In Her Shadow

Unwritten Rules

The days at Bridget's penthouse began to fall into a rhythm, yet Navy sensed there was a silent framework guiding her new life, boundaries that had yet to be fully laid out but were felt all the same. Bridget never demanded anything of her; she was patient, compassionate, and encouraging. Yet, beneath her gentle demeanor, Navy could feel there was an unspoken structure to the home she now shared with her.It was a few days after the breakfast they'd shared together when Bridget's guidance first surfaced. Navy had just finished rinsing her breakfast dishes, setting them aside haphazardly in the sink, thinking nothing of it. But later that evening, as she returned to the kitchen for a glass of water, she found Bridget quietly rearranging the plates in the dishwasher, her expression soft but focused."Hey," Bridget greeted her with a warm smile as she closed the dishwasher. "You're settling in really well, Navy. But, just so you know, I have a few... quirks." She chuckled, glancing down at the dishes. "I like to keep things organized."Navy nodded, watching Bridget as she spoke, her tone firm but kind. "So, I should put the dishes in the dishwasher directly?" she asked, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.Bridget's smile widened, and she gave a gentle nod. "Exactly. I know it's a small thing, but little habits can help make a place feel like home. I'm not here to nag, Navy, just to share how we can both make this space comfortable."It was the first rule she'd been given, yet it felt more like guidance than a restriction. Navy felt a wave of relief wash over her. This was not like the strict, rigid instructions she'd known growing up. Bridget's rules were about consideration and respect—principles, not commands.
Over the next week, Bridget's unwritten rules began to emerge, one by one, through small and thoughtful moments. Each new day seemed to introduce a subtle layer to their arrangement, guiding Navy's understanding of Bridget's world.One morning, Navy lounged in the living room, lost in a novel she'd borrowed from Bridget's collection. The sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a warm cocoon around her. Bridget came out of her office, pausing when she noticed Navy's feet propped up on the couch cushions."Mind if I sit with you?" Bridget asked casually, but as she sat down, she glanced at Navy's feet and raised an eyebrow playfully. "I tend to keep shoes off the furniture.""Oh! I'm so sorry," Navy blurted out, quickly pulling her feet down and slipping her shoes off, feeling the blush creep up her cheeks.Bridget chuckled. "It's totally fine. Just a little habit of mine. I promise I'm not a neat freak," she added with a wink. "But I do like to keep things... respectful. It's one of those things my mom taught me."Navy couldn't help but smile at that. This was a far cry from the strict, punitive rules she'd grown up with. Bridget's "rules" weren't about control—they were about creating a shared space, a sense of mutual respect. And each time Bridget shared one, Navy felt herself pulled deeper into this new life, a life where boundaries weren't meant to stifle her but to help her grow.

One evening, after a quiet dinner they had cooked together, Bridget handed Navy a small stack of folded clothes. "I thought you might like some things that fit a bit better," she said warmly, gesturing toward the clothes. "I also added a few pieces from my own closet."Navy took the clothes with a grateful nod, her heart fluttering with appreciation. But as she reached for them, she noticed Bridget hesitate, her gaze lingering on Navy with a hint of concern."Just one thing," Bridget said gently, her voice soft. "I don't mind if you borrow anything of mine—truly, I don't—but I like to know where my things are. You can always ask, and we'll work it out together."Navy looked down, feeling a mixture of gratitude and understanding. In her previous life, boundaries had felt like walls meant to isolate her. Here, they felt like a way to respect and value one another. The unwritten rule of asking before taking something felt like a mark of trust, an invitation to treat each other's belongings with care."Got it," Navy replied with a small smile. "I'll ask first."Bridget's eyes softened, and she gave a light nod. "Thank you, Navy. It's nothing too serious—just something that helps us both feel comfortable."One night, after a particularly long day, Bridget found Navy sitting on the balcony, watching the lights of the city in contemplative silence. She joined her, and for a few minutes, they both stared out at the view, letting the hum of the city fill the silence between them."It's beautiful out here," Navy murmured, her voice barely audible.Bridget nodded, wrapping a light blanket around them both as they sat together. "I come out here a lot. It helps me think, unwind after a busy day."Navy tilted her head, watching Bridget's face. There was something calming about the way she spoke, a sense of steady assurance that comforted her."Anytime you want to come out here and clear your mind, feel free. Just... be cautious of the rail, okay?" Bridget's eyes met Navy's, and her tone was gentle but unmistakably serious.Navy nodded, touched by the concern in Bridget's voice. "I'll be careful," she promised, understanding the silent trust Bridget was placing in her.As the city lights twinkled below them, Navy found herself feeling something entirely foreign: she felt safe. The unwritten rules Bridget set weren't restrictions—they were reassurances, reminders that there were places and people who valued her well-being, who cared if she was safe, comfortable, and respected.  Through these moments, Navy began to understand that her relationship with Bridget wasn't defined by obligations but by trust and mutual respect. Bridget's "unwritten rules" were woven through acts of kindness, care, and honesty that allowed Navy to feel valued in ways she had never felt before.

Every interaction was a reminder that, here in Bridget's home, she wasn't alone. The boundaries weren't meant to isolate but to bring them closer, to create a space where Navy could finally be herself, one gentle rule at a time.