Another short sketch from the WritersMonth2021 challenge

Prompt: Sunshine

Thorin woke to a light shining on his face. He opened one eye warily, it was the morning sun coming through the windows. He rolled over, pulling the covers over his head. He felt Kaylea stir next to him and reached out to draw her against him. Even with his eyes closed, it was too bright. He put a pillow over his head.

"Are you alright, husband?" Kaylea asked, stroking his arm.

"Bloody sunlight," Thorin grumbled, his voice muffled under the pillow. "How do you live like this?"

Kaylea laughed softly. "We would ask, how do you live underground? Never feel the sun on your face?"

"We do very well without it," Thorin pushed the pillow off his head. "The temperature is always agreeable, not this hot and cold nonsense. If we need light, we use a lamp."

"Indeed. I have spent many happy hours in Erebor, but I could not live my whole life there. I need the sun, the wind, the seasons."

"Then why agree to marry me?" Thorin asked, running his fingers over her stomach, enjoying the way it made her wriggle against him.

"I did not realize living in Erebor was part of the deal," Kaylea said. "In that case, the marriage is off."

Thorin propped himself on an elbow, brushing her hair back to see her face. "You are serious?"

"No," Kaylea said gently. "I swore to live my life at your side, my king. But I understood we were to spend time in each other's lands, not live only in yours."

"Yes," Thorin looked over his shoulder at the sun. "I just wish your land was no so bright."

Kaylea smiled at his pained expression. She loved that after so many years, they were still learning about each other. "Shades," she said. The windows darkened at her command; the white morning sun became midnight. "Better?"

"Much better," Thorin smiled at her, relieved to be out of the harsh sun. "I can finally see my beautiful wife."

"And now I can't see my handsome husband," Kaylea laughed. "Where did he go?"

"He's right here," Thorin whispered, pulling her close, his hands traveling over her body. "Now, where were we?"