𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐃𝐃 𝐒𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥

𝐓 𝐖 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐎 𝐍 𝐄

Mattie

It had been a few hours since I started reading, my voice a bit scratchy from going through the chapters aloud. I stumbled over a few words, yawning here and there, my eyes struggling to focus on the page. It was getting late, and even though I wanted to keep going, I knew my body was starting to shut down for the night.

Evangeline chuckled softly beside me, her hand gently squeezing my waist as I let out another yawn. "I think that's enough reading for tonight, sweetheart," she said, her voice a soothing purr. "You're going to fall asleep with the book in your lap if we keep this up."

I hummed in agreement, my eyelids heavy. It was so comfortable here with her, the warmth of the fire still crackling in the background, but my mind was losing the battle against sleep. I didn't want to admit it, but I was exhausted.

Evangeline shifted beside me, standing up from the couch before taking my hand and tugging me gently to follow her. "Come on," she said, her fingers lacing with mine, "let's get you to bed."

I followed her without protest, feeling the familiar warmth of her hand guiding me towards her bed. I didn't even think twice about it. This had become almost a routine now, sleeping in her bed, wrapped up in her arms. The thought of being anywhere else seemed so far away.

As we reached the bed, she paused and glanced over at me, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "You know," she teased, "you might as well just move into my room. You're always sleeping in my bed anyway."

Her words made my face heat up instantly, and I instinctively hid my face in the curve of her neck, embarrassed by how easily she could fluster me. Her skin was warm against my cheek, and I could feel her laughter vibrating through her chest as I buried myself further, trying to hide from the world.

"You're so cute when you're shy," she said, her laughter soft and affectionate.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips, even though I was still blushing furiously. There was something about her teasing that made me feel safe, like I didn't have to hide how I felt around her. Slowly, I pulled my face away from her neck, looking up at her with a mixture of embarrassment and determination.

"I... I want to try," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "With us, I mean. I want to try with our relationship."

Evangeline's teasing expression softened instantly, her eyes turning warm and gentle as she looked at me. Her hand came up to brush a strand of hair away from my face, and she leaned in slightly, her lips brushing against my forehead in a soft kiss.

"I'm glad," she murmured, her voice low and full of emotion. "Baby, I can't wait to see where our relationship is going. I want this, too. More than you know."

My heart swelled at her words, a sense of calm settling over me. I wasn't sure where this journey would lead us, but in that moment, I knew I wanted to be with her. Evangeline made me feel things I hadn't even realized I was missing, safety, warmth, and the feeling of being truly seen.

Without another word, she pulled me into bed, her strong arms wrapping around me as we settled into the soft blankets. I rested my head on her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the sound lulling me into a deep sense of peace. Her hand gently stroked my back, her fingers drawing soft circles against my skin through my pyjamas.

As I lay there, cocooned in her warmth, I felt all the tension from the day melt away. I could breathe easily, my worries fading into the background as I allowed myself to fully relax in her arms.

"Goodnight, baby," she whispered softly, her lips pressing a final kiss to the top of my head.

I murmured something in return, though I wasn't even sure what I said. My mind was already slipping into the comfort of sleep, the weight of her arms around me and the soft sound of her voice the last things I felt before drifting off completely.

For the first time in a long time, I felt truly safe. Safe in her arms, safe in the knowledge that we were both committed to seeing where this could go. And as I fell asleep, my head resting on her chest, I knew that whatever happened next, we'd face it together.

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~ R