When Ivan got back to the room, transformed back into human form, he stood there stark naked, the last remnants of the shift still fading from his limbs.
He didn't reach for clothes immediately. Instead, he picked up a towel and wrapped it around his waist. The towel settled low on his hips, and he exhaled once, steadying himself before glancing toward Axel.
Axel was still covered fully with the sheets.
The blanket rose in a smooth, steady rhythm, each breath falling into the next softly. Ivan paused the moment he saw the even rise and fall in Axel's chest. The breathing was shallow, calm, almost too controlled.
He couldn't tell whether Axel was truly asleep or just pretending, but either way, the sight made him stop where he was.
He didn't want to disturb him, not when Axel looked like he had finally found a fraction of peace in a day that had already twisted too much for both of them.
He told himself he could talk to Axel the next day instead.
