"Gooooood morning, New Eridu! It's a bright, new, and beautiful day in the city, and today, we have something special..."

The words of the radio soon began to drown out. Her vision black for but a moment, her vermillion, orang-ish-colored eyes began to flutter awake. She groaned loudly, almost humming along with the slight chirping of the birds outside, the slight sunbeams of light permeating through the blinds of the window. Heaving a breath as she rose up, she took a glance to her left.

Expecting someone to be there, their silhouette was no more. But rather, the remnants of a person in a lie down position was once there. A slight indent to the mattress, evidence at the fact someone laid there, and a well sizable divot in the pillow to show that someone had indeed put their head there. The girl seemed to have frowned, a bit bothered that they didn't feel the warmth of their presence (and overall body) to be there. Rubbing her eyes and tucking some of her bed-headed black hair, with some red highlights in them, behind her ear, she reached over to the nightstand next to the bed.

Grabbing the phone that was there, sitting on the stand of the lamp, she checked the time. It was about the midday of the early morning, between eight thirty to nine. Because of the time, she let out a deep sigh and flopped back onto the bed.

She groaned into her pillow. As much as she loved what she does throughout the day, there were times she wished for the simpler pleasures of life. One such thing being to lie down in bed and bask in the company of her partner.

---

Light humming could be heard coming from the other room, as well as the delicious smell that had slipped through the slight crack of the door. Zhu Yuan smiled as she hopped off the bed, but not before fixing it up and making it look tidy and neat.

First heading to the mirror, which stood right next to the wardrobe, she had to step over the numerous small piles of clothes around the room. She frowned, mostly because she and her partner had been rather busy that they hadn't had time to fix up their own room. But such was the life of their busy careers. While his wasn't as serious as her's, this past week, the closing time of the establishment he worked at seemed to be getting late into the evening by the hour.

Putting her long hair into a ponytail with a simple hair tie, and fixing up her shirt a little (a simple white tee that was over-sized and reached all the way down to the bottom of her waist), Zhu made herself at least a bit presentable. Well, this was still a bit scandalous in some people's eyes, but at the very least, she was covered up in the right places. Poking her head out of the room, hearing the hum a little bit louder, she stepped into the hallway that led toward the living area.

Poking her head around the corner, she looked through the doorway that connected into the kitchen, where she spotted her partner by the sink. The range was just to his right and it seemed that he was cutting something up on the chopping board, evident by the parable and thunking "chunk" of the knife hitting the wood as it cut through whatever he was cutting. The young man himself was of average height and build, nothing too special, but from her angle, it did seem that he had quite a bit of muscle. Short white hair that reached to about the top of his neck, a bit wavy and spiky itself, and light blue highlights in his own hair. Unironically a contrast to her own hair.

However, the smile she kept was still one of admiration. They first met each other in high school. The two were part of vastly different worlds, so to speak. She was a star student with the highest marks possible, athletic and smart, almost like she was the perfect student. Back then, he wasn't necessarily the most exceptional student there was. Most would consider him average. He didn't have the best grades nor was he the most athletic. Part of their school's basketball team, but he wasn't a starter or a regular, or anything of the like. He was more of a substitute, subbing for any of the starters/regulars if they couldn't participate any longer during any games. Even though he wasn't the most ambitious there was, there was one thing that Zhu Yuan noticed.

The young man was probably one of the most, if not the most, kindest person there was in the school. Always offering assistance to their seniors and the school's faculty, giving advice to their underclassmen as they rose through the grades in their school, it was such a strength that Zhu Yuan greatly, and deeply admired. While she herself does the same thing as well during their time in high school, he had done so extensively, and was always helping people out. Even if it meant taking out a chunk of his personal time, he would still offer any sort of help all while he did it with a smile on his face. It was mesmerizing, really.

His name? Mùyáng, having many different meanings, but the most general one being "cleansing sun."

Very much in line for him, considering his work. Always one to wake up early in the dew of the morning, usually a pleasant smile on his face every time he was working his job of being an employee at a café. Those that frequent the shop know how much of a hard worker he is and always gives excellent customer service. People call him a literal sunshine in their eyes because of the pleasant mood he's always in. It didn't seem like there wasn't anything at all that would get him down or purge his mood. A kind and gentle young man.

"Ah...!"

Index finger being flicked onto her forehead because she was caught in a daydream, Zhu Yuan pouted as she rubbed the area her boyfriend had flicked. A slight smirk on his face, Mùyáng stood in front of her.

"What're you standing over here in the door frame for? I don't recall stalking being part of the handbook, officer," he teased.

Zhu Yuan only crossed her arms. "And I'm pretty sure flicking someone's forehead isn't the correct way to get someone's attention. I could have you arrested for assaulting an officer, you know that?"

He hummed. "I don't know about that, officer. That seems... Awfully unreasonable. I doubt my actions warrant such a heavy punishment."

