Youre Allowed To Fall Apart With Me
Lia cried exactly twice in front of Adrian before this.
The first time—he looked ready to destroy whoever caused it.
The second time—he held her so carefully it nearly broke her heart.
But this time was different.Because for the first time since loving him—Lia completely fell apart.
And Adrian stayed like he was built for moments exactly like this.
—
Thursday evening arrived heavy and gray.
Rain blurred against the penthouse windows while thunder rolled low across the skyline.
Lia walked through the front doors emotionally exhausted after the worst week she'd had in months.
Deadlines.Lack of sleep.Pressure building slowly until even breathing felt difficult.
And somehow—the second she stepped inside the apartment—everything hit at once.
Adrian looked up immediately from the couch.The moment he saw her face—his expression changed completely.Gone.Every trace of calm disappeared instantly.
"There you are."
The rough warmth in his voice nearly undid her on impact.Lia barely managed setting her bag down before Adrian crossed the room toward her.Fast.Focused entirely on her.
Then suddenly—warm hands settled carefully against her face.His brows pulled together immediately.
"What happened?"
The concern in his voice shattered the last fragile thing holding her together.Lia looked away instantly.Bad idea.Because Adrian noticed everything.Always.His hands softened against her cheeks while his gaze searched her face carefully.
"Lia."
That did it.Her chest tightened painfully before tears burned unexpectedly behind her eyes.And God—the second Adrian realized she was crying—he looked devastated.Not uncomfortable.Not confused.Devastated.
"Hey," he whispered immediately.
Soft.
Careful.
Like she was something fragile in his hands.
"It's okay."
The tears came harder after that.
Humiliating.
Completely humiliating.
Lia covered part of her face instinctively.
"I'm sorry."
Adrian physically frowned.
"For what?"
"I don't know." Her voice cracked weakly. "This is embarrassing."
The look on his face nearly ruined her permanently.
Because Adrian genuinely looked heartbroken hearing that.
His hands gently pulled hers away from her face before he wrapped both arms tightly around her without hesitation.
Immediate.Certain.Like comforting her came more naturally than breathing.
"You never have to apologize for hurting in front of me."
The sincerity shattered straight through her chest.Because Adrian sounded so sure about it.
Like loving her through difficult moments wasn't obligation.
It was instinct.Lia buried her face against his chest while his hand slid slowly through her hair.
Steady.Grounding.Protective in the softest way.
The apartment stayed quiet around them except for rain against glass and Lia trying unsuccessfully to stop crying.
Adrian never rushed her.Never told her to calm down.
Never looked uncomfortable.He just held her tighter every time she shook slightly against him.
Like his only goal was making sure she didn't feel alone inside the pain.
The realization hurt almost worse than the stress itself.
"I'm tired," she whispered weakly against his shirt.
A quiet breath escaped him.
"I know."
"I feel like I can't do anything right lately."
Immediately—Adrian pulled back just enough to look at her properly.And the expression on his face physically wrecked her.Offended.Actually offended.
"Don't say that."
The roughness in his voice wrapped tightly around her chest.Because Adrian sounded personally hurt hearing her speak badly about herself.
Lia looked down weakly.
"I'm serious."
"No." His fingers brushed gently beneath her eyes, wiping tears carefully away. "You're exhausted."
The firmness in his tone nearly broke her completely.Adrian tilted her chin upward softly until she looked at him again.
"You have one difficult week and suddenly you think you're failing at life?"
Silence.
Then quieter—
"You're human."
The words settled heavily between them.Because suddenly—Lia realized no one had ever spoken to her gently during moments like this before.Usually people wanted composure.Recovery.Control.
But Adrian?
Adrian only wanted honesty.Her chest ached painfully.
"You make it sound easy."
A faint flicker crossed his face.
"It's not easy." His thumb brushed slowly against her cheek. "But you don't have to survive it alone."
God.The sincerity again.Always the unbearable sincerity.
Lia's breathing finally started slowing gradually while Adrian guided her carefully toward the couch.
He sat first before pulling her naturally against his chest beneath a blanket.
Warm.Safe.Home.One arm wrapped tightly around her waist while the other continued brushing slowly through her hair.
Repetitive.Patient.Like he intended to stay here for as long as she needed.
"You know what hurts the most?" Lia whispered softly after a while.
His chin rested lightly against the top of her head.
"What?"
"That I hate being weak in front of people."
Silence.Then Adrian's arms tightened around her immediately.
"You are not weak right now."
The answer came without hesitation.Firm.Certain.
Lia swallowed carefully.
"It feels weak."
A quiet sigh escaped him near her hair.
Then softly—almost painfully sincere—
"You know what I think strength is?"
She closed her eyes briefly.
"What?"
"That you kept going even while feeling like this."
The confession wrapped tightly around her chest.Because Adrian sounded genuinely proud of her.Not disappointed.Not frustrated.Proud.His fingers moved slowly along her spine beneath the blanket.Grounding her.Keeping her here.Keeping her safe.
Then quieter—with enough love in his voice to ruin her permanently—
"You're allowed to fall apart with me, Lia." His forehead rested lightly against her temple. "I'll still love every version of you afterward."