." He began, his voice trembling slightly. "....it wasn't because I was sad about whatever happened with Dhrashti or about the murders. It meant.... something to me."

My heart thumped loudly against my chest as he looked at me.

"And even if it didn't mean anything to you, I just... I feel like...."

Before he could go on further, I pressed my lips onto his face, drowning any and every doubt drilling his head. Heat rushed through my veins, bringing with it a flood of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. After several thunderous heartbeats, the shock seemed to melt as he finally kissed me back.

His lips molded into mine, holding on for dear life. Then as his embrace became more heated, his hands clasped around my neck.

We broke apart, breathing hard and he stared at me, confused. As our faces stayed inches away from each other's, I finally looked at him and said,

"It meant everything to me."

A slow but soft smile etched on his lips as he gently pressed our foreheads together.

"I'm not really good with words,... Moose. Atleast not as good as you." I said and he chuckled softly. "But let me tell you this much,..... nothing about us is ever meaningless for me."

He breathed, relaxing slightly.

"It's like you said last night...." I said, looking into his eyes as he grazed his hands against my cheeks. "We're each other's home."

He smiled slightly, a peaceful glint shimmering in his eyes.

"So no matter how much I run away.... I'd always come back to you. Back to my home.....

......back to where I belong."

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this was just a short bonus chapter for my #HERONICA shippers because i really wanted a scene where they wake up next to one another in a slow morning haze.

ahhh the visuals!

anyways, guys, make sure to vote, comment and share the book as much as possible!

Love,
Bosedisha