The Sleep He Cherished

The hairdryer stopped buzzing.

Lu Yan turned off the power, his fingers running through Aemeath's long pink hair one last time.

Her once damp hair was now fluffy and soft, exuding a faint fragrance.

The fragrance emanating from Aemeath filled Lu Yan with a deep sense of satisfaction.

"Okay, it's dry." Lu Yan put down the hairdryer and gently ruffled her hair. "Go to bed, I'm going to take a shower. You must be tired after a day at the amusement park, don't push yourself."

"Mmm~" Aemeath nodded obediently.

She stood up from the sofa and swayed as she walked into the bedroom.

Watching Aemeath's figure disappear behind the door, Lu Yan turned around and walked towards the bathroom.

Warm water sprayed from the showerhead, instantly washing away the fatigue of the whole day and dispelling the last trace of chill in the night.

White steam quickly filled the bathroom.

Lu Yan closed his eyes, letting the hot water flow down his deep brow bone and high nose bridge.

His mind was replaying everything that had happened that day, like a movie playing uncontrollably.

From the moment she left home in the morning, to her adorable appearance with cat ears at the amusement park, from her unwavering protectiveness in the haunted house, to her mischievous act of biting off the sugar figurine's ear at sunset, and finally to her tearful embrace at the highest point of the Ferris wheel...

Lu Yan opened his eyes, wiped the water droplets from his face, and looked at himself in the mirror.

The reflection in the mirror still showed his handsome features, but the loneliness in his eyes had vanished without a trace, replaced by a vitality that had been infused with love.

He had to admit that Aemeath's appearance not only filled a void in his life, but also reshaped him.

He turned off the shower, grabbed a towel from the side to dry himself, and changed into the pajamas next to him.

Pushing open the bathroom door, Aemeath had thoughtfully turned off the lights in the living room, with only a warm yellow glow seeping through the crack in the bedroom door.

Lu Yan tiptoed and pushed open the bedroom door.

The room was quiet, and the bedside lamp was dimmed to its lowest setting, emitting a soft, orange glow.

Aemeath did not obediently go to sleep as he had instructed.

She was wrapped up in the blanket, with only her eyes showing. Although she was holding her phone, her usually bright eyes were now half-closed, and her long eyelashes were fluttering. She was obviously sleepy, but she was still trying to stay awake.

Hearing the door open, Aemeath on the bed immediately stirred.

"A-Yan ~" Aemeath's voice was a little muffled with sleepiness, and had a thick nasal tone, "You're done washing up~"

"Didn't I tell you to go to sleep first? Why are you still staying up?" Lu Yan walked to the bedside, lifted the other side of the blanket, and lay down.

As soon as he lay down, still carrying the fresh steam and warmth of his body from his recent shower, Aemeath had been half-asleep just moments before, instantly rolled into his arms, blanket and all.

Aemeath skillfully draped one leg over Lu Yan's leg, slipped one hand under his armpit, wrapped her arms tightly around his back, and then comfortably buried her face in his chest.

"I can't sleep well without A-Yan holding me," she mumbled with her eyes closed.

She seemed to suffer from some kind of skin thirst syndrome, only able to smell his scent and listen to the steady, powerful heartbeat in his chest.

Only then can her nerves completely relax and enter a truly deep sleep.

"Little clingy brat." Lu Yan chuckled softly.

He didn't push her away; instead, he stretched out his arms and hugged her even tighter.

He placed one hand behind her head and gently patted her back with the other, as if soothing a baby to sleep.

"Sleep now." Lu Yan lowered his head and placed a soft, feather-like kiss on her forehead.

"Mmm..." Aemeath snuggled into his arms, finding the most comfortable spot. "A-Yan, Ayan~"

"Good night."

Lu Yan did not turn off the bedside lamp. In the dim light, he quietly gazed at the girl who had fallen into a deep sleep in his arms.

Aemeath's breathing gradually became long and even, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyelids, and her previously tense lips now slightly upturned, as if she were having an incredibly sweet dream.

Lu Yan's fingers gently traced her eyebrows and eyes, sliding down from between her brows to her soft cheeks.

He used to think that the nights were long and unbearable.

During those lonely, sleepless nights, he could only pass the time by drawing. But now, he suddenly began to cherish every night with her by his side.

He didn't need to do anything dramatic or say anything extra. Just being able to hold her like this, feeling her warmth and breath, was enough for him.

"Sweet dreams, Aemeath," Lu Yan murmured softly, withdrawing his hand and resting his chin on the top of her head.

He slowly closed his eyes, drifting into a warm dream, accompanied by the faint sweet fragrance emanating from her.