Cal wasn't always an early riser. As a crecheling, he was often the last one out of bed, grumbling and half asleep at breakfast with his hair askew. Jaro Tapal changed that; Master and Padawan had lived by a deeply regimented schedule, one that had carried on with strange smoothness into his scrapping years. Now, on Tanalorr, he was usually up with the sun. The- light. Whatever caused the daycycle in the Abyss.
Bode, Cal knew, had experienced the phenomenon in reverse. He'd always been the first one up as a child, wandering through darkened halls as he waited for the others to wake. Early parenthood had screwed up his sleeping habits, he'd restructured around Tayala's schedule, and after her death his deep depression had rewired his internals- if Bode was left to his own devises he slept a lot.
And a sleeping Bode was a warm lump of love, so Cal often left him to it. Sometimes he'd fetch Kata and carry her to their bed so father and daughter could sleep cuddled up together for a few hours, as was their habit on Nova Garon. Then he'd go through his morning routine with BD, do some (unnecessary) patrolling, try and fail to make breakfast- Greez would scoff about it later and complain that at least Cal could clean the pans after he burns something in them.
Bode usually let him know when he was awake by reaching out his senses to find Cal, a playful wave lapping against his awareness until he trod back to their little house.
Today, as usual, he woke up with the sky turning lavender. Bode's face was mashed into the pillow beside his, dark hair a messy tangle- it needed cutting- his mouth soft in sleep and half-open. Cal smiled at the sight, rubbing the side of his foot against Bode's warm calf.
He spent a few long minutes just staring, perfectly aware that he was smiling like an idiot. But. Time for him to get up.
He slid out of the covers with as much finesse as he could manage, padding to the chest in the corner and pulling out his clothes for the day. Was today a pink poncho day? It felt like one. He grinned to himself as he plucked it up and tossed it on a nearby chair, digging more deeply for a long-sleeved shirt.
There was a snuffle, swiftly followed by an annoyed huff. Cal glanced over his shoulder. Bode was staring at him through cracked-open eyes, his hand stretching across the warm spot Cal had occupied a minute ago. His lips curled into the sulkiest of pouts, and his hand turned over to stretch open towards Cal.
Cal blinked at him one moment and laughed the next, love ballooning in his chest at the adorable sight. "Oh, I'm sorry," he cooed, his smile widening when Bode glared at him. He came closer, kneeling on the bed and leaning over Bode. "I forgot something, didn't I?"
Bode made an affronted noise through his nose as he rolled over onto his back below Cal, his broad hand cupping Cal's shoulder, nodding. His eyes were closed again. Too early for Bode.
Unable to settle his grin- Bode was adorable always, but particularly half-asleep- Cal leaned down to kiss him. First, his forehead, then his temple, followed by a series of small kisses back to behind his ear, to the tender spot just under it where the jaw hinged, and then across his cheek to press several kisses to the corner of his mouth as it turned upwards.
"There," Cal whispered between them. "Satisfied?"
"Mmmph." Bode's curled hand dragged up Cal's neck to cup the back on his head and pull him down for three more sound, chaste kisses on the mouth. Then, apparently satisfied, Bode rolled onto his side and pulled the comforter higher, up to his chin, and in a moment seemed to be asleep again.
"I love you too," Cal laughed. He leaned down for one last kiss to the cut of Bode's cheek before sliding out of bed for good.
