Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 210

Chapter 210: The Morning After
The world outside was still cold and unforgiving as the volcanic winter kept the sky heavy with ash and the air crisp with chill.

But inside Unit 2101 of Building K12, in the warmth of the bed, Grace was anything but cold.

She stirred slightly, waking up from her deep slumber. The moment her consciousness returned to reality, she felt the slow, steady rise and fall of Dr. Kian’s chest beneath her cheek. His arms were wrapped around her, firm yet gentle, as if he never wanted to let her go.

A rare feeling of peace settled over her. For over a year, she had been fighting, leading, surviving – never stopping long enough to simply exist.

But here, now, in his arms, she felt safe and… at peace.

She tilted her head slightly, letting her eyes roam over his sleeping face. His normally sharp features were relaxed, his breathing slow and even. His dark lashes fanned against his cheekbones, and his lips were slightly parted.

He looked… peaceful.

She smiled softly, resisting the urge to brush her fingers through his silky soft hair. But as if sensing her gaze, Dr. Kian’s eyes fluttered open.

A slow, lazy smile spread across his lips. “Morning.”

His voice was rough with sleep, much deeper than usual, and the sound sent a small shiver down her spine.

“Morning,” she whispered back.

Dr. Kian shifted slightly, tightening his hold on her, pulling her even closer.

“You are staring,” he murmured.

She arched an eyebrow as she returned. “So are you.”

His smile widened. “Can you blame me?” His fingers traced slow, lazy circles on her bare back. His touch was warm against her skin. “I finally got you to myself for a night. Not rushing off to fight zombies or Beasts or handle another crisis.”

Grace sighed, letting herself relax against him. “It does feel nice to just… stay in bed.”

Dr. Kian hummed in agreement. “I could get used to this.”

His lips brushed against her forehead, then traveled lower, trailing soft, lingering kisses down her cheek, the curve of her jaw.

A slow heat curled in her stomach.

“Kian…”

He hummed against her skin, clearly not planning on stopping anytime soon.

She gasped softly as he tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss.

Their lips moved in a slow, intoxicating rhythm – not rushed, not desperate, just pure, unfiltered want.

His hands moved over her waist, gripping her hips gently as he pulled her on top of him, deepening the kiss.

Grace felt herself melt into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as his hands roamed lower-

Knock. Knock.

A loud bang on the bedroom door interrupted the sweet, intense moment.

“Rise and shine, lovebirds!” Rune’s voice rang through the wood, filled with amusement and mischief.

Grace froze, her face heating up instantly.

On the other hand, Dr. Kian let out a frustrated groan, resting his forehead against her shoulder. “I swear to god, for the first time ever since meeting him, I’m feeling the urge to throw him down this building.”

Right at that moment, Rune knocked again, louder this time. He clearly had heard what Dr. Kian just said. “Come on, breakfast is ready. And don’t keep me waiting, Grace – I have got a lot of complaints- teasing planned.”

Grace buried her face in Dr. Kian’s chest, feeling mortified.

Dr. Kian just chuckled before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You okay?”

“I have never been in this situation before,” she muttered.

“You mean waking up next to your incredibly handsome boyfriend?”

She shot him a look. And he just grinned in response. “Get used to it.”

Another knock.

“Alright, alright, we are coming,” she called out, her voice slightly muffled against Doc’s skin.

She reluctantly pulled away, sitting up and reaching for her clothes. Dr. Kian watched her with a lazy, satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Nothing,” he said, stretching his arms behind his head. “Just enjoying the view.”

“Stop it!” Grace said as she threw a pillow at his face.

– – –

By the time they stepped out of the bedroom, Grace was still feeling slightly shy.

It wasn’t as if she regretted anything – far from it. But the fact that Rune and Davian would now know exactly what happened made her feel… shy and awkward.

She had been in a relationship with the three of them for over six months, but she had never slept with any of the three since then. Their lives were too chaotic, and their responsibilities too heavy for them to enjoy that pleasure of intimacy.

And now?

Now there was no going back.

She wasn’t just their leader, or their partner in survival.

She was theirs.

The realization made her heart race.

She felt Rune’s eyes on her the second she stepped out of the hallway and into the area joining the living room with the dining area and the kitchen.

The man was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, and a knowing smirk stretched across his lips.

“Good morning, sleepyheads,” he greeted in a tone that was dripping with amusement.

Grace ignored him and went straight for the coffee, greeting Davian who was preparing breakfast.

Dr. Kian, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered, grabbing a plate of food as if nothing had happened.

Rune chuckled. “So, how was your night, Doctor?”

Dr. Kian smirked. “Very fulfilling.”

Grace nearly choked on her coffee.

Rune barked out a laugh. “Damn, I should have bet on this.”

She shot him a glare, but he just looked even more amused.

“Relax, Grace,” he teased, propping his chin on his hand. “I’m just happy for you two. And honestly? It’s about damn time.”

Grace sighed, rubbing her temples. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” Rune winked.

She sighed again, sitting down at the table, still feeling awkward but slowly starting to relax.

Davian placed a plate of food in front of her before pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “Eat. You will need your strength.”

Grace gave him a look. “For what?”

“For whatever disaster comes next,” Rune chimed in, grabbing a piece of bread. “Because knowing our luck? Something’s about to happen.”

Grace sighed, knowing he was probably right.

The apocalypse never gave them peace for long.