A Gentle Collision

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The next morning arrived slowly, the sunlight inching its way into the room as Dior and Joshua remained nestled under the warmth of the covers. There was something special about waking up together after a day spent so intimately connected. Dior stretched lazily, her body still humming with the contentment of the day before. It wasn't just the physical connection but the deeper emotional tether they'd reinforced.

Joshua stirred beside her, his eyes fluttering open as he adjusted to the soft light filtering through the room. His hand found hers under the blanket, their fingers intertwining naturally.

"Morning," he whispered, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning," Dior replied, turning to face him, a smile tugging at her lips. "You feel rested?"

Joshua nodded, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Yeah. Yesterday was... perfect."

Dior traced her fingers along his jawline, her touch light and gentle. "I'm glad. It felt good to just... slow down for a while."

Joshua leaned into her touch, his eyes meeting hers. "I needed that. We both did."

They stayed like that for a few moments, the comfort of the morning wrapping around them like a second blanket. There was no rush, no need to jump into the day with a sense of urgency. Everything outside this bedroom felt far away, insignificant compared to the peace they'd found together.

But Dior knew the outside world was still waiting. Work was calling, her responsibilities piling up after taking an extra day off, and though the idea of staying wrapped up with Joshua was tempting, reality couldn't be delayed forever.

"I have to go into the office for a bit today," she said softly, brushing her fingers through Joshua's hair. "I don't want to, but there's too much to catch up on."

Joshua frowned slightly but nodded in understanding. "I get it. I'll be here when you get back."

Dior leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I'll make it up to you. Maybe we can do something special tonight?"

Joshua's face lit up with a grin. "I'd like that. You always know how to make up for lost time."

They shared a lingering kiss before Dior reluctantly climbed out of bed, already feeling the pull of the day ahead. She got dressed quickly, slipping into her tailored work clothes, her professional armor that helped her navigate the demands of her high-pressure job.

As she moved around the room, gathering her things, Joshua watched her quietly from the bed. His admiration for her was palpable, the way she handled her work with grace and strength, even when it weighed heavily on her. But there was also a protective instinct growing inside him—a desire to shield her from the stress that sometimes threatened to overwhelm her.

"Hey," Joshua called softly as she finished buttoning her blouse. "If work gets too crazy... don't forget to take a break. You deserve it."

Dior paused, his words pulling her back for a moment. She smiled at him, her heart warming at his concern. "I'll try. I promise."

Joshua's gaze lingered on her as she left the room, and Dior felt a bittersweet tug in her chest. She hated leaving him, especially after the connection they'd rebuilt over the past couple of days. But the world outside their bubble wouldn't wait, no matter how much she wished it would.

Hours later, Dior was deep in the throes of work, her mind racing as she tackled emails, meetings, and last-minute client demands. Her office felt colder today, the sterile environment a sharp contrast to the warmth of the morning spent with Joshua. By mid-afternoon, the weight of her workload was beginning to press down on her shoulders, and she found herself staring out the window, longing for the simplicity of their shared space at home.

She pulled out her phone, texting Joshua a quick message:

Dior: I miss you. Today's been harder than I thought. I can't wait to get home.

Joshua responded almost immediately:

Joshua: Miss you too. You've got this. Let me know if you need me to come to you. I'll take care of everything else.

Dior smiled at the screen, her heart swelling with affection. The thought of him waiting at home for her, his unwavering support, made the stress of the day feel a little lighter.

But as the hours ticked by, her workload only seemed to grow. Every time she thought she'd cleared her to-do list, something else popped up—an urgent email, a last-minute request from a client, a crisis that needed her attention. By the time 5:00 p.m. rolled around, Dior felt like she was drowning, the walls of her office closing in on her.

That was when Joshua texted again:

Joshua: Leave work early. Let me take care of you tonight. Please.

Dior stared at the message, her resolve faltering. She knew she should stay, finish everything that needed to be done—but the thought of going home to Joshua, of letting him help her unwind, was too tempting to resist.

With a deep breath, she shut down her computer, grabbed her things, and made her way out of the office. As soon as she stepped outside, the crisp evening air hit her, and a wave of relief washed over her. She was going home. To Joshua.

When Dior walked through the door of their apartment, the scent of something delicious hit her immediately. Joshua was in the kitchen, a soft jazz playlist playing in the background, and the warm glow of the setting sun casting a golden hue over everything.

"Hey," Joshua greeted her with a smile, wiping his hands on a dish towel as he walked over to her. "I thought you could use a nice, quiet evening."

Dior felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease. "You have no idea how much I need this."

Joshua wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I've got dinner covered, and after that, we can just... relax. Sound good?"

Dior leaned into him, her body finally beginning to relax. "That sounds perfect."

They spent the evening wrapped in the comfort of each other's presence. Joshua had prepared a simple but delicious meal, and as they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily, the stress of the day melting away with each passing moment.

After dinner, they moved to the couch, the dim lighting and soft music creating the perfect ambiance for a quiet night in. Dior stretched out, her head resting on Joshua's lap as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through her hair. She could feel the weight of the day slipping away, replaced by the warmth of his touch.

"You always know how to make me feel better," Dior murmured, her voice soft with contentment.

Joshua smiled down at her. "That's because I know you. And I love taking care of you."

Dior closed her eyes, letting the moment wash over her. It was in these simple, quiet moments that she felt the depth of their connection the most—the way Joshua understood her, the way he gave her the space to be both strong and vulnerable.

"I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

Joshua leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I love you too."

And in the quiet of their home, with the world outside forgotten, Dior felt a peace she hadn't realized she needed.

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