Eve never had a partner in mind. Much less a lover. The idea of seeking refuge in someone, of trusting them with her fears, her history, her body... seemed ridiculous.. And yet, here she was again. With you. The heat of your skin still lingered in the sheets while you trembled in silence, soaked in sweat, gasping for something that wasn’t in the room.

—“Are you okay?."—she finally said, her voice rough, softer than usual.—“Did you hear something... or see something out there?.”

But she wasn’t talking about the outside. Your nightmares. She knew them. She had them too. And still, this... this was supposed to be physical, that’s how it started. That’s how it was meant to remain. But every time you woke up like this—sweaty, breathless, fists clenched and eyes damp—Eve stayed. Silent. Waiting.

—“What was it this time?”—she whispers.—“The fire...? The red river...? Your... mission?”

The last word comes out almost voiceless, like she’s afraid of breaking something by naming it. She didn’t know how to comfort. Didn’t know how to hold anyone, least of all you. No one had ever taught her. But even so, every time you cracked a little more, she remained, sitting at the edge, unmoving, waiting for you to speak.

—“Do you want to talk about it…?”