A Little Less Alone

Beth knocked on Viv’s door, shifting slightly on her feet, adjusting the bottle of wine in her grip. She didn’t feel nervous, exactly, but something close.

She had met Viv’s mom and brother before—briefly, in passing, never more than quick greetings after a match or a polite nod at some team event. And definitely never like this.

But at least she knew where she stood. Viv had already told her that she had talked to them, that they knew—about them, about her. That alone helped, kept her from second-guessing things too much.

The door opened a few seconds later, and there was Viv, standing in front of her.

She had her sleeves pushed up, hair slightly messier than usual, a faint crease in her brow like she’d been moving around too much, thinking about too many things at once.

"Hey," Beth said, offering a small smile.

"Hey," Viv exhaled, stepping back to let her inside.

Beth took one step in and immediately picked up on it—something. Viv wasn’t exactly on edge, but there was an underlying tension in the way she carried herself, the way she glanced toward the kitchen like she wasn’t fully present.

"Everything okay?" Beth asked, lowering her voice slightly.

Viv blinked, like she hadn’t realized she was radiating that much energy. "Yeah." She huffed out a breath. "Just a lot to do."

Beth nodded, deciding not to push. "Smells good, at least."

That earned a faint smirk from Viv. "Yeah, well, we’ll see how it actually tastes."

Before Beth could say anything else, Viv gestured for her to follow. "Come on, I’ll take you to them."

Beth followed as Viv led her into the open space of the living room, where her mom and brother were already sitting, chatting casually.

"This is Beth," Viv said, motioning toward her. "Beth, you remember my mom, and Lars—"

Lars smirked before Viv could even finish. "Yeah, Viv, we know who she is."*

Viv rolled her eyes. "Right. I’m going back to the kitchen."

Beth chuckled as Viv turned on her heel and walked away, leaving her alone with her family.

Viv’s mom stood up first, offering a warm smile. "Beth, hi!"

Beth shook her hand, nodding in greeting. "Hi, good to see you again."

Lars extended his hand next, still grinning slightly. "So, she finally let you in, huh? Thought you’d be waiting outside in the rain for a while."

Beth scoffed lightly, shaking his hand. "She’s not that bad."

"Debatable," Lars muttered, but there was no bite to it.

Beth smirked, taking a seat on the couch as they settled back down.

"Terrible weather out there," Viv’s mom commented, shaking her head slightly. "Did you get caught in the rain?"

"Almost," Beth admitted. "It started coming down just as I was getting here, so I think I got lucky.

iv’s mom smiled, setting her drink down. "She’s been moving around all day. I don’t think I’ve seen her sit for more than five minutes."

Beth smirked slightly, shifting in her seat. "Yeah?"

"Mhm," Viv’s mom nodded. "She even made wake up early this morning to double-check a recipe, which is funny because she’s made it before. I told her it would turn out fine, but you know how she is."

Beth huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah. She gets in her head about things."

"Exactly," Lars added, crossing one leg over the other. "And then she’ll pretend she’s not stressed when she absolutely is."

Beth glanced toward the kitchen. She could see Viv moving around, adjusting the heat on the stove, checking something in the oven even though it had already beeped.

"She won’t admit it, though," Beth muttered.

"Of course not," Lars said easily. "Viv admitting she’s stressed? That would be too simple."

Beth smirked, but before she could say anything else, Viv’s voice rang out from the kitchen. "I can hear you."

Viv stepped back into the dining area, balancing a dish in her hands, her expression carefully neutral. "Alright," she said, setting it down in the middle of the table. "Hope it’s okay."*

Beth glanced at her, catching the way her fingers lingered on the edge of the dish for just a second before she pulled away. Viv wasn’t nervous exactly, but Beth could tell she was feeling this—wanted it to be good, wanted it to go well.

"Smells amazing," Beth said, offering a small smile.

Viv exhaled, like she had been waiting for some kind of reaction, and then finally pulled out her chair, sitting down next to Beth.

Beth glanced at her briefly, saw the way Viv’s shoulders loosened just a little now that she had actually sat down, and covered Viv’s hand with her own for a second, a quick squeeze before they both let go.

Across the table, Lars was already reaching for the food. "If it tastes as good as it smells, I’ll consider forgiving you for snapping at me earlier."*

Viv rolled her eyes. "You’ll survive."*

Her mom smiled as she picked up her fork. "It really does smell wonderful, Viv."

The conversation moved easily from there, light, unhurried, small talk filling the space between bites.

Viv’s mom turned to Beth at one point, her expression warm. "So, Beth, remind me—where exactly are you from again?"

