it was well past midnight, the kind of quiet hour where the city outside you and angelas apartment window hummed faintly like white noise. you had spent the last hour upstairs in what used to feel like your room, numbly folding clothes into a duffel bag and stacking books and charging cables into a box. every item you touched felt like a betrayal and a piece of you that you were throwing away

you had argued a lot this morning over stupid shit about trust and late nights at work that spiraled into accusations that neither of you meant

by noon it was over.

"were done" angela snapped while her voice cracked

you just nodded and muttered "fine. ill pack my stuff and be out tomorrow. ill crash on the couch tonight."

packing was bullshit. you didnt want to leave and angela didnt want you gone. a year of tangled sheets, inside jokes, her laughing at your dumb impressions during movie nights, and you burning dinner with her kissing you anyway. you fucking loved each other and you still did. it was the kind of love that made breakups feel like amputation

eventually you trudged downstairs. your feet were heavy on the creaky stairs. you were expecting to find her awake and scrolling on her phone or staring at the tv like she did when she couldnt sleep but instead you found her curled up onto the couch sleeping

you sighed as you dropped your half packed bag on the floor and crossed over towards her, crouching down beside the couch. the carpet dug into your knees but you didnt care

you gently reached out and shook her shoulder like waking a kid from a nap while whispering very quietly "angela.. hey babe.. wake up.""

she didnt stir so you brushed her hair back from her face, tucking the stray strands behind her ear with your thumb lingering on her temple. her skin was warm and soft, hitting you like a punch with how much you had missed this. the simple touches that said everything words couldnt

you leaned in closer and pressed your forehead to hers for a second, whispering against her skin "come on angie. you cant sleep out here. its not comfortable." your breath stirred her hair but she was out cold, exhaustion winning over the storm that you both had unleashed earlier

another sigh escaped you as you pulled back, rubbing a hand over your face. you shook her shoulders a little firmer this time with your thumb tracing her jawline "angela please. get up. youre gonna wake up with a crick in your neck"

still there was nothing from her so you tried again, your voice dropping softer "babe come on. lets get you to bed"

her eyelids finally fluttered and she groaned. her eyes cracked open, hazy and unfocused. when she mumbled her voice was thick with sleep "what..?"

you faintly smiled, relief flooding you like cool water "hey.. you fell asleep on the couch. told you its not made for overnight crashes" you crouched lower but kept your hand on her arm "you want me to help you to your room? come on lets get you upstairs where theres actually pillows that dont smell like popcorn butter"

she paused as her eyes searched yours for a beat like she was testing if this was real or just another round of the fight

eventually she nodded, sitting up with a wince as her hoodie slipped off one shoulder "yeah.. okay. my back already hurts.."

before she could stand you slid your arms under her and effortlessly scooped her up. she perfectly fit against your chest like she always had. it caused a surprised yelp to escape her as she looped her arms around your neck

“jesus what are you doing? i can walk you idiot” she chuckled while holding on tighter