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Sophia had not expected the girl from Tinder to pull up blasting music loud enough to rattle her windows.
Like, she expected awkward small talk, maybe a polite “hey,” maybe even a slightly cringey hug if things went well. What she did not expect was a black car rolling up like it was the opening scene of a music video, bass thumping, headlights cutting through the evening like drama.
She stood on her front step, checking her phone again just to make sure she wasn’t about to get into a stranger’s car by accident.
Lara: outside.
Sophia glanced up.
Yep. Definitely her.
The driver’s window rolled down slowly, and there she was. Lara. One hand on the wheel, the other resting casually out the window, rings catching the streetlight. Her hair was slightly messy in that way that looked intentional, like she woke up cool. Oversized hoodie, chain, confident posture like she owned the entire road.
Sophia’s brain short-circuited for a second.
Okay. So she’s hot hot. Cool. Great. Amazing. Love that for me.
“Damn,” Lara said, looking her up and down without even pretending to be subtle. “You actually showed up looking like that?”
Sophia blinked. “Looking like… what?”
Lara smirked, slow and dangerous. “Like I’m about to forget how to act.”
Oh.
Oh.
This was already… a lot.
Sophia laughed nervously, clutching her small bag like it might anchor her to reality. “Hi to you too?”
“Hi,” Lara said, softer this time, but her eyes didn’t lose that spark. “You gonna stand there or get in the car?”
Sophia hesitated for exactly half a second before walking over and opening the passenger door.
The second she sat down, the music lowered automatically. Not off. Just… respectful.
Points for that.
“Seatbelt,” Lara said, glancing at her briefly.
Sophia clicked it in. “You always this bossy on first dates?”
“Only when I like the girl,” Lara replied instantly.
Sophia turned her head so fast she nearly pulled something. “You just met me.”
“Been talking to you all week,” Lara said. “Counts.”
Sophia tried to think of a comeback. Failed. Completely.
Instead, she settled for looking out the window and pretending she wasn’t already flustered.
This was going to be a long night.
And somehow, she didn’t hate that.
They started driving, the city lights blurring past them in streaks of gold and neon. Lara drove like she did everything else apparently, relaxed but completely in control. One hand on the wheel, the other occasionally tapping to the beat of the music.
Sophia risked another glance at her.
Mistake.
Lara caught her immediately.
“What?” Lara said, lips twitching.
“Nothing,” Sophia said way too quickly.
“You were staring.”
“I was not.”
“You literally were.”
“I was observing.”
Lara laughed, low and amused. “Observing what, exactly?”
Sophia paused, then muttered, “Your driving.”
“Yeah?” Lara tilted her head slightly. “And what’s the verdict?”
Sophia crossed her arms, trying to regain some composure. “You drive like you think you’re in a movie.”
“I am in a movie,” Lara said. “You’re just lucky you got cast.”
Sophia snorted. “Oh my god.”
“What?” Lara grinned. “You don’t like confidence?”
“I like normal human behavior.”
“Boring.”
Sophia bit back a smile. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Yet you’re in my car.”
That shut her up.
Again.
Sophia stared out the window, but this time she couldn’t stop smiling.
They ended up at a small late-night diner, the kind with flickering lights and booths that had definitely seen better days.
Sophia relaxed a little once they were seated. Something about the setting made things feel less intense, more grounded.
Lara slid into the booth across from her, stretching her arm along the backrest like she had all the time in the world.
“You nervous?” Lara asked casually.
Sophia scoffed. “No.”
“Liar.”
Sophia leaned forward. “I am not nervous.”
Lara leaned forward too, mirroring her, voice dropping just enough to make Sophia hyper-aware of everything.
“Your hands say otherwise.”
Sophia looked down.
Okay, maybe they were slightly fidgety.
She quickly tucked them under the table. “It’s called being cold.”
“It’s not cold.”
“It is for me.”
Lara watched her for a second, then shrugged off her hoodie and slid it across the table.
“Here.”
Sophia blinked. “What?”
“Put it on.”
Sophia hesitated. “You’ll be cold.”
“I’ll survive.”
Sophia picked it up slowly. It was warm. And it smelled like Lara. Not in an overpowering way, just… subtle. Clean. Comfortable.
She pulled it on.
It was way too big.
Lara’s eyes darkened slightly. “Yeah. That’s staying on you.”
