The soft hush of evening settled more fully into the apartment, the dim glow turning everything warm and muted. Amelia curled a little closer to Ethan, her cheek resting comfortably against his shoulder, her fingers lightly hooked in the fabric of his shirt.
Ethan didn't speak; he simply breathed with her, matched to her rhythm in a way that made her feel quietly understood.
After a few moments, Amelia lifted her head slightly, her eyes searching his face with gentle curiosity.
"You're very calm," she said softly.
Ethan smiled a little.
"You make me calm."
"That doesn't make sense," she whispered with a shy tilt of her head.
"It does to me," he murmured.
"You bring out a softness in me that I don't feel with anyone else."
Her breath caught.
"Softness?"
Ethan brushed his thumb lightly across her knuckles.
"Yes. A softness that makes me want to be better. Gentler. Steadier."
Amelia's eyes flickered with something fragile and warm.
"I didn't know I could bring that out in someone," she whispered.
"You do," Ethan said.
"Just by being you."
She looked down at their hands, her fingers resting quietly in his palm, relaxed and honest.
"Ethan…" she began slowly.
"Is it strange that I feel so connected to you this quickly?"
"No," he said softly.
"Not when the connection is real."
Her cheeks warmed.
"And is it real for you?" she whispered.
Ethan shifted slightly, turning more toward her. His hand moved to her cheek, cupping it gently, his thumb brushing her skin with deliberate tenderness.
"It's very real," he whispered.
"More real every moment you let me in."
Her breath trembled.
"I'm letting you in," she murmured.
"I know," Ethan said softly.
"And I'm grateful."
Amelia moved closer, her forehead now resting against his collarbone. She let out a quiet breath.
"Ethan… if I tell you something honest, will you promise not to pull away?"
He tilted his head, brushing his cheek lightly over her hair.
"I'll never pull away from your honesty," he murmured.
She swallowed, steadying her voice.
"Being close to you feels… right," she whispered.
"And it scares me how right it feels."
Ethan's arms wrapped around her carefully—steady, warm, protective.
"It feels right to me too," he said quietly.
"And it's okay to be scared. It means your heart is waking up."
Amelia's breath softened against him.
"I think it is," she murmured.
"Waking up."
He smiled—soft, tender, full of warmth.
"What does it feel like?" he whispered.
"Like warmth. Like wanting more time. More moments. More…"
She hesitated, then finished softly,
"…more of you."
Ethan exhaled a warm, slow breath.
"Amelia… you have no idea how carefully I'm holding this."
She lifted her head, their eyes meeting—soft, close, and full of unspoken feeling.
"What do you mean?" she whispered.
"I mean I feel something growing too," he said softly.
"And I'm treating it with the care it deserves."
Her heartbeat fluttered.
"You really feel something?" she breathed.
Ethan's forehead came to rest against hers, tender and close.
"Something real," he whispered.
"Something deep. Something I want to explore with you."
Her breath shook gently, not in fear but in overwhelming emotion.
"I don't want to pull away," she murmured.
"Then stay," he whispered.
"With me. Here. In this moment."
Amelia closed the small space between them, settling into him with full, open trust. His arms enveloped her again, slow and steady, drawing her gently against his chest.
Her voice was quiet against his collarbone.
"Ethan… is it okay if I start caring more?"
His breath caught softly—
not in surprise,
but in something warm and tender.
"Yes," he murmured, his voice deep and sincere.
"It's more than okay."
She let out a soft, relieved breath.
"And you won't go anywhere?" she whispered.
He tightened his arms around her, holding her with gentle certainty.
"I'm right here," he said.
"And I'm staying as long as you'll have me."
A warm smile touched her lips as she rested beneath his jaw again, her eyes closing in peaceful acceptance.
And in that quiet, safe space, Amelia let her heart settle deeper into his.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
Just real.
Just hers.
Just theirs.