Captivated

Tired

I love publishing fluff after writing a really hecking emotional chapter. Get excited for that one in a few weeks, hehe. In the meantime, enjoy, comment, vote!
-ab

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March 14, 2025

Patrick

As Harper and I watch the show, I'm able to tell that she is just loving every minute of it, and I'm understanding why she has raved about it for so long. It is an immensely talented cast, as well as a great story that contains lots of important messages.

"How are you liking it?" I ask her at the interval. "Everything you've ever dreamed of?"

"Oh, everything and more," she tells me. "Thank you so much... I don't know how I'll ever be able to live up to these expectations for your birthday."

"You absolutely do not have to," I tell her. "I just wanted to spoil you a little bit, you know?"

She blushes, giving me a sweet little smile. "Thank you."

"Do you want any ice cream?" I suggest, nodding towards the usher a few feet away selling the little cups with spoons tucked underneath the lid.

"That sounds so good," she replies. "I'll treat, though."

"I don't think so," I tell her. "It's your birthday. What makes you think that I'll let you pay for anything?"

"You're too good to me."

"It's my job."

She gets a little tub of chocolate ice cream, and I get vanilla, then we resume our seats and before we know it, the lights dim, signaling the end of the interval.

With a little squeal from Harper, we are launched back into the world of the show. A few times, I look over at the big smile on my gorgeous girlfriend's face, and I know that this was all worth it. I wasn't totally sure that getting these tickets was the best idea, but my parents convinced me to do it, offering to pay. They told me that once I got myself a steady job, I can take them out for dinner, but I know that I'm going to owe them a lot more than just a dinner someday.

After the show lets out, I make an offer to Harper. "Do you want to stay the night at my place?" I ask, not wanting our perfect evening to be over quite yet.

"That sounds lovely," she replies. "Let me just make sure that Nessa and Katherine know."

"Perfect," I tell her, watching as she pulls out her cell phone and sends the text before tucking it back into her purse. "Shall we?" I hold out my hand, and she takes it with a little giggle.

"We shall."

We head out of the theatre and catch the train back to my place, where we decide to change into our pyjamas and cuddle up to watch some telly before bed. She's kept a drawer of her things at my place for a few months now, so she's able to wear her own clothes when she spontaneously stays over on occasions such as this one. In spite of that, she takes my hoodie from the back of my desk chair and pulls it over her head. I look at her with a little smile.

"What?" she asks, with a cheeky little hint of laughter in her voice. "It's comfy."

"Hey, I didn't say anything," I wink. "Come here, you."

She pads over to me, and I wrap her in my arms as she rests her head against my currently bare chest. I stroke her messy hair and kiss the top of her head. "Did you have a good birthday celebration?"

"Mhm."

"How's 23 feeling?"

"It hasn't happened yet," she reminds me.  "I'll let you know tomorrow."

"Do you want a special breakfast in the morning? I'll even wake up early to make you one."

She giggles. "Wow, that's true love right there, waking up early for me. I'm not picky, hon. You don't have to. You've already done so much for me."

"Sooo... pancakes it is?"

"If you insist," she tells me, standing up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie. And I can't wait to have you living here with me, every day. I want to hold you every night as you fall asleep and every morning as you wake up."

"I can't wait to fall asleep and wake up in your arms," she replies. "God, I don't know what my life would be like without you. I feel like I'd just be so... lost, you know? I don't even want to think about it."

"Then don't think about it. You don't need to think about it, because that's not reality."

"I couldn't be happier."

I end up offering to make tea, and after that task has been completed, Harper and I move to the couch, selecting an episode of Glee, Harper's favourite, and snuggling together under a big, fuzzy blanket.

As the show wraps up, I can sense Harper growing tired, as she keeps rubbing her eyes and letting out little yawns.

"What do you say we head to bed?" I suggest to her, flicking off the telly.

"That sounds good," she tells me. I grab her hand and we walk to my room.

"You're tired. You can use the bathroom first," I offer to her. She thanks me, then disappears into the small room, leaving me to myself for a minute. I scroll through all of my social medias for a little bit, until she reemerges from the bathroom about half an hour later, her hair all wet and tied back in a braid.

"All good?"

"Yeppers," she replies. "I might be asleep by the time that you're done in there, though," she giggles, to which I nod.

"I figured."

I disappear into the bathroom, where I quickly shower and brush my teeth before walking back into my room, where sure enough, Harper is crashed out under the duvet.

"Goodnight, sweet girl," I whisper, kissing her cheek lightly as to not wake her up. After that, I climb into my side of the bed and switch off the little lamp on my night stand.

"I love you."

Cuddling up underneath the blankets, I move my body up against Harper's, and she subconsciously shifts position to accommodate that.

I fall asleep cuddled up next to her, my favourite place in the world to be. As I drift off, I can't help but think that I can't wait for this to happen every night... preferably, as soon as possible.