The morning drifted in slow and golden.
Sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains, painting soft lines across the tangled sheets and the quiet room.
Gabriel stirred first, a faint sigh leaving him as he blinked his way back into consciousness.
His eyes adjusted to the light—and then nearly jumped out of his skin.
Ethan was staring at him.
Not casually. Not sleepily. But fully awake, chin propped on one hand, eyes fixed like he'd been watching for a while.
Gabriel jerked back slightly, voice still rough from sleep. "What—what are you doing?"
Ethan blinked innocently. "Watching."
"Watching?" Gabriel repeated, incredulous. "How long have you been watching me?"
Ethan tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm… maybe twenty minutes? Give or take."
"Twenty—" Gabriel sat up halfway, rubbing his face. "Ethan, that's creepy."
Ethan grinned, unabashed. "No, it's romantic."
"Romantic?"