"Northumberland," Beth said, setting her glass down. "Small town, pretty quiet. Not much going on."*

"And your family? Do they still live there?"

"Yeah, mostly. My parents do. My brother moved a little further out, but we’re all still up north."*

Viv’s mom nodded. "And you get to visit often?"

Beth hesitated slightly. "Not as much as I’d like. Football keeps me busy."

Viv’s mom hummed knowingly, setting her fork down. "It does. And I imagine your schedule is even busier now with…" she paused for just a second, glancing at Viv before finishing lightly, "everything."

Viv let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head. "Mom, please."

Beth smirked, chuckling softly as she reached for her drink. "I’d say so.

The conversation had been flowing easily—familiar stories, casual teasing, nothing too heavy. But then, Carolien set her fork down with a small clink against her plate, leaning forward slightly, and Beth immediately picked up on the shift in the air.

"I ran into Annemieke the other day," Carolien said, her voice carrying that certain weight that told Beth she was already deep in thought about whatever was coming next. "Do you remember her?"

Lars hummed, nodding. "Yeah, sure. Mom of that kid we used to play football with?"

"David, yes." Carolien exhaled, shaking her head. "She told me he’s not doing well at all. Had to stop working completely, says he’s too stressed, and now the doctors have him on medication—some kind of antidepressants."

Beth caught it instantly—the way Viv’s posture changed, the way her shoulders pulled just a little tighter, like she was bracing herself for the rest of the conversation.

"It’s just so strange," Carolien continued, shaking her head slightly. "He was always so lively, always the kind of person who could handle anything. And now, Annemieke says he barely leaves the house. I just don’t understand how that happens."

Beth didn’t miss the way Viv’s fingers curled slightly around her glass, how she stayed quiet, her gaze fixed forward but not really looking at anything.

"It happens more than you think," Lars said, voice steady as he reached for his drink. "People struggle."

"But that’s the thing," Carolien pressed, "he never seemed like the type. And now all these pills? I don’t know if that really helps or if it just makes things worse."

Beth saw it—Viv’s fingers tightening, just slightly, around the stem of her glass, the way her jaw tensed for a second before she forced herself to stay still.

"It’s not the pills that are the problem," Lars said evenly. "If they help, they help."

"You are right," Carolien said, unconvinced. "I just… I hate to think of him like that. He was always so strong. And now? He’s barely himself. That’s not normal."

Viv took a slow sip of her water, swallowing carefully before setting the glass down.

Beth didn’t even have to look at her to know what she was thinking.

Lars sighed, shaking his head. "It’s not about being strong or not, Mom."

Carolien exhaled, nodding slightly, like she wanted to believe it but wasn’t fully there yet. "I just hope he gets better, that’s all that matters. That he can be okay again. Healthy. Normal like before."

Viv didn’t move. Didn’t say anything.

The conversation moved on, shifting back into lighter topics—Lars cracking a joke about a disastrous football match he’d watched last week, Carolien asking Beth if she had any travel plans coming up.

But Viv stayed quiet.

Not in an obvious way, not enough for anyone else to comment on right away, but Beth noticed.

She wasn’t completely withdrawn, still nodding occasionally, still letting out the occasional hum of agreement when someone spoke to her. But there was something distant about it—like she was only half in the room, the rest of her stuck somewhere else.

Beth’s eyes flickered to her every so often, catching the way she kept pressing her fingers against her temple like she was trying to will something away.

Eventually, Lars must have noticed too, because he leaned slightly toward her, brows furrowing. "You okay?"

Viv blinked, like she hadn’t realized she’d been quiet for that long. "Yeah," she said quickly, shifting in her seat. "Just a headache. Nothing much."

Lars nodded, seeming satisfied with that answer, and the conversation carried on.

Beth wasn’t satisfied.

She kept an eye on Viv for the rest of the night, watching the way she moved slower, how she barely touched her drink after that. How every time someone else spoke, she seemed to be listening but not really hearing.

After a little while, Beth glanced at the time and decided it was probably best to go.

"I should head out," she said, shifting in her seat. "It’s getting late."

Viv’s mom smiled warmly. "It was lovely having you here, Beth. Hopefully next time, Viv will let us help in the kitchen so she doesn’t stress so much."

"I didn’t stress," Viv muttered, standing up to walk Beth to the door.

Beth smirked slightly but didn’t say anything, just said her goodbyes to Lars and Carolien before following Viv toward the door.

Viv reached for the handle, but she didn’t open the door just yet.