Sophia’s heart did something weird and inconvenient.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“Don’t mention it.”
There was a pause, but not an awkward one. Just… charged.
The waitress came, they ordered food, and the conversation started to flow more naturally.
At least, it did until Lara started being… Lara again.
“So,” Lara said, sipping her drink. “You always this cute, or is this a special occasion?”
Sophia choked on her water. “Can you not—”
“Not what?”
“Say things like that so casually!”
Lara raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“Because it’s… a lot.”
Lara leaned back, studying her. “You don’t like it?”
Sophia opened her mouth, then closed it.
“I didn’t say that.”
Lara smirked. “That’s what I thought.”
Sophia groaned. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re blushing.”
“I am not!”
“You are.”
Sophia covered her face with her hands. “Oh my god.”
Lara laughed, softer this time. “Relax. I’m just messing with you.”
Sophia peeked through her fingers. “You’ve been messing with me since you picked me up.”
“Yeah,” Lara said. “Because it’s fun.”
Sophia dropped her hands. “Fun for you.”
“Fun for both of us,” Lara corrected.
Sophia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling again.
They talked about everything. Music, random childhood stories, weird internet trends, embarrassing moments. Lara had this way of listening that made Sophia feel like she was the most interesting person in the room, even when she was rambling about something stupid.
At one point, Sophia mentioned a story about getting lost on a school trip, and Lara just shook her head.
“You’d definitely get kidnapped in a horror movie,” Lara said.
Sophia gasped. “Excuse me?”
“You’re too trusting.”
“I am not!”
“You got into a stranger’s car tonight.”
“You’re not a stranger!”
“Met me on Tinder.”
Sophia pointed at her. “You also met me on Tinder.”
“Yeah, but I’m not the one getting kidnapped.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes. “You’re so annoying.”
Lara leaned in slightly, voice dropping again.
“But you like me.”
Sophia froze.
“…maybe,” she admitted quietly.
Lara’s smile softened just a little. “Yeah. I know.”
Something shifted then.
The teasing didn’t stop, but it changed. It felt less like a game and more like something… real.
After they finished eating, they headed back to the car.
The air was cooler now, and Sophia instinctively pulled Lara’s hoodie tighter around herself.
“You good?” Lara asked, unlocking the car.
“Yeah,” Sophia said. “Just a little cold.”
Lara nodded, then opened the passenger door for her.
Sophia paused. “Wow. A gentleman.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Sophia slid into the seat, shaking her head.
Lara got in, started the car, but didn’t drive off immediately.
Instead, she glanced at Sophia, then back at the road, then back at Sophia again.
“What?” Sophia said.
Lara exhaled slightly, like she was debating something.
Then she said it.
Casual. Smooth. Completely unhinged.
“I’m tryna get you in my backseat.”
Sophia’s brain stopped functioning.
“WHAT?”
Lara laughed, clearly enjoying herself. “Relax.”
“Relax? You just— you can’t just say that!”
“I just did.”
Sophia stared at her, face on fire. “You’re insane.”
“Maybe.”
“That was so—” Sophia gestured vaguely. “Bold.”
“You don’t like bold?”
Sophia hesitated.
Because the truth was…
“I didn’t say that.”
Lara smirked again. “Exactly.”
Sophia shook her head, trying to regain control of the situation. “You are unbelievable.”
“And yet,” Lara said, starting the car finally, “you’re still here.”
Sophia leaned back in her seat, heart racing, but a smile creeping onto her face anyway.
“Yeah,” she admitted softly. “I am.”
The drive back was quieter, but not in a bad way. The kind of quiet that felt full instead of empty.
When they pulled up outside Sophia’s house, neither of them moved right away.
“Well,” Sophia said, fiddling with the sleeve of the hoodie. “This was… fun.”
“Yeah,” Lara said. “It was.”
Another pause.
Sophia reached for the door handle, then stopped.
“Hey,” Lara said.
Sophia turned back.
Lara looked at her for a second, then said, “You can keep the hoodie.”
Sophia blinked. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Lara shrugged. “Gives you an excuse to see me again.”
Sophia smiled, softer this time.
“Smooth,” she said.
“I try.”
Sophia opened the door, stepping out, then leaned down slightly.
“Goodnight, Lara.”
“Goodnight, Sophia.”
She closed the door, started walking toward her house, then heard—
“Sophia.”
She turned back.
