•| TWENTY NINE |•
Next Morning -
Soft rays of the early sun filtered through the sheer curtains, spilling golden light across the quiet bedroom where three bodies had fallen asleep in an unplanned closeness the previous night.
The room was still, peaceful - the kind of calm that only comes after emotional storms. Kiaan stirred first, his tiny brows knitting together as sleep slowly left his eyes.
He shifted under the duvet, rubbing his face against the pillow before mumbling in a sleepy voice, "Kiaan wants to pee. .."
Carefully, he wriggled out from between you and Krish, trying not to wake either of you.
His small feet padded across the cold marble floor as he toddled toward the bathroom, pushing the door open with both hands before disappearing inside.
The faint sound of the door clicking shut barely registered in your sleep.
Half-asleep, you subconsciously shifted on the bed, your arm stretching across the space where Kiaan had been lying.
Your brows furrowed slightly as your hand searched for his small warm body - the familiar comfort you had grown used to in just a few days.
Instead, your palm brushed against a broader chest - firm, warm, and very much not Kiaan.
But your sleepy mind didn't process it. Thinking it was still the little boy, you smiled faintly in your sleep and moved closer, wrapping your arm around the body and cuddling into it.
Krish, still deep in sleep, instinctively responded.
Feeling warmth curl into him, he let out a low breath and pulled you closer, his arm sliding around your waist. His face nestled into the crook of your neck, his stubble grazing your skin as he nuzzled closer - seeking comfort without even knowing from whom.
His hold tightened slightly, protective, natural. .. as if it had always belonged there.
Your breathing synced unconsciously. Your cheek rested against his chest while his chin brushed your hair. Neither of you woke - neither realized - yet the closeness felt strangely right, soothing wounds neither of you had voiced aloud.
A few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open. Kiaan stepped out, still rubbing his eyes, ready to crawl back into bed - but his steps halted instantly when he saw the scene in front of him.
You were cuddled into Krish's chest... and Krish was hugging you tightly in his sleep.
Kiaan's sleepy face slowly broke into a wide, mischievous smile. His little mind didn't find it strange - to him, it looked perfect. Like how moms and dads were supposed to sleep. Tilting his head slightly, he whispered to himself in a conspiratorial tone -
"I should not disturb them... Kiaan will play with his toys."
Nodding seriously at his own decision, he tiptoed out of the room, gently closing the door behind him - leaving the two of you still wrapped in each other's unconscious warmth.
Meanwhile, still trapped in the warmth of sleep, Krish subconsciously snuggled deeper into the crook of your neck - his breath fanning softly against your skin, his stubble grazing the sensitive spot just below your ear.
The friction made a soft giggle bubble out of you before you were even fully awake.
Your fingers instinctively curled into the fabric of his T-shirt as you murmured drowsily, voice thick with sleep -
"Mm... Kiaan stop tickling baby..."
You tightened your hold around him, cuddling closer the way you would with the little boy - seeking comfort without awareness. But then... something felt off.
Your brows knitted slightly.
"Wah... you got bigger huh? Wait-"
Still half-asleep, you squeezed your eyes shut before slowly opening them with a lazy smile - only for that smile to freeze, shatter, and completely evaporate within a second.
Your eyes widened in absolute horror.
It was not Kiaan.
Krish's arm was wrapped firmly around your waist - his large palm splayed possessively against your stomach - pulling you flush against his chest. His face was buried deep in the crook of your neck, nose brushing your skin as he breathed you in unconsciously, snuggling closer like you were his personal pillow.
His leg was half tangled with yours, caging you in completely.
Your lungs forgot how to function.
Heat rushed to your face so fast it felt like you'd combust on the spot.
You tried to move - just a little - but his grip tightened instantly, his arm flexing around you like a reflex. A low sleepy whine left his throat.
"Umm..."
The sound vibrated right against your neck, sending a wave of shivers down your spine.
You froze.
Your heart started hammering violently against your ribs as you tried wiggling again - slowly, carefully - attempting to slip out of his hold without waking him. But the more you moved, the tighter he held you, his fingers curling slightly into your waist as if afraid you'd disappear.
Your breath hitched.
"H-how is he so strong even while sleeping..." you internally panicked, cheeks burning crimson.
You tried pushing his shoulder - nothing.
You tried prying his arm - impossible.
Instead, he shifted closer.
His face nuzzled deeper into your neck, lips brushing your skin unintentionally as he sought comfort in his sleep. His warm breath tickled you again, making your body jolt.
Your hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to go - touching him felt illegal, but escaping him felt impossible.
Your voice came out in a tiny whisper - half panic, half embarrassment -
"K-Krish ji..."
No response.
Only another sleepy hum... and his hold tightening once more, trapping you even more securely against him - as if your place had always been right there in his arms.
You tried shaking his arm - once... twice.
.. thrice - but Krish didn't even budge.
His hold around your waist only tightened, his face still buried in your neck like he had no plans of ever waking up.
Your cheeks were burning at this point, your heart racing wildly as you struggled in his arms like a trapped kitten.
Finally, you gave up trying to free yourself physically and decided to wake him instead.
"K-Krish ji..." you called softly.
He hummed - a low, sleepy sound - but didn't move.
"Let me go..." you whispered again, wiggling slightly.
That did it.
His brows furrowed as his eyes slowly fluttered open - heavy with sleep, unfocused at first - until they landed directly on your face... inches away from his.
For a second... he didn't react.
Then realization hit.
His gaze dropped downward - noticing how his arm was wrapped tightly around your waist, how your bodies were pressed together, how his face had been buried in your neck.
He instantly pulled back like he'd been electrocuted.
You quickly tried to sit up too - embarrassment flooding your veins - but before you could get off the bed, his hand shot forward and grabbed your wrist.
Your breath hitched.
"Are you still mad at me?" he asked suddenly - voice hoarse, frustrated, desperate all at once.
You blinked.
"I'm sorry... how many times do I have to say sorry, huh?" His grip tightened slightly - not hurting, but pleading. "Stop giving me this silent treatment."
His sudden outburst made you flinch.
You hadn't expected that.
The frustration in his voice... the exhaustion... the guilt... it all hung heavy in the air between you.
A second later, he seemed to realize he'd raised his voice.
He let go of your wrist immediately and dragged both his hands down his face, rubbing it harshly as he exhaled shakily.
"I'm sorry..." he muttered again - this time softer, almost defeated - before getting up from the bed and walking straight into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Silence filled the room.
You stayed frozen for a moment before slowly plopping back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Am I being too childish...?" you murmured to yourself.
Your fingers twisted in the bedsheet unconsciously.
"He's right tho..."
You sighed and forced yourself up, deciding to stop overthinking. You began making the bed neatly - adjusting the pillows, straightening the duvet - trying to distract your mind.
But then suddenly-
"Wait... where's Kiaan?"
Panic flickered through you.
You turned toward the door quickly and were just about to step out of the room when-
"Mummyyy!"
A tiny figure came running in at full speed and crashed straight into you, hugging your legs tightly.
Your heart melted instantly.
"Kiaan!" you gasped before bending down and scooping him into your arms. "Thank God you're here..."
You kissed his cheeks repeatedly, relief washing over your face as he giggled loudly, squirming in your hold.
"Kiaan doesn't want to disturb you both," he explained cutely, pouting a little. "That's why I went to play with my toys."
Your eyes widened slightly at his innocent words - embarrassment creeping back again.
You pulled him closer and kissed his forehead.
"My baby is so understanding..." you whispered softly, hugging him tight.