Beth glanced at her, tilting her head slightly. “You sure you’re okay?”

Viv let out a breath, nodding quickly. “Yeah. Just tired.”

Beth wasn’t sure she believed her. “It’s not about what your mom said?”

Viv barely hesitated, but Beth saw it—the way her fingers flexed slightly at her side, like she wanted to shake something off. “Beth, it’s fine.”

It wasn’t sharp, wasn’t defensive, but it had enough finality to tell Beth that Viv didn’t want to talk about it.

Beth exhaled, rocking back slightly on her heels. “You didn’t seem fine back there.”

Viv gave a small, almost dismissive shake of her head. “I told you. Just a headache. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

Beth studied her for a second, watching the way she was already trying to move on, already shifting like she was waiting for Beth to let it go. Viv wasn’t one to lie, but she was good at avoiding things, and Beth knew this was one of those times.

Still, pushing wouldn’t get her anywhere.

Beth sighed, letting her arms cross loosely. “You’ll text me tomorrow?”

Viv nodded, finally glancing at her. “Yeah. I will.”

Beth didn’t step away just yet, and Viv didn’t open the door.

The quiet stretched between them, something unspoken sitting in the space that neither of them seemed willing to fill. Viv’s posture had loosened slightly, but Beth could still see it, still feel the weight of something lingering.

Beth reached out without really thinking, brushing her fingers lightly against Viv’s wrist. “Try to actually rest, alright?”

Viv huffed a small laugh, barely more than an exhale. “I will.”

Beth let her thumb graze Viv’s skin for just a second before she pulled back.

Viv shifted like she was about to open the door, then hesitated. “You sure you don’t want to stay for a tea or something?”

Beth smirked slightly. “Tempting, but I think your mom would start asking me about my childhood again.”

Viv chuckled, shaking her head. “Yeah, probably.”

Beth hesitated for half a second before adding, “It was nice, though. Dinner. Seeing you with them.”

Viv’s expression softened just slightly, something flickering behind her eyes before she nodded. “Yeah. It was.”

Beth let her gaze linger on Viv’s for a moment longer before shifting forward without really thinking, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth.

Not deep, not heavy—just there. Just something.

Viv turned into it slightly, a quiet inhale passing between them, like she had been caught off guard but wasn’t pulling away.

Beth stayed close for a beat longer, then leaned back.

Viv blinked, her lips parted just slightly, her gaze still on Beth’s, something unspoken hovering between them.

Beth gave her a small smile. “Night, Viv.”

Viv swallowed like she was about to say something but settled on, “Night, Beth.”

Beth stepped back, and Viv finally opened the door. The cool air met Beth first, slipping past her as she turned toward the steps, shoving her hands into her pockets.

Viv couldn’t sleep.

She had tried—tried to let exhaustion take over, tried to let the weight of the day settle her, tried to close her eyes and let the quiet of the house pull her under. But it never came.

She had been rolling in bed for what felt like hours, shifting between her side and her back, pressing her palm over her stomach like that would settle the nervous, restless energy buzzing under her skin.

It was late—too late. The kind of late that made her feel like the only person awake in the world.

Everyone else was sleeping.

Her mom. Lars. The whole house was quiet, but inside her chest, it felt like everything was moving too fast, too loud, too much.

She couldn’t think, couldn’t name exactly what it was that was keeping her so wired, but she knew what she needed.

Or rather, who.

Beth wasn’t here.

And Viv felt like she was too close to the edge, teetering on something she didn’t know how to pull herself back from.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she threw the blanket off, swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her movements were quick, decisive—like she had already decided before her mind had caught up.

She grabbed the essentials—keys, phone, an extra layer of warmth—and pulled on her coat as she slipped out the front door.

The drive to Beth’s felt both impossibly long and over too soon. Her mind was blank and buzzing at the same time, her hands gripping the wheel just a little too tight, the dim glow of the streetlights blurring past her.

She barely remembered pulling into Beth’s street, barely remembered turning off the car, stepping out into the crisp night air.

She hesitated at the door.

It was late.

Too late.

She hadn’t told Beth she was coming. Hadn’t even thought about what she would say if Beth actually answered.

She swallowed, shifting on her feet, considering turning around—going back, pretending she had never driven here at all.

But before she could, she rang the doorbell.

The sound echoed through the quiet.

Viv exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the cold night air, and almost instantly regretted it.

What was she doing?

She should leave.

She was just about to turn when the door opened.

Beth stood there, her hair slightly messy, the outline of sleep still on her face, but her eyes were sharp the second she saw Viv standing there.

