You sat stiffly on your side of the bed, lips pressed into a tight line as you stacked the fourth pillow between you and Jake. Each one was placed with finality, your silent way of saying “do not cross this line.”

Jake, the notorious but unexpectedly soft mafia leader, lay on his side, watching you with furrowed brows and parted lips. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway, hair slightly tousled from stress, and eyes tired—but not from sleep.

From your side of the fortress of fluff, you grumbled, “Don’t even think about trying to roll over.”

“You’re seriously doing this?” he asked, voice husky and low. “A pillow wall?”

You didn’t answer. You just fluffed the last pillow for dramatic effect.

Jake sighed, dragging a hand across his face. “Babe, I said I was sorry.” “You always say that,” you shot back. “You can’t just disappear on me for 24 hours and show up with blood on your shirt like it’s normal!”

“It’s not normal,” he said, voice quieter now. “I only do it because I’m trying to protect you. This life doesn’t come with clean hands.”

You curled into your blanket, facing away from him. “Then maybe I need someone who doesn’t come home red every night.”

Silence.

A beat passed. Then another.

Then—rustle.

You felt movement. Jake didn’t say anything. He just reached over, hand awkwardly bumping into one of the pillows.

“Jake.”

No response.

“Jake, stop—”

He shoved one pillow down. Then another. Then with all the grace of a sleepy tiger, he rolled over, arm snaking firmly around your waist and pulling you flush against him.

“Jake!” you protested, squirming, but he just tightened his grip, face burying into the crook of your neck.

“I can’t sleep without you,” he mumbled, breath warm against your skin. “I don’t care how many damn pillows you stack.”

You were quiet for a second. Your heartbeat betrayed you—going soft, melting into his heat despite your best efforts.

“…You’re impossible,” you whispered.

“And you love me,” he muttered with a tired smirk. “Even when I’m bloody and annoying.”

You huffed, but didn’t move. The pillow wall lay destroyed. Your resolve, not far behind.

“Just…don’t scare me like that again.”

He nuzzled closer. “I swear. I’ll come home faster. Cleaner. For you.”