"Oh, really? Then what sort of punishment do you think it warrants, hmm?" She crept closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. "What do you think you should do about it?~"

"Well..." He responds equally by bringing her as close as possible, her chest being pushed up against his own as his hands dropped to her waist. "I have a couple of ideas... Though the question being is whether these ideas I have are alright with you."

"I think... I can look past this transgression. Just this once." Zhu Yuan winks at him, only leading for Mùyáng to chuckle at her words.

It didn't take long for a kiss to be initiated, Zhu Yuan pulling his head down to meet her level as she captured his lips. Her hands running through his hands fervently, almost like a hint of desperation was seen in her passionate desire and affection. He reciprocated it, of course, holding her close by the waist and responded equally with the same amount of passion and affection she was giving.

A deep gasp from the both, gasping for air, they looked at each other with a loving gaze. Both of them held such small, warm smiles, Mùyáng stroking his thumb along her cheek.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Good morning to you, too," Mùyáng whispers back. "So, what's on your agenda today?"

"Depends, really. Patrolling, handling paperwork, entering the Hollows, whatever our squad is going to be assigned. How about yourself?"

"Nothing much, as well, aside that I've got to run some errands today. We've pretty much expended a majority of what we have in the fridge so I'm going to the grocery store later this evening after my shift."

"Isn't that a lot of work already? Sometimes you'll come home from the café really tired. Are you sure you'll be able to handle it?"

He smiled even wider at how concerned she was. "Shouldn't be too bad. Besides, it should only be the stuff on the shopping list and I'm not trying to go out of my way to buy things we don't need."

"I see... Then if I'm able to finish my shift a little bit earlier, how about I go with you?"

"You sure? I wouldn't want to rush you or anything like that. And again, this grocery trip is more of a short one than a long one."

Zhu Yuan raised her eyebrows and poked his chest. "Mùyáng, are you telling me that you don't want to spend time with me at all?"

"Hey, you're the one putting words in my mouth," he cheekily replies.

She pokes him again, "Do you want me to come or not? There are repercussions depending on your answer."

Mùyáng only chuckles, "Alright, alright. I concede. But don't keep me waiting too long. Okay?"

"Better." Zhu Yuan smiled and gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm going to take a shower. Mind finishing breakfast up so by the time I'm finished, it's all set?"

"Sounds like a plan."

A final kiss to his lips, Zhu Yuan goes back to the bedroom and closes the door behind her. Mùyáng exhales a breath, heading back to the kitchen and returning work to the breakfast he was cooking.

Using some chopsticks to take out the fully cooked sausages, he turned to the bowl that was set to the side. A brief stir and beating of the eggs in the bowl, Mùyáng sprinkled some pepper and salt with a dash of milk before carefully pouring it into the pan. Gently frying the underside, using his chopsticks to evenly spread it out, once fully cooked, he gently lifted the egg-like pancake and fries the otherside. A nice, yellow, and golden brown color and texture was shown, Mùyáng catapults the egg over his head, the yellow pancake landing on the plate behind him on the countertop table with precision. Humming to himself a small tune, he began setting up the dish, though it wouldn't be long before he began to sing.

"There's no combination of words on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs
With sepia-toned loving
Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here and where do we go, and how come it's so hard?
It's not always and sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together"

"Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at them stars and we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together"

"And all of these moments just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone when when the morning light sings
Or brings new things, for tomorrow night, you see
That they'll be gone too, too many things that I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression I was somewhere in between
With only two, just me and you, not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be, we'll sit beneath the mango tree now"

"Yeah, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together"

"Mm–mm–mm–mm–mm–mm–mm
Mm–mm–mm–mm–mm–mm–mm"

"I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
And I when, and when I wake up
You look so pretty, sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together"

With an exhale of satisfaction, wiping his brow, he takes all the finished products to the table and begins setting it up. A small bowl of rice for each of them, both having that fluffy yellow egg pancake with a bit of some ketchup as a dressing and the sausages next to them on a plate, along with some chopped up tomatoes (specifically in cubes) that were mixed in with spinach in another small bowl.

Expertly and decoratively setting the table, placing their breakfast on some placemats and putting a small pitcher of juice in the middle, setting their cups next to the plates, he dusts his hands off and admires his work. It all looked perfect. Especially since this current life of his. He wouldn't change it for the world.

A rather blissful sigh was let out behind him, "Mmm.~ Smells delicious. Seems like I finished just in time."

Mùyáng turned around and spotted his wonderful girlfriend, dressed in her Pubsec attire. Zhu Yuan was currently adjusting the handcuff handband above her head before finally looping her shoulder-length hair through a hair tie and wrapping it up in a ponytail, making her all the more gorgeous, as always. He held a rather big smile on his face, Zhu Yuan staring at him in confusion as she tilted her head at him. An almost shy but enamored feeling welling within her.

"What're you staring at me for?" She questioned.

