Morning light filtered through the gaps in the blinds.
When Sephiroth opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was a warm weight on his arm.
Ain's head rested in the crook of his arm, her long, curly blue hair spread across the pillow, with a few strands tangled around his fingers.
Looking past Ain's shoulder, he took in the state of the room-her uniform jacket lay spread across the rug, her uniform pencil skirt hung from the bedside lamp, and her torn stockings dangled from the edge of the bed to the floor.
Unable to resist, Sephiroth lowered his head and gently breathed in Ain's scent.
He had gone a little overboard last night. But the way her student-like inexperience alternated with a naval officer's bearing made it truly difficult to hold back.
Ain breathed softly, her eyes shut tight and her eyelashes trembling slightly. Sephiroth could see that her ears were still red.
He turned onto his side and reached out, lightly brushing her cheek with his fingertips.
Ain's eyelashes trembled sharply. But she did not open her eyes. She deliberately made her breathing even shallower, as though trying to pretend she was still sound asleep.
Sephiroth's fingers slid from her cheek to her earlobe, giving it a gentle pinch.
Ain's breathing faltered. But she kept her eyes firmly shut, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Sephiroth lowered his head and placed a very light kiss on her eyelid. Then he worked his way down, from her eyelid to the tip of her nose, from her nose to the corner of her mouth, finally stopping at her lips.
"...Mmph-"
Ain could no longer pretend to be asleep. She pressed both hands against Sephiroth's chest, barely applying any force.
Sephiroth lifted his head and looked into her finally