Across the room, Olivia shifted under the covers.
Her hand fumbled out from under the hoodie sleeve, blindly searching the couch until she found the pillow she'd kicked off in her sleep. She mumbled something, barely audible.
"…Izan…"
He glanced over, watching her face soften as she turned into the pillow.
"…love you so much…"
He froze. A quiet warmth filled his chest, slow and steady.
The kind you didn't show on your face but felt anyway. She was still asleep, clearly unaware she'd said anything.
He took a quiet breath, smiled faintly, and walked over. His footsteps were light as he knelt beside the couch.
Carefully, he tucked the loose edge of the blanket back over her shoulder and brushed one of the stray strands of hair from her face.
"Sleep," he whispered. "I'll be back before you even notice."
She didn't stir this time. Just murmured something incomprehensible and sank deeper into the couch.
He stood up again, grabbed his bag, and slung it over one shoulder.