"Viv?" Her voice was rough with sleep, confused, but instantly alert. "What—what are you doing here?"

Viv opened her mouth, then closed it, suddenly unsure.

Viv exhaled sharply, like she was regretting this already. She shifted on her feet, looking down for half a second before shaking her head. “I don’t know.”

Beth felt something tighten in her chest.

“Did something happen?” she asked, her voice more alert now.

Viv hesitated—too long—and then shook her head again, exhaling through her nose. “No. I just… I couldn’t sleep.”

Beth studied her, the way her fingers twitched slightly in her coat pockets, the way she was standing too stiff, like her body had forgotten how to settle.

She didn’t ask anything else.

She just stepped back, nodding. “Come inside.”

Viv didn’t move for a second—like she was still debating whether this was a mistake—but then she finally stepped forward, into the warmth of Beth’s home, and Beth shut the door behind her.

The rain hadn’t fully come down yet, but Viv’s coat was damp from the mist, the fabric heavy between her fingers as she peeled it off.

Beth took it from her without a word, hanging it up before disappearing into her bedroom for a second. When she came back, she had a soft hoodie and a pair of warm joggers in her hands.

“Here,” she said, pressing them into Viv’s chest. “Go change. You’ll feel better.”

Viv nodded absently, her fingers curling around the fabric before she disappeared down the hall.

Beth stood there for a second, exhaling as she ran a hand through her hair.

Whatever this was, whatever had driven Viv here in the middle of the night—it wasn’t nothing.

A few minutes later, Viv returned, swimming in Beth’s clothes, her hands still buried in the sleeves.

Beth nodded toward the bedroom. “Come on.”

Viv hesitated again—just a second—before following.

Once inside, Beth climbed into bed first, tugging the blankets over her lap, shifting over to make space. Viv stood at the edge of the bed for a moment, unmoving, her arms still crossed like she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to relax.

Beth frowned slightly. “Viv.”

Viv blinked, finally slipping under the covers, her body stiff as she settled against the pillows.

Viv was curled into Beth, her body pressed close, tucked in against the warmth of her. Beth had slipped an arm around her waist, holding her steady, rubbing slow, gentle circles into her back.

For a while, they didn’t speak.

Beth just let Viv be—silent, wound tight, breathing unsteady against her.

Beth held Viv close, her fingers trailing slow, steady lines down her back, feeling the way her body tensed and loosened in waves. She didn’t rush her, didn’t tell her to stop crying, didn’t try to talk her down from it. She just held her, warm and steady, keeping her tucked into her chest.

Viv let out a shaky breath, her face still buried against Beth’s neck, her grip on Beth’s hoodie still tight like she needed something to hold onto.

Beth shifted slightly, pressing a soft kiss to Viv’s temple, lingering there, letting her feel it.

“I’ve got you,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Viv swallowed hard, her breath still uneven, her body still wound too tight.

Beth kept her close, one hand rubbing slow, comforting circles against her back, the other tucked into her hair, stroking through it softly.

“You don’t have to stop,” Beth said gently. “I know you don’t like crying, but if you need to, then just—just let it happen.”

Viv inhaled sharply, like the words hit something deep inside her, and another choked breath slipped out of her before she could stop it.

Beth kissed her hair again, letting her fingers trace lightly over her spine.

“You don’t have to hold it in with me.”

Viv let out another breath, shaky and uneven, but after a moment, the tension in her shoulders finally gave just a little.

Beth didn’t say anything else, just kept kissing her temple, kept rubbing her back, kept letting her feel whatever she needed to feel.

For a long moment, the only sounds were Viv’s quiet, uneven breaths and the soft rustle of Beth’s fingers moving over her skin.

Then, finally, Viv exhaled, her grip loosening slightly.

Beth shifted back just enough to look at her, brushing damp strands of hair away from her face. “Talk to me.”

Viv blinked, her eyes still glassy, but she didn’t look away this time.

Beth waited. Just watched her. Just let her have the space to start when she was ready.

Viv licked her lips, then exhaled again. “I don’t even know what’s wrong with me.”

Beth frowned slightly, tucking a loose curl behind Viv’s ear. “Nothing is wrong with you.”

Viv swallowed, shaking her head slightly. “I was anxious all day. From the moment I woke up. It didn’t even make sense. I was excited for dinner, I wanted to see them, but—” She stopped, jaw clenching. “I could feel it in my chest. That feeling like something’s pressing on you, like you’re too aware of everything.”

Beth stayed quiet, her thumb brushing slowly over Viv’s cheek.

