It’s quiet and the television was still on when I woke up, its screen flashing a cartooned advertisement of a bathroom cleaner.
I was a bit disoriented, my eyes a tad blurry from the sudden flash of light coming from the chandelier, and I stretched my aching muscles, trying to wake it up. When I reached for my side, I saw that Alexei has already vacated the area, the place where he sat still a little warm; a sign he woke up only recently.
When I glanced at my watch, I winced when I saw that it was only two in the morning. I stood up from my seat, still stretching my limbs, and yawned, scratching my chest as I dragged my feet across the room towards the bed.
Alexei was already curled up on his spot, an unusual position for him to be in considering how much he loves exercising control a
