Chapter 676: Cuddling in the Darkness
Chapter 676: Cuddling in the Darkness
The soft sound of breathing filled the room as the morning sun tried to pierce through the heavy blackout curtains, but it was futile. The room remained wrapped in a comforting darkness, perfect for Theo, who loved to sleep in complete darkness. The outside world was silent, the only sign of morning being the faint light that managed to seep through the edges of the curtains.
In the center of the enormous, luxurious bed, Theo and Ayia lay intertwined, their bodies close together beneath the warm blankets. The bed was big enough to fit several people, but the two of them occupied only a small portion, instinctively drawn to each other during the night. The softness of the mattress and the warmth of the blankets created a cocoon of comfort that made it hard to leave.
The faint scent of Ayia's shampoo and skin fills Theo's nostrils, a mixture of sweet and floral scents that he has come to associate with her.
The slight scent of Ayia's hair drifts into Theo's nostrils, a combination of floral shampoo and her natural scent, comforting and familiar.
The faint scent of Ayia's shampoo lingered in the air, a delicate mix of floral and fruit. It enveloped Theo's senses, reminding him that he was not alone in this comforting darkness.
Theo's arms wrapped around Ayia, his touch gentle yet firm as he held her close. His hand moved slowly, tracing delicate circles on her back that sent tingles down her spine.
His strong arms wrapped around her, providing a sense of comfort and safety. His hand moved gently against her back, the pressure and warmth soothing.
His arms around her were like a warm embrace, his hand tracing soothing circles on her back, the texture of his skin against hers sending sparks of pleasure through her body.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke, both lost in the quiet intimacy of the morning. The darkness of the room created a timeless feeling, as if they could stay like this forever, just the two of them in their own little world. Theo's fingers continued their gentle movement on her back, and Ayia responded by nuzzling closer to him, her breath warm against his skin. Theo finally opened his eyes, the darkness of the room making it hard to tell what time it was, but he didn't care. He turned his head slightly to look down at Ayia, his lips curling into a soft smile. Her eyes were still closed, but he could tell she was awake by the way her breathing had changed, more alert but still relaxed.
"Morning," he whispered, his voice a low rumble that resonated in his chest.
Ayia smiled, her eyes finally opening to meet his. "Morning," she whispered back, her voice soft and filled with warmth.
Neither of them moved to get up, content to simply lie there, enjoying the rare peaceful moment after the excitement and chaos of the festival the day before. Theo reached up to brush a strand of hair away from Ayia's face, tucking it gently behind her ear. Her skin was warm to the touch, and he couldn't help but lean down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Ayia closed her eyes again at the touch of his lips, feeling a flutter of warmth in her chest. She loved these quiet moments with Theo, where everything else faded away, and it was just the two of them. She lifted her hand to rest on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath.
"We should get up soon," Ayia murmured, though her tone held no urgency.
"Hmm." Theo replied as if he didn't really care.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Ayia laughed softly, the sound light and musical in the stillness of the room. "Let's go, I'm starting to feel hungry," she reminded him, though she made no move to pull away.
"Okay, I'm indeed a little hungry," Theo conceded, though he made no effort to move either. He sighed contentedly, his fingers still tracing patterns on her back. "But I could stay like this all day."
Ayia's heart swelled at his words, and she leaned up to place a soft kiss on his lips. It was a gentle, lingering kiss, a promise of affection that didn't need to be rushed. When she pulled back, she smiled at him, her eyes shining with the same warmth he felt in his chest.
"We'll have more mornings like this," she said softly, her hand gently caressing his cheek. "But for now, later we still have to go to the festival."
Theo smiled at her, his eyes filled with quiet happiness. "Alright," he agreed, though he didn't immediately let go of her.
"Sylph, open the windows." He said out loud.
A couple of seconds later, the two lovebirds cuddling in the bed were able to see the beautiful morning light shining upon the forest.
He took a moment to just look at her, memorizing the way she looked in the morning, her hair slightly tousled, her eyes still soft with sleep, and the way she smiled at him like he was the only person in the world.
Finally, with a reluctant sigh, Theo loosened his hold on her and shifted slightly. Ayia mirrored his movement, and they slowly untangled themselves from each other, the warmth of their embrace lingering even as they moved to sit up.
