When Penelope pulled back again, Crow looked up at her lightheadedly, panting softly as he held her gaze. It had been a long time since they were last able to be intimate even to this degree, so he had lost himself a little more than usual as they’d kissed. Absently, he trailed his hand down from her neck to her tailbone, feeling his heart pound with desire and affection for the knight. He was glad that she was the one to take the night shift this time. It was much nicer to be with her now than it was during the day, when anyone could walk in on them at any time. He liked having the privacy to get this close to her without worrying about her comrades.

As she said that she should move, he sighed, “If you must.” Normally, he might have fought harder to keep her close, but he was starting to get tired and his jaw was a little sore from kissing her so fervently, so he didn’t mind resting with her by his side again. However, he smirked when he noticed she was just as reluctant to stop what they were doing as he was. He was just beginning to wonder if she would kiss him again, when she pressed a quick peck to his cheek and finally rolled off of him.

Crow took a slow breath, trying to calm his still-racing heart as he turned to look at Penelope. He smiled softly as he noticed she was lingering close by with her chin on his shoulder. At her words, he shook his head. “You’re not going anywhere,” he pressed a playful kiss to her nose and squeezed her hand fondly. Even though he really was tired—and getting more so by the second—he didn’t want her to move. If anything, he wanted her to come even closer.

Shifting slightly on the bed, he nestled his head against hers and closed his eyes, letting out a long exhale. He didn’t want to sleep yet, but he supposed there was no harm in resting his eyes for a little. As long as he tried to stay awake, he was sure he wouldn’t fall asleep. So, stifling a yawn, the thief touched one more gentle kiss to her cheek. “I love you, Penelope,” he murmured quietly, fighting a bit harder not to let himself succumb to his weariness.

[i]Maybe I can just nap for a little,[/i] he thought after a while, relaxing into the mattress as the temptation to sleep grew. [i]If I make it short enough, she won’t even notice…[/i] Unable to battle any longer, he finally gave in to the impulse. His breathing grew even, and his hand fell slack as he drifted off into a peaceful slumber, sleeping soundly with the comfort of knowing Penelope was nearby to keep watch over him.