Zev notices this. He doesn't blame him for being concerned. Zev won't be able to forget fainting their first night here anytime soon.

"All right. We both don't want to, but we both know we must. So!" Zev flings the covers off as dramatically as possible, sitting up.

...And Nova is trying to muffle his giggles now.

Zev is delighted to hear those muffled sounds.

"Are you laughing at me? Nova, mi vida, the betrayal!" He says, leaning in close enough to tuck his head between Nova's neck and shoulder.

"I- um yes?" he is fairly sure Zev is just teasing. "I just- it was funny." He cuddles Zev.

Zev folds easily into Nova's arms. "I may never recover."

"Yeah you will," Nova says certainly. "-weren't we supposed to be getting up?"

"Why would I do that when I am so comfortable right here?" Zev takes a chance and just collapses on top of Nova, though taking care to not actually hurt him.

Nova giggles quietly again, sounding very fond. "S'ppose."

"Mi vida, that sounds shockingly like a surrender. We may have to spend all day here."

Nova takes a chance and pokes playfully at Zev's stomach. "Food."

Zev feigns injury. "Oh, I am felled! Felled by a boy I thought cared!" He nuzzles Nova.

"Okay. You make a fair point. But good luck getting me upright."

The gets him another giggle, and Nova slipping out from underneath him to stand up, stretching slightly.

"Nooooooo," Zev protests weakly.

"Food," he repeats insistently, reaching out, surprisingly bold, to tug on Zev's hand.

Zev feels like his heart could beat right out of his chest. 

“Fine!” He says, grinning. He lets Nova haul him out of bed. He feels...actually happy. “Food, then.”

Nova gives Zev a soft smile and then heads for the door, but stops fairly quickly, looking back at Zev, mutely asking him to go first.

Zev grips Nova’s hand comfortingly, and takes the lead easily. He’s always been happy to be Nova’s shield.

He unlocks the door and opens it. 

The landing is empty as they make their way down, but chatting and laughter can be heard from the kitchen.

"I swear," Aaren's voice is playfully irritated. "I don't understand how Ange manages to not break her ankles with you winding around underfoot in her kitchen."

Woof!

"You're the one feeding him scraps, Dad, it's your own fault."

Zev falls into step beside Nova to walk into the kitchen. He would normally stand between him and everything, but he felt okay to try and step back. 

“Morning.”

Esca leaves off pestering Aaren and bounds over to them, stopping and half sitting back, tail wagging eagerly.

"Morning," Lan says brightly.

"...did Lan pester you out of bed?"