Jade hadn't planned on staying the night, but one look at the storm outside changed everything. Rain lashed against the windows of Lila's apartment, thunder rolling low and steady. Lila peeked out the curtain, then turned to Jade with a smug smile.
"Guess you're stuck here," she said, arms crossed dramatically.
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Stuck? You make it sound like a prison sentence."
"Oh, it is," Lila teased, stepping closer. "Except the warden is very charming, and the bed comes with extra pillows."
Jade laughed, shaking her head. "Fine. I'll stay. But only because of the thunder."
"Of course," Lila replied, her grin wicked. "Definitely not because you can't resist me."
Jade's cheeks warmed, and she quickly busied herself with her overnight bag, pretending not to hear. But she couldn't deny the truth: she didn't mind being stuck here. Not at all.
Later, they settled on the couch with blankets, mugs of hot chocolate, and a half-hearted attempt at watching a movie. But Jade could hardly focus on the screen. Lila sat so close their thighs pressed together beneath the blanket, and every little movement sent Jade's pulse racing.
"You're tense," Lila observed softly, leaning closer.
"I'm not tense," Jade protested, clutching her mug like a lifeline.
"You are," Lila insisted, tugging the mug gently from her hands and setting it aside. "You need to relax. Luckily, cuddling is my specialty."
Before Jade could respond, Lila slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Jade stiffened for half a second, then melted into the warmth without meaning to. Lila smelled faintly of vanilla and rain, her body heat comforting against the chill of the storm.
"See?" Lila murmured, her lips near Jade's ear. "Much better."
Jade swallowed hard, her heart thundering louder than the storm outside. "You're ridiculous," she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction.
"Ridiculously good at this," Lila teased, snuggling closer until Jade's head rested against her shoulder.
They stayed like that for a while, the movie forgotten, the storm rumbling around them. Lila traced idle patterns on Jade's arm through the blanket, her touch light and teasing. Each stroke sent shivers down Jade's spine, her breath catching despite herself.
"You're doing that on purpose," Jade whispered, her cheeks warm.
"Doing what?" Lila asked innocently, though her smile gave her away.
"Trying to make me blush."
"Am I succeeding?"
Jade buried her face against Lila's shoulder, groaning. "Yes. And I hate you for it."
"You don't hate me," Lila said softly, pressing her cheek against Jade's hair. "You like me too much."
The words made Jade's chest tighten, her heart pounding. She wanted to deny it, to laugh it off, but the truth was too heavy, too real. Instead, she whispered, "Maybe I do."
Lila stilled for a moment, then smiled, her voice low and tender. "Good. Because I like you too. More than I should, probably."
Jade's breath caught. She turned her head slightly, just enough to see Lila's eyes in the dim light. They were warm, open, filled with something that made Jade's chest ache.
"You're serious?" Jade asked softly.
"Dead serious," Lila replied, brushing her fingers gently along Jade's jaw. The touch was so tender it made Jade's eyes sting.
For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken words. Jade thought—hoped—Lila might kiss her, but instead, Lila pulled her closer, tucking Jade against her chest.
"Not yet," Lila murmured. "I like this too much. Just holding you."
Jade's heart fluttered, equal parts relief and longing. She let herself sink into Lila's embrace, her arms wrapping around her waist, their bodies fitting together as though they'd been made for this. The storm raged outside, but inside, everything felt calm, safe, warm.
"You're comfortable," Jade mumbled against Lila's shoulder.
"Comfortable?" Lila repeated with mock offense. "That's all I get? Not 'stunningly beautiful' or 'irresistibly charming'?"
Jade laughed, her nerves easing. "Fine. Stunningly comfortable."
Lila chuckled, hugging her tighter. "I'll take it."
They drifted into softer conversation, voices low, words slipping easily in the quiet. Lila told stories about her childhood, about sneaking cookies from the kitchen at midnight, about painting her bedroom walls bright orange on a dare. Jade shared bits of her own life—awkward dates, silly mistakes, small dreams she'd never said out loud before.
Somehow, in Lila's arms, it felt safe to share, safe to be vulnerable.
As the storm began to ease, their voices grew softer, their laughter fading into a comfortable silence. Jade felt herself growing drowsy, but she didn't want to move, didn't want the moment to end.
"Hey, Jade?" Lila whispered.
"Mm?"
"Don't overthink this," Lila murmured, her fingers brushing lightly along Jade's back. "Just… let it happen. Whatever this is, whatever it becomes. We'll figure it out together."
Jade's chest tightened, warmth flooding her. She wanted to say thank you, to admit everything she felt, but the words caught in her throat. So instead, she just nodded, pressing closer into the safety of Lila's embrace.
And for the first time in a long time, Jade didn't feel confused or lost. She felt exactly where she was meant to be—wrapped in warmth, in possibility, in Lila.
—