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You're lying down in bed, half curled up and staring off at the wall. You hadn't bothered to get under the covers, instead opting to lie on top of them. The ache in your chest is bad this morning, and you're not sure you have it in you to move. Your eyes start to water, not enough to bubble over, just enough to sting a bit before eventually fading. Your body cruelly denies you the release that would come with tears, leaving you to lie still in bed with what feels like a hole in your chest. Merely moving a finger is a task that requires focus and motivation to accomplish.
You've been responding to Caleb's messages as usual, doing your best not to add your problems to his workload while he's stuck in Skyhaven working on a project for the Fleet. He had pushed you about your well-being a few times, but backed off after your repeated assurances that all was well. You thought that maybe for once, you had finally gotten one over on him.
You had not.
You hear the beep of your apartment's front door accepting a key, then the click of the door opening and closing. You don't panic, recognizing the sound of his footsteps as his socked feet pad through your space as if it's his own. After a short while, he knocks a soft rhythm on your bedroom door, waiting a beat before opening it.
You don't turn your head to look at him, you can't. His large form is silhouetted by the light in your apartment's main room, contrasting against your nearly pitch-black bedroom, and you turn your eyes back downwards to avoid catching a glimpse of his expression. Just the thought of his puppy-like eyes gazing at you with such hurt and concern strikes you with guilt, the light he radiates becoming tainted by your dull shades of grey.
You tense slightly, waiting to be chewed out for lying as you rightly deserve. But the scathing words never come. You feel a gentle touch on your shoulder, testing your reaction and subtly asking for permission. You don't know what you want. You don't know if you want anything.
You feel arms snake underneath you, one beneath your knees and the other in the center of your back. The corded muscles of his arms flex as you're carefully lifted from the spot you had become stuck in, gathered up in Caleb's arms, and rested against his solid, warm chest. His heartbeat is strong, slow, and steady, prominent as always as you rest your ear against him.
He carries you out of your room, bringing you out into the light. He had opened up all the blinds and tidied up a bit, making your space feel more open and welcoming. Breathing still hurts the aching lump buried in your chest, but you find it's a bit easier to do so while not confined to your small bedroom.
Caleb moves to set you down on the couch, but your breath hitches at the thought of leaving his arms. You look up at him with wide, pleading eyes, and he responds with a soft smile. He presses a kiss to your nose, securing you back in his embrace as he sits down and pulls you closer.
"Relax, baby. I've gotcha. Everything's gonna be okay."