Last night had been horrible— but not just last night. Yesterday, and the day before, and pretty much the whole week. One thing after another had gone terribly wrong and on top of that you have a presentation this weekend that you can't get your mind off of. And stuff like that always hits you just as you lay down to go to sleep and no matter how hard you try to not care, in the stillness of the night your mind seems to stick to worry like gum on new shoes and it makes you so anxious you feel sick to your stomach. You had tossed and turned for hours, desperately trying not to wake Liam with your frenzied search for sleep, but you knew you had failed when his strong arm pulled you into him and forced you to lie still, maybe out of annoyance more than concern. But, you didn't care because with his warm body pressed against yours, his arm tightly wrapped around you, and his slow breath blowing into your hair, your nervous thoughts and upsetting memories from the week seemed to dull themselves enough for you to finally doze off. And as you flutter awake in the morning light, you realize he's still got you tightly tucked underneath his arm, protecting, comforting, consoling. "You alright?" he asks, his voice still gruff with sleep, but concern softening the edges. You slightly turn and nod your head. "Last night was horrid though." You reply. "I know.. you had me worried sick." He frowns and kisses your head. "I'm sorry." You frown back, but he shakes his head. "Babe, don't be. It's not your fault. I just want to make sure you're okay." You give a sad smile. "Thanks, Li, for caring." "Of course—what else would you expect?" he half laughs. You shrug. "I dunno. It's just been a bad week so I don't know what to expect." He playfully furrows his brow and sticks his bottom lip out. "Now that's no good. You know I'll always care and there's nothing you can do to change that. .. right?" he confirms with you, poking at your side a bit, which forces you to giggle. "Okay, you're right. You're right!" you concede and squeeze yourself back to his body. "I'm serious. Don't ever let yourself think that, love. It's ridiculous." He repeats and kisses the top of your head again. You sigh, thankful for the reminder, thankful for his patience, thankful for his warmth. And in that moment, despite the past mishaps and the future stressors, you feel safe and loved, like time has stopped and nothing will ever make it start again.
