𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 | 18 +

𝐓 𝐖 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐅 𝐈 𝐕 𝐄

Carter

Monday mornings weren't usually my favorite, but today, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, offering a small comfort as I leaned against the counter, cradling my mug in both hands. I took a slow sip, savoring the warmth as it spread through me, trying to shake off the grogginess that clung to me like a stubborn shadow.

I glanced out the window, watching the early morning light stretch across the buildings. It was quiet, peaceful even, though I knew the day ahead would likely be anything but. Still, there was something soothing about these moments, the stillness before the world fully woke up.

Just as I was settling into the silence, I heard soft footsteps padding across the floor. I turned my head to see Juliet coming into the kitchen, her hair a little messy from sleep and her expression soft but tired. She was wearing one of my oversized t-shirts, and the sight of her like that, so casual, so comfortable, made my heart skip a beat.

"Morning." she mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she approached me. She looked adorable, still half-asleep, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

"Morning," I replied softly, taking another sip of my coffee before setting the mug down on the counter. "You want some coffee?"

She shook her head slightly, blinking up at me with that sleepy expression that always made her look a little younger, a little more vulnerable. "No, not yet." she said, her voice still thick with sleep. She paused for a moment, glancing at me like she was hesitating about something.

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to speak, but she bit her lip instead, looking a little unsure. Finally, she sighed softly and took a step closer. "Carter, can you... help me with something?" she asked quietly, her fingers fiddling with the hem of the shirt she was wearing.

"Of course." I said without hesitation, immediately alert. "What's up?"

She hesitated again before turning around and lifting the back of her shirt just enough for me to see the bandage covering the stitches on her lower back. "I need to put some ointment on this, and... well, I can't really reach." she explained bashfully, glancing over her shoulder at me.

My heart softened at the sight of her standing there, so vulnerable and trusting. I didn't say anything, just nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I can help with that. Let's go to your room so you can lie down."

She nodded, lowering her shirt again as we both headed upstairs to her room. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow over everything as we walked in. Juliet sat down on the edge of her bed, reaching for the small tube of ointment on her nightstand.

She handed it to me with a grateful look. "Thanks." she said quietly, lying down on her stomach, her back exposed to me as she lifted her shirt again.

"No problem." I replied, my voice gentle as I unscrewed the cap of the ointment. I carefully squeezed a small amount onto my fingers, my focus shifting entirely to her. The stitches ran along the curve of her back, and I made sure to be as gentle as possible as I applied the ointment.

Her skin was warm beneath my fingers, and I could feel the slight tension in her body as she lay there, though she didn't complain. "You doing okay?" I asked softly, glancing down at her.

"Yeah." she said, her voice muffled by the pillow she had her face half-buried in. "Just a little sore, but it's not too bad."

I worked carefully, spreading the ointment across her skin, making sure not to apply too much pressure near the stitches. Despite the situation, I couldn't help but be struck by how much I cared for her, how protective I felt in moments like these. She trusted me enough to ask for help, to let me care for her, and that meant everything to me.

When I finished, I wiped my hands on a tissue and gently tugged her shirt back down over her lower back. "All done." I said softly, leaning back slightly.

Juliet shifted onto her side and sat up, her eyes soft as she looked at me. She didn't say anything at first, just gave me this sweet, grateful smile that made my heart race. Then, before I could say anything else, she leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my lips.

I froze for a second, caught off guard by the sudden affection, but then I melted into the kiss, letting my lips move against hers in a way that felt both tender and familiar. When she finally pulled away, my lips tingled, and I was left grinning like an idiot.

Juliet raised an eyebrow at me, clearly noticing the stupid grin on my face. "Why are you smiling like a creep?" she asked, a teasing tone creeping into her voice as she sat back against the pillows.

I couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking my head. "I'm just... happy." I admitted, still smiling. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling a little bashful now. "I still can't believe we're really dating, you know? Like... I wake up, and you're here, and you ask me to help with things, and then you kiss me. It's just... it feels unreal sometimes. Like I'm dreaming or something."

Juliet's expression softened at my words, and she leaned forward again, resting her forehead against mine. "You're not dreaming." she whispered, her voice so soft and sweet. "I'm here, and you're stuck with me now."

I chuckled at that, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer to me. "I wouldn't want it any other way." I murmured, pressing another kiss to her temple. "I'm just... I'm so damn lucky to have you, Jules. I don't think I've said it enough, but I am. You're... everything."

Juliet pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, her gaze soft but intense. "You know, I think I'm the lucky one." she said quietly, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "You've been there for me through so much, Carter. I don't think I've told you how much that means to me."

Her words made my chest tighten with emotion, and I felt like I could barely breathe for a second. Instead of responding, I kissed her again, softly and slowly, letting the kiss speak for the things I couldn't quite put into words.

When we finally pulled apart, we stayed close, our foreheads touching, the quiet morning surrounding us like a cocoon. I couldn't stop smiling, and neither could she, and in that moment, everything felt right. I had her, and she had me, and I couldn't imagine anything better than this.

As we sat there, tangled up in each other, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. I didn't need anything else. Just Juliet, just us. And I was perfectly okay with that.

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~ R