The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

19. "Give her some god damned space"

Y/n pov

The key turns in the lock with a familiar click, and i push open the door to my apartment, the late-night hush wrapping around me like a velvet blanket. The moonlight filters through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. It's been a whirlwind day- an emotional rollercoaster of high and lows. Emily and i spend the evening together, the kind of evening that felt like a gentle balm.

But as i step into the quiet of our apartment, a lingering unease tugs at me. I'm still buzzing with the thrill of our new relationship, yet something feels off. Penelope's text earlier asking me to talk when i got home had left me uneasy, but i'd pushed it aside, thinking she just wanted to shat. Now, as i see the dim light from the kitchen, i realise there's something more serious afoot.

I drop my keys on the counter and head towards the kitchen. Penelope is there, her back to me, moving around in a way that suggests she's been waiting. She turns as i enter, her face a mix of concern and irritation.

"Y/n," she says, her voice tight with an emotion i can't quite place. "We need to talk."

I frown, my stomach clenching. "Hey, Pen. What's up?"

She crosses her arms, leaning against her counter, and her gaze is piercing, as though she's trying to size me up. "You need to give Temperance some space."

My heart skips a beat, and i feel a pang of confusion. "Space? Why? What's going on with her?"

Penelope's expression hardens, and i notice a flicker of anger in her eyes. "She's been having a rough time lately. I don't think you realise how much your news hit her. She needs time to process things, and right now, she doesn't want to see or talk to anyone about what happened."

I'm taken aback, a rush of guilt washing over me. "I didn't mean to hurt her. I just... i thought she'd be happy for me. Emily and i-"

Penelope cuts me off with a sharp gesture. "That's just it. You didn't tell me. You didn't even give me a heads-up before it all came out. And now, Temperance is in pieces because of it.

My stomach twists. "I didn't think it was a big deal. I didn't want to make things awkward. I was just... i thought we were handling it okay."

Penelope shakes her head, her frustration clear. "You were handling it okay? Y/N, she's been trying to keep it together, but you can't just ignore the impact of you actions. She's been falling apart over this, and you should have known better."

I feel a sting at her words, a mix of hurt and confusion. "I really didn't mean to- i didn't know it would be this bad."

Penelope's face softens slightly, but the tension remains. "It's not just about what you did. It's about how you handled it. You should have been upfront with me. I'm your sister, Y/n. But i care about her, and i care about how she's feeling. And you not saying anything until it was too late... it hurt her more than you know."

I run a hand through my hair, feeling overwhelmed. "I didn't realise- i'm sorry, okay. I just thought-"

Penelope interrupts again, her tone more measured now. "I get that you probably didn't mean to hurt her. But right now, it's important that you give her the space she needs. Let her come to you if and when she's ready."

I nod, my heart heavy. "Okay. I'll give her space. I just wish you'd tell me what i'd done."

Penelope's eyes soften a bit, though the frustration remains. "Sometimes, it's not about knowing everything. It's about respecting someone's need to heald on their own terms."

I take a deep breath, trying to process her words. "I understand. I'll do my best to respect her space."

Penelope gives me a small, sad smile. "Thank you. I know it's not easy, but it's important. And just so you know, i'm not angry at you personally. I'm just... worried. For both of you."

I don't even know how to feel right now. Guilt, sadness, confusion most of all. "Thanks for letting me know, then."

Penelope heads towards her bedroom door, but before she closes it behind her, she gives me one last look, a mix of disappointment and concern. "I hope things get better soon, Y/n. For all of us."

I sit alone at the kitchen table, the stillness of the apartment wrapping around me like a heavily blanket. Penelope's words echo in my mind, her frustration and concern leaving me with a deep sense of unease. I reach for my phone, feeling the need to reach out to her, to at least acknowledge whatever is happening and try to bridge the gap that's formed between us.

With a sigh, i open a new message to Temperance, my fingers hesitating over the screen. I want to be gentle, to offer my support and understanding, but i'm not even sure what to say. I settle on a simple, heartfelt message.

Dr. Temperance 🦴❣️

Hi, Temperance. I just wanted to say that i'm sorry for whatever it was that i said. I musn't have realised what it would mean to you. If you need space, i understand, but i'm here whenever you're ready to talk. I love you.

I hit send and stare at the screen, willing her to reply, hoping for a sign that she's seen my message. But as the minutes tick by, the little 'read' notification remains, a stark reminder of the silence that now hangs between us.

Feeling a deep sense of frustration and sadness, i put my phone down and head to bed. The weight of the day and the emotional turmoil are catching up with em. I pull back the covers and slip under them, my mind a swirl of confusion and regret.

I try to close my eyes, but sleep eludes me. Instead, i lie tere, staring at the ceiling, replaying the day's events in my head. The joy of being with Emily feels overshadowed by the pain i've unintentionally caused Temperance. I keep thinking about what Penelope said - about how my actions have hurt someone i deeply care about.