Chapter Text
Xaden’s POV
The world felt heavy tonight, every step dragging me further into exhaustion. My body ached, my mind reeled, and the noise of the day clung to me like a second skin I couldn’t shed. The weight of responsibilities, battles, and endless decisions pressed down so hard I could barely breathe.
I needed her. She was the only thing in this world that could steady me when I was like this.
I found her in the hall the second years had taken to calling their own, talking quietly with Rhiannon. My vision tunneled as I walked toward her, my legs heavy and unsteady, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t.
When her eyes met mine, everything in me cracked wide open. She instantly took a step forward, concern etching her face.
“Xaden—” she started, but I was already there, leaning into her as my body sagged with exhaustion. My head found her shoulder, her scent grounding me in a way nothing else could. My knees threatened to give out as I leaned into her, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my face in the crook of her neck. Her arms came up immediately, holding me steady, her hands splayed across my back.
“Xaden?” she asked softly, concern laced in her voice.
“Take me away,” I mumbled against her skin, my voice hoarse and barely audible. “Just… somewhere far. Somewhere quiet. I can’t—” I broke off, the words catching in my throat.
Her arms tightened around me, anchoring me to her. “I’ve got you,” she whispered, her voice a promise.
I felt her shift slightly, her hand brushing against my face as she cupped my cheek and made me look at her. Her beautiful eyes were searching, full of something so tender it made my chest ache even though the delirious haze I was in.
She held me up, taking on more of my weight than I probably deserved to give her. Slowly, carefully, she guided me out of the hall. I was vaguely aware of her murmuring something to Rhiannon—an excuse, maybe—but the world outside of her didn’t exist.
I clung to her as she led us through the quieter corridors, every step deliberate, her body shielding mine as if to keep the outside world from reaching me. My head stayed against her shoulder, the soft rhythm of her breathing the only sound I could focus on.
When we reached our room, she eased me inside, closing the door firmly behind us. “It’s just now,” she said softly, her hands steadying me as she led me to the bed. She helped me sit on the edge of the bed, her hands steadying me as if I might collapse any second. And maybe I would’ve if it weren’t for her
I let her move me, too drained to resist, my body sinking into the mattress like it was the only safe place left in the world. She pulled off my boots, her fingers working efficiently but gently, then draped a blanket over me.
She perched on the edge of the bed, brushing her fingers through my hair, her touch soothing the tension I hadn’t realised was gripping me so tightly.
“I’m here,” she said, her voice a soft lullaby. “You don’t have to do anything right now. Just rest.”
I reached for her hand, needing to feel her, to anchor myself to her. “Don’t go,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
Her fingers curled around mine. “Never,” she promised.
Her touch was everything I needed, her voice the anchor I clung to. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but I forced them open long enough to look at her, my hand weakly reaching for hers.
“You’re the only thing holding me together,” I rasped, my throat raw with exhaustion.
Her fingers tightened around mine as she pressed a soft kiss to my head. “I love you too”
I didn’t have the strength to respond, not as her fingers found their way into my hair, gently combing through the strands. Her touch pulled me under, into a sleep I hadn’t dared let myself have before now. But with her here, I finally let go. She was my escape and my peace. And as I drifted into the haze of sleep, I held onto that truth with everything I had.