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A subtle yet audible click pierced the tranquility of John's slumber, causing his eyelids to flutter open in response to the unwelcome intrusion. His facial features contorted into a disgruntled scrunch as a soft grunt escaped him, a clear expression of his discontent with having his peaceful rest disturbed.
"Oh, sorry!"
The hurried yet apologetic voice reached John's ears, prompting him to further awaken. He shifted in bed, turning his attention to the source of the disturbance, only to find his wife leaning over to switch off the intrusive light. Despite the disruption, he waved her off, muttering that it was alright.
Reaching for his glasses on the nightstand, John blinked away the last remnants of sleep, focusing on the figure of Roxy. Her usual cascade of blonde curls was now neatly tamed into a ponytail, adorned with playful hair clips borrowed from the kids' section. A fleeting smile crossed his face as he reflected on the memory of when she had purchased those clips. As he observed Roxy further, he couldn't help but notice the telltale signs of fatigue beneath her eyes, the smudged makeup failing to conceal the tiredness that lingered.
Taking note that she was still in the dress she had worn when disappearing into her lab, John raised a hand to halt her before she settled into bed.
"Rox, at least change your clothes."
Pausing in compliance, Roxy glanced down at her attire, nodded in acknowledgment, and nonchalantly discarded the dress on the bedroom floor. As she climbed into bed, John, now more alert, rose to his feet. With Roxy in her undergarments and already drifting into slumber, he sighed, casting a quick glance at the clock before returning with a wipe to gently remove her makeup, revealing the natural beauty beneath. He planted kisses on her reddened cheeks and chin before tenderly pressing his lips to her forehead. Removing the playful hair clips and untangling the ponytail, he proceeded to dress her in something more comfortable.
Although he cherished these intimate moments with his wife, John couldn't ignore the discomfort caused by the underwire of her bra. Opting for one of his shirts, he delicately approached the task of unhooking it, likening the process to defusing a bomb—albeit a bomb that wouldn't explode but playfully mumble and tease him before allowing itself to be disarmed anyway. With the bra successfully removed, he leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her clavicle. Roxy stirred briefly but settled back into her peaceful repose.
Deciding it was time to cover her up, John moved her with utmost care, easing the shirt onto her frame. Delicately as if she were a porcelain doll. After switching off the lamp and setting aside his glasses, he joined her in bed, wrapping an arm around Roxy as he pulled her close. Lips brushed against hers as he whispered a tender good night, burying his nose in the softness of her curls as he drifted back to sleep.