Lara was watching her, one arm resting on the window again.
“Next time,” Lara said, “I’m picking the spot again.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Lara grinned.
“Because I have better ideas.”
Sophia laughed, shaking her head.
“Goodnight,” she said again.
“Night.”
Sophia walked inside, heart still doing that weird thing.
And as she leaned against her door, hoodie wrapped around her, she couldn’t stop thinking one thing.
Yeah.
She was definitely seeing Lara again.
---
Sophia lasted exactly one day before texting Lara again.
One.
Single.
Day.
She told herself she’d wait at least three, maybe play it cool, act mysterious, give off that “I have a life” energy.
But then she put on Lara’s hoodie again that night.
And yeah.
That plan died immediately.
Sophia: so… hypothetically
Sophia: if someone wanted their hoodie back
Sophia: how soon would they ask
The typing bubble appeared almost instantly.
Lara: hypothetically
Lara: I’d say she should come return it in person
Lara: like tonight
Sophia bit her lip, smiling at her phone.
Sophia: tonight is crazy
Sophia: you don’t even miss me properly yet
Lara: who said I don’t
That did something to her chest. Something warm. Annoying.
Sophia: you’re so dramatic
Lara: and you love it
Sophia flopped back onto her bed, kicking her feet slightly.
Sophia: maybe
Sophia: depends
Sophia: what’s the plan
There was a pause this time. Longer.
Then—
Lara: come over
Lara: I’ll cook for you
Sophia sat up immediately.
Sophia: you cook??
Lara: don’t sound so surprised
Sophia: I’m a little scared now
Lara: relax
Lara: I’m not trying to poison you
Lara: yet
Sophia laughed out loud.
Sophia: send address
—
Lara’s place was… exactly what Sophia expected.
And also not.
It was a small house, slightly tucked away, warm light glowing from the windows. It didn’t scream “try-hard aesthetic” or anything like that. It just felt lived in. Comfortable.
Sophia stood outside for a second, suddenly aware of how fast this was moving.
Second date. At her house.
Okay.
Okay.
She knocked.
The door opened almost immediately.
And there was Lara.
Black t-shirt this time. Slightly fitted. Grey sweats. Hair even messier than before somehow, like she’d run her hands through it one too many times.
Sophia forgot how to speak for a solid two seconds.
Lara leaned against the doorframe, looking her up and down again, slower this time.
“Damn,” she said quietly. “You trying to kill me or something?”
Sophia rolled her eyes, but she could feel the heat rising in her face already. “Can I come in, or are you just gonna stand there being annoying?”
Lara smirked, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Sophia walked past her, and yeah—she felt it.
That little moment when you pass someone and there’s just… proximity. Heat. Awareness.
Lara closed the door behind her.
“Shoes off or you good?” Lara asked.
“Shoes off,” Sophia said automatically, slipping them off neatly by the door.
“Cute,” Lara muttered.
Sophia turned. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Say it.”
“You’re just…” Lara shrugged, walking past her toward the kitchen. “You’re neat. It’s cute.”
Sophia blinked.
Okay.
She was not prepared for casual compliments like this. Again.
She followed Lara into the kitchen, trying to act normal.
“What are you making?” Sophia asked, leaning slightly against the counter.
“Pasta,” Lara said. “Simple. Safe. Don’t need you judging me on date two.”
“I would never judge,” Sophia said.
“You absolutely would.”
“…okay maybe a little.”
Lara laughed under her breath.
Sophia watched her for a moment.
There was something different about Lara here. In her own space. Still confident, still smooth, but… softer around the edges.
More real.
“You need help?” Sophia asked.
Lara glanced at her. “You offering?”
“Yeah.”
Lara tilted her head, considering. Then she stepped closer.
Way closer.
Sophia’s breath caught slightly.
“You gonna be useful,” Lara said, voice low, “or are you just trying to stand near me?”
Sophia swallowed.
“…both?”
Lara smiled, slow and approving. “Honest. I like that.”
She handed Sophia a knife and a cutting board.
“Cut those.”
Sophia looked down. “You trust me with a knife?”
“Not really,” Lara said. “But I’m willing to take the risk.”
“Wow. That’s rude.”
“Don’t cut your fingers.”
“I won’t!”
“Good. I need those.”
Sophia froze for half a second. “For what?”
Lara didn’t even look up from what she was doing. “I’ll let you figure that out.”
