Ramirez Gonzales.
When I open my eyes, the morning is still shrouded in darkness, but I can sense the sun will rise soon. Ariel is asleep on my arm, her head is resting close to my chest, and for once, the nightmares that usually haunt me didn’t dare come. Not with her here. The dark blue of the sky has casted just enough light to see the way her fingers clutch my shirt, holding me close like she doesn’t want to let go. And I don’t want to leave, not yet. I want to wake up fully, with the sun streaming through the window, and have her be the first thing I see, the first thing I kiss.
Gently, I trace her lips with my thumb, feeling their softness under my touch, and a quiet smile pulls at my own mouth. Ariel stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. I lean down and press my lips to hers, whisperi