Viv exhaled. “I thought it would go away once we sat down. And for a little while, I thought it did.” She scoffed quietly, shaking her head. “But then my mom started talking about Annemieke’s son, and—”

She stopped again, pressing her lips together.

Beth gave her a soft squeeze. “And?”

Viv let out a slow, unsteady breath. “And it just pushed me over the edge.”

Beth didn’t rush her. She didn’t say it’s okay or you’re fine because she knew that wouldn’t help. Instead, she gave Viv a second to breathe, to gather herself, to be in the moment without needing to push through it.

Viv inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself, but it was useless. She was too far gone, too tangled in everything she had been holding in all day.

Her voice was already breaking when she spoke. “She doesn’t even realize how much what she said hurts.”

Beth didn’t say anything, just kept her arms around her, kept her fingers running slow and steady along Viv’s back, just there. Listening.

Viv swallowed, shaking her head like she was mad at herself for feeling this way. “I know she didn’t mean it badly. I know that. I know she loves me. I know she cares. But she still said it.”

Her voice wavered on those last words, something tight and raw pulling at the edges of it.

Beth didn’t move, didn’t tell her it was okay, didn’t try to smooth over what she was feeling. She just let Viv break in her arms.

Viv sucked in a breath, like she was trying to force herself to hold it together, but it wasn’t working. “She really thinks that struggling is just… something temporary. That it’s a thing you go through and then you come out the other side, fixed, like it never happened.”

Her grip on Beth’s hoodie tightened, her fingers curling into the fabric.

“But what if you don’t come out the other side?” Viv whispered, her voice cracking fully now. “What if you just have to learn how to live with it? What if you never go back to who you were before?”

Beth still didn’t speak, but her arms tightened around Viv slightly, holding her closer.

Viv’s chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, her whole body trembling against Beth’s.

“And she doesn’t even know,” Viv continued, voice barely above a whisper now. “She doesn’t know about the meds. She doesn’t know that I’ve needed them. She doesn’t know how bad it got before I finally admitted I needed them.”

Beth felt her own throat tighten at that, but she still didn’t interrupt.

Viv let out a small, broken laugh, shaking her head against Beth’s shoulder. “And if she did know? Would she just be waiting for me to stop taking them? Would she be wondering when I’ll be ‘better’? When I’ll be normal again?”

Her breath hitched violently, and Beth could feel the way she was barely holding herself together.

Then, finally, Viv let go completely.

The first real sob broke from her chest, sharp and sudden, like it had been fighting to get out.

Beth just held her tighter.

Viv’s whole body shook as another sob followed, and then another. Her hands twisted into Beth’s hoodie like she needed something to hold onto, something to keep her grounded.

Beth ran a slow, steady hand up and down her back, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her temple, her cheek, anywhere she could reach.

Viv was still gasping for breath, her body curled in against Beth’s like she was trying to disappear into her completely.

Beth finally whispered, voice low and steady, “You don’t have to go back to who you were before.”

Viv let out another breath, shaky and uneven.

Beth pressed her lips against Viv’s hair, her fingers threading through it slowly. “You don’t have to prove anything to her. Or to me. Or to anyone.”

Viv exhaled again, her sobs quieter now but still there, still raw in the way her body refused to let go of it.

Beth tilted her head, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Viv’s forehead. “You’re not broken.”

Viv squeezed her eyes shut, another tear slipping down her cheek.

Beth brushed it away gently with her thumb, then pressed another kiss to the same spot. “You’re not something that needs to be fixed.”

Viv swallowed thickly, her grip on Beth finally starting to loosen just a little.

Beth cupped her face, thumb running over her cheek, slow and soft. “You’re just you, Viv. And you’re allowed to be exactly who you are.”

Viv let out another shaky breath, finally relaxing—just slightly—into Beth’s warmth.

Beth kissed her forehead again, then her temple, then the corner of her mouth, slow and deliberate, like she was making sure Viv felt every single touch, every single reassurance.

Viv sighed softly, her breath still unsteady, but no longer breaking apart.

Beth pulled her impossibly closer, whispering, “You’re safe here.”

Viv let out a slow, shaky breath, her body finally beginning to settle. She wasn’t fully okay—Beth could still feel the slight tremble in her fingers, still hear the uneven edge of her breathing—but she was calmer. Less on the verge of completely falling apart.

She pulled back just slightly, not fully, just enough to press her forehead against Beth’s, closing her eyes for a second like she needed the moment to steady herself.

Then she exhaled again and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Beth frowned, her fingers still running through Viv’s hair. “For what?”