“Oh my god,” Sophia mumbled, trying to focus on the vegetables.
But it was hard.
Because Lara kept moving around her. Brushing past her. Reaching over her.
At one point, Lara reached across to grab something behind Sophia, and her hand rested briefly on Sophia’s waist.
Not long.
Just enough.
Sophia’s entire brain went: oh.
“You okay?” Lara asked casually, still way too close.
“Yeah,” Sophia said, voice slightly higher than usual. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You stopped cutting.”
Sophia looked down.
She had, in fact, stopped cutting.
“Multitasking,” she said quickly.
“Sure.”
Lara didn’t move away immediately.
Sophia could feel her. The warmth. The presence.
And without really thinking about it—
She leaned back slightly.
Just a little.
Enough that her shoulder brushed against Lara’s chest.
Lara went still for a second.
Then her hand shifted, settling more firmly on Sophia’s waist.
“Clingy already?” Lara murmured.
Sophia’s heart did that thing again.
“…only when I’m comfortable,” she said softly.
Lara hummed. “That so?”
Sophia nodded, even though Lara couldn’t see it properly.
“Good to know.”
But she didn’t move her hand.
And Sophia didn’t move away.
They stayed like that for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Then Lara stepped back, like nothing happened.
“Alright,” she said. “Before you actually lose a finger.”
Sophia exhaled quietly, trying to regain some composure.
This girl was dangerous.
Dinner, surprisingly, went really well.
They ate on the couch instead of at a table, legs stretched out, plates balanced carefully.
At some point, Sophia had tucked her feet under Lara’s thigh without even realizing.
Lara noticed immediately.
Of course she did.
“You comfortable?” Lara asked, glancing down.
Sophia froze. “…maybe.”
“You’re literally using me as furniture.”
“You didn’t complain.”
“I’m not complaining,” Lara said.
Sophia smiled slightly. “Exactly.”
Lara shook her head, but there was a softness in her expression.
After they finished eating, the plates got abandoned on the coffee table.
Neither of them seemed particularly interested in moving.
A movie started playing in the background.
Neither of them were watching it.
Sophia had shifted closer at some point.
Then closer again.
Now she was basically tucked into Lara’s side, head resting lightly against her shoulder.
Lara’s arm was draped around her like it had always belonged there.
“You do this with everyone?” Lara asked quietly.
Sophia shook her head against her. “No.”
“Just me?”
“…yeah.”
Lara’s grip tightened slightly. “Good.”
Sophia smiled, eyes half-lidded.
“Is this okay?” she asked softly.
Lara looked down at her.
“More than okay.”
There was a pause.
The kind that feels like something is about to happen.
Sophia tilted her head up slightly.
Lara was already looking at her.
Closer than before.
Closer than necessary.
Sophia’s voice dropped to almost nothing. “You’re staring again.”
“Yeah,” Lara said. “I am.”
“Why?”
Lara’s gaze flicked to her lips for just a second.
Then back to her eyes.
“Trying to decide something.”
Sophia’s breath hitched. “What?”
Lara didn’t answer right away.
Instead, her hand shifted, tilting Sophia’s chin up slightly.
“Whether you’re gonna get shy on me,” she murmured, “or if you’re gonna let me do what I’ve been thinking about all night.”
Sophia’s heart was pounding now.
“What have you been thinking about?” she whispered.
Lara leaned in just enough for their noses to almost brush.
“This.”
And then she kissed her.
Soft at first.
Testing.
But Sophia didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t pull back.
If anything, she leaned in more.
Her hand came up, grabbing lightly at Lara’s shirt, grounding herself.
Lara responded immediately, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss just slightly.
Not rushed.
Not messy.
Just… intentional.
Sophia melted into it.
Completely.
When they pulled back, it was only barely.
Foreheads almost touching.
Breathing uneven.
“Still shy?” Lara asked quietly.
Sophia shook her head, a small smile on her lips.
“Not really.”
“Yeah?” Lara’s voice dropped again.
Sophia nodded.
Then, without overthinking it—
She shifted, climbing slightly into Lara’s lap, arms wrapping loosely around her shoulders.
Clingy.
Just like she said.
Lara let out a soft laugh, hands settling naturally at her waist.
“Okay,” Lara murmured. “Yeah. I like this.”
Sophia smiled against her cheek. “Good.”
