Breaking the ice

Jaxon

The night had been unexpectedly perfect.

After we'd skated for hours, laughing and pushing each other to do better, I could feel that something had shifted between Grace and me. It wasn't like a moment where everything clicked into place, but more like a quiet understanding. We both knew this was different, but neither of us said anything about it.

When we finally left the rink, Grace had suggested we head back to her dorm to watch a movie. I agreed, though part of me wanted to stay in the moment with her, keep that lightness we'd shared on the ice. But I followed her, happy enough to spend more time together.

We grabbed snacks and settled in on her couch, a cozy blanket draped over us. I sat close, but not too close—just enough to feel the warmth of her body next to mine, the scent of her shampoo filling the space between us.

We picked a stupid rom-com. Grace had rolled her eyes at the suggestion, but I could tell she was enjoying it. Every now and then, she'd laugh, her lips curving up in that way that always made my chest tighten. But for the most part, we just stayed quiet, occasionally exchanging glances, comfortable in the silence.

But eventually, her breathing slowed. Her movements became still. I glanced over to see that her head had gently tipped to the side, resting on my shoulder. Her soft hair brushed against my cheek, and I could feel the rhythm of her breathing, calm and peaceful.

It wasn't long before I felt my own eyes grow heavy. The movie seemed to fade into the background, the sound of the characters' voices blending with the quiet of the night. My thoughts drifted in and out, but I couldn't help but notice how natural it felt to have Grace there, her body pressed close to mine. It was like she belonged there, like I didn't want this night to end.

I woke up with a start, my chest tight and my heart racing. The room was dark except for the flickering light from the TV screen, still playing the credits of the movie we'd started earlier. I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of a nightmare, but then I heard it—Grace's soft whimper, barely audible at first, but then louder, a sound of distress.

My eyes snapped to her, and I froze.

Her face was contorted in fear, her body tense, her breath shallow. She was still asleep, but it was clear she was trapped in whatever nightmare had gripped her.

"Grace?" I whispered, reaching over to gently shake her shoulder. "Grace, wake up. You're having a nightmare."

She flinched at my touch, her eyes still closed, but the whimpering continued, louder now. Her hands were clenched into fists, her body shuddering as if she was trying to escape from something.

"Grace, wake up," I said again, this time a little more urgently, but she didn't respond. Her breath quickened, her chest rising and falling in rapid, uneven patterns.

I felt a pit in my stomach. I had never seen her like this. I had never seen anyone so... broken in a nightmare before. My pulse quickened, fear for her swelling in my chest. Whatever she was dreaming, it was terrifying.

I shifted closer, trying to gently hold her arm, but her body jerked away from me, her face tightening in distress. Her breathing was becoming more erratic, and my chest tightened in response.

"Grace, it's okay. It's just a nightmare," I said, my voice softer, but nothing seemed to reach her.

Her breath came in short, panicked bursts, and I could see the tears starting to roll down her cheeks. She looked like she was drowning in the fear of whatever was chasing her in her sleep, and it hurt to watch her suffer like this. My heart ached with helplessness.

I needed to do something. Anything.

"Grace," I said, my voice cracking slightly, "look at me. Please."

She didn't respond. Her breaths came quicker, more erratic, and her chest started to heave with the effort of it. Her hands gripped the blanket beneath her, fingers trembling. I couldn't just sit here and watch her like this.

Without thinking, I leaned in closer, cupping her face with one hand, trying to ground her in the present. "Grace, breathe with me, okay? Just breathe."

Her breathing was ragged, her eyes squeezed shut, tears falling from her eyes, her body still convulsing with the fear of whatever was haunting her. Nothing I said seemed to help, no matter how gently I spoke, no matter how hard I tried to get her to calm down.

Her chest hitched in a desperate, gasping breath, and something inside me snapped.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I pressed my lips to hers. It wasn't calculated, it wasn't planned. It was instinct. A way to ground her, to make her feel something real, something safe.

The second my lips touched hers, everything stopped.

Her breath hitched, and then, just as quickly as it had started, her panicked breathing began to slow. I felt her body tremble beneath my touch, but gradually, it softened. Her lips parted beneath mine, but it wasn't frantic anymore. It was like the moment I kissed her, she was able to focus on something outside the terror of her dream.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, confusion filling them at first, but when she met my gaze, I saw the tears, still wet on her cheeks, and the vulnerability in her eyes. She was gasping for air, but she wasn't shaking anymore.

I pulled back just enough to speak, my voice soft, my throat tight from the intensity of the moment. "Grace, you're safe baby. It's okay now. You're here with me."

Her chest still heaved a little, but her breathing was evening out. She blinked a few times, as if trying to piece together what had just happened, and then she reached up, gently touching the side of my face with trembling fingers.

"I... I don't know what just happened," she whispered, her voice shaky.

"You were having a nightmare," I said, my hand moving to hold hers, my thumb brushing over her skin. "But you're okay now baby. I'm here."

Her eyes searched mine for a moment, like she wasn't sure whether to believe me. But then, as if she'd made up her mind, she closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. Her hand, still gripping mine, seemed to relax.

I didn't let go. Instead, I stayed with her, not sure what the future held but knowing in that moment, I wouldn't let her face whatever she was going through alone.