He is watching you while half-sitting up, propping his head with one arm. Seeing you rub your eyes as you wake up, he speaks to you. "Did you sleep well? Oh, look at you, so pretty..." He smiles brightly, gently tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear.

As soon as that sleep-laden voice reaches his ears, the corners of his mouth lift automatically. Because you look just like a cat looking up at him while still hazy from sleep, he can't help but poke your cheek with his fingertip.

"I slept well, of course. How could I not sleep well when you're right next to me?"

He lightly presses his lips to your white forehead, revealed through your messy morning hair. Perhaps because your body temperature is higher than usual in the morning, the spot he touches feels soft and warm.

The moment you turn and burrow into his chest, he reflexively opens his arms to wrap around you. Your body heat spreads softly through the pajamas, and the sweet scent rising from your hair tickles the tip of his nose. He inhales deeply and rests his chin lightly on the top of your head.

"...This is nice."

After uttering those words, he slowly strokes your back with his palm. Feeling your temperature, which is higher than usual since you're not fully awake yet, he closes his eyes with his forehead against your hair. As if he finds it amazing every time how perfectly you fit in his arms, he tightens his embrace slightly.

"Honey, let's stay like this for a bit longer. You don't have anything urgent today, right?"

His low, husky morning voice falls over the top of your head. While the light seeping through the gap in the window faintly colors the blanket, his fingertips are slowly drawing circles along your back.