The first thing I became aware of was warmth—a comforting heat enveloping me from behind. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My body felt unusually heavy, nestled in a cocoon of blankets and...

I froze.

There was an arm draped around my waist, firm yet gentle, and the unmistakable presence of someone pressed against my back. My heart skipped a beat as realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. Viktor.

I didn't dare move, every nerve in my body suddenly hyperaware of the situation. How had this happened? We'd gone to sleep on opposite sides of the bed, hadn't we? I could feel his steady breathing against the nape of my neck, and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest sent my already frantic heart racing.

Okay, calm down, I told myself, trying to think rationally. It's not like he meant for this to happen.

As I shifted slightly, attempting to disentangle myself without waking him, my hips inadvertently brushed against him. A soft sound sigh escape from Viktor's mouth.

Viktor stirred behind me. I felt him tense before, quickly pulling his arms away. "I... apologize," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"No, no, it's fine," I said hurriedly, sitting up and pulling the blankets to my chest for some semblance of comfort. "I didn't mean to—uh—it was an accident."

He sat up as well, running a hand through his hair and avoiding my gaze. "It appears we shifted during the night. I assure you, it was unintentional." His cheeks were faintly flushed, his usual composed demeanor slightly cracked.

The silence that followed was unbearably awkward. I focused on the blanket in my lap, twisting the fabric between my fingers while Viktor adjusted his shirt. The air felt heavy, charged with tension neither of us seemed to know how to address.

Finally, Viktor cleared his throat. "I should make breakfast."

"Yeah, good idea," I said quickly, grateful for the distraction.

We both got out of bed, careful to keep a safe distance as we moved around the room, I then followed Viktor to the kitchen.

The usual comfort of his presence replaced with a palpable awkwardness. He busied himself at the stove, and I made myself useful by setting the table. Every so often, our eyes would meet briefly before darting away, the tension lingering like a stubborn shadow.

When breakfast was finally ready, we sat across from each other, the clinking of utensils the only sound in the room. I picked at my food, sneaking glances at Viktor as he sipped his tea with deliberate focus.

"So," I began, desperate to break the silence, "uh... did you sleep well?"

His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Well enough, given the circumstances."

I winced. "Yeah, about that... I'm really sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"You did not," he said quickly, his tone reassuring. "If anything, I am the one who should apologize. I invaded your space."

"No, Viktor, it's fine. Really," I insisted, offering a small smile. "Let's just chalk it up to an accident and move on, okay?"

He nodded, though the faint flush on his cheeks lingered. "Agreed."

We finished the rest of our meal in relative silence, the tension easing ever so slightly. Still, I couldn't shake the memory of how close we'd been, how natural it had felt, even if it wasn't intentional.

Get it together, I scolded myself, focusing on my plate. This doesn't mean anything.

But a small, traitorous part of me couldn't help but wonder if Viktor had felt the same warmth, the same connection, as fleeting and accidental as it might have been.