Work Text:
You awoke in the early hours of the morning, the warm touch of the sun filtering through the curtains rousing you from your deep slumber. You stirred and twisted around in your bed sheets, eyes peeling open as you slowly sat up. Sleep clung in the corners of your vision and with a tired yawn you started to rub your eyes. You could hear the songs of morning birds just outside your bedroom window yet you were reluctant to leave the warm confines of your bed just yet.
You cast your gaze to your partner sleeping next to you, a curtain of red hair obscuring his face from you. You tentatively reached out, brushing a few stray wisps of red hair off Cheval's face and tucking the loose strands behind his ear. Cheval didn't stir, half his face still buried in his pillow and eyes barely even flickering under the lids as he continued to dream peacefully. You could barely hear his steady and even breathes over the sound of Rathi's snoring, the Wyvern's warm and deep breaths tickling the side of your neck. Both your Monstie and Cheval's were curled up beside your bed, both of your monsters awkwardly tangled in a mess of fur and limbs yet sleeping sound piled on top of each other. It was a little crammed in your shared bedroom, with both adult Monsties taking up half the room and blocking the doorway, but you somehow made it work.
A warm smile tilted your lips as you brushed your fingers through Cheval's long mane of red hair, content to watch him sleep in the early hours of the morning, sunlight shimmering through his hair and gently caressing his face. You could see lingering dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, the contrast stark to his sun kissed skin. You would let him sleep today for as long as he wanted. Both he and Rathi had been working hard as of late.
You continued to play with the tips of his hair, combing your fingers through soft locks and working the tangles out as gently as you could to not disturb Cheval from sleep. He liked to sleep on his stomach a lot, giving you easy access to his long, flowing locks. You slowly divided his hair and gathered the sections as you twisted the pieces into a loose braid. As you were winding his hair around your fingers he finally stirred, a loud groan interrupting your concentration as you quickly let go of his hair. He shifted; eyes cracking open as his gaze sought yours. There was an apology on the tip of your tongue but you were cut off when Cheval spoke first.
"Why did you stop?" he asked, voice thick with sleep.
You cocked your head to the side as you quirked a questioning brow.
"You...want me to continue?" you inquired.
A small smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he nodded, his golden eyes sparkling under the warm rays of sunlight. You hesitated for only a brief moment, mind a little hazy with sleep as your brain felt like it was still defrosting. You scooted closer to him, hands diving back into his hair as you continued tying the braid you had started. Cheval could feel your fingers brushing the back of his neck and it made his spine tingle with a pleasant warmth. Your touch was gentle and for a brief moment, it reminded him of the way his mother used to touch his hair when he was younger. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as you diligently twisted his hair into a neat braid. He started to lean more into your touch, his side pressing up against your knees as he tried to shift closer to the heat your body provided. It felt like the only time he could truly relax was in the comfort of your shared home. A smile played at your lips when you noticed how much he seemed to enjoy what you were doing.
"Do you like it?" you asked.
Cheval hummed in agreement. "It feels nice."
You wondered if he was dozing off again as he fell silent but he stirred once you finished tying the long plait in his hair. Your fingers were aching by the time you were finished, a satisfied smirk on your face as you examined your handiwork.
"Done" you said with an affirmative nod.
"Good. Now come back to bed."
You were caught by surprise when Cheval turned over and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you back down onto the mattress with him. You squealed in surprise as you were smothered under the blankets and by Cheval as he pulled you flush against his body. You squirmed in his grasp as you tried to readjust, his breath hot against your face as he squeezed your waist. You giggled softly as loose strands of his hair tickled your cheeks.
"How long were you waiting to do that?" you teased.
"A while" he replied, his lips brushing against your forehead.
"Well, thanks for waiting until I was finished."
You gently pecked his lips, giggling once more when he responded to the small affection. You snuggled closer to him, enjoying his warmth as your arms snaked around his waist to hold him close. His shoulders relaxed as he leaned into your embrace, watching morning rays of sunlight shimmer through your bright eyes.
Rathi huffed loudly from beside the bed, having been woken when you had suddenly screamed only to find out there was no real danger. She decided to simply close her eyes and go back to sleep, curling up closer to your Monstie as you and Cheval whispered sweet nothings to each other, content to lay in bed for just a little longer.