★osc oneshots★

hfjone ★ liam x amelia ★ home is where the heart is

Summary:
Amelia can't sleep: her mind is occupied with reflections about reality and homesickness. But Liam is always there to comfort her.

⇀ ❁ ↼

Sheets shifted below the two figures tucked safely underneath the covers. One of them - a green backpack - had been fast asleep since he came back from work that day, now snoring softly, comfy and content. The other figure, a cyan candle, was lying awake, trying to untangle the jumble of thoughts in her head.

She had learned to be mindful during her yoga career, which now enabled her to observe how mixed and confused she felt at the moment. Her body and mind, like two quarrelling instruments, played two different songs.

Her body didn't need much else than what it had currently: a warm bed, silence to zone out, a stomach filled up with a fairly decent meal. Those were all nice things, no doubt. She and Liam had worked hard to earn them and they could finally enjoy them together.

But her mind, for some reason, couldn't join that harmony. Sure, they had a flat, they had their own place; they had a home. But what exactly did home mean?

Back then, it was easier to define it. She had felt at home after pulling out a stake with her cheering friends. She had felt at home when she could lie idly, listen to Folder's novels and let go of everything. She had felt at home when she accepted the fake sun, the fake sky, the fake grass as the real world. She had embraced the fakeness and it became reality. It became home.

The problem was, why couldn't she accept the actual reality? Why was she still holding on to that fakeness? If she had let go of Amelia in favour of Scenty, the reverse should come with just as much ease - and yet, it didn't.

She still longed for that home she had left behind.

Home was many things - familiarity, stability, peace of mind; and so far, Earth had been none of them. Earth was foreign, unforgiving, forever changing. Earth could make you live in a dumpster or under a bridge. Earth could kill you in a thousand different ways. Earth had too many people, too many society functions, too many events happening in a span of a day. Earth was a headache.

In fact, she felt like she was having one right now. Scenty sighed to herself, deciding to get some fresh air for her brain before she would attempt to sleep once more. Having crawled out of the bed, she made her way towards the window and fiddled with its hasp.

The nightly breeze hit her as soon as the window flung open, and Scenty realised she might've pulled it too hard. She glanced at Backpack, hoping the clang of the window frame hadn't woken him up.

If anything was definitely better on Earth than on the Plane, it was the night sky. She could endlessly stare at it, tracking the stars and trying to grasp the size of all the constellations. For once could she appreciate the vastness of the universe, rather than be scared of it. Tonight, only a part of the sky had revealed itself to her, with the rest being covered by clouds; she felt a little disappointed at that fact.

Breathing in the brisk air from the outside, she stood near the window for a good while. She started pondering on whether she should try sleeping now or just enjoy the scene for a little longer.

"Amelia?" Backpack's voice vibrated quietly through the room.

Amelia blinked, something swirling in her mind. "Sorry I woke you... I'm coming."

She scrambled back onto the bed, where Liam had made space for her. She huddled close to him.

"Midnight thoughts?" he whispered.

"Mhm."

He intertwined his fingers with hers. "Wanna share?"

Amelia smiled, seeing his half-lidded eyes. "You wouldn't listen, you're barely awake."

"Of course I would," he protested sleepily.

She squeezed his palm. "It's nothing much," she whispered. "I'll sleep it off."

"M'kay," he said. "But let me hug you."

He pulled her closer and embraced her, taking the occassion to nuzzle her face protectively. Amelia smiled - and she could feel Liam smile too. His body warmth calmed her and made her eyes close... Maybe she could finally nod off tonight.

She leaned in and briefly pecked him. He followed the contact and returned the kiss, softly pressing his lips to hers. Amelia could feel her body tingle with excitement and delight. The sensation shushed all of her thoughts and worries. She set a hand on his side, keeping him close.

When they parted, she opened her eyes and met Liam's gaze, full of love and care.

"It's gonna be okay," he said, cupping her face. "I know it."

Amelia placed her hand on top of his, resting on her cheek, and she smiled contently. She knew it would be okay - because she knew Liam would stay with her. They had been together throughout all these difficult years, and she knew he would never leave her alone.

"We should go to sleep," she reminded, and he hummed a yes.

Soon they were lying comfortably in a spooning position they both liked, with the addition of warm blankets adjusted over them. Amelia relaxed into Liam's hug, letting out a sigh. She could feel his chest move, she could hear him breathe, she could relish his body being so close.

And maybe that was all she really needed.

Maybe that was her home.

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A/N

Aleeza11a you wanted them to kiss, so here you go :3