There was a pause.
Then Lara leaned back slightly, looking at her with that same dangerous, playful expression from the car.
“Careful,” she said. “You keep sitting like this…”
Sophia tilted her head. “What?”
Lara smirked.
“I might actually follow through on what I said last time.”
Sophia’s face flushed immediately.
“Oh my god,” she whispered.
Lara laughed softly, pulling her closer instead of letting her move away.
“Relax,” she murmured. “I’m joking.”
“…are you though?”
Lara raised an eyebrow.
Sophia hid her face in Lara’s shoulder.
“Shut up.”
Lara just smiled, holding her there, hand gently rubbing her back.
And honestly?
Neither of them moved for a long time.
---
The movie was still playing.
Or at least… it was still technically on.
Neither of them had paid attention to it in the last twenty minutes.
Sophia was curled into Lara like she had zero intention of ever leaving, legs tucked to the side, arms loosely wrapped around Lara’s shoulders. At some point, her grip had softened, her movements slower, quieter.
Lara noticed immediately.
She noticed everything about Sophia.
The way her breathing had evened out.
The way her head had gotten heavier against her shoulder.
The way her fingers, which had been lightly gripping her shirt, were now barely holding on.
Lara glanced down at her.
“Hey,” she murmured softly. “You good?”
Sophia made a small sound in response. Not quite a word. Just… something soft and sleepy.
Lara smiled a little.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “That’s what I thought.”
Sophia shifted slightly, instinctively nuzzling closer, her face now tucked into the side of Lara’s neck.
That did something dangerous to Lara’s brain.
Like—dangerous dangerous.
But she forced herself to stay still, one hand resting securely on Sophia’s back.
“You’re really just gonna fall asleep on me?” Lara murmured, more to herself than anything.
Sophia hummed again, barely conscious at this point.
“…m’comfortable,” she mumbled.
Lara exhaled through a quiet laugh.
“Yeah? That your excuse?”
No response this time.
Sophia was fully gone.
Lara tilted her head slightly to get a better look at her.
And yeah.
She was asleep.
Just… completely knocked out. On her. In her lap. Like this was the most natural thing in the world.
Lara stared at her for a second.
Then another.
Then she leaned her head back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling like she needed a moment to process.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Cool. That’s fine. I’m fine.”
She was not fine.
Because Sophia, apparently, was a clingy sleeper too.
At some point, her arms had tightened again, loosely but enough that Lara could feel it. Her leg shifted slightly, brushing against Lara’s side.
And every time Sophia moved, she got closer.
Not farther.
Closer.
Like her default setting was just… attach.
Lara’s hand moved slowly, almost instinctively, brushing a strand of hair away from Sophia’s face.
She paused for a second, like she was debating whether she should even be doing this.
Then she did it anyway.
Soft. Careful.
Sophia didn’t wake up.
If anything, she leaned into it.
Lara let out a quiet breath.
“Yeah, okay,” she murmured. “You’re dangerous too.”
The room was warm, the soft glow from a lamp in the corner making everything feel slower. Quieter.
Lara shifted slightly, trying to get more comfortable without waking her.
Big mistake.
Sophia immediately reacted, tightening her hold just a little, her face pressing more firmly against Lara’s neck.
“…don’t move,” she mumbled.
Lara froze.
“…I didn’t,” she said softly.
“You did,” Sophia whispered, half-asleep.
“Barely.”
Sophia made a small sound of protest, her hand lazily gripping the front of Lara’s shirt again.
“Stay.”
It wasn’t even a request.
Just a sleepy, automatic need.
Lara blinked.
Then huffed a quiet laugh.
“Yeah,” she said under her breath. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Sophia relaxed almost instantly.
Like she believed her without question.
And that—
That hit a little deeper than Lara expected.
She glanced down again.
Sophia looked… peaceful.
All the usual fluster, the quick comebacks, the shy reactions—they were gone. Replaced with something soft. Open.
Trusting.
Lara swallowed slightly.
“Second date,” she muttered quietly. “And you’re already out cold in my arms.”
She shook her head, but there was a small smile on her face.
After a minute, Lara carefully reached for the remote, lowering the volume of the TV even more.
Not off.
Just quieter.
She didn’t want to wake her.
Didn’t want to disturb this.
Sophia shifted again, this time sliding just enough that she was fully settled in Lara’s lap now, head tucked perfectly under her chin.
