Nightmares | Sethos x Fem!Reader [DISCONTINUED!]

Chapter 20

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"Seth? ... Sethos?" I whisper, gently shaking him by the shoulders, but he seems to be in a deep sleep. His breathing is slow and steady, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. For a moment, I hesitate, watching the peaceful expression on his face. He looks so at ease, so different from his usual teasing self. The sight tugs at something deep inside me.

Unable to resist, I lean down and press a soft kiss to his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin against my lips. The simple act sends a flutter through my chest, and before I know it, I place another gentle kiss on his forehead. The gesture is tender, almost instinctual, and I can't help but smile as I do it.

Just as I'm about to pull away, Sethos stirs, his arms tightening around me in his sleep. I let out a small gasp of surprise as he unconsciously wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me closer against him. His grip is firm, stronger than I expected, and suddenly I'm trapped in his embrace.

"Seriously...?" I mutter under my breath, trying not to squirm too much. I glance up at him, half-expecting to find him smirking, but he's still fast asleep. His expression remains soft and relaxed, completely unaware of the predicament he's put me in.

I try to wiggle out of his hold, but it's no use. Sethos is surprisingly strong, and I can feel his arm flex slightly as if to make sure I stay right where I am. I sigh, resigning myself to the situation. Not that it's the worst place to be, wrapped in Sethos' arms, his body warm and reassuring against mine.

As I settle back into the crook of his neck, my mind drifts to the kiss I just gave him. It wasn't the first time I'd felt that urge, but it was only the second time I'd acted on it. And now, here I am, snuggled up against him, heart racing, wondering if he would even care or notice if he were awake.

The warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart slowly begin to lull me into a state of calm, but I can't shake the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. How long can I keep doing this? How long can I keep pretending that being just friends is enough? Every moment like this, where I get to be close to him, only makes it harder to ignore what I really want. But at the same time, I'm terrified of losing him if I ever admit how I feel.

The silence of the room only amplifies the thoughts racing through my mind. I glance up at Sethos again, wondering if he has any clue what he does to me. How every little touch, every smile, sends my heart into a frenzy. How much I've come to care about him—more than I should as a best friend.

"Sethos..." I whisper, even though I know he can't hear me. "I wish you knew..."

He shifts slightly in his sleep, pulling me impossibly closer, and I bury my face against his chest, feeling a mix of comfort and heartache. Part of me wants to shake him awake, to blurt everything out and see how he reacts, but the fear of losing what we have stops me every time.

So, instead, I close my eyes and let myself enjoy the moment. For now, being in his arms is enough. It has to be.

The warmth of Sethos' body wrapped around me, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and the comforting weight of his arm anchoring me to him create a sense of calm, even as my mind races. I can't stop the way my heart flutters or the way my thoughts wander to places they shouldn't. The what-ifs that have plagued me for so long.

What if I told him how I feel? What if he feels the same? What if I ruin everything by saying something, and I lose him entirely?

I bite my lip, fighting back the flood of emotions that threaten to spill over. It's hard to believe that someone can be this close to you, physically and emotionally, and still have no idea how deeply they affect you. How, in moments like this, it's so easy to imagine that maybe, just maybe, he feels something more.