---
When Miki woke up the next morning, the first thing she noticed was warmth.
The second was a hand on her waist.
The third — unfortunately — was breath on her neck and the undeniable realization:
> Celeste was still here. In her bed. Clinging like a spoiled house cat.
Miki blinked hard, praying it was a dream.
It wasn't.
She slowly turned her head.
Celeste was curled against her, still fast asleep, her lips parted slightly, lashes like ink against pale skin. She looked… peaceful.
No power suits. No smug smirks. No boardroom ego.
Just a girl — centuries old or not — who clearly hadn't slept like this in years.
And of course, she was using Miki as a pillow again.
"…Get off," Miki whispered.
Celeste didn't move.
Miki squirmed, but the vampire only tightened her grip slightly, muttering something in French under her breath.
"Celeste."
Still nothing.
So Miki did what any sane person would do.
She grabbed a nearby pillow and shoved it in Celeste's face.
"WAH—!" Celeste shot up, hair wild, eyes wide. "What— where am I—"
"You're in my bed," Miki said dryly. "Being a creep."
Celeste blinked.
Then smirked. "So you admit I slept here."
Miki turned away. "I admit I made a mistake."
"Hmm." Celeste stretched like a cat, arching her back and letting the blanket slide halfway off her shoulder. "I slept surprisingly well. Much better than hugging my sad designer pillow at home."
Miki tossed a shirt at her. "Put something on before I regret every decision I made last night."
Celeste caught it, laughing softly. "You're blushing."
"No, I'm overheating. Because someone warm-blooded isn't supposed to sleep next to a corpse with boundary issues."
Celeste stood and wandered to the mirror, examining her hair. "You said I could touch you if I was offended first."
"You're offended by your own loneliness."
"…Fair point."
Miki turned away before she smiled.
---
They both got ready in silence.
Celeste insisted on using Miki's toothpaste. Miki yelled when she tried to drink water directly from the kettle. There was a minor argument over who got to use the only hairbrush.
And somehow, it all felt weirdly… normal.
Comfortable.
Domestic.
When they stepped out onto the street together, Celeste in a borrowed hoodie and Miki in a flannel, they looked less CEO and intern and more like two people just trying to pretend something hadn't happened.
Celeste nudged her shoulder as they walked.
"Want me to buy you breakfast?"
"No."
"Coffee?"
"No."
"…Kiss on the cheek?"
Miki glared. "Try it and I'll knee you in the ribs."
Celeste put her hands up. "Fair enough."
---
Back at the office, Miki went straight to her desk, trying to disappear.
But word spreads fast.
And Dana was already waiting by Celeste's office with a wicked smile and two cups of blood coffee.
"So," she said, handing Celeste one, "did you enjoy your little sleepover?"
Celeste sipped, deadpan. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Really? Because rumor has it the interns saw you leave hand-in-hand."
Celeste's eyes sparkled. "Did they?"
Dana leaned in. "You're in deeper than you think, Lorrain."
Celeste didn't deny it.
Instead, she glanced across the hall — where Miki sat hunched over her computer, glaring at her screen like it had personally betrayed her.
A small smile curved on her lips.
> Yes. She was.
-