Yeah.
There was no moving her now.
Not without consequences.
Lara rested her chin lightly against the top of Sophia’s head.
“…you’re actually ridiculous,” she murmured.
No response.
Just soft breathing.
Time passed like that.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Maybe more.
Lara lost track.
Her hand had started absentmindedly tracing small patterns against Sophia’s back. Slow. Repetitive.
She didn’t even realize she was doing it at first.
But Sophia did.
Even asleep, she reacted to it.
A small, content sigh.
Lara stilled for half a second.
Then continued.
“Clingy and needy,” Lara whispered. “That’s crazy.”
But her voice was soft.
Fond.
Not complaining.
At all.
Sophia stirred slightly again, her face shifting just enough that her cheek brushed against Lara’s collarbone.
“…Lara,” she mumbled.
Lara’s breath caught just a little.
“Yeah?” she said quietly.
“…don’t go.”
It was barely audible.
Half a dream.
But clear enough.
Lara’s expression softened completely.
“I won’t,” she said.
And she meant it.
Sophia relaxed again, completely, her body going loose in that way only happens when someone feels safe.
Lara leaned her head back again, closing her eyes for a second.
This was… new.
Not the flirting.
Not the teasing.
That was easy.
This?
This quiet, soft, trusting version of Sophia?
This was different.
And Lara wasn’t used to different.
She looked down at her again.
Her hand moved once more, gently running through Sophia’s hair.
Slow.
Careful.
Like she didn’t want to mess anything up.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “You’re staying.”
Sophia, of course, didn’t hear her.
But she shifted closer anyway.
Like she already knew.
And honestly?
Lara didn’t even try to move her after that.
She just stayed right there on the couch, one arm around Sophia, the other resting loosely against her back, the quiet hum of the TV filling the room.
Completely stuck.
Completely fine with it.
More than fine, actually.
Because for the first time that night, Lara wasn’t thinking about being smooth.
Or teasing.
Or saying the right thing.
She was just… there.
Holding her.
And not wanting to let go.
---
Sophia woke up slowly.
Not the usual sudden, disoriented kind of waking up—but the soft kind. The kind where you’re warm, comfortable, and your brain takes its time catching up.
The first thing she noticed was warmth.
The second thing—
She was not in her bed.
Her eyes blinked open just slightly.
Ceiling. Not hers.
Couch. Definitely not hers.
And then—
Oh.
Oh.
Memory hit all at once.
Lara.
Second date.
Movie.
Kissing.
And then…
She froze.
Because she was still on her.
Like… fully.
Half sprawled across Lara’s chest, one leg thrown over her, face tucked into her neck like she lived there.
Sophia’s eyes widened.
Oh my god.
She stayed completely still, like if she didn’t move, maybe this wouldn’t be real.
“…you done panicking yet?” Lara’s voice came, low and amused, right above her.
Sophia internally screamed.
“You’re awake?” she whispered, horrified.
“I’ve been awake.”
“Since when?”
“Since you started twitching like you just realized you’ve been clinging to me all night.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled into Lara’s shirt. “I did not mean to fall asleep like this.”
“Mm,” Lara hummed. “Shame.”
Sophia pulled back just enough to look at her. “Shame?”
“Yeah,” Lara said, completely serious. “Kinda liked it.”
Sophia stared at her.
“…you’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
Lara raised an eyebrow. “Why would I lie about enjoying having you all over me?”
Sophia’s face went bright red immediately.
“Okay. Don’t say it like that.”
“Like what?” Lara smirked. “Accurate?”
Sophia covered her face with one hand. “You’re so annoying.”
Lara laughed softly, her hand coming up to gently pull Sophia’s hand away from her face.
“Relax,” she murmured. “You were cute.”
Sophia blinked. “I was unconscious.”
“Still counts.”
Sophia shook her head, but she didn’t move away.
Not fully.
In fact… she shifted slightly.
Settling again.
Just a little less chaotic this time.
Lara noticed.
Of course she did.
“See?” Lara said quietly. “You’re doing it again.”
Sophia froze.
“…I am not.”
“You literally just got comfortable again.”
Sophia hesitated.
Because yeah.
She had.
“…maybe,” she admitted softly.
Lara’s hand rested lightly against her side, thumb brushing absentmindedly.
“Not complaining,” Lara said.
That warmth came back again.
