Finally, out of strength, Sarah collapsed onto Mark's chest, breathing with difficulty.
"Saying that last thing… is cheating," Mark panted heavily.
"Hehe…"
And so both lay in silence for a few moments, the only sound being their heavy breathing filling the room.
Sarah was lying beside Mark, her head resting on his chest and one of her legs intertwined with his.
Her breathing was slow and heavy, and her fox ears were completely relaxed, drooping to the sides in a way Mark hadn't seen from her until that moment.
She raised her gaze to look at Mark.
"If you could…" Sarah said in a soft, slightly hoarse voice, "I'd like you to stay a few more days with me."
As she said that, she wrapped an arm over Mark's torso and settled closer against him.
Mark felt Sarah's weight against his chest and raised a hand to stroke her black hair, running his fingers through the red streaks carefully so as not to touch her ears.
