When Coco’s eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was the soft light of morning seeping through the curtains.
She blinked slowly, disoriented at first, slightly confused as to where she was until she realized her body was wrapped in sothing warm— a thick blanket had been draped over her, and beneath it, right beside her, and over her waist..
The first husband laid beside her with his arm wrapped loosely around her waist.
He was still there, even after her lack of response.
He was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling steadily against hers where he had curled protectively beside her during the night.
The diator’s presence had kept sleep from turning into another nightmare and that sa quiet comfort held her even as dawn broke outside, as if telling her that he will never go sowhere else.
She didn’t move. She didn’t dare disturb him. She let herself be held and closed her eyes again, surrendering to the comfort of Zaque’s embrace.
Hunting could wait— monsters and missions would still be there when she wakes up later.
Her occupation as a hunter doesn’t require to go to the guild every single day and hunt, she just wanted to hunt so she goes to the guild every day.
She started the job to earn money after all.
But for now, she let sleep pull her under once more, the warmth around her was a quiet shield against the weight of everything else— the grief, the guilt, the endless chaos inside and out.
And for this one mont.. She just slept.
Because sotis.. Even hunters needed rest and Zaque? She’s sure that he would make sure no nightmares got in.
So she let sleep take over her once again.
The next ti Coco stirred in her slumber, she opened her eyes due to the lack of warmth wrapped around her body.
She groaned, her eyesight blurry from sleep and patted the spot where the diator should be.
Pat. Pat. Pat.
Only for her to fully open her eyes and find Zaque sitting on the edge of the bed, his hair damp— an obvious sign that he had just gotten out of the shower.
Coco’s eyebrows furrowed and she shifted her gaze to the e light from the window which told her that it was already late afternoon.
She had slept far longer than she had realized and expected, but considering the night she just had.. Well, her body clearly needed the rest for pushing herself yesterday.
While she was mulling over the fact that she had slept longer than she had expected, Zaque turned because she heard the sound of the shuffling.
"Hey." He greeted Coco quietly, flashing her a small smile. "How do you feel?"
Coco blinked up at him, her erald eyes still heavy with sleep, but clearer now. Sharper. The raw pain from last night had dulled into sothing softer.. Quieter.
She felt better. Not fixed— no, never that, but she felt lighter, like a storm had passed and left only a damp earth behind.
And yet.. There was still sadness in the curve of her lips as she studied Zaque’s face, the concern etched into his features even after she had slept through most of the day.
"Not that good, but better." She murmured finally, voice rough with sleep.
She didn’t bother lying like the other tis because she believed that it was ti for her to trust her husbands.
"That’s a relief." Zaque humd and leaned down, his smile soft, warm as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Please don’t push yourself. Rest for now, okay?"
"Mhmm.." Coco answered, her eyes fluttering close as he kissed her forehead.
"We already had lunch." He inford her, his voice a low hum in the quiet room, as he pulled away and smiled down at her.
His fingers combed gently through her hair, a comforting gesture more than anything. "You slept past noon. If you’re not up for a full al, I can ask Heiren to make you sothing light. Soup, maybe?"
At the soft brush of Zaque’s fingertips against the side of her head, Coco humd involuntarily, so of the tension leaving her shoulders.
When he offered her soup, she shook her head. "I’m not hungry."
Her gaze drifted away from him, fixed on the wall, and there was a pause before she continued. ".. Just stay. Please."
Zaque studied her face, his chest tightening at the quiet plea in her voice.
She had skipped als before, but he still couldn’t stop himself from feeling helpless and unable to help relieve the pain of his wife.
"Okay." He said softly after a beat. "I’ll stay."
He didn’t move from where he sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting lightly on her leg beneath the blanket, but then ca that familiar ache beneath his ribs.
She needs to eat. And damn it all.. If soup wouldn’t work—
".. How about tea?" His voice dropped lower now, a compromise between worry and respect for what she could handle right now.
Coco flicked her gaze back to Zaque, her eyes eting his. "Hot cocoa.. Not tea."
It wasn’t a surprise. He knew her love for cocoa, or chocolate, or anything sweet in general. It’s not sothing a person who hasn’t eaten anything for the whole day should eat, but it’s better than not eating anything at all.
"Hot cocoa it is." He finally agreed, his voice gentle.
He smiled at her again and squeezed her leg lightly. "I’ll go make so now."
He stood up, but stopped when Coco sat up in the bed, stretching her arms over her head before she stifled a yawn.
"I’m gonna take a bath." She mumbled. "Can.. Can you please get so clothes from my room?"
Zaque paused, his gaze flicking to hers.
He felt hope and happiness bloom in his chest because finally— she’s finally asking for help, and that’s already a big step.
"Of course!" He agreed, a little too enthusiastic.
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