As they sat on the edge of the bed, Theo reached over to take her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Ayia looked at him and smiled, her heart fluttering with the same warmth she had felt the first time she realized how much she cared for him.
30 minutes later, the two of them, still clad in pajamas, were in the kitchen cooking breakfast for themselves.
The morning light filtered softly through the windows of Theo's manor kitchen, casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern countertops and state-of-the-art appliances. Despite the kitchen's impressive size, it had a cozy atmosphere, the kind that made one feel instantly at home. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the city skyline, still wrapped in a gentle morning haze, and the forested mountains beyond, their peaks touched by the first rays of the sun. The serene landscape added a tranquil backdrop to the scene unfolding in the kitchen.
Theo and Ayia moved around the space with an ease that spoke of their shared passion for cooking. They had woken up slowly, the comfort of Theo's enormous, plush bed tempting them to stay a little longer in each other's arms. But as the day called, so did their love for food. Now, they stood side by side, a quiet camaraderie settling between them as they began to prepare breakfast.
Ayia, her hair still slightly tousled from sleep, reached for the ingredients with a practiced hand. She was dressed comfortably in a simple shirt and shorts, her expression relaxed as she focused on the task at hand. Theo, equally casual in his attire, glanced at her with a soft smile before turning his attention to the rice cooker.
They were making a traditional Yamatese breakfast-simple yet elegant. Theo started by washing the rice with care, and rinsing it multiple times until the water ran clear. He then measured the exact amount of water needed before placing the lid on the rice cooker. The scent of freshly cooked rice would soon fill the air, a comforting and familiar aroma. Meanwhile, Ayia was busy preparing the miso soup. She deftly sliced tofu into neat cubes and chopped green onions with precision. The sound of her knife against the cutting board was rhythmic, almost meditative. As she worked, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Theo, her heart swelling with affection. There was something incredibly intimate about cooking together, especially when it was just the two of them.
Theo set the table near the large windows, ensuring they would have the best view as they enjoyed their meal. He laid out small dishes for the side items they were preparing-pickled vegetables, grilled fish, and tamagoyaki, a sweet rolled omelet that was one of Ayia's
specialties.
As the rice cooker hummed quietly in the background, Theo moved on to preparing the grilled fish. He selected fresh fillets of salmon from the refrigerator, seasoning them lightly with salt before placing them on the grill. The sizzle of the fish hitting the hot surface filled the kitchen, soon followed by the delicious aroma of the fish cooking to perfection.
Ayia finished the miso soup, adding the tofu and green onions to the simmering pot of dashi. She tasted it, nodding in satisfaction at the rich, savory flavor. She then turned her attention to making the tamagoyaki, pouring the egg mixture into a rectangular pan with practiced ease. As she rolled the omelet layer by layer, she glanced over at Theo, who was plating the salmon with a touch of garnish.
"How's it going over there?" Theo asked, his voice light and calm like when someone talks with a family member.
"Almost done," Ayia replied, smiling as she carefully transferred the tamagoyaki onto a cutting board. She sliced it into even pieces, arranging them neatly on a plate before handing
it to Theo.
Their hands brushed briefly as he took the plate from her, sending a small, pleasant jolt
through both of them. It was these little moments that made their relationship so special- simple touches, shared smiles, and the quiet understanding that came from spending time
together.
With everything prepared, they finally sat down at the dining table, the cityscape and mountains serving as a stunning backdrop to their meal. The table was filled with a variety of dishes, each one prepared with care and attention to detail. There was something almost ceremonial about the way they began to eat, appreciating not just the flavors but the experience of sharing a meal they had made together.
Theo took a bite of the grilled salmon, the rich, smoky flavor melting in his mouth. "This is perfect, we might even make a good pair in a restaurant kitchen." he said with a silly smile on
his face
She smiled as she rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the miso soup. "I think so as well. Maybe
that's why we already do that."
They laughed together.
As they continued to eat, the conversation flowed naturally, shifting from light banter to more thoughtful exchanges. They talked about the day ahead, their plans, and their hopes for the future. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with the kind of comfort that comes from
being with someone you truly care about.
When they finally finished eating, Theo leaned back in his chair, content. "Oh, I have something to tell you," he said suddenly when he remembered the idea he had yesterday.