Viv swallowed. “For showing up so late. For waking you up. For—” She let out a tired laugh, but there was no humor in it. “For all of this.”

Beth sighed softly, pressing a kiss to the corner of Viv’s mouth before murmuring, “Don’t be stupid.”

Viv let out another quiet breath, her fingers still curled lightly against Beth’s hoodie.

Beth pulled back slightly, enough to look at her properly. “You don’t have to apologize for needing me, Viv.”

Viv blinked, her throat bobbing slightly.

Beth reached up, brushing her thumb gently along Viv’s cheekbone. “If you need me, you come to me. No matter the time, no matter the reason.” She tilted her head slightly. “Got it?”

Viv exhaled, something soft flickering in her expression. “Got it.”

Beth kissed her again, slow and warm, like she wanted Viv to feel it, like she wanted to make sure it sank in.

When they pulled apart, Beth studied her for a second, her gaze searching. Then she asked, “Did you take anything?”

Viv blinked, confused for a second. “What?”

“Your meds.” Beth’s fingers trailed lightly over her wrist. “Did you take them today?”

Viv hesitated—just long enough for Beth to get her answer.

Beth sighed, brushing another hand through Viv’s hair. “Baby.”

Viv exhaled. “I just—I don’t know. I didn’t think about it.”

Beth tilted her head slightly. “Do you want me to go get some? Or something else?”

Viv shook her head immediately. “No.”

Beth gave her a small, knowing look. “Are you sure?”

Viv nodded, shifting slightly, pressing her forehead against Beth’s again. “This is enough,” she murmured.

Beth stayed quiet, letting her explain.

Viv sighed, pressing herself closer, her arms wrapping a little tighter around Beth’s waist. “Just being here. With you. Like this.” Her voice was softer now, almost shy. “It’s enough.”

Beth felt her heart squeeze at the words.

She kissed Viv’s forehead again, then the tip of her nose, then the corner of her mouth, slow and steady, like she was sealing her words into place.

“Good,” Beth murmured, her lips brushing against Viv’s temple. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

Beth woke up slowly, warmth still lingering where Viv had pressed close against her during the night. For a moment, she just lay there, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains, the quiet hum of the world outside making the room feel even softer.

Viv was still asleep, her breathing even, her face relaxed in a way that Beth hadn’t seen in a while. Like, for once, she wasn’t holding herself together—just resting, completely at ease.

Beth exhaled quietly, shifting just enough to press a soft kiss to Viv’s forehead before carefully untangling herself from the blankets.

She didn’t want to wake her—not yet.

Instead, she slipped out of bed, padding quietly toward the kitchen, the cool floor against her bare feet making her shiver slightly. She rubbed at her eyes, glancing at the time. It was still early, but that was fine. She had a plan.

She was going to make Viv breakfast.

Nothing fancy—just simple, warm, something good.

She moved on autopilot, pulling out eggs, bread, some fruit, yogurt. She found the pancake mix she had stashed away from the last time Leah had come over and whined about needing carbs.

The kitchen filled with the quiet sounds of morning—eggs cracking, a spatula scraping against the pan, the rhythmic sizzle of batter hitting heat.

Beth flipped the pancakes with practiced ease, then moved to toast the bread, letting the scent of butter and warmth settle into the space. By the time she was done, she had a full spread: soft scrambled eggs, golden toast, a bowl of yogurt with granola and berries, and a small stack of pancakes drizzled with honey.

She glanced toward the bedroom, debating for half a second whether to bring it to Viv or wake her first.

Then, with a small smirk, she grabbed a tray, carefully arranging everything before balancing it in her hands and heading back.

Viv was still curled up when Beth re-entered the room, the blankets pulled up just past her shoulders, her hair a mess against the pillow.

Beth set the tray down carefully on the bedside table before leaning down, brushing a hand over Viv’s arm.

“Hey,” Beth murmured, her voice soft and low. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Viv groaned lightly, burying her face deeper into the pillow. “No.”

Beth chuckled, nudging her lightly. “Come on. I made you breakfast.”

Viv made a sound that was somewhere between a grumble and a hum, but she shifted slightly, cracking one eye open. “You… cooked?”

Beth smirked. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

Viv blinked at her sleepily, then at the tray of food beside them, her gaze slowly taking in the warm pancakes, the eggs, the carefully prepared yogurt bowl.

Beth nudged her lightly. “Alright, sit up. I didn’t make all this just for you to fall back asleep.”

