Between Worlds

The morning light filtered through the curtains in soft streaks, casting a faint glow across the room. The quiet hum of the city outside was distant, muffled by thick walls and closed windows, making the apartment feel oddly peaceful. She stirred under the blankets, blinking slowly as her mind surfaced from sleep.

She turned her head slightly, spotting him seated in-front of the desk, posture perfectly upright as he typed something into her computer. His fingers moved with practiced efficiency, his eyes scanning the screen with a sharp, almost detached focus. It was the kind of look she'd seen before—assessing, calculating, as if he were analyzing a mission briefing rather than just... existing in the moment.

Lee was already awake.

Of course he was.

She yawned, stretching under the covers. "Morning."

Lee's fingers stilled for half a second before he turned his head slightly in acknowledgment. "You're awake."

"No, I'm still asleep," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She glanced at the screen but couldn't make out much from her angle. "What are you doing?"

Lee didn't answer right away, as if debating whether to explain. Eventually, he said, "Researching security vulnerabilities."

She sat up, the blanket pooling around her waist. "In my apartment?"

"In general."

She exhaled through her nose. "You ever just... I don't know, do normal morning stuff? Like drink coffee or scroll through social media?"

Lee's expression remained neutral. "Neither are necessary."

She rolled her eyes, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Okay, Mr. Efficiency, what about eating?"

"I don't require food."

She gave him a flat look. "You know that's not the point."

Lee regarded her for a moment before tilting his head slightly, as if reconsidering his approach to the conversation. "What do you usually do in the morning?"

She huffed, pushing herself up. "Coffee first. Then I figure out the rest." She stretched again, feeling her joints pop. "Sometimes I eat, sometimes I don't. Depends on how much time I have left."

Lee hummed in acknowledgment, then turned back to the screen. She eyed him for a second before stepping toward the kitchen. The scent of coffee from yesterday still lingered faintly in the air, but it wasn't enough to deter her from brewing a fresh pot.

As she busied herself with the coffee maker, she glanced over her shoulder. "You know, if you're going to keep acting like my bodyguard, you might as well make yourself at home."

Lee frowned but didn't look away from the screen. "I'm not acting."

She snorted. "Right, right. But seriously, you can sit on the couch or something. You don't have to constantly be on guard you know."

Lee didn't respond immediately, but after a beat, he did lean back slightly in the chair. Not quite relaxed, but less rigid. She'd count that as a win.

A knock on the door made her pause, glancing toward it with mild confusion. She wasn't expecting anyone. Lee, on the other hand, was already on his feet, gaze sharp as he approached the entrance with measured steps.

She placed her coffee down, following behind him. "Relax," she muttered. "It's probably just a neighbor."

Lee didn't look convinced, but he stepped aside as she unlocked the door and pulled it open.