The apartment was quiet.
Too quiet.
Lillian stirred slightly, the blanket slipping a little from her shoulders.
The fever had left her weak, but the haze of sleep had softened her mind.
Sebastian Wolfe was still sitting beside her, his hand brushing a damp strand of hair from her face.
He had been watching her breathe, whispering little reassurances she didn't consciously hear.
Her lips moved faintly, almost like a murmur.
"I… I like you… Sebastian," she whispered in her sleep.
Sebastian froze.
Her words, soft and almost inaudible, slipped past her lips as if they had been trapped inside her heart.
He didn't move.
He didn't speak.
He just watched her, the faintest tension in his chest tightening.
She really… she really liked him.
The rest of the night passed in a quiet blur.
He stayed with her, carefully adjusting her blanket, wiping her forehead, keeping her hydrated.
Every movement was deliberate, every touch gentle.
He didn't leave her side.
Morning sunlight filtered softly through the blinds.
Lillian's eyes blinked open.
Slowly.
Blurred shapes came into focus.
Sebastian.
He was asleep in the chair beside the bed, his head resting lightly on the mattress, dangerously close to her hand.
She watched him for a long moment, heart fluttering.
Her mind went back to last night.
The water.
The way he had held her.
The way he had kissed her to help her drink.
Her cheeks warmed, and a small, nervous smile tugged at her lips.
The door opened quietly.
Chloe stepped in, tiptoeing slightly.
"Morning," she whispered, spotting Lillian awake.
"Hey, shh… don't wake him."
Lillian's eyes widened.
She nodded, still staring at Sebastian.
Chloe leaned against the wall.
"Last night… wow. I didn't want to say anything while you were asleep, but I saw everything. Sebastian carrying you here, helping you drink, taking care of you. He… he was so careful. So focused on you."
Lillian's fingers twitched against the blanket.
She looked down, shy and still embarrassed.
Chloe smiled softly.
"You're lucky, you know. Really lucky."
Then, quietly, she left, closing the door behind her, leaving Lillian and Sebastian alone.
A few minutes passed.
The apartment was still, save for the soft hum of the city outside.
Sebastian stirred, blinking against the sunlight.
He looked up.
His blue eyes fell on her, gentle and calm.
"Morning. How you are feeling?" he said softly, his voice rough from sleep.
Lillian swallowed.
Her throat felt dry, not from sickness but from nerves.
She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him fully.
"Morning," she replied, her voice timid.
"I… I'm feeling much better."
A rare, warm smile spread across his face, softening the usual sharp lines of his jaw.
His eyes sparkled in a way she had never seen before—pure, unguarded, and kind.
Lillian's heart skipped a beat.
They didn't speak for a while.
Just sat there, watching each other.
The weight of last night lingered, quiet but heavy.
Her gaze fell to her hands.
She wanted to say something, but words seemed impossible.
Sebastian noticed.
His eyes softened.
"Lillian?"
Her head lifted slightly, cheeks pink.
"I… I don't know if I should say it."
"Try me," he said quietly, still smiling softly.
She took a shaky breath.
"There's… there's something I need to tell you."
He waited, patient. Encouraging, even.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I… I like you. More than I… should, maybe. But I do."
Sebastian stayed still.
Didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Her chest tightened.
She misread the silence.
"Oh… I… I shouldn't have said anything."
"No," he said suddenly, cupping her cheek gently.
His touch was warm, careful, grounding.
"Don't say that. You were brave."
Before she could respond, he leaned closer.
His lips brushed against hers, soft, deliberate.
The kiss was tender, protective, but full of something raw and unspoken.
Lillian froze for a moment, weak but unable to stop herself from responding.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against hers.
His eyes searched hers.
"I like you too," he said quietly, almost vulnerable.
"I've liked you for a long time. I just… didn't admit it."
Lillian blinked, heart racing.
"You… really?"
He gave the smallest, confident nod.
"Yes. You're… important to me. More than anyone else."
Tears prickled the corners of her eyes, and she let herself smile.
Relief, joy, and affection all mingled in one breath.
Sebastian's hand remained on her cheek, thumb brushing gently.
"I promise… I'll take care of you. Always."
Lillian leaned slightly, pressing her forehead against his.
"And I'll be here. For you."
They stayed like that for a long moment, suspended in quiet intimacy.
No words needed.
Just trust, just presence, just knowing.
Finally, she whispered, "I guess… last night wasn't just the water."
He smirked faintly, though his eyes remained warm.
"No. Definitely not just the water."
A blush rose to her cheeks, but she smiled nonetheless.
In that room, with morning light and quiet around them, everything felt right.
For the first time in a long while, neither of them questioned the future.
They simply existed—together, unguarded, and finally honest.
They simply existed.
Together.
Unguarded.
Finally honest.
Sebastian leaned back slightly, watching her.
The corners of his mouth tugged up.
Warm.
Genuine.
She noticed.
Her hand reached for his.
Fingers brushed.
He squeezed gently.
"I… I was scared," she admitted softly.
"Scared?"
"Yes. Scared of… saying something wrong. Scared you wouldn't feel the same."
He shook his head.
"You're impossible," he murmured.
"And brave," she added, faint smile forming.
His thumb stroked her hand slowly.
"I've never met anyone like you," he whispered.
"Neither have I," she admitted.
A comfortable silence followed.
The kind that was full, heavy, but good.
He tilted his head.
"Stay here today," he said quietly.
"I want to."
"You need rest. That's all. And I'll stay right here."
Her heart fluttered.
"You really mean that? Sebastian Wolfe, skipping work?"
He nodded. Small, certain.
"I mean it. I'm not going anywhere."
She laughed softly, breathless.
"You're really full of surprises, Sebastian Wolfe."
"Only for you," he said, voice low.