Ferdinand glanced at Daisy, who was now swaying slightly on her feet, her eyes glazed with the effects of the wine. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what to do. She was in no condition to go back to her dorm room, and he knew he couldn't leave her alone in this state. There was only one option left: take her to his apartment.
"Daisy," Ferdinand said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her, "I'm going to take you to my place, okay? You need to rest."
Daisy looked up at him, her eyes wide and unfocused. She blinked slowly, as if processing his words, then a slow smile spread across her face. "Your place?" she echoed, her voice soft and a little dreamy. "That sounds nice…"
Ferdinand nodded, relieved that she seemed to agree. He pulled out his phone and called a cab, glancing at Daisy every few seconds to make sure she was still standing. She leaned against him, her body warm and pliant, and he could feel the way she was completely trusting him to take care of her.
When the cab arrived, Ferdinand knew Daisy wouldn't be able to walk on her own. He bent down and, with one smooth motion, picked her up in his arms. Daisy let out a small gasp, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. She looked up at him, her face flushed, and giggled. "You're so cute," she said, her voice slurred but filled with genuine affection. "Just like a Disney prince."
Ferdinand couldn't help but smile at her words, though there was a part of him that worried about how she'd feel in the morning. "A Disney prince, huh?" he asked, trying to keep the mood light as he carried her towards the waiting cab.
"Mm-hmm," Daisy mumbled, her head resting against his chest. "My prince… Ferdy…"
He chuckled softly as he carefully maneuvered her into the back seat of the cab, sliding in beside her. As they drove through the quiet streets, Daisy's head lolled against his shoulder, and she sighed contentedly. Ferdinand glanced down at her, his heart swelling with an emotion he wasn't sure he was ready to name.
The ride seemed both too long and too short, and before Ferdinand knew it, they were pulling up outside his apartment building, a modern structure in a quieter part of the city. He paid the driver and got out, lifting Daisy into his arms once again. She stirred slightly, blinking up at the building with a sleepy smile.
"Your place is so nice," she murmured, her words barely audible. "Just like you…"
Ferdinand didn't respond, focusing instead on getting her inside. The lobby was quiet, the only sound the soft trickle of water from a fancy fountain that sat in the center of the room. As they passed it, Daisy suddenly perked up, her eyes locking onto the water with childlike wonder.
"Water!" she exclaimed, her voice louder than it had been all night. "I want water!"
Ferdinand paused, glancing at the fountain, and then back at Daisy. "Daisy, it's just a fountain," he said gently. "We'll get you some water upstairs."
But Daisy wasn't listening. She was fixated on the fountain, her face set in a determined pout. "I want water," she repeated, her tone taking on a whining edge. "I want water, Ferdy…"
He sighed, realizing there was no reasoning with her in this state. "Okay, okay," he said soothingly. "We'll get you water as soon as we're upstairs."
Daisy seemed satisfied with this answer, though she continued to mumble about the water as they entered the elevator. Ferdinand pressed the button for the 18th floor, leaning back against the wall as the elevator began its slow ascent. Daisy, still in his arms, kept her eyes on the floor indicator, her lips moving as she counted the floors silently.
When the elevator finally dinged and the doors slid open, Ferdinand carefully carried Daisy out and down the hall to his apartment. He fumbled with the keys for a moment, trying to balance Daisy in one arm while unlocking the door with the other. When the door finally swung open, he was greeted by the familiar scent of his apartment, a mix of clean laundry and the faint aroma of the lavender candles he sometimes burned.
Ferdinand carried Daisy inside, kicking the door shut behind him. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and he knew Daisy needed to sleep off the effects of the wine. But first, he had to fulfill his promise.
He walked into the kitchen and gently set Daisy down on the counter. She giggled as he did, her legs swinging slightly like a child's. "This is fun," she said, grinning up at him.
Ferdinand couldn't help but smile at her, despite his fatigue. "I'm glad you're having fun," he said, his tone soft. He opened the fridge and pulled out a cold bottle of water, twisting off the cap. He handed the bottle to Daisy, who took it eagerly, her eyes lighting up.
"Water!" she exclaimed again, her voice filled with glee.
She took a long drink, and Ferdinand watched her, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. When she finally pulled the bottle away, a satisfied sigh escaped her lips. But as she went to put the cap back on, her fingers slipped, and the cap tumbled to the floor, bouncing under the counter.
"Oops…" Daisy muttered, a small frown creasing her brow.
Ferdinand sighed, bending down to retrieve the cap. As he did, he felt Daisy's hand on his head, her fingers tangling in his hair. Before he could react, she was pulling him up, her strength surprising him. He found himself face-to-face with her, her eyes wide and filled with a mischievous glint.
"My pretty Ferdy," she whispered, her voice soft and breathy. She giggled again, her hand still tangled in his hair. "You're so pretty…"
Ferdinand felt his cheeks flush, though he tried to maintain his composure. "Daisy, you're drunk," he said gently, trying to free himself from her grip.
But Daisy wasn't done. She tugged on his hair again, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "It would be nice," she murmured, almost to herself, "to have your head rest on my lap…"
Ferdinand's breath hitched at her words, his mind racing. He could see the innocent intent in her eyes, but he also knew she was too far gone to understand the implications of what she was saying. He needed to get her to bed—alone—before she said or did something she'd regret in the morning.
"You're too drunk and tired, Daisy," Ferdinand said, his voice gentle but firm. He carefully disentangled her fingers from his hair, holding her hand in his as he looked into her eyes. "Let's get you to sleep, okay?"
Daisy pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a way that was almost painfully adorable. "But I'm not tired," she protested weakly, though her eyelids were already drooping.
Ferdinand smiled softly, shaking his head. "Yes, you are," he said, his voice soothing. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
He helped her down from the counter, her legs wobbling slightly as she tried to stand. Ferdinand steadied her, guiding her out of the kitchen and towards the bedroom. The apartment was dimly lit, the soft glow from the city outside filtering through the curtains, casting long shadows on the walls.
Daisy leaned heavily on Ferdinand as they walked, her steps slow and unsteady. She mumbled something under her breath, but it was too quiet for Ferdinand to catch. He didn't press her, knowing she was teetering on the edge of consciousness.
When they reached the bedroom, Ferdinand gently guided Daisy to the bed. She collapsed onto it with a sigh, her eyes fluttering shut almost immediately. Ferdinand knelt down beside her, carefully slipping off her shoes and pulling the blanket over her. She mumbled something incoherent, her hand reaching out for him.
"Ferdy…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I'm here," Ferdinand replied softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I'm right here."
Daisy's hand found his, her grip weak but insistent. She sighed contentedly, her breathing slowing as sleep finally claimed her. Ferdinand watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable, and he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to keep her safe from whatever fears and insecurities plagued her.