It was a rare and cherished day off for Anthony, a precious reprieve from the grueling schedule of the baseball season. With games, travel, and training consuming most of his time, days like this, where he could just be home with you, felt like stolen treasures. You’d planned to do absolutely nothing together—pancakes for breakfast, a lazy couch session, and maybe a movie or two.
The morning was as perfect as you’d hoped. Anthony had insisted on flipping the pancakes, even though his flipping skills were… questionable at best. The two of you ended up laughing uncontrollably at the half-burned, half-under-cooked mess he created, only to declare them “a masterpiece”. After breakfast, you’d settled on the couch for a lighthearted Mario Kart battle, where Anthony took far too much pride in his victories.
By mid-afternoon, though, the weather started to change. The sunlight faded as thick clouds rolled in, painting the sky in deep shades of gray. The wind picked up, rattling the windows slightly, and you could feel the storm brewing. At first, you tried to ignore it, focusing instead on Anthony’s comforting presence beside you. His arm was slung casually around your shoulders, and you were snuggled against his side, feeling his steady breathing as he scrolled through his phone.
The first rumble of thunder was faint, just a low grumble in the distance, but it was enough to make your body tense involuntarily. You clenched your jaw, silently willing yourself to stay calm, but as the storm drew closer, the thunder grew louder, accompanied by flashes of lightning that lit up the darkening room.
“Babe, you okay?” Anthony’s voice was soft, but the concern in it was clear. He must have felt the way you stiffened against him.
You hesitated, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. “Yeah, I’m fine,” you said, though your voice lacked conviction.
Anthony turned slightly to look at you, his brows furrowed. “You sure? You seem… I don’t know, jumpy.”
Before you could answer, another loud crack of thunder rolled through, and this time, you flinched visibly. Anthony’s eyes softened as he reached out, placing a gentle hand on your knee. “Hey,” he said, his tone soothing, “what’s going on?”
You sighed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability. “It’s just… thunderstorms. I’ve always been scared of them, ever since I was a kid. I don’t even really know why. It’s not like anything ever happened, but they just freak me out.”
Anthony’s expression shifted to one of understanding, and he immediately pulled you closer, wrapping both arms around you as if to shield you from the storm itself. “Hey, that’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone’s got their thing.”
You buried your face in his chest, his scent and warmth grounding you. “I feel so ridiculous, though. I’m not a kid anymore. I should be over this by now.”
“Ridiculous?” Anthony repeated, pulling back just enough to meet your eyes. “No way. You’re allowed to feel how you feel. And besides…” He grinned, his tone lightening, “you’ve got me here to protect you.”
You managed a small smile. “Oh, yeah? What are you gonna do? Fight the thunder?”
“Absolutely,” he said without missing a beat. “Thunder’s got nothing on me. But first…” He stood up and offered you his hand. “We need a distraction. Come on.”
You took his hand, letting him pull you to your feet. “What kind of distraction?”
Anthony didn’t answer right away, instead heading for the kitchen. He began rummaging through the pantry with a sense of purpose, eventually emerging with a bag of popcorn. “Movie marathon,” he declared. “Your pick. And no, I won’t complain even if it’s the cheesiest rom-com ever made.”
You couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s a bold promise.”
“I mean it,” he said, already tossing the popcorn into the microwave. “We’ll make this the coziest stormy day ever. You won’t even notice the thunder.”
True to his word, Anthony transformed the living room into the ultimate cozy retreat. He pulled out blankets, dimmed the lights, and even lit a couple of candles for ambiance. By the time the popcorn was ready, you were already curled up on the couch, feeling a little calmer just from the effort he was putting in.
The first movie started, and Anthony kept his promise, offering sarcastic commentary that had you laughing so much you nearly forgot about the storm. Every time a particularly loud crack of thunder echoed outside, he would reach for your hand, squeezing it reassuringly, or lean over to kiss your temple.
“You doing okay?” he asked halfway through the second movie, his voice low and gentle.
You nodded, leaning into him. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”
He smiled, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Anytime, babe.”
As the storm raged on outside, you found yourself more focused on Anthony than anything else. The sound of rain against the windows became a soothing backdrop rather than a source of fear, and the occasional thunderclap was easily drowned out by Anthony’s presence.
By the time the third movie ended, the storm had begun to wane. You hadn’t even noticed.
“See?” Anthony said, his arm still draped around your shoulders. “Told you I was good at distractions.”
You laughed softly, turning to look at him. “You’re more than good. You’re the best.”
He smirked, but his eyes were filled with affection. “Well, I’ve got to keep my girl happy.”
And in that moment, as the storm faded into the distance and the warmth of his embrace enveloped you, you realized you’d never felt safer in your life.
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