Everything in me stills.
She’s wearing my shirt.
Too big on her.
Falling just past her thighs, sleeves long, the fabric soft against her skin.
Her hair is loose now.
No structure.
No control.
Just her.
Real.
Unfiltered.
And it hits harder than anything we’ve faced tonight.
“You’re staring,” she says quietly.
I don’t look away.
“Yeah.”
A faint flush touches her cheeks.
Subtle.
Gone fast.
But I see it.
Of course I do.
“You’re supposed to rest,” I say.
“I will.”
She moves to the edge of the bed, sitting slowly, her movements more careful now that she’s not holding the line for everyone else.
That’s the part no one sees.
Except me.
I step closer.
Not crowding.
Just… there.
“You did good tonight,” I tell her.
Her eyes lift to mine.
Soft.
