The room slowly fell into silence again.
Not the heavy silence from before.
This one was different.
Softer.
But still full of things left unsaid.
Lucy's breathing was uneven.
Her fingers still clutching Adrian's shirt like she didn't even realize she was holding onto him.
Adrian didn't move away.
Not this time.
His forehead rested lightly against hers.
Both of them still trying to catch their breath.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Because anything they said now would either break the moment…
or make it harder to leave.
Lucy swallowed softly.
Her voice came out low.
"…Adrian."
He didn't answer.
But his arms tightened slightly around her.
Letting her know he was listening.
"I'm tired," she whispered.
Not just physically.
Everything in her voice carried more than that.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Then without a word—
he shifted, guiding her gently down onto the bed.
Lucy didn't resist.
Didn't pull away.
She let him.
He laid beside her.
Close.
Too close.
One arm slipped around her waist.
Pulling her against him like it was something natural.
Something he had already decided.
Lucy stiffened for a second.
Her body reacting to the closeness.
But then slowly…
she relaxed.
Her head rested against his chest.
Right where she could hear his heartbeat again.
It was calmer now.
Steady.
Her fingers moved slightly.
Gripping his shirt again.
This time… intentionally.
Adrian looked down at her.
His hand brushing lightly over her hair.
Slow.
Gentle.
"Stop thinking too much," he murmured.
Lucy let out a soft breath.
"You're the reason I'm thinking this much."
A faint smile touched his lips.
Barely there.
"Then I'll fix it," he replied quietly.
Lucy didn't answer.
But she didn't pull away either.
Her eyes slowly closed.
Not because everything was okay.
Not because the pain was gone.
But because for the first time in days—
she felt… held.
Adrian watched her for a while.
Making sure she was really asleep.
His hand remained on her waist.
Holding her there.
Like if he loosened his grip—
she might disappear.
After a few minutes—
her breathing became soft.
Even.
Asleep.
Adrian leaned his head back slightly.
His eyes still on her.
"…You're going to be a problem," he muttered under his breath.
But there was no anger in his voice.
Only something deeper.
Something he wasn't ready to name.
Slowly, he adjusted his hold on her.
Pulling her closer into him.
Like he had already made a decision.
And this time—
he didn't let go.
With Lucy resting against him—
and his arms wrapped around her—
Adrian closed his eyes.
And for the first time in a long time—
he allowed himself to sleep.
Holding her.