Kyrie jolted awake, heart racing as cold beads of sweat trickled down his brow, leaving a chilling trail along his temple. The world around him gradually materialized through the haze of sleep, revealing the pale morning light filtering through the thin curtains of his small room. He blinked against the brightness, his breath still hitching as remnants of his dreams faded like smoke.
A warmth beside him anchored his senses, drawing his gaze downward. Selene, with her messy hair and delicate features, lay curled against him, her small frame pressing gently into his side. She hugged him around the waist, her innocent trust evident even in sleep. A surge of protectiveness washed over him; he wanted nothing more than to keep her safe.
He glanced at the clock on the wall, its hands indicating that it was just past seven in the morning. A sigh slipped from his lips, the sound mixing with the faint chirping of birds outside, their joyful songs heralding the day. He shifted carefully, so as not to disturb Selene’s peaceful slumber, and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the coolness of the wooden floor against his feet.
As he rose, a shiver danced along his spine, still lingering from the remnants of his unsettling dream. He dressed quickly, opting for a simple shirt that felt soft against his skin, and sturdy black trousers. The familiar fabric grounded him in reality, a shield against the unsettling thoughts that crept into his mind.
“Good morning!” Selene’s voice cut through the quiet, a bright sunbeam threading its way into the dimness of the room. She stretched with a funny, tender yawn, her small frame trembling with the effort. The innocence of her morning ritual coaxed a smile from Kyrie, a rare warmth blooming in his chest.
“Are you no longer sleepy?” he asked, approaching the bed, warmth flooding him as he leaned down to brush a loose strand of hair from her face.
“No! Mama Tshaya always says that waking up early will make me grow stronger!” She punctuated her proclamation with exaggerated hand gestures, her small fingers painting vivid shapes in the air. There was a naive enthusiasm in her eyes that reminded Kyrie of better times.
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As she flung herself from the bed, her bare feet pattered against the floor with soft, playful thuds. Kyrie watched her, a swell of affection warming him. Despite the chaos of their lives, Selene had a magic within her, a lively spirit that brightened even the darkest days.
After helping her in the washroom, where the water’s refreshing chill seemed to wake her further, he moved to the small kitchen adjoining the bedroom. The scent of fresh bread and sizzling eggs filled the air, rich and comforting, promising a semblance of normalcy. Yet, as he worked, his thoughts drifted to Tshaya.
Where was she? His stomach twisted at the thought. The absence of her presence weighed heavily in the air, more than the usual quiet hum of morning. He glanced back toward Selene, who sipped some juice, her brow furrowing in concentration.
“Last night, my mom did not come to visit me!” Selene sighed, the sadness in her voice entwining with the sweetness of the morning. Kyrie’s heart clenched, sadness skimming the surface of his thoughts.
He crossed the short distance to her, kneeling beside her small chair, fingertips brushing gently through her hair. “Do not worry. She must have been busy,” he reassured her, his voice steady, though uncertainty gnawed at him.
Last night, while Selene slept, her mother had come to him—visiting him in the shadows, veering the course of his own heart.
“You know, sometimes grown-ups have things they need to take care of, and they can be a little… unpredictable,” he added, hoping his words would reassure her. He forced a smile, wrapping her in a warmth he ought to feel himself.
Selene nodded, her small face scrunching into a thoughtful pout. “But I miss her. What if she doesn’t come back?” Her bottom lip trembled. The sight twisted something deep within Kyrie’s chest.
“Hey,” he said, taking a deep breath. He wanted to comfort her, to weave some magic into the air—a reassurance that it would all be okay. “She loves you very much. I promise, she would never forget you.” Kyrie hesitated.
Kyrie stood, the urgency of the moment pressing against him like a weight. He headed back to the kitchen to finish preparing their meal, forcing his mind away from worry. As the sizzling of pancakes filled the air, he caught the sweetness of honey mixing with the scent of butter.
Selene’s laughter bubbled around him, but even as he smiled, his heart danced with the silent pang of apprehension.
After breakfast, the sky outside began to light up in hues of gold and crimson, the sun peeking through the window in a gentle reminder of the new day ahead.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Kyrie and Selene ventured out onto the street, the town stretching before them—wide, open, and beautiful.
Kyrie held Selene's hand tightly, securing that tether to the innocence he desperately wanted to protect. “Whatever it takes,” he murmured to himself.