Viv exhaled, stretching slightly before finally pushing herself up against the pillows, her movements slow and still heavy with sleep. She reached for a piece of toast first, tearing off a small bite before glancing at Beth.

“This is… a lot,” Viv muttered, but there was something soft in her voice.

Beth grinned, balancing the tray between them so they could both reach. “You eat like a bird sometimes. I figured I’d cover all the bases.”

Viv huffed, shaking her head, but she didn’t argue.

They ate in comfortable quiet for a while—Viv digging into the eggs, Beth stealing a bite of pancake straight from the stack. The warmth of the food, the weight of the blankets, the soft morning light—it all made the space feel cocooned, separate from the rest of the world.

At one point, Viv took a slow sip of coffee, her gaze lingering on Beth before she murmured, “Thank you.”

Beth arched an eyebrow. “For what? Being an excellent chef?”

Viv huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “For last night. For letting me stay. For this.” She gestured vaguely to the food. “For everything.”

Beth softened, nudging Viv’s knee under the blankets. “Anytime.”

Viv held her gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between them, something settled.

Then, with a small smirk, she picked up a piece of pancake and held it out to Beth.

Beth blinked. “Are you—are you feeding me?”

Viv smirked, teasing. “What? You did all this work. Least I can do.”

Beth rolled her eyes but leaned in, biting the pancake from Viv’s fingers. “This is weird,” she muttered through a mouthful.

Viv just smirked, taking another bite of her toast.

Beth wiped the last bit of syrup off her fingers, sighing contentedly as she leaned back against the pillows. “Alright, admit it,” she said, grinning at Viv. “Best breakfast you’ve ever had.”

Viv smirked, taking a slow sip of coffee. “It was alright.”

Beth gasped, clutching at her chest dramatically. “Alright? Wow. That’s the last time I make you breakfast.”

Viv huffed a quiet laugh, setting her mug down before stretching her arms above her head, rolling out the tension in her shoulders. But as she exhaled, her smirk faded slightly.

“I should probably head home soon,” she murmured.

Beth frowned slightly, tilting her head. “Why?”

Viv sighed, running a hand through her messy hair. “My mom and Lars are still at my place. They’ll probably wonder where I went. I don’t want them to think I just disappeared without saying anything.”

Beth studied her for a moment, then reached out, catching Viv’s wrist before she could move.

“Hey,” Beth murmured, tugging her gently. “Lay with me for a bit first.”

Viv hesitated. “Beth—”

“You don’t have to go right this second,” Beth interrupted softly. “Just… stay a little longer.” She gave a small, teasing smirk, pulling Viv down against her chest. “You’re always telling me to relax—now it’s your turn.”

Viv sighed but didn’t fight it. She let herself be pulled into Beth’s warmth, settling against her like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Beth pressed a soft kiss to Viv’s hair, rubbing slow circles against her back. “You know, you can always stay here if you need to. If you ever just want to get away. You don’t need a reason.”

Viv exhaled, her breath warm against Beth’s collarbone. “Mmm.”

“I’m serious,” Beth murmured. “If it ever gets too much, or you just… don’t feel like being there, you can come here. No questions, no pressure.”

Viv let out a soft hum, her fingers absently tracing patterns against Beth’s hoodie. Then, after a pause, she smirked against Beth’s skin.

“What if I start staying here all the time?” Viv teased. “You’d get sick of me.”

Beth’s arms tightened around her immediately. “No.”

It was instant. Too quick. Too honest.

Viv blinked, her smirk faltering slightly as she lifted her head to look at Beth properly. “What?”

Beth opened her mouth, then immediately closed it, realizing what she had just said.

She cleared her throat, shifting slightly. “I just mean—you know, I wouldn’t mind. You’re not annoying. Most of the time.”

Viv arched an eyebrow, amused now. “Most of the time?”

Beth rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

Viv smirked, but there was something softer behind it now, something thoughtful.

Beth sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Look, all I’m saying is… I like having you here.” She hesitated, then added, quieter, “So if you ever wanted to stay more… that’d be fine with me.”

Viv tilted her head slightly, studying Beth like she was seeing something new, something she hadn’t fully processed before.

Beth huffed, but she was smiling. “Just stay a little longer, yeah?”

Viv didn’t argue.

She just hummed softly and let Beth hold her.

And even though she had told herself she should go, she stayed.

For a while, they just stayed like that—Beth lying on her back, Viv curled into her side, her fingers resting lightly against the fabric of Beth’s hoodie. The warmth of the blankets, the steady rhythm of Beth’s breathing, the quiet hum of the outside world—it was enough to let Viv relax for a little while longer.

