The quiet inside Ethan's apartment had shifted into something deeper—something warm and almost fragile in its tenderness. Amelia stayed nestled against him, her head resting beneath his jaw, her hand resting lightly over his chest. Ethan's arms held her with a steady gentleness she was beginning to crave more than she realized.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
There was no need.
It was the kind of silence that wasn't empty—
the kind that felt full of unspoken thoughts, soft breaths, and slow-burning connection.
Eventually, Amelia's fingers tightened against his shirt, not in fear, but in thought.
Ethan noticed immediately.
"You're thinking," he murmured, brushing his thumb softly along her arm.
She nodded against him.
"I am."
"Does it feel heavy or gentle?"
"Gentle," she whispered.
"Very gentle."
His breath released in a warm, quiet sigh.
"Good."
She lifted her head slightly so she could look at him.
The soft evening light touched his face, making his eyes look warmer, deeper.
"I didn't think I'd be able to sit this close to anyone," she said softly.
"And now?" Ethan asked.
"And now… I don't want to move."
Ethan's expression softened, his hand brushing a slow path along her back.
"Then you don't have to," he said quietly.
Amelia hesitated, her voice trembling just a little.
"Why do you make it so easy to trust you?"
Ethan's fingers stilled for a moment, as if her question meant more than she realized.
"Because I want you to feel safe," he said softly.
"Not pressured. Not unsure. Just… safe."
Her eyes lowered.
"You've been patient with me in ways I'm not used to."
Ethan cupped her cheek gently.
"I'm patient because what we're building matters."
Her breath hitched softly.
"And what exactly are we building?" she whispered.
Ethan held her gaze, steady and warm.
"A connection," he answered.
"A real one. A slow one. One where you never have to pretend."
Amelia felt her chest melt a little at his words.
She reached up and traced the line of his jaw with her fingertips—a light, deliberate touch. Ethan's breath caught quietly, but he didn't move away.
"You feel warm," she whispered.
"So do you," he murmured.
She looked down, her voice softening.
"I feel like something is unfolding inside me. Something I can't stop."
"You don't have to stop it," Ethan whispered.
"You're allowed to feel everything."
Her fingers curled slightly against him.
"But what if my feelings get… stronger?"
Ethan's hand slid to the back of her head, holding her with gentle certainty.
"Then I'll meet them," he said.
"Slowly. Carefully. Honestly."
Her breath trembled.
"You're sure?" she whispered.
"Amelia," Ethan said softly,
"I care about you. Deeply. I'm not going anywhere."
Her eyes softened—vulnerable, hopeful.
"This feels like more than comfort," she said quietly.
"That's because it is," Ethan murmured.
A quiet warmth spread through her chest, settling into every part of her.
She leaned forward, her forehead resting lightly against his collarbone, her voice barely audible.
"I think I'm starting to fall," she whispered.
Ethan froze for only a second—just long enough for her to feel the shift in his breath—
then his hand slid softly into her hair, his voice slow and sincere.
"Then fall gently," he murmured.
"And I'll be right here. Every step."
Her eyes fluttered closed at the promise in his voice.
Ethan's hand moved to her back again, pulling her in closer—not too close, just close enough to say you're safe with me.
Amelia rested fully against him now, her heart steadying in the warmth of his presence.
"I don't want to be afraid anymore," she whispered.
"You don't have to be," he said.
"Not with me."
Her breath softened.
"Stay with me," she whispered.
Ethan's hand tightened around her gently.
"I'm here," he said.
"And I'm staying."
A quiet smile touched her lips as she relaxed deeper into him, letting his warmth hold her.
And for the first time in a long time, Amelia didn't feel like she was falling alone.
She felt caught.
Held.
Wanted.
And something deep inside her whispered that this—
this steady, warm, slow-burning closeness—
was becoming something real.