Soft sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Sebastian's bedroom, painting warm streaks across the dark wood floor.
Lillian stirred slowly beneath the blankets.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Her mind was still halfway between sleep and reality, wrapped in the quiet comfort of the room.
Then she felt it.
Warmth.
Solid warmth beneath her cheek.
Her green eyes opened.
She froze.
Her head was resting directly against Sebastian's chest.
One of his arms was wrapped firmly around her waist, holding her close.
Her own arm was draped across him, and one of her legs was half tangled with his under the blankets.
Lillian's eyes widened.
"Oh my god…" she whispered under her breath.
She stared at the situation for a moment, completely still.
Did I really sleep like this all night?
Her heart started racing.
Carefully—very carefully—she tried to slide her arm away.
The moment she moved, Sebastian's arm tightened slightly around her waist.
His voice, rough with sleep, broke the silence.
"Planning your escape already?"
Lillian froze instantly.
Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his.
He hadn't opened them yet.
She blinked.
"I wasn't escaping," she said quickly.
"I was… repositioning."
One of his eyes opened lazily.
"Very convincing."
Her cheeks flushed.
"I didn't realize I fell asleep like this," she admitted.
Sebastian's arm loosened slightly, but he didn't move away.
"You were asleep in about ten minutes," he said.
"That's not true."
"You started mumbling halfway through the second movie."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
She groaned softly and covered her face with her hand.
"This is so embarrassing."
Sebastian watched her quietly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"You drooled on my shirt too."
Her head snapped up.
"I did not!"
"Relax," he said calmly.
"I'm kidding."
Lillian narrowed her eyes at him.
"You're awful."
"Yet you stayed the night."
She huffed but couldn't stop the small smile creeping onto her face.
After a moment she studied him more closely.
"You're awake early," she said.
"I usually am."
"Because of work?"
Sebastian paused.
Then he shook his head slightly.
"Because I usually don't sleep."
Lillian blinked.
"You mean… insomnia?"
"Something like that."
She shifted slightly, sitting up a little so she could see his face better.
"But you slept last night."
He looked at her for a moment.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"I did."
"Why?"
Sebastian held her gaze for a second longer than usual.
Then he shrugged lightly.
"Different circumstances."
Lillian tilted her head.
"So the cure to your insomnia is me?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"Don't let it go to your head."
But there was a faint smile on his face.
Lillian grinned.
"I'm totally taking credit for that."
"You would."
She studied him again.
Then suddenly she burst into laughter.
Sebastian frowned slightly.
"What?"
Lillian pointed at his hair.
"Your hair."
"My hair?"
"It's messy."
"That's impossible."
"It's very possible," she said, laughing again.
Sebastian reached up and ran a hand through it.
"Still messy," she said.
He looked at her suspiciously.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little," she admitted.
Lillian reached up and lightly fixed a strand that had fallen across his forehead.
"There," she said.
Sebastian stared at her.
"You just touched my hair."
"Yes."
"Without permission."
"You survived."
He sighed quietly.
"You know I have a reputation."
Lillian smiled.
"You look human."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
"Careful."
"With what?"
"My reputation."
She laughed again.
Sebastian swung his legs off the bed and stood.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Breakfast."
Her eyebrows lifted.
"You don't seem like a breakfast person."
"I'm not."
"Then why are you getting breakfast?"
Sebastian picked up his phone and typed something quickly.
Then he looked at her.
"Because you're here."
The simple answer made her heart flutter unexpectedly.
She tried not to show it.
"So you can be thoughtful," she teased.
"Don't spread that rumor."
"I might."
He smirked.
They stayed like that for a while, talking quietly while the morning light slowly filled the room.
Lillian hugged a pillow as she watched him.
"You know," she said, "you didn't hate the movie."
Sebastian scoffed.
"I tolerated it."
"You laughed."
"That was a cough."
"That was definitely laughter."
"Baseless accusations."
"You even smiled."
"That's slander."
Lillian grinned.
"You secretly liked it."
"I secretly endured it."
"Sure."
He shook his head slightly.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you invited me to stay."
"I didn't invite you," he corrected.
"You carried me upstairs."
"You were unconscious."
"Still counts."
He almost laughed.
Eventually Lillian glanced at the clock.
"I should probably head back to Chloe's," she said reluctantly.
Sebastian's expression didn't change, but he nodded.
"I'll walk you out."
They went downstairs together.
The mansion felt quiet in the soft morning light.
When they reached the front door, Lillian turned toward him.
"Thank you… for letting me stay."
"You didn't need permission."
"Still," she said softly.
"Thank you."
She turned to leave.
But before she could take more than one step, Sebastian's hand gently caught her wrist.
She stopped.
Slowly she turned back.
He stepped closer.
Close enough that she could feel his warmth again.
Sebastian brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
It felt like he wanted to say something.
Something important.
His lips parted slightly.
Then he stopped himself.
Instead he said quietly,
"Message me when you get there."
Lillian smiled softly.
"I will."
She stepped back toward the door.
"See you later, Sebastian."
"Later."
She walked down the steps and toward the street.
Sebastian remained standing in the doorway, watching until she disappeared from view.
The mansion felt strangely quiet again.
He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled slowly.
Then he muttered under his breath,
"This woman is going to ruin me."