
The only way where this is a "cute" couple thing is if both parties agreed that the other can do stuff while they are sleeping. Married couples can still get raped by eachother if there is no previous consent or boundary in place. The only reason I'm okay with this is *spoiler* she doesn't mind and is okay with it so let couples be couples.

They are a couple but marriage doesn't equate to consent. Marital rape is a thing and in those cases is not cute or pretty at all.
The important element here is whenever she is ok with it (consent). As long as she is, it's not rape/sexual assault. Based on what novel readers have said, I'm pretty comfortable with saying that she is ok with it.
So in conclusion, we agree, however, our reasons are hella different.

You don't have to scream "no" for it to be rape. If someone were to tape your mouth close, you wouldn't be able to say no and it would still be rape if they fucked you against your will.
Mike is right about marital rape/rape within relationships.
And mike is right about prior consent being needed. In this story, the ML took a risk, and while I am giving him a pass because it's fiction and I know that the FL won't be against it, in real life doing anything like this without prior consent. Taking the risk of potentially raping someone just because you're a bit horny and disregarding their bodily autonomy is not a part of a healthy relationship.
I am a pervert, I like stuff a lot more extreme than this (the type of stuff that would make a lot of people look at me with disgust) and you know what, if someone I was in a sexual relationship decided to do that to me (while I'm asleep) without us having a talk about this before, they would get the boot. To call this a red flag would be an understatement.
If they are asleep, and if you didn't get consent before, you don't know what their view towards wake-up sex is. Have the talk first and then everyone who wants wake-up sex, can have wake up sex.
What’s wrong with ppl in the comments ??? they’re married this is a cute thing couples do! Y’all are boring if you think a couple can’t delay as bit just because one of them is sleeping lmao
You’re making it seem as if a stranger sneaked know the bedroom and gave a head to the girl