Eden collapsed in his arms, eyes closed as she fell on his chest. She breathed him in, the cinnamon scent relieving her instantly. Though she was still nervous about sharing a bed with him, Eden felt safe at the same time.
“Run your fingers through my hair?” She murmured, wrapping her own arms around him.
Sterling chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her. With one hand, he rubbed gentle circles onto her back, and win the other her did as she asked, rubbing his fingers through her hair slowly.
“You know, it’s nice sharing a somewhat larger space than the couch with you,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.
Eden tugged the blanket over them, snuggling deeper into his embrace.
“Is it?” She looked up at him. “Would it be okay for you if we… um, if we kissed?”
“Of course. I will always want to kiss you,” Sterling promised gently, smiling down at her. He leaned down a little and pressed their lips together softly, holding her tightly.
Eden kissed him back, pushing herself up a little to do it better.
"I like you," Eden murmured. "So much, Sterling."
“I like you, too,” Sterling breathed back, pressing their lips together slightly harder. “A lot. I’m glad we’re dating.”
"So am I," Eden hummed, pulling away to kiss his cheek before she went back to burying her face in his neck. "You smell really nice, Sterling…"
“Do I?” Sterling laughed softly, twisting her hair around his fingers. “Well, thank you. I definitely try to smell good. You smell amazing, too. Like flowers…”
"Jasmine," Eden hummed, cheeks flushing pink. "It's Jasmine."
Sterling hummed and breathed her in again. “I like it. What do I smell like to you? I’m curious about what you think.”
“Cinnamon,” Eden replied instantly. “You smell like cinnamon to me. It’s refreshing. There’s a little pine and musk added to it, but it’s mostly cinnamon.”
Sterling hummed, nodding slowly. “That’s my cologne, then. Actually, the pine is my deodorant, but the rest is cologne.”
“You also smell like home,” Eden mumbled quietly, her words muffled by his shirt. “Just as much as you feel like one.”
“Yeah? I feel like home to you?” Sterling whispered back, looking down at her with the softest expression he had probably ever had. “I’m so glad. That’s probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Eden looked up at him, nearly melting at the soft expression he had on his features. He was that happy?
“I mean… I have panic attacks. I freak out a lot. But most of the time… when you’re with me, I feel better,” she tried to keep her voice from wavering, “And like I’ve said before… I feel the safest with you.”
“You have no idea how happy that makes me. I’m glad that you trust me enough to feel so safe around me,” Sterling mumbled into her hair, having buried his face in it.
Eden smiled, reaching out to gently massage his scalp. “Sleep, Sterling. It’s nearly two in the morning.”
Sterling grunted. “No, I’m okay… I want you to try to sleep, too, at least…”
“I’ll be fine,” she replied. “I don’t sleep a lot. I’m used to it. But you’re with me now so you can sleep.”
“If you’re sure,” Sterling mumbled, his face still buried in her hair. “Night, beautiful…”
“Goodnight, Sterling…” Eden pulled his head closer to her, running fingers through his hair gently.
Sterling smiled, then slowly dropped off into a peaceful sleep. It was easy not that he had his girlfriend in his arms, her scent surrounding him. It put him in a peaceful mood. Especially with what she had just told him.
Eden stayed awake, running gentle fingers through his hair. Occasionally she’s twirl it around her fingers, or scratch his scalp, but she was doing it. It calmed her down, too.
She’d fallen asleep at one point, too, but it hadn’t taken long for a flashback to strike. Eden didn’t even try to sleep afterward. She just stayed like that with Sterling, waiting for him to wake up.
Sterling woke up in the morning with his face buried in his girlfriend’s neck, his arms wrapped around her waist, and a small smile on his lips. He grunted and shifted to blink up at her sleepily.
“G’morning…” he mumbled, voice hoarse from sleep.
His voice sent shivers down Eden’s spine. His rough voice, laced with sleep… God, it drove her insane.
She smiled at him, fingers trailing his sharp features.
“Good morning,” she kissed his forehead, “How did you sleep?”