In Her Shadow

Growing Close

The days that followed Navy's breakdown in the park seemed different, as though a quiet understanding had settled between her and Bridget, drawing them closer in ways Navy couldn't quite name. Bridget hadn't pried further into Navy's past, hadn't tried to make her relive the pain she'd shared, but her presence—steady, patient, and unwavering—made it clear that Navy no longer had to bear everything alone. It was in the small things, too. Bridget's gaze lingering just a bit longer whenever Navy entered a room, the way she'd make Navy's favorite tea in the morning or leave little notes around the apartment with words of encouragement or simple reminders to take things one day at a time. Navy was getting used to waking up to Bridget's gentle kindness, even if she wasn't yet sure how to accept it fully. But each day, she tried a little harder, letting herself feel the warmth of Bridget's attention.One evening, after a day spent quietly around the apartment, Bridget knocked on Navy's bedroom door with a bowl of popcorn and two bottles of sparkling water in her hands. She wore an oversized sweatshirt and her hair was messier than Navy had ever seen it, giving her a softness that made Navy feel oddly at ease."Hey, I was thinking we could watch a movie," Bridget offered, her voice light but with a hint of hope. "Nothing intense, I promise—just something to relax."Navy hesitated, glancing down at her hands. The idea of spending the evening with Bridget, doing something so normal, felt both comforting and terrifying. But the expectant look on Bridget's face, the way her eyes held that quiet patience, made Navy's chest ache with a longing she couldn't quite place."Sure," Navy said softly, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."Bridget's face lit up as if Navy had given her the best answer imaginable. She led Navy to the couch, where she had already draped a cozy blanket and arranged the pillows. It was strange, this casual comfort, this unspoken invitation to relax and feel safe. Navy settled in, pulling the blanket up around her shoulders as Bridget handed her the bowl of popcorn and took the seat beside her.

They sat close, shoulders just barely touching, and as the opening credits rolled, Navy found herself distracted by the simple warmth of Bridget's presence, the ease in which they shared the space. Bridget seemed to sense it, glancing at Navy with a soft smile."You okay?" Bridget asked gently, her voice barely above a whisper."Yeah," Navy replied, her voice quiet but sincere. "It's just... nice."Bridget's smile widened, and they returned to the movie. They spent the next couple of hours laughing at the characters' antics, occasionally tossing popcorn at each other during the cheesier scenes, and for a while, Navy let herself get lost in the normalcy of it all. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this light, this free from the burden of her past.As the movie ended, a comfortable silence settled between them. Bridget shifted, glancing at Navy with an expression that was both hesitant and tender."Navy," she began slowly, "I know that everything's still... hard. And you don't have to tell me anything you're not ready for. But if there's ever anything you need, or just want to talk about... I'm here. No questions, no judgment."The vulnerability in Bridget's voice, the honesty in her eyes, made something deep within Navy's heart stir. She wanted to share, to let Bridget in, but the words felt tangled, too heavy to express. Instead, she reached for Bridget's hand, giving it a small, tentative squeeze."I know," Navy whispered. "Thank you."Bridget's fingers tightened around hers, a silent promise that spoke volumes. They stayed that way for a while, just sitting in the fading light of the TV screen, letting the silence speak for them.---In the days that followed, Navy found herself drawn to Bridget in ways she hadn't expected. They fell into a gentle routine of shared breakfasts, morning coffees, and occasional late-night talks that stretched into the early hours. Each new conversation, each quiet moment, felt like a thread weaving them closer together. Navy was surprised by how natural it felt, by the way Bridget's presence had become something she relied on, something she didn't want to be without.One evening, Navy stood in the kitchen, attempting to make a basic pasta dish while Bridget watched with a mixture of amusement and fascination."Okay, you're chopping that like you're about to lose a finger," Bridget teased, grinning as Navy tried to slice a tomato with a slightly less-than-steady hand.Navy rolled her eyes, laughing despite herself. "Hey, I'm trying! Besides, aren't you supposed to be the chef here? I thought CEOs could do everything.""Oh, I see how it is," Bridget said with a chuckle, moving beside Navy and gently taking the knife from her. "Alright, watch and learn, young apprentice."Navy smirked but watched as Bridget expertly diced the tomato, her movements fluid and precise. The smell of basil and garlic filled the kitchen, mingling with Bridget's soft laughter, and Navy found herself smiling despite her usual reluctance. It felt good—being here, learning something new, and sharing this quiet domestic moment with someone who made her feel safe.As they finished cooking and settled at the dining table, Bridget set down two plates of pasta, her smile wide and proud."To our masterpiece," she said, raising her glass in a playful toast.Navy clinked her glass against Bridget's, feeling a surge of gratitude as she took a bite. "It's actually... really good," she admitted, her eyes widening as the flavors filled her mouth.Bridget laughed, looking as though Navy's approval was worth a million dollars. "See? We make a good team," she said, her tone light but with an undercurrent of warmth that made Navy's cheeks flush.They ate in comfortable silence, the soft clinking of utensils and the occasional laughter filling the space between them. Navy felt a strange sense of belonging, a feeling she hadn't known in years. She wanted to capture this moment, to keep it close and hold onto it tightly, knowing that life rarely gave her anything this genuine.As they finished their meal, Bridget reached over, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Navy's face, her fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary. Navy's heart raced, her breath catching as their eyes met, something unspoken passing between them. Bridget's gaze was soft, open, filled with a tenderness that made Navy's heart ache."Thank you for... all of this," Navy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think I've ever... felt this way before."Bridget's smile was gentle, her fingers trailing down to lightly squeeze Navy's hand. "You deserve good things, Navy," she replied, her voice steady. "You deserve to feel safe, and cared for. And... I'm glad I can be a part of that for you."The words settled deep within Navy's heart, grounding her in a way she hadn't thought possible. She didn't know what the future held, didn't know if she'd ever be able to fully let go of the scars that haunted her, but in this moment, sitting across from Bridget with their hands entwined and their hearts open, she felt like she was finally beginning to heal.