Ava didn’t know how long they stayed like that—wrapped in Jae’s arms, his steady breathing mixing with hers, the silence between them comforting instead of awkward.

She felt safe. For the first time in years, she felt safe.

Jae’s hands ran up and down her back absentmindedly, like he was trying to reassure himself she was still there. Ava melted into the warmth, her eyes fluttering shut.

“You’re shaking,” Jae murmured after a while.

Ava sighed. “I’m just… exhausted.”

“Lie down,” he said softly, pulling away just enough to guide her to his bed. She hesitated, but Jae didn’t give her much of a choice, gently pushing her down until her head rested on his pillow.

Ava rolled onto her side, watching as Jae sat beside her. “Are you gonna sit there and stare at me all night?” she teased weakly.

Jae smirked. “Maybe.”

Ava huffed. “Creep.”

Instead of arguing, Jae reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was so gentle it made her chest ache.

“You should sleep,” he murmured.

Ava bit her lip, looking up at him. “Will you stay?”

Jae exhaled, like he had been waiting for her to ask. “Yeah,” he whispered, slipping under the covers beside her.

For a moment, Ava tensed. She had never done this before. Never laid in bed with someone who made her feel like she could let her guard down.

But Jae just pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head.

“You’re safe,” he reminded her again.

And this time, she believed him.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Ava stirred.

Jae was still awake, his fingers drawing mindless patterns on her back.

“Jae?” she mumbled sleepily.

“Hm?”

She buried her face into his chest. “Thank you.”

Jae kissed the top of her head. “Go to sleep, idiot.”

She smiled against his hoodie.

For the first time in years, she didn’t have nightmares.