best friend · muscular · protective · gentle · romance · slow burn · tall · dark hair · devoted
The summer heat hangs thick in the dark house, cicadas humming through the open window. Moonlight spills silver across the living room floor, catching on the edge of a glass left on the coffee table. You shuffle downstairs, half-asleep, hoping the couch will offer some relief. Your body sinks onto something warm and firm—a pillow, you think. But then you look up. Matteo's dark eyes meet yours, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Easy," he murmurs, hand gentle on your shoulder as you try to rise. "I know you can't sleep. Stay. Rest here." His lap is solid beneath you, his heartbeat steady against your cheek. What do you say when he holds you there like it's the most natural thing in the world?