Chapter 119: Lucas: A good night

As we settle into the warmth of my living room, a wave of relief washes over me. The familiar surroundings—soft couches, the gentle glow of the lamp, and the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air—wrap around us like a comforting blanket.

I smile as Iris settles into the couch beside me, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. We’ve been through a lot lately, but at this moment, everything feels right with the world. As she leans against me, I catch a whiff of her perfume - the sweet, floral scent of roses. It’s a smell I’ve grown to associate with her, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as we sit together in comfortable silence. The TV is on in the background, but I’m not really paying attention to it. I’m too caught up in Iris’s company to care about movies. I breathe in deeply, letting the scent of roses fill my senses. It’s a calming smell, one that seems to soothe my worries and concerns. With Iris by my side, I feel like I can face anything.

As I look down at her, I watch her smile to herself, lost in thought. Her eyes are glued on the TV, and her face is relaxed, looking more peaceful than I’ve seen her in days.

Her tense posture has vanished, and the initial panic in her eyes from before has softened slightly. I want to help her feel safe, to reassure her that she isn’t alone in this.

"You can just relax here," I say gently, happy to ease her worries. "We don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready to discuss."

Her gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of gratitude. "Thank you," she replies quietly, as if the weight of the world has shifted just a little. "Can you change the channel to reality TV?"

I nod and reach for the remote to turn on the television, searching for her preferred channel. Iris seems to appreciate the distraction; her shoulders relax as she focuses on the screen.

For a while, we sit in comfortable silence, the sound of laughter mingling with the soft rhythm of her breathing. I steal glances at her when I think she won’t notice—her hair falling softly around her face, the way she occasionally bites her lip in thought. I want to reach out, to pull her closer, but I don’t want to overwhelm her.

After a few episodes, Iris sighs deeply, her expression shifting from amusement to something more contemplative. I turn off the TV, sensing that she might need to talk, but I also don’t want to push her.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I ask, hoping to keep the atmosphere light.

"Water would be great," she replies, her voice still soft.

I get up and head to the kitchen, pouring a glass of water and trying to focus on the soothing sound of the faucet. I can feel the tension lingering in the air, and I want nothing more than to help her navigate through it.

When I return, I hand her the glass, and she takes a sip, her eyes meeting mine again. "Thanks," she says, her voice a little steadier. "I didn’t think I’d end up here tonight."

"Neither did I," I admit, settling back down beside her. "But I’m glad you did. I want you to feel safe, Iris."

She smiles faintly, but the shadows still cloud her eyes. "It’s just... everything feels so overwhelming right now. I didn’t expect my past to come rushing back like this. Especially not with a double attack that left me feeling trapped and stupid."

"I get that," I say, my tone gentle. "You’ve been through a lot, and it’s normal to feel shaken up. You don’t have to face it all at once."

She nods, taking a deep breath. "I just wish I could forget some of it. It’s hard to face the things that scared me as a kid. Especially coming from the people who I should be trusting more. My mom and my dad."

"Facing those fears doesn’t mean you have to do it alone," I reassure her. "You can lean on me. I’m here for you, no matter what."

Iris looks down for a moment, contemplating my words. "I know you mean that," she says finally. "It’s just hard to let someone in."

"Then let me in slowly," I suggest. "We can take our time. You don’t have to share everything right now." I mean every word I’m saying. She has been through a lot, and it seems that lot is still casting a dark shadow over her present so much that she can’t move on. I want to be the light to guide her out of that shadow, to take her somewhere she can finally feel free.

But after our recent trust issues episode, I need her to be the one who tells me she needs me. I don’t want to force myself on her, no sir. That would be too hypocritical on my part.

Iris seems to appreciate the sentiment, a small smile breaking through her uncertainty. "Okay," she whispers, her voice filled with vulnerability before she’s back on my chest, nuzzling on it like a cat.

As the night wears on, we settle into a comfortable rhythm. I make sure to keep the atmosphere light, sharing funny stories from my childhood and getting her to laugh when I can. Maybe having a bit of light fluffiness might help her settle down for the night. And I think I’m getting somewhere with the way her face is getting relaxed on my chest.

Each smile from her feels like a small victory, a reminder that she is still there, beneath the layers of fear and doubt. Eventually, the laughter fades, and the silence returns, but it’s a different kind of silence—one that feels safe and warm. I glance at her, and to my surprise, I see her eyes fluttering as she fights to stay awake.

"Iris," I say softly, nudging her gently. "You can go to sleep if you’d like. You’ve had a long day, and I believe you have therapy tomorrow with Andrews?"

"I don’t want to impose," she murmurs, trying to keep her eyes open. My heart breaks. What does she mean by imposing? I’m her fucking boyfriend.

"You’re not imposing," I assure her. "You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. I promise I won’t bite...well unless you bite first."

She chuckles lightly, the sound softening the tension in her shoulders and my heart. "Okay, maybe just for a little while."

"Good, you can sleep here, I’ll carry you upstairs soon."

As she settles back into the couch, I grab a blanket from the back of the sofa and drape it over her. "There you go. Make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you," she says, her eyes finally closing as she snuggles deeper into the cushions.

I watch her for a moment, my heart swelling with a mix of affection and protectiveness. She looks peaceful, and I hope that the warmth of the moment can help chase away some of the shadows lurking in her mind.

Minutes pass, and I find myself lost in thought, reflecting on the way her presence has shifted the atmosphere in my home. I want to protect her from the pain of her past, to help her see that she isn’t defined by those fears.

As I sit there, I feel a sense of purpose building within me. I want to be the one she can rely on, the one who will stand by her side as she confronts her demons.

Eventually, I noticed her breathing had deepened, signaling that she had finally drifted off to sleep. I smile softly, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight of her resting peacefully.

I move quietly to the kitchen, needing to give her space while still being nearby. I busy myself with making some tea, hoping the calming aroma would fill the air and give her a good night’s sleep.

When the tea is ready, I pour a cup and return to the living room, placing it on the coffee table within reach. I settle back onto the couch, keeping a watchful eye on her as she sleeps.

The hush of the night wraps around us, and I feel a sense of calm settle over me. I know tomorrow will bring challenges, but for now, I’m grateful for this moment—a moment where Iris feels safe, where I can be there for her without the weight of expectations.

As I sit there, I realize that I am ready to face whatever comes next, as long as we face it together. I am determined to help her see that she can overcome the shadows of her past, and I will be there every step of the way.

With that thought in mind, I lean back, allowing myself to relax and sip my tea whilst keeping watch over her, knowing that the journey ahead of her will be filled with challenges but also with the promise of healing and growth.

I just hope she will be able to take that journey with me beside her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read