The rain tapped gently against the window, steady and constant, like a quiet rhythm echoing through Steve's dorm room. Outside, the campus lights shimmered through the droplets, casting a soft, golden glow across the room.
Michelle lay on the bed, her head resting on Steve's chest, listening to the slow rise and fall of his breathing. His fingers traced absentminded patterns along her arm, gentle, grounding — the kind of touch that said everything words couldn't.
For the first time in weeks, they had nowhere to be. No accusations. No eyes watching them. Just the two of them, tucked away from the world.
"I forgot what this feels like," Michelle whispered, her voice barely louder than the rain.
"What?" Steve asked, his chin resting lightly on her head.
"Feeling… safe. Not overthinking every second."
Steve exhaled deeply, pressing his lips to her temple. "You're safe here. With me."
Michelle tilted her face up to meet his eyes. There was tiredness in them — not just from today, but from everything they'd been through. Yet beneath it, there was warmth. Steady, unwavering.
She traced her fingers along his jawline, memorizing the sharp lines softened by his expression.
"I never thought I'd trust someone like this again," she admitted.
"You don't have to rush," Steve replied softly. "We'll take this one moment at a time."
Michelle smiled faintly. "I think… I want every moment with you."
Steve's hand slipped beneath her chin, lifting her face gently. His eyes searched hers, like he was trying to memorize every freckle, every shadow of doubt — and erase it with the way he looked at her.
And then he kissed her — slow, deep, with the quiet intensity that made the world fall away.
The rain continued its song outside, but in this tangled mess of blankets, whispered promises, and heartbeats pressed close together — they finally found stillness.
But even as the night wrapped around them, Michelle couldn't shake the feeling in her chest.
The calm was real.
But so was the storm waiting beyond these walls.