“Night,” Serix said, returning her kiss. He crossed the room to his own bed and lay down on the soft mattress, drawing his blanket up to his chest. He rolled over to face the wall and closed his eyes. A smile played on his lip as he thought back to everything that had happened throughout the day.

It was strange to think that their relationship had progressed to a level he associated with pre-mates over the span of just a few days, and yet somehow it just felt natural. It was like he and Cassie had been waiting to meet each other, and when they finally did, everything else just fell into place. Of course, there was still the small detail of the Scout hunters who wanted him dead, but he refused to let himself dwell on that. All that mattered was that Cassie loved him. He drifted off to sleep with that thought lingering in his mind.

--

During the night, Serix vaguely noticed that his bed was warmer than it was before. The feeling roused him from his unconscious state and he blinked open his sleep-heavy eyes. He saw a black form lying next to him in the bed, and after a moment he realized it was Cassie. She must have crept over to join him while he was asleep.

He smiled tiredly and slipped his arm around her waist, holding her close so that her back was pressed against his chest. He found that he preferred having Cassie next to him rather than sleeping alone. Her warmth was relaxing and her presence comforted him. He began to drift off again in a matter of minutes.

--

Serix woke up again in the morning with his arm still wrapped around Cassie’s slender waist. He lay there for a moment, relishing the feeling of her body against his. All of this was still so new to him, and he wanted to enjoy every second of it.

Serix leaned to put his face near to hers and said softly: “Morning, Cassie.”