My hands trembled as I reached for him without thinking — clinging, anchoring, desperate. He wrapped me up without hesitation, pulling me onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“It’s okay, Brit,” he whispered, his lips brushing my temple. “Breathe with me.”
I buried my face in his neck, feeling the rough scrape of his jaw, the warmth of his skin. His arms caged around me, solid and unshakable.
I felt small.
I felt safe.
And slowly — achingly — the knot in my chest began to loosen.
We stayed like that for what felt like hours.
I heard him humming under his breath, soft and low, a song I didn’t recognize but somehow knew was just for me. His fingers stroked through my hair, over and over, until the shaking eased.
When I finally lifted my head, blinking blearily, his eyes were already on me.
“Hi,” I whispered, voice hoarse.
His mouth curved in the faintest smile. “Hi, baby.”
My cheeks flushed. “Did I…?”
“It’s okay,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”
I let out a shaky laugh, pressing my forehead to his. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” His fingers slid under my chin, tilting my face toward him. “You don’t ever have to apologize to me for that. Do you hear me?”
Tears prickled behind my eyes again — but this time, they were warm, grateful, a soft flood instead of a tidal wave.
“I was so scared you’d think I was broken,” I whispered.
Ace’s brows drew together, his eyes fierce. “You’re not broken, Brit. You’re human. You’re brilliant and fierce and soft andcomplicated, and if you think one episode changes how I feel about you, you don’t know me at all.”
A strangled laugh tore out of me as I buried my face in his chest again.
“Hey,” Ace murmured, rocking me slightly. “Look at me.”
I peeked up through damp lashes.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, firm now. “You can fall apart. You can be messy. You can be scared. I’ll still be here.”
Something inside me crumbled at that — something I hadn’t even known I was holding up.
I curled tighter into his arms, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against my cheek, the quiet beat of his heart under my palm.
“Stay,” I whispered.
“Always.”
---
Later, after the panic had ebbed, after my body was limp and heavy with exhaustion, Ace coaxed me to the kitchen with soft touches and murmured words.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get you something to eat.”
I perched on a stool, watching with bleary eyes as he unpacked the takeout, humming under his breath.