But eventually, the restlessness crept in.

Viv sighed softly, shifting against Beth before finally pushing herself up.

Beth glanced at her, tilting her head. “You good?”

Viv ran a hand through her hair, blinking a few times like she was only just now fully waking up. “Yeah, just… I should get going. Where are my clothes from yesterday?”

Beth smirked, stretching her arms above her head. “Washed them.”

Viv blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

Beth grinned. “They smelled like rain, and you left them in a heap on the floor. I threw them in the wash earlier.”

Viv exhaled, rubbing a hand over her face. “Beth…”

Beth nudged her playfully. “Relax. I didn’t shrink them or anything.”

Viv huffed, but her fingers were still lingering against her temples, rubbing small, absentminded circles there. Beth watched her carefully, taking in the slight tightness in her shoulders, the way she was overthinking something, even if she wasn’t saying it.

Beth sat up properly, her voice softer now. “What’s wrong?”

Viv hesitated, exhaling. “I don’t know. I just… don’t know what to do now.”

Beth nodded, like she understood exactly what Viv meant.

Then, without another word, she tossed back the blankets and got out of bed.

Viv frowned, watching as Beth crossed the room, opened one of her drawers, and pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweater before tossing them onto the bed beside her.

“Here,” Beth said simply. “Take these.”

Viv glanced at the clothes, then up at Beth, her expression unreadable. “Beth, I can’t just—”

Beth sat back down beside her, nudging her knee. “Viv. It’s clothes. You need something to wear. Just take them.”

Viv swallowed, fingers curling into the fabric of the sweater.

Beth could still see the tension in her shoulders, the way her jaw was slightly clenched, like her mind was already racing ahead to the rest of the day, to what she was walking back into.

So before Viv could overthink it, Beth leaned in and wrapped her arms around her.

Not rushed, not fleeting—just solid, steady, there.

Viv stiffened for half a second before she exhaled slowly, melting into it.

Beth pressed her face lightly against Viv’s shoulder, her voice low. “Do you need anything?”

Viv shook her head against her. “No.”

Beth pulled back slightly, searching her face. “Are you really okay?”

Viv let out a quiet breath, something between a sigh and a hum. “I’m fine. I just… I need to go home. It’s really late in the morning.”

Beth nodded, brushing a hand lightly down Viv’s arm before letting her go. “Alright.”

Viv moved to get up, grabbing the clothes Beth had given her. She hesitated just for a second, her fingers curling around the soft material of the sweater, before she looked back at Beth.

Beth was watching her—not in a way that made her feel pressured, but in a way that made it clear she noticed everything.

Viv stood near the door, rolling the sleeves of Beth’s sweater up slightly, adjusting the fit like she wasn’t quite sure what to do with her hands.

Beth leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her. She could see the way Viv’s shoulders were still a little tense, like part of her wasn’t ready to walk out yet—even if she thought she needed to.

Just before Viv could reach for the door handle, Beth stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

Not quick, not half-hearted—a real one, firm and steady, her arms wrapping securely around Viv’s waist, holding her close.

Viv exhaled sharply, caught off guard for half a second before she let herself lean in. She tucked her chin lightly against Beth’s shoulder, her fingers gripping the back of Beth’s hoodie as she sighed into the warmth of it.

Beth let her stay there, rubbing slow, gentle circles against her back. “You’re alright,” she murmured, voice soft. “You know that, yeah?”

Viv swallowed, nodding against her. “Yeah.”

Beth tightened her arms slightly, lingering just a little longer before she pulled back, keeping her hands on Viv’s arms. “You don’t have to go right this second if you don’t want to.”

Viv huffed a small breath, shaking her head. “I do. It’s late, and I should probably—”

Beth cut her off gently, squeezing her arms. “I meant in general.”

Viv blinked, frowning slightly. “What?”

Beth softened, rubbing her thumb absently against Viv’s sleeve. “I just mean… you don’t have to leave when things get heavy. Not from here.”

Viv swallowed, her jaw tightening slightly like she was trying not to let that sink in too much.

Viv sighed, but her shoulders weren’t as tense anymore. She glanced at Beth one more time, then reached for the door.

Beth didn’t let go of her hand until the very last second.

“Text me when you get home?” Beth said, her voice softer now.

Viv nodded. “Yeah.”

Beth tilted her head slightly. “And if you change your mind about leaving, you know where the spare key is.”

Viv gave her a look, but there was something fond underneath it. “Go back to sleep, Beth.”

Beth smirked. “No promises.”

Viv shook her head, huffing out a breath before stepping outside.