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Tegan stayed still, watching Juliette as she slept, her breathing slow and steady, the faintest smile tracing her lips. The room was bathed in the soft, silvery light of the moon, casting gentle shadows across Juliette's face. Her expression was peaceful now, completely at ease. Tegan found herself almost holding her breath, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility of the moment. As she lay there, Tegan felt her own emotions swirling within her, unsteady and uncharted, a feeling that had been simmering just below the surface. When she'd first come over, her only thought had been to make sure she was okay, to calm her down and help her feel safe. But now, in the quiet aftermath, her focus began to drift, her thoughts centering on how beautiful Juliette looked, her face softened by sleep. It had always been like this, in a way. Tegan had always felt something different around Juliette, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. At first, she had brushed it off, assuming it was just the thrill of having a close friend in Paris, someone who understood her in ways that even her aunt, Jen, couldn't. But over time, it became harder to ignore how much Juliette occupied her thoughts, how much she wanted to be around her, to hear her laugh, to see her smile, to be the one who made her feel safe and loved. Tegan's heart beat faster as she felt the gentle warmth of Juliette's hand resting against hers, their fingers loosely interlaced. She glanced down at their hands, feeling the comforting weight and warmth, but also a tension—a yearning she didn't fully understand but couldn't deny. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself leaning closer, her gaze settling on Juliette's face, her steady breaths, the way her eyelashes cast soft shadows against her cheeks. She could feel her heart pounding, a fluttering sensation in her stomach that made her feel both exhilarated and nervous. It was like standing at the edge of something vast and unknown, thrilling yet terrifying. Tegan hesitated, her mind racing. This was Juliette, her best friend, the one person she felt she could trust completely. The last thing she wanted was to ruin that, to make things awkward or strained. But the pull was there, undeniable, and her mind, despite her best efforts, kept drifting back to the thought of how it might feel to kiss her, to finally close that small distance between them. With a deep breath, she leaned in ever so slightly, her face hovering just above Juliette's. Her heart raced as she took in the scent of Juliette's lavender shampoo, felt the softness of her breaths against her own skin. Tegan's gaze lingered on her face, and a feeling of warmth spread through her, a kind of yearning she couldn't entirely control. In a moment that felt as natural as it did impulsive, Tegan closed her eyes and brushed the gentlest of kisses against Juliette's forehead, barely a whisper of contact. It was a fleeting, tender touch, one that she hoped wouldn't disturb her sleeping friend. Just this one small, stolen moment, a gesture that she hoped would go unnoticed, something she could carry with her even if she never spoke of it aloud. The instant her lips touched, Tegan felt a surge of emotions—relief, joy, and fear all at once. It was as if the world had tilted on its axis, and for a brief moment, everything made sense. But just as quickly, the reality of what she had done hit her, and she pulled back, her heart pounding with a mixture of guilt and exhilaration. Tegan lay back down, forcing herself to focus on her breathing, hoping the adrenaline in her veins would subside. Her mind was racing, replaying the moment over and over, half in wonder, half in terror. She stole a glance at Juliette, who was still peacefully asleep, blissfully unaware of the tumultuous emotions swirling through Tegan's mind.

What had she done?

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the weight of her own confusion settle heavily on her chest. 

Why had she done that? 

Was this... was this more than friendship? 

Had it always been? 

Tegan's mind reeled as she wrestled with the implications of what she was feeling. She thought back to all the little moments, the laughs they'd shared, the quiet conversations, the sense of ease and warmth she felt whenever she was with Juliette. 

Had she been denying this feeling all along?

A wave of panic hit her as she realized that there was no going back from this. She'd crossed a line, however small, and now everything felt different. She didn't want to risk losing Juliette's friendship, didn't want to create distance or awkwardness. 

What if Juliette somehow realized? 

What if she felt betrayed, or worse, uncomfortable around her?

Her heart sank at the thought, but she couldn't deny that the feelings she was experiencing were real. For the first time, she was beginning to understand that maybe, just maybe, this was something more than friendship. Yet the fear of what that might mean was overwhelming, leaving her feeling as though she was standing at the edge of a cliff, terrified to look down. Tegan took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. She needed to be here for Juliette, needed to put her own confusing feelings aside. Tonight had been about Juliette, about making her feel safe and supported, and that's what mattered most. She pushed her thoughts aside, focusing on the steady rhythm of Juliette's breathing, letting it ground her. Slowly, the tension in her body began to ease, and she relaxed, watching Juliette's chest rise and fall in the moonlight. Whatever her feelings were, she reminded herself that they didn't need to change anything—not right now, at least. She could keep this to herself, carry it quietly, and focus on being the friend Juliette needed. As the hours passed and the sky outside began to lighten with the first hints of dawn, Tegan felt her eyes growing heavy, lulled by the rhythmic sounds of the quiet night and the soft warmth of Juliette beside her. She drifted in and out of sleep, each moment accompanied by the comforting presence of her friend. When the first rays of morning sunlight began to filter through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, Tegan woke with a start. Juliette was still fast asleep beside her, and Tegan felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was grateful that Juliette hadn't woken up, hadn't noticed anything unusual. The night had passed peacefully, and for now, at least, things would remain as they were. Carefully, Tegan untangled herself from Juliette's side and slipped out of bed, moving quietly so as not to wake her friend. She stood for a moment, looking down at Juliette, feeling a bittersweet pang in her chest. She wanted so badly to be closer, to express the depth of what she felt, but she knew that now wasn't the time. Perhaps it might never be. As Tegan tiptoed toward the window to let herself out, she glanced back one last time, taking in the peaceful look on Juliette's face. A small smile crept onto her lips, despite the confusion still swirling in her mind. Whatever her feelings were, she knew that they were hers to hold, her own quiet secret. And maybe, someday, she would be ready to understand them, to make sense of what this connection meant. For now, though, Tegan reminded herself that she had all the time in the world. She would wait, as long as it took, because Juliette's friendship was worth more to her than anything. And as she slipped out into the early morning light, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope, a quiet sense that maybe, just maybe, everything might fall into place someday.