the question slipped out before you could stop it.

“are you really mine?”

you hadn’t meant to say it, not out loud, anyway. but there it was, hanging in the air between you and him, raw and vulnerable. he paused, his hand gently holding yours, his thumb tracing small circles against your skin. the quiet of the room seemed louder, pressing in on your chest, as if it were amplifying every doubt, every fear that had been buried deep within you.

jake looked at you, and in his eyes, you saw something tender and unwavering. he didn’t rush to answer; he just took a breath, as if he knew this question wasn’t a casual one for you. it carried the weight of old insecurities, of the times you’d thought you were loved only to find it wasn’t real.

“hey,” he whispered, his voice soft but steady, “i’m here because i want to be, because there’s no one else i’d rather be with. i’m yours in every way i know how to be.” he brought your hand to his chest, pressing it over his heartbeat, steady and sure. “feel that? it’s all yours. i’m all yours.”

you wanted to believe him, every single word. and maybe, for the first time in a long time, you did. a warmth spread through you, filling the spaces that had once felt hollow, like maybe this — this — could be real.