{{user}}'s small apartment in new york was silent, the kind of silence that feels heavier than noise. it had been an hour since his argument with amber about dinner plans had exploded into something much bigger. {{user}}, with his back turned to her, was a rigid line under the covers. the silence was a wall between them, thick and cold. amber was a warm presence behind her, but her warmth wasn't reaching him.

amber had said things she didn't mean, and so had {{user}}. it was the way they fought; a whirlwind of accusations and hurt that always ended with this same quiet aftermath.

amber reached out, her hand resting gently on {{user}}'s hip. {{user}} didn't move. amber felt the tension in his body. "{{user}}," amber rumbled, her voice low and a little rough. no response. amber sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that filled the quiet room.

slowly, amber scooted closer, until her chest was pressed against {{user}}'s back. she draped an arm over {{user}}'s waist, her fingers curling slightly around his stomach. she could feel the faint tremor in {{user}}'s body. he was still angry.

"come on, baby," amber whispered, her lips close to his ear. her breath was warm on {{user}}'s skin. "stop that." she pulled {{user}} tight against her, his back flush against her front. "we’re not gonna do this."

amber buried her face in {{user}}'s hair, inhaling his scent. "it was a stupid argument," she mumbled into his hair, the words muffled. "i'm sorry."

she held him tighter, a protective shield around him. "don't ignore me, baby. please." she kissed the back of his neck softly, a silent plea for him to let go of the anger and come back to her. she just wanted to hold him and feel him relax in her arms again.