The Heart's Quite Beginning

Chapter 25: A Quiet Night In

The air in the house felt thick after Ethan's confession. It wasn't uncomfortable—just heavy. He'd opened up about his past, about Selene, and the weight of it still lingered between us. I wasn't sure what to say. It felt like too much to process in one sitting, like trying to digest a feast when you're already full. And honestly, I needed a mental break from all of it.

Sitting in the dim light, Ethan ran a hand through his hair, clearly feeling the tension too. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, he tilted his head at me.

"You know," he began, his voice breaking the quiet, "I think we've had enough heavy stuff for tonight. What do you say we put on a movie? Something light—wipe the slate clean a little."

I looked at him, half relieved by the change in tone. "Yeah, I think I could use that," I agreed. "But, uh, no sad dramas or anything. No tearjerkers."

"Agreed," Ethan said with a mock-serious nod. "We'll steer clear of anything even remotely tragic."

I laughed. "Okay, but you know we'll probably end up fighting over what to watch, right?"

"Oh, I'm ready for a fight," Ethan grinned as he stood up and walked over to the small bookshelf where he kept his modest collection of DVDs. "Let's see... We've got some classics, a few action films, and even a couple of those cheesy romance ones—don't judge me."

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back into the sofa. "Cheesy romances, huh? Didn't think you were the type."

He shrugged casually, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it. Besides, I've got layers."

"Layers, huh?"

He smirked, pulling out a DVD case and flashing it toward me. The Notebook. "I mean, if we're really going to lean into the cheese, might as well go all in, right?"

I groaned dramatically, but I couldn't help smiling. "Oh my god, The Notebook? Really? We're doing this?"

"Unless you've got a better idea?" he challenged, plopping the DVD into the player before I could object. "Besides, it's a classic."

"Classic torture," I mumbled, though secretly I didn't mind. A bit of romance was exactly what my weary mind needed right now.

Ethan settled beside me on the sofa, casually draping an arm along the back as the movie began. The warm glow of the TV cast a soft light around the room, flickering gently with the opening scenes of summer love and stolen kisses. But the closeness of Ethan beside me was what I couldn't ignore. He shifted slightly, leaning in just enough that I could feel his warmth, his casual confidence stirring something within me.

He handed me the remote to adjust the volume. "You're in charge now," he teased, eyes flicking to mine. "Don't go skipping all the romantic bits, though. I'm here for the full experience."

I shot him a side glance. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure you'll cry by the end. Everyone does."

"I don't cry at movies," he said, his lips twitching into a smirk. "I'm far too tough for that."

"Sure, Mr. Tough Guy. I'll keep an eye out for the waterworks."

We fell into a comfortable rhythm of witty banter and easy laughter as the movie unfolded. Ethan kept throwing in snide comments about the characters, poking fun at the overly dramatic moments and cheesy lines, but there was something about the way he leaned closer, the way his hand brushed mine when he reached for the popcorn, that made it hard to focus on anything other than him.

At one point, Ethan nudged me lightly with his elbow, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You know, if this were a movie, I'd be the brooding hero, saving you from some terrible disaster right about now."

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, really? And let me guess, you'd heroically sweep me off my feet right after, wouldn't you?"

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to that low, teasing tone that sent a shiver through me. "Obviously. How else do you expect me to make sure you never forget me?"

My breath caught for a moment, and I tried to play it off with a laugh, but the way his eyes locked onto mine made it hard to ignore the rush of warmth spreading through me. There was something in his gaze, something deeper, that made me wonder if he was still joking or if this was something more.

"Confident, aren't you?" I shot back, my voice not as steady as I'd hoped.

Ethan's smile softened, but there was a spark in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Not just confident," he murmured, his tone almost serious now. "Certain."

The air around us thickened, the playful banter taking on a new weight. He wasn't just talking about some random movie scenario, and we both knew it. I could feel the shift between us, like the space was pulling us closer, making it impossible to ignore the undercurrent of feelings that had been bubbling beneath the surface for weeks.

"Certain, huh?" I whispered, my heart pounding. "That's a bold statement."

His fingers brushed against mine, the touch light but deliberate. "Bold's my style," he said softly. "Especially when it comes to you."

My stomach flipped at his words, and I couldn't help but smile, even as I tried to keep my cool. "Oh? And what exactly does that mean?" I challenged, though my voice came out quieter than I intended.

Ethan's gaze never left mine, his thumb tracing slow circles over the back of my hand. "It means I'm not just saying things to mess with you, Lia. I know what I want. And right now, I'm looking at her."

The intensity in his eyes made it hard to breathe, my mind spinning as I tried to process what he was saying. Was he serious? Was this really happening?

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words got caught somewhere between my racing heart and the flutter in my stomach. "Ethan, I—" I started, but he cut me off gently.

"You don't have to say anything," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted you to know. I'm done pretending this is just some casual thing. You matter to me. More than you know."

The way he said it, so open and sincere, left me completely undone. I didn't know what to say, didn't know how to handle the rush of feelings that flooded my chest. I felt exposed, vulnerable, but at the same time, there was a strange sense of relief. Like we had finally peeled back the layers of playful teasing and stepped into something real.

"I don't know what to say," I admitted softly, meeting his gaze.

His smile returned, softer now, but just as heart-fluttering. "You don't have to say anything, Lia. Just... stay close, okay?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "That's all I need."

I could feel my heart hammering in my chest as his words sank in, the weight of everything between us becoming too undeniable to ignore. And just like that, the air felt different—charged, warm, like we were standing on the edge of something new and exciting.

As the movie continued, I felt myself sinking deeper into the comfort of the moment. Ethan's fingers brushed against mine under the blanket, sending a subtle thrill up my arm. He wasn't just watching the movie anymore; his attention kept drifting to me. I could feel his eyes on me, and when I turned to meet his gaze, there was a playful glimmer in them that sent a flutter through my chest.

"Getting sleepy?" he asked, his voice softer now, almost a whisper.

I hadn't realized how tired I was until that moment. My head felt heavy, the steady rhythm of the movie and Ethan's closeness lulling me into a hazy calm. "Maybe a little," I admitted, stifling a yawn.

He chuckled lightly. "Go ahead, I won't tell. It's not like you're going to miss much. They end up together, anyway."

I laughed softly, closing my eyes for just a second. "Spoilers," I muttered.

And before I knew it, I had drifted off, the last thing I remembered was the gentle rise and fall of Ethan's chest as I rested my head against his shoulder.