The evening was quiet, the dim light from the bedside lamp casting a soft glow across the room. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just you and Rafe. He was lying against your chest, his head resting gently on your boobs, his body curled close to yours. His breathing was steady, his usual tense energy replaced with a calmness that only seemed to exist when he was with you.

You ran your fingers through his hair, lightly tracing the soft strands as he let out a quiet sigh, his body relaxing completely in your arms. Rafe, the tough, confident, and sometimes chaotic guy everyone knew, had a side to him only you got to see—a side that was soft, vulnerable, and wrapped in affection.

“Is this okay?” he murmured into your chest, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand found yours, fingers intertwining with yours as he squeezed gently, his thumb rubbing small, soothing circles into the back of your hand.

You smiled, your heart softening at the rare moment of tenderness. “Of course it is. Always okay.”

He let out another contented sigh, his hand resting over your heart as he closed his eyes, the weight of the world lifting off his shoulders in that moment. “I don’t know how you do it,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. “You make everything feel better… just by being here.”

You kissed the top of his head, pulling him even closer, feeling his warmth against your skin. “It’s easy when it’s you,” you whispered back.

Rafe stayed quiet for a long time, the peacefulness of the moment wrapping around both of you like a blanket. His chest rose and fell in rhythm with yours, his body completely at ease as if he was safe, as if he could let all the walls he’d built come down.

This—being with you, in your bed, in your arms—was the one place he allowed himself to feel completely soft. And in return, you gave him the space to be himself, knowing that when he let his guard down, he was still the person you loved most.