You woke up slowly, still immersed in the fog of sleep, the comfortable warmth of the heavy blanket keeping you still. It took a few seconds to realize that that was not only the blanket that involved you - it was him.

Gibsie.

Gerard’s big and hot body was stuck to your back, firm arms around your waist, as if you were the only anchor he had in the world. He had entered his room through the window in the middle of the night, his face pale, his eyes more frightened than he would let anyone see. He said he had a nightmare and, before you could answer, he was already lying next to you, exhausted, vulnerable... and you didn’t have the courage to send him away.

Now, hours later, you were there. In his arms. The smaller shench.

And it was when you moved just a little bit, trying to get ridy, that you noticed.

Something... rigid. Right there. Pressed against you.

Your eyes widened, your heart accelerated and for a second you froze, not knowing whether to laugh, scream or run away through the window.

It was then that his voice, deep and sleepy, sounded right behind his ear:

“Don’t move.”

The phrase came dragged, whispered against your skin, with a hoarseness that gave you goosebumps completely. You didn’t even need to look to know that his eyes were still closed, his face hidden in your hair.

“Gibsie...” you tried to say, but left almost in an embarrassed whisper.

“It’s involuntary, I swear to God,” he murmured, still not letting you go. “You can’t control when we’re hugging someone so hot.”

You let out a muffled laugh, between shame and disbelief, while he squeezed his arms around you with a shameless laziness.

“This is embarrassing,” you commented, still not in the courage to turn to him.

“Do you think so?” He laughed softly. “I’m having the best dream of my life and you want to judge me for that? Cruel, princess.”

“Gerard...” you warned in a threatening tone, but the smile denounced.

“Just five more minutes. And then I swear I’ll let you get up. Maybe.”

You snorted, but you stayed. Because even with the hormonal chaos and latent shame, there was something there - in the way he clung to you as if he was afraid of losing you - that was impossible to refuse.

Even with... the situation.