Chapter 22: Closer in the Night

The room was still, the faint glow of the streetlight filtering through the curtains casting soft shadows on the walls. Harper lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, her heart still racing from the kiss she’d stolen moments before. She kept her breathing steady, afraid the sound of her own pulse might somehow wake Blyaine.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Blyaine, who lay just inches away. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, and her face held an expression of peace Harper rarely saw during the day. It made her chest ache in a way she couldn’t quite name.

Closing her eyes, Harper tried to will herself to sleep, but the warmth of Blyaine’s presence made it impossible to relax. She rolled onto her side, facing away, hoping the change in position would settle her restless thoughts.

But then she felt it.

Blyaine shifted in her sleep, her arm draping over Harper’s waist with an unconscious ease. The touch was gentle yet firm, as if Blyaine were seeking comfort in her dreams. Harper froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Blyaine murmured something incoherent, her body instinctively moving closer. Harper could feel the soft press of Blyaine’s front against her back, the heat of her skin radiating through the thin layers of their clothing.

Harper’s heart thundered in her chest. She wasn’t sure if she should pull away or lean into the embrace, but her body betrayed her, relaxing under the weight of Blyaine’s arm.

“Blyaine,” Harper whispered tentatively, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.

There was no response, only the steady rhythm of Blyaine’s breathing. It was clear she was still asleep, her movements guided by instinct rather than awareness.

Harper bit her lip, her cheeks burning as she lay still, afraid to disturb the moment. Despite the awkwardness, there was something comforting about the closeness, something she hadn’t realized she craved until now.

She closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the warmth, and for the first time in years, she felt a sense of safety she couldn’t explain.

---

When the morning light began to filter into the room, Harper stirred, blinking sleepily. Blyaine’s arm was still draped over her, and at some point during the night, her hand had shifted to rest against Harper’s stomach.

Harper’s breath hitched as she turned her head slightly to find Blyaine’s face just inches away, her features soft in the early light. She was awake now, her dark eyes half-lidded with sleep but focused entirely on Harper.

“Morning,” Blyaine murmured, her voice husky from sleep.

“Morning,” Harper replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Neither of them moved, the weight of the night lingering between them. Harper wasn’t sure what to say, and Blyaine seemed equally hesitant, her hand hovering as if unsure whether to pull away or stay.

“Sorry,” Blyaine said finally, her voice soft but steady. “I didn’t mean to invade your space.”

Harper shook her head quickly, her face flushing. “It’s okay. I didn’t mind.”

The admission hung in the air, unspoken feelings crackling like electricity. Blyaine withdrew her arm slowly, sitting up and running a hand through her hair.

Harper followed suit, pulling her knees to her chest and glancing at Blyaine shyly. “Did you… sleep well?”

Blyaine gave her a small, almost shy smile. “Better than I have in a long time.”

Harper’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks warm again. There was a tension between them now, unspoken but undeniable, and for the first time, Harper wondered if Blyaine felt the same pull she did.

----

The apartment was quiet, save for the occasional hum of a car passing by outside. Harper and Blyaine sat at the small dining table, a cup of coffee in front of each of them. Neither had said much since waking up, and the air between them was thick with unspoken thoughts.

Harper stared into her coffee, her fingers tracing the edge of the mug. The events of the night before played over and over in her mind—the warmth of Blyaine’s arm around her, the closeness, the way they’d woken up together. She wasn’t sure what it all meant, and she wasn’t sure if Blyaine knew either.

“So,” Blyaine finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a faint edge to it, as though she were trying to choose her words carefully. “Did you sleep… well?”

Harper’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded quickly. “Yeah. I did.”

Blyaine gave a small nod, her gaze flickering to Harper before quickly looking away. “Good. I’m glad.”

Another silence settled over them, heavier this time. Harper fidgeted with her mug, her thoughts spinning. She wanted to say something, to ask what Blyaine thought about last night, but she didn’t know how to start.

“About last night,” Blyaine said suddenly, her voice was quiet but firm.

Harper’s head snapped up, her heart pounding. “Yeah?”

Blyaine hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. “I didn’t mean to… cross any boundaries. I don’t usually—” She stopped herself, letting out a small sigh. “I’m not sure what happened, but I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

Harper blinked, surprised by the vulnerability in Blyaine’s tone. She shook her head quickly, her voice soft. “You didn’t. I mean… it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was just…” She trailed off, searching for the right word. “Different.”

Blyaine’s lips curved into a faint, almost self-deprecating smile. “Different, huh?”

Harper nodded, her cheeks still warm. “Yeah. But not in a bad way. Just… new.”

Blyaine leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked thoughtful, as though she were trying to piece something together. “I guess we should figure out where we stand,” she said after a moment. “If anything… changed.”

Harper’s heart skipped a beat. “Changed?”

“I mean,” Blyaine said quickly, “if we crossed a line we shouldn’t have. We’ve got a good dynamic, and I don’t want to… mess that up.”

Harper bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her hands. “I don’t think anything’s messed up,” she said quietly. “I just… don’t really know where the line is.”

Blyaine let out a soft laugh, though it lacked humor. “Neither do I, apparently.” She rubbed the back of her neck, her usual composed demeanor slightly frayed. “This is new for me too, Harper. I’m not used to… this.”

Harper looked up at her, her brows furrowing. “This?”

Blyaine hesitated, her expression unreadable. “Being close to someone like this. It’s not something I’ve let myself do in a long time.”

The admission hung in the air, and Harper felt her chest tighten. “Me neither,” she admitted. “I’ve never really… had someone to be close to.”

Their eyes met across the table, and for a moment, the tension between them seemed to ease. Harper gave a small, tentative smile, and Blyaine’s lips twitched into something softer, more genuine.

“Maybe we just take it one step at a time,” Blyaine said, her voice gentle. “No pressure, no expectations. Just… figure it out as we go.”

Harper nodded, relief washing over her. “Yeah. That sounds good.”

The tension wasn’t entirely gone, but it felt less heavy now, as though they’d taken the first step toward understanding whatever this was. They finished their coffee in companionable silence, each lost in their thoughts but feeling a little less alone.

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