The room felt warmer the longer Amelia stayed in Ethan's arms. Not because of the temperature—but because of him.
His quiet breathing.
His steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.
His gentle hold, secure but never forceful.
She hadn't realized how much she needed a moment like this—one where she didn't have to think or explain or brace herself.
Just be.
Ethan's fingers moved in slow, thoughtful circles on her back—barely there, but enough to soothe her nerves.
After a few minutes of silence, Ethan spoke softly.
"You're very quiet."
Amelia nodded lightly against his shoulder.
"I'm thinking."
"Good thoughts?" he asked gently.
She hesitated, then said truthfully:
"New thoughts."
Ethan turned his head just enough to look at her without pulling her away from his shoulder.
"Do you want to share them?"
Amelia felt her pulse quicken.
Not from fear—just vulnerability.
"I'm thinking about how strange it is," she whispered, "that being close to someone can feel this… safe."
Ethan's expression softened instantly.
"I'm honored you feel that with me."
"I don't feel it often," she admitted quietly.
"Not like this."
Ethan brushed his thumb lightly over her wrist—a small, grounding touch.
"You deserve safety," he said.
"Not just with me. With everyone in your life."
Amelia lowered her gaze.
"I don't know how to accept that."
"You don't have to know," Ethan murmured.
"You just take it one moment at a time."
She exhaled slowly, the breath warm against his shoulder.
"Ethan…"
"Yes?"
"I'm… letting myself trust you more than I planned."
His breath caught softly.
"And that means more to me than you know," he whispered.
She pulled back slightly—not to distance herself, but to see his face better. Ethan let her move, his hands gentling their hold.
"Can I ask you something?" she said quietly.
"Anything."
"When you said earlier that you want something real with me… did you mean it?"
Ethan's eyes softened into something deep and sincere.
"Yes," he said.
"I meant every word."
Amelia swallowed.
"What if I'm still learning how to let someone in?"
Ethan leaned forward just slightly, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath.
"Then I'll learn with you," he whispered.
"At your pace. Always."
Her lips parted in a small, unsteady breath.
"You say things like that," she murmured, "and they make my chest feel… strange."
"How strange?" he asked, his tone gentle, curious, patient.
"Soft," she whispered.
"Open. Like I'm not used to."
Ethan cupped her cheek softly, his thumb brushing her skin with barely-there tenderness.
"Then we take it slow," he whispered.
"Slow enough that nothing scares you. Fast enough that you don't feel alone."
Her eyes shimmered with emotion she wasn't sure she could name.
"Why do you care so much?" she asked softly.
Ethan exhaled slowly, as if the answer was something he'd been holding for a long time.
"Because," he murmured, "I see you. Not just who you show the world. Not just the quiet version. I see the part of you that wants to be brave but also wants to be understood."
His voice lowered, warm and steady.
"And I care because those parts deserve someone who doesn't rush them."
Her breath trembled.
"Ethan…"
"Hm?"
"If I get closer… I just need you to promise something."
He nodded slowly, attentively.
"What do you need?"
Amelia's voice was soft—soft like a secret.
"Don't disappear."
Ethan froze—just for a heartbeat.
Then he cupped her hand gently between both of his.
"Amelia," he said quietly, "I don't walk away from people I care about."
Her heartbeat softened.
Steadied.
Opened.
"You really care?" she whispered.
Ethan leaned in—slowly, carefully—his forehead brushing hers.
"I care deeply," he confessed.
"More every time you let me closer."
Her breath caught.
Ethan paused, giving her time to pull away if she needed to.
But she didn't.
She held his gaze, her cheeks warm, her pulse unsteady—but her heart open.
"Then stay," Amelia whispered.
Ethan's eyes softened in a way that made something inside her melt completely.
"I'm not going anywhere," he murmured.
"Not today. Not tomorrow. Not unless you tell me to."
She leaned into him again, her head resting over his heart.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her with quiet tenderness, pulling her close enough that she could feel the steady warmth of him.
And this time, Amelia didn't hesitate.
She let herself settle fully against him—soft, trusting, unguarded.
Ethan whispered against her hair:
"You're safe with me."
And for the first time in a very long time…
Amelia believed it.