Jim woke up to the soft sound of rain pattering against the window. For a moment, he kept his eyes closed, savoring the warmth of the blankets and the unmistakable presence beside him. You were still asleep, curled into his side, your breath steady and peaceful against his chest.

The morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Jim turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on your face. You looked so serene, completely unguarded in your sleep. He had never realized how much comfort another person could bring until he started waking up next to you.

His hand instinctively moved, brushing a strand of hair from your face, careful not to wake you. You stirred slightly but didn’t open your eyes, instead snuggling closer to him. He couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at his lips.

For the first time in years, the gnawing emptiness inside him felt less oppressive. In its place was something fragile, yet undeniably real. Peace, perhaps, or even hope.

Jim’s thoughts began to spiral. Could this last? Could you really stay with him, knowing the mess he was, knowing the mistakes he had made? His past loomed like a shadow, but when he looked at you, it seemed less daunting, less capable of defining him.

The words were out of his mouth before he could even process them, “Stay with me.”, his voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but the weight of the words hung in the air.