It was the earliest hours of the morning when Eris stirred. The sun had not yet risen to shed its glow against the thick canvas of the tent’s walls. Marion still lay sleeping on the bedroll beside him, their ruddy blonde hair splayed across around their head. It had always been them who was awake first, but for once it was not. A small smile played upon his lips as he bowed his head to kiss their brow.

Marion made a small noise, but did not wake fully. Eris rubbed grit from his ...