The Break-In
The afternoon sun poured through the windows of your shared apartment, casting long shadows across the living room. You were halfway through folding laundry when you heard a faint rustling sound from the hallway. Your head tilted slightly, thinking it might've been Nick coming home early.
"Nick?" you called out, but there was no answer.
Suddenly, the front door burst open, and before you could react, a man rushed in, his face hidden by a ski mask. Panic shot through your veins as he advanced toward you with a knife in hand.
"Don't scream," he growled.
Your breath hitched. You froze, clutching the shirt in your hands like it could somehow protect you.
"Please, just take whatever you want," you stammered, your voice shaking.
The man didn't respond. Instead, he grabbed your arm roughly and forced you toward the bedroom. The world felt like it was tilting on its axis as he shoved you inside, tying your wrists and ankles with what felt like zip ties.
"Stay quiet," he snarled, his eyes flashing with menace.
You were too terrified to cry out, your mind racing with thoughts of Nick. He wasn't home. What if he came back and walked into this?
From the other room, you could hear him rifling through drawers and cabinets, the sound of items crashing to the floor echoing in your ears. You closed your eyes, trying to calm your breathing, but the tears came anyway.
Nick's Arrival
Nick pulled into the parking lot of your apartment building, humming to himself as he grabbed his backpack from the passenger seat. It had been a long day on set, and all he could think about was coming home to you, maybe even sharing takeout and a movie.
But as he approached the door, something felt off. The lock was broken, the door slightly ajar.
"Y/N?" he called out cautiously, stepping inside.
He stopped in his tracks when he heard your voice—muffled, shaking, and full of fear.
"Please, don't hurt me," you sobbed.
Nick's blood ran cold, but his shock quickly turned to fury. He dropped his backpack quietly and moved toward the source of the noise, keeping his footsteps light. He peeked into the bedroom and saw you tied up on the bed, tears streaming down your face.
The man stood with his back to Nick, rummaging through the jewelry box on your dresser. Nick's jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides.
Without a second thought, Nick lunged forward. His fist connected with the intruder's face, sending the man sprawling to the ground.
"Don't touch her," Nick growled, his voice low and deadly.
The man groaned, trying to push himself up, but Nick didn't give him the chance. He grabbed the man by his collar and yanked him up just enough to look him in the eyes.
"If you ever come near her again, I swear—" Nick didn't finish the sentence. Instead, he delivered one more hard punch, knocking the man out cold.
The Aftermath
Nick immediately turned to you, his anger melting into concern.
"Y/N," he said softly, rushing to your side. He used the pocket knife he always carried to cut the zip ties around your wrists and ankles.
The moment you were free, you collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"He...he said he was going to hurt me," you choked out, clinging to Nick like he was the only thing keeping you grounded.
Nick held you tightly, his hands gently stroking your hair. "You're okay now. I've got you. He's not going to hurt you ever again."
After a few moments, Nick gently pulled back, his hands cupping your tear-streaked face. "We need to call the police."
You nodded, your hands shaking as you reached for your phone. While you dialed, Nick used the same zip ties to bind the intruder's hands behind his back, ensuring he wouldn't be able to move when he came to.
The police arrived within minutes, quickly arresting the man and taking statements from both you and Nicholas. You stayed close to Nick's side the entire time, your hand gripping his tightly.
A Quiet Moment
After the officers left, the apartment felt eerily silent. Nick guided you to the couch, wrapping a blanket around your shoulders.
"You're safe now," he murmured, his voice soothing.
But you couldn't stop shaking. The fear was still fresh, and every time you closed your eyes, you saw the man's face, heard his threats.
Nicholas noticed your trembling and pulled you into his lap, holding you close. "Hey, look at me," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
You met his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes took your breath away. "I'll never let anyone hurt you, do you hear me? Never."
You nodded, your throat too tight to speak.
Nick pressed a kiss to your forehead, his arms tightening around you. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
"It's not your fault," you managed to say, your fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt. "You saved me."
"And I always will," he promised.
For the rest of the night, Nick didn't leave your side. He stayed up with you, talking softly, distracting you from the events of the day. Every time you started to drift into fear, he was there, his presence a constant reminder that you were safe, that you were loved.
As the first rays of dawn peeked through the windows, you finally felt the tension in your body start to ease. And with Nick's arms around you, you knew that no matter what, he would always protect you.