That same one from last night.
Sophia looked at her for a second.
Then, without overthinking it—
She tucked herself back in.
Fully this time.
Head against Lara’s chest, arm draped across her like it belonged there.
“Okay,” Sophia said quietly. “Now I’m doing it.”
Lara let out a soft laugh, her arm wrapping around her automatically.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “I noticed.”
They stayed like that for a while.
No rush.
No pressure.
Just… existing.
Eventually, Lara shifted slightly.
“Come on,” she said. “You should probably go home at some point.”
Sophia groaned softly. “Or…”
“Or?”
“I could just stay here forever.”
Lara smiled. “Tempting.”
Sophia tilted her head up. “You’d get sick of me.”
“Doubt it.”
Sophia studied her face for a second, like she was trying to figure out if she meant it.
“…you’re serious.”
“Yeah.”
That did something again.
Something quiet.
Sophia smiled softly, then hid her face back against her.
“Okay,” she mumbled. “I’ll go home. Eventually.”
“Eventually,” Lara echoed.
—
Eventually turned into an hour later.
Then two.
Then Sophia finally leaving, reluctantly, still wearing Lara’s hoodie.
But that wasn’t the end.
Not even close.
Because after that?
It just… kept going.
—
Date three was supposed to be “quick coffee.”
It turned into five hours.
Sophia showed up determined to act normal.
She lasted maybe ten minutes.
By minute fifteen, she was already leaning into Lara again, absentmindedly playing with the rings on her fingers while they talked.
Lara just watched her with that same quiet amusement.
“Thought you said you weren’t clingy,” Lara teased.
“I’m not,” Sophia said, not even letting go. “This is… casual.”
“Right.”
“Stop judging me.”
“I’m not judging,” Lara said. “I like it.”
Sophia tried not to smile.
Failed.
—
Date four was grocery shopping.
Which Sophia insisted was not a date.
“It’s literally errands,” she said.
“You’re at my house,” Lara replied. “We’re buying food together. That’s domestic.”
“It’s not domestic.”
“You just argued with me over which pasta shape to buy.”
“…because you picked the wrong one.”
Lara laughed. “See? Domestic.”
And yeah.
It kind of was.
Sophia pushing the cart, Lara tossing random things in.
“Do you actually need this?” Sophia asked, holding up a random snack.
“No.”
“Then why is it in the cart?”
“Because I want it.”
Sophia sighed, but didn’t take it out.
“Unbelievable.”
“You love me.”
Sophia froze for half a second.
Then narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t push it.”
Lara just grinned.
—
Date five turned into cooking together again.
Except this time, Sophia didn’t even pretend to stand on her own side of the kitchen.
She hovered.
Close.
Always within reach.
At one point, she just straight up wrapped her arms around Lara’s waist from behind, resting her cheek against her back.
Lara paused.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“No,” Sophia said softly. “I’m just here.”
Lara shook her head, but her hand reached back, resting over Sophia’s.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “I noticed.”
—
It became a pattern.
Sophia showing up.
Lara pretending she wasn’t waiting.
Sophia settling into her space like she belonged there.
Lara letting her.
Encouraging it, even.
Movie nights turned into Sophia half-asleep on Lara again.
Cooking turned into shared space, shared touches.
Random conversations turned into soft moments, quiet looks, lingering silence that said more than words.
And every time Sophia got comfortable—
She got closer.
More clingy.
More open.
More hers.
—
One night, weeks later, they were back on the same couch.
Same position.
Sophia curled into Lara’s side, legs tangled, head resting perfectly under her chin.
“Hey,” Sophia said quietly.
“Yeah?”
“You remember the first night?” she asked.
“When you fell asleep on me?”
Sophia smiled slightly. “Yeah.”
“Hard to forget.”
Sophia laughed softly. “You were so mean about it.”
“I was not.”
“You literally called me clingy.”
“You are clingy.”
Sophia tilted her head up, pouting slightly. “Rude.”
Lara looked down at her, eyes soft.
“Still my favorite thing about you, though.”
Sophia’s expression softened immediately.
“…yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Sophia smiled, then tucked herself even closer, like she physically couldn’t get close enough.
“Good,” she murmured.
Lara’s arm tightened around her.
“Good.”
The TV played quietly in the background again.
Neither of them paid attention.
Because this?
This was better.
And honestly?
Neither of them were going anywhere.