Mùyáng only laughed. "Nothing, it's just... I'm just wondering how I was able to be with someone as wonderful as you."

Zhu Yuan narrowed her brow, but an almost coy and playful grin appeared on her face. "Oh? And what makes you say that? Are you trying to say that you didn't get me through 'normal' means?"

"Are you implying that I used underhanded techniques, Officer?~" The young man replied with a playful tone, his arms having soon snaked around her waist. "Are you perhaps saying that I have done something wrong to earn your affection?"

"Mmm, maybe. You did bribe me with a coffee once...and you should know that bribing a PubSec officer is considered a criminal offense."

"So I'm a criminal now, am I? What do you plan to do to me in order to make me repent, dear Officer?~"

"Hmm, I have some ideas..." Zhu Yuan trailed off, her arms now around his neck, face close to his as the tip of her nose brushed up against his own. "However, what matters is whether you will comply with it or not..."

"Perhaps, I can. After all, you can be very persuasive, dear Officer."

Zhu Yuan frowned, but the blush on her face betrayed what she was actually feeling. She quite liked it when she was being teased about being called "officer" here in their home. It got on her nerves at first, being teased like this, which she soon warmed up to. That fluttering feeling in her chest and loins unnerved her at first because of how new to the relationship was.

Both of them, actually. They had been together for more than a couple of years now, back when Zhu Yuan first started in the PubSec academy and Mùyáng still being a junior employee under Tin Master. Well, Mùyáng was still a subordinate under Tin Master for Coff Café, but at this point in time, Mùyáng manages the Lumina Square branch, now about at the year three threshold of their relationship.

And for what it was, their relationship was simple. Enjoy some time together in the morning before heading out to their jobs, then coming home to this quaint little apartment of theirs where they would have dinner, eventually heading to the couch to cuddle for a couple of hours or head straight to bed. A rinse and repeat cycle that they didn't seem to get tired of. And honestly? She loves it. Every single moment of it.

The fact that her heart was teetering on being swooned and elated, a bundle of happiness having been built up immensely, not just from his teasing, but she could detect the underlying tones of affection in his words. An enamored sigh, she rested her forehead against his chest, caught off guard by it a little, but only held her tightly. Resting his chin upon her head, caressing her back and giving it a light massage, he took in a deep breath, catching a whiff of her scent. Refreshing. Light. Easy to take in and instantly relax to. Just like her when they were on their own time.

He continued to rub her back, "Did I do something wrong for you to do this?"

"No... No, not at all. It's just..." She inhaled his scent deeply as well. "I love you. So much. You know that, right?"

"I love you, too."

Despite how simple the words were, she cherished it. It was meaningful. It felt weird and amazing how such a few words can cause an ease of emotions that make her feel special. Feel cared and loved for.

She released her hug on him, "And just for the record, you know, asking about what you did to deserve me? Everything."

"Everything, huh? High praise coming from you, Zhu."

"I'm serious," she said, her face full of appreciation. "You're kind, honest, responsible, supportive, and most of all... You always try your best at everything. You don't try to cheat your way through anything, you're fair and compassionate. And most of all? You are the only one who could ever make me feel special. Special in a way that no one else could."

"...Heh. You really have a way with words, don't you, Zhu?"

"I'm only speaking the truth."

"I know you are." Mùyáng kissed her forehead. "Thanks, Zhu. It means a lot."

She blushed, but Zhu Yuan smiled happily. "I love you."

"Love you, too," he replied with a small laugh.

A knock was soon heard at the door. Zhu Yuan went to move toward it, only for Mùyáng to grab her shoulder and gesture to the table.

"You go on ahead to the table. Your job is very much more important, dear Officer. New Eridu won't protect itself without its reliable 'Captain Overtime'," Mùyáng jokes.

"Don't call me that," Zhu Yuan grumbled, but couldn't help having a smile tug at her lips. "If you say so, Mùyáng. But don't take too long. 'Captain Overtime's' orders."

"Yes, ma'am."

He chuckled at her words, shaking his head with a slight smile. Walking through the short foyer to the front door, Mùyáng checked through the peephole to see who had knocked on the door. The only thing strange about looking through it is that no one was standing there. He furrowed his brow.

Opening the door, he took a foot step out and looked around for a bit. Then looked down. A letter. Addressed to him specifically. Mùyáng frowned, spotting a particular logo that was at the top right corner of the folded letter addressed to him. Clicking his tongue, he picked it up and stuffed it into his apron.

"Mùyáng!" Zhu Yuan called.

"Coming!"

Before he stepped back into the apartment, he turned around and looked into the distance of the other buildings around him. He could've sworn he felt someone was watching him.

It had been... No, he didn't want to dive back into that part of his life. There was a reason why he left that part of his life in the first place.

Pushing whatever remaining thoughts about that subject, he went inside his apartment. He wanted nothing more but to enjoy his life with Zhu Yuan. That was all that mattered right now.