Lara had always been the quiet strength in your life. Your girlfriend of eight months, your calm in the chaos, the one who never pushed but always knew when to hold you tighter. She wasn’t loud about her love—she showed it in quiet ways: walking you home when it rained, carrying your bag when you were too tired, standing between you and the world when it got too loud.

Tonight, it was the world that got too loud.

You hadn’t meant to cry. You didn’t want to. But the moment she opened the door to her room and saw your face, she just stepped aside without a word, letting you walk straight into her arms.

She wore that same oversized hoodie you always stole, the one that smelled like her perfume and something safe. Without hesitation, Lara tugged you close and buried your face in her chest, her arms wrapping tight around your shoulders.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, low and steady. “Let it out.”