The quiet inside Ethan's apartment deepened as the minutes passed, wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Amelia stayed pressed gently against him, her head resting over his heart. The steady rhythm beneath her ear felt like a promise—calm, warm, and honest.
Ethan didn't move unless she moved.
Didn't tighten his hold.
Didn't shift to seek more contact.
He simply let her rest.
When Amelia finally lifted her head, Ethan looked down at her with a soft calmness that made her chest warm.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
She nodded, brushing a stray curl behind her ear.
"Yes. I just… needed a moment."
Ethan smiled slightly.
"Take all the moments you need."
Amelia studied his face for a long second—his quiet eyes, the way he seemed so sure of being gentle, the patience woven into every breath he took around her.
"Ethan," she said softly, "you make things that should feel overwhelming… feel manageable."
He blinked, surprised.
"That's… a huge thing to say."
"It's true."
"Then I'm grateful," he whispered.
Amelia's gaze softened.
She shifted on the couch, turning more toward him while still keeping her shoulder against his arm.
"Can I ask something else?" she murmured.
"You can ask anything," Ethan said again—his usual phrase, warm and sincere.
Amelia hesitated before speaking.
"When you're with me like this… what do you feel?"
Ethan inhaled slowly, as if choosing his words with care.
"I feel…"
He paused, looking her in the eyes.
"…calm. And protective. And drawn to you."
Her breath caught slightly.
"Drawn how?"
"Emotionally," he said softly.
"In a way that makes me want to understand you. To hold space for you. To make sure you never feel alone."
Amelia's pulse fluttered.
"Do I… make you nervous?" she asked.
Ethan smiled gently.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you matter," he said.
"And when someone matters, you want to do everything right."
She looked down at their hands resting between them.
Her fingers brushed his lightly—just a soft touch.
"And you… want this to work?" she whispered.
"I want us to work," Ethan corrected softly.
"Not perfectly. Just honestly."
Her cheeks warmed.
"I'm not sure what 'us' looks like yet."
Ethan nodded.
"That's okay. We don't have to define anything today."
Amelia exhaled slowly.
"I don't want to hurt you," she said quietly.
"Or pull away suddenly. Or get scared and shut down."
Ethan reached for her hand—slow, asking permission with his eyes.
She let him take it.
His thumb brushed over her knuckles gently.
"If you get scared," he whispered, "I'll wait."
"If you pull away, I'll stay steady."
"And if you need time, I'll give it."
She swallowed, her chest warm and tight.
"You say things like that… and I don't know how to respond."
"You don't need to respond with words," Ethan murmured.
"Stay close. That's enough."
Amelia looked up at him again—really looked.
His gaze was warm, patient, steady.
She leaned in slightly—just an inch.
Ethan didn't move until she did.
When she got close enough, he touched his forehead to hers softly, gently.
Amelia closed her eyes at the contact.
"You're trembling," Ethan whispered.
"A little."
"Is it fear?" he asked.
"No…" She breathed out shakily.
"It's… feelings."
Ethan smiled—soft, almost breathless.
"Good."
His forehead still resting against hers.
"I feel them too."
Her heart stuttered.
"Ethan," she whispered, her voice small, "I don't usually let anyone this close."
"I know," he murmured.
"And I won't ever take that lightly."
She breathed him in—his warmth, his steadiness.
"I want to stay a bit longer," she whispered.
"Stay as long as you want."
She shifted closer, sliding into his arms slowly, letting her cheek rest under his jaw this time. Ethan's arms wrapped around her with the gentlest pull—secure, safe, careful.
Amelia felt her chest soften in ways she wasn't used to.
"Ethan?"
"Yes?"
"If I fall for you…"
Ethan's heart thudded beneath her cheek.
"…will you catch me?" she finished.
Ethan's voice trembled—just a little, just enough to show honesty.
"Every single time," he whispered.
Amelia closed her eyes, letting his warmth fill the quiet.
For the first time since meeting him…
she felt herself leaning into something real.
And Ethan held her like someone ready to stay.