PS: the original author has exams and is yet to return.
Ana's exhaustion hit her the moment she stepped through the door. She barely had the energy to lock it behind her before she collapsed onto the sofa. Her body felt like lead, weighed down by the constant pressure, the endless meetings, and the battle with the board. Her eyes fluttered shut, and before she knew it, sleep overtook her, the world outside fa ding into a blur.
Sometime later, Ethan returned home. His shoes clicked softly against the floor as he entered the living room. He froze when he saw her slouched on the sofa, her hair spilling over the cushions, and the faint rise and fall of her chest indicating a peaceful sleep. His heart softened at the sight, but concern flickered in his eyes. She looked so drained, so fragile in that moment.
With a quiet sigh, he approached her. Kneeling by the sofa, he carefully slid his fingers beneath her shoes, easing them off her tired feet. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though he were afraid to disturb the fragile calm of her slumber.
Ana stirred, but only slightly, her eyelids fluttering as if trying to fight the pull of sleep. Ethan didn't wait for her to fully wake. Instead, he scooped her up in his arms, lifting her effortlessly. She murmured in her sleep but didn't protest, her head resting against his chest as he carried her to the bedroom.
He laid her down carefully on the bed, tucking the duvet around her to make sure she was warm and comfortable. For a moment, he stood by the bed, watching her. He wanted to leave her to rest, to let her sleep undisturbed. But as he turned to step away, he felt a soft pull on his shirt.
Ana's voice, barely a whisper, stopped him. "You smell like candy."
Ethan paused, his heart skipping a beat as he turned back to her. Her eyes were still closed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She had no idea what she was saying, still lost in the haze of sleep, but the softness in her voice sent an unexpected warmth through him.
He stood still for a moment, uncertain. Then, he carefully sat down on the edge of the bed, adjusting himself so that she could curl into him more comfortably. He wasn't sure what made her say that, but there was something comforting about it—something that made him want to stay by her side for just a little longer.
"Candy, huh?" he murmured quietly, stroking her hair gently. "That's an odd compliment, but I'll take it."
Ana's hand moved weakly, and she nestled into him, her breathing steady. Ethan, still unsure if she was fully awake or not, placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He let his arm wrap around her, holding her close. It felt right being there with her, even in the quiet moments like this.
"Get some rest, Ana," he whispered, his voice soft.
***
Ana stirred as the chill of the night brushed against her skin. Her eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the soft darkness of the room. It took her a second to register where she was the bed, the familiar scent of the sheets, the quiet hum of the house. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, her mind still foggy.
The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the sofa, and now she was tucked into bed. Her fingers curled around the duvet as realization dawned. Ethan. He was back.
Her heart gave a little tug.
She hadn't seen him the entire day before, and somehow, that absence felt heavier than she expected. It was ridiculous, maybe even childish, but the urge to see him bloomed suddenly and without reason. Like her body just needed to know he was really home.
She got out of bed, the floor cool beneath her feet, and padded softly out of the room. The house was quiet. She checked the kitchen first empty. Her brows drew together. Was he gone again?
She was about to turn back when she noticed something: his office door slightly ajar, a sliver of light slipping through.
She approached it quietly, peeking in. Her breath caught at the sight.
Ethan was out on the small veranda attached to his office, seated in a low armchair, his head tilted back and his eyes closed. The moonlight bathed his face in silver, softening the usually sharp edges of his features. His chest rose and fell slowly, rhythmically. He looked peaceful, and maybe even asleep. A part of her wanted to stay just like that watching him from the doorway but the cold night air rolled in and snapped her out of it.
Her eyes moved to his bare arms. No jacket, no blanket.
She frowned. Had he been out there all night?
The thought made her chest ache a little. Without thinking much, she turned and went to grab a blanket from the living room. When she returned, she walked gently to where he sat, careful not to startle him. Slowly, she draped the blanket over his shoulders, making sure it covered him well.
But just as she was about to turn and leave, his hand shot out and caught her wrist.
Ana froze.
Ethan cracked one eye open, a sleepy smirk pulling at his lips. "Heartless," he murmured, his voice low and raspy.
"What?" she asked, startled.
"You're heartless," he repeated, tugging her gently toward him. "Covering your husband with only a blanket on a cold night..."
She didn't resist as he pulled her closer, her knees bumping against his. Before she could say a word, he wrapped the blanket around her too and pulled her right into his lap.
"I'll hold you," he said, his voice half-muffled against her shoulder, "till I get warm."
Ana didn't move. She just sat there, the stillness wrapping around them like the blanket now around their bodies. The cold didn't seem to matter anymore.
His arms were around her, firm but not tight. His warmth seeped into her skin. She could feel the steady beat of his heart through his chest, and for some reason, it made her feel safer than she had in days.
She rested her head against him, not bothering to tease, not saying anything at all. Maybe she was heartless. Or maybe… this was exactly what she needed too.
After a while, the soft quiet between them was broken by the unmistakable growl of Ana's stomach.
Ethan tilted his head, amused. "You're hungry?"
Ana sighed, mildly embarrassed. "Apparently. I didn't get the chance to eat properly today aeverything was so packed, I just kept pushing it off."
Ethan frowned lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You shouldn't skip meals."
"I know," she muttered, already feeling the lecture coming.
He didn't press further. Instead, he adjusted the blanket around his shoulders and said, "Come on. I'll make us something light."
Ana shook her head. "It's too late to cook. One night of hunger won't hurt."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Maybe not for you, but it would be for me."
She looked at him, puzzled. "Why?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice soft. "Because I can't stand the thought of you going to bed hungry, especially when I can do something about it."
Ana hesitated, the warmth of his words settling over her.
"Alright," she conceded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But only something light."
Ethan grinned, triumphant. "Deal."
He stood, gently guiding her to her feet. "Go change into something comfortable. I'll get started."
Ana nodded, retreating to the bedroom.
Ethan had prepared grilled cheese sandwiches, their golden crusts glistening, accompanied by a bowl of tomato soup.
They sat together, the silence between them filled with the soft clink of cutlery and the occasional shared glance.
"This is perfect," she murmured.
Ethan smiled, watching her with quiet satisfaction. "I'm glad."
Ana took the last bite of her sandwich, her appetite finally satisfied. She set her plate down, wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin before glancing up only to find Ethan watching her.
His smile was soft, almost... tender.
She blinked. "What?" she asked, her voice low, a little nervous under the sudden intensity of his gaze.
He didn't answer. Not with words.
Instead, he stood and walked over to her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. Her heart skipped once, then twice as he knelt slightly beside her chair, cupping her face gently in his hands.
"Ethan…?" she whispered, uncertain, breath catching.
But he still didn't speak.
He leaned in, close enough for her to feel the warmth of him, the faint scent of soap and something darker something uniquely him.
Then he kissed her.
Soft. Unhurried. Real.
The world went quiet.
And for the first time in a long time, Ana didn't think. She just felt.