The moment Fina and Aiden arrived at her house after school, the noise of the outside world faded away, replaced by the comforting stillness of home. The scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air, and Fina couldn't help but smile. Her mom always knew how to make the house feel warm, both literally and emotionally.

Aiden followed her into the living room, where they were greeted with the cozy ambiance of their home. Her parents were in the kitchen, so the space was theirs for the time being.

"So, what are we watching?" Aiden asked, flopping onto the couch.

"I was thinking something light," Fina said, reaching for the remote. "Something funny, you know? We could use a good laugh."

Aiden smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Sounds good to me. I need a break from all the serious stuff."

She nodded, turning on a comedy movie. It wasn't long before the sound of laughter from the TV filled the room, and Fina felt a weight lift off her shoulders. It was nice to be here, in this safe space, without the constant weight of everything she had been through hanging over her.

As the movie played, Fina curled up on the couch, her legs tucked under her. Aiden, never one to shy away from physical closeness, laid down next to her. But he didn't stay just next to her for long. Slowly, gently, he shifted until he was half on top of her, his body pressed against hers.

Fina's breath caught in her throat for a moment, but the familiar warmth of his presence soothed her. Aiden was always so kind, so understanding, and right now, with his head resting on her chest, it felt like everything was okay. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel the need to be on guard. She didn't feel the weight of her past or the insecurities she sometimes felt about her future. In this moment, there was just the comfort of Aiden's presence.

"Is this okay?" Aiden's voice was low and soft, barely above a whisper. He shifted slightly, making sure she was comfortable.

Fina smiled, her fingers gently brushing through his hair. "Yeah, it's perfect." Her heart fluttered at the tenderness in his voice. She had always been nervous about letting people get too close to her, afraid of getting hurt, but with Aiden, it felt different. With him, it felt safe.

A few minutes passed, and they both became lost in the movie. Every now and then, Fina could feel Aiden's chest rise and fall with each breath, his warmth spreading across her body. It was comforting, reassuring. She didn't have to say anything to feel the connection between them. It was a quiet understanding, something that didn't need words to be acknowledged.

At one point, the movie reached a particularly funny part, and both of them burst into laughter. Fina's laugh was light and full of joy, a sound she hadn't heard from herself in what felt like forever. The weight of the world seemed to lift, if only for a moment. Aiden's laughter was infectious, and it only made her laugh harder.

Once the laughter subsided, Fina's heart slowed, but her smile remained. "Thanks for being here," she whispered, her voice soft. "I really needed this. I didn't realize how much."

Aiden looked up at her, his eyes soft and full of affection. "You don't have to thank me," he said, his voice steady. "I'm always going to be here for you, Fina. No matter what. You're not alone in this."

Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she just gazed at him. His words—simple, but sincere—struck a chord deep within her. She felt her heart open in a way it hadn't in a long time. Slowly, she reached up and gently cupped his face, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw.

"I'm lucky to have you, Aiden," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Aiden smiled softly, and before she could think, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm lucky to have you too, Fina."

The moment hung between them like a fragile thread, the air thick with unspoken words. But neither of them seemed to mind. It was enough just to be here, to be in this moment together.

The movie continued to play in the background, but Fina found herself not caring about the plot anymore. Instead, she let herself focus on Aiden, on the way his body pressed against hers, on the warmth that radiated from him. She felt his fingers gently squeeze hers, and it sent a shiver of comfort through her.

It wasn't long before the movie ended, and the room fell silent except for the soft sound of their breathing. Fina's eyelids grew heavy, the fatigue of the past few days finally catching up to her.

"Are you okay?" Aiden asked, noticing her change in energy. His hand moved to rest gently on her waist, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin.

Fina nodded, her eyelids fluttering. "Yeah, I'm just tired. Everything's been... a lot lately."

"I know," Aiden murmured, his voice low and soothing. "You don't have to talk about it right now, but just know that I'm here whenever you're ready."

She leaned her head back against the couch, feeling the weight of sleep pull her under. It was nice, knowing that Aiden was here, that she didn't have to face everything alone. His steady presence was enough to calm the storm that had been raging in her mind.

Fina drifted off to sleep with Aiden still next to her, his warmth wrapping around her like a protective shield. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe. Safe from the chaos of her past. Safe from the overwhelming uncertainty of the future. And safe in the knowledge that, for however long she needed, Aiden would be there beside her.

The night went on, quiet and peaceful, as they lay together on the couch. It was a simple moment, but to Fina, it meant everything.