Chapter 41 - †FEELINGS†

The silence in the sitting room was nice but it was only punctuated by the snores from the three sleeping beauties in the underground.

The warm glow of light was a cozy ambiance, illuminating the plush couches and comfortable armchairs, which were arranged in a welcoming circle.

Ryan was laying sprawled out on a armchair, his face relaxed in slumber and both his arms hung limp at his sides.

Across from him was Samuel and Aria who shared a couch, their bodies got entwined in a comforting embrace. Samuel's arm was wrapped around Aria's shoulders, holding her close as she nestled into his side. Her head resting on his chest while her long tied up hair spilled across his shirt.

Their bodies had somehow gotten drawn together in their sleep. Their feets touching slightly on the floor, Aria's injured hand rested on Samuel's chest, her fingers curled lightly around his shirt.

As they slept, their faces reflected the peaceful state they were in, their hidden heaven beneath the earth provided a good refuge from the dangers above.

A few moments later.( please read it with the classic SpongeBob ^^)

Ryan's eyes slowly fluttered open, his eyelids still heavy with sleep and he raised his hand, using his fingers to gently clean the sleep from his tired eyes.

"What time is it." he muttered while sitting up from the plush couch, his eyes landed across from him, focusing on the other couch where Samuel and Aria's bodies were entwined.

"The fuck," he whispered, his eyes narrowing at Samuel's arm that was wrapped around Aria's shoulders, holding her close and Aria's hand that was resting on Samuel's chest. Their faces were in a peaceful bliss.

Ryan's brow furrowed as he studied Samuel and Aria's entwined forms. He didn't see them like this before they all slept, and now waking up to this made his mind raced with questions.

How did they end up like this? Ryan's thoughts swirled in curiosity, they must had rolled into each other's arm, he took a step closer, his eyes scanning their relaxed bodies.

Samuel's arm wrapped around Aria's shoulders,. Her hand rested on his chest, her fingers curled lightly around his shirt.

Ryan's gaze lingered on their hands, his mind racing. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts, Don't jump to conclusions but his eyes kept drifting back to their entwined forms as if they were magnetically drawn to the not so intimate scene before him.

Ryan's mind wrestled with conflicting emotions that he couldn't quite place or understand. Why was he so burdened about their position?

He shouldn't care but something nagged at him and he couldn't shake that feeling.

It lingered deep within him, refusing to disappear, like a lingering shadow that haunted his thoughts, echoing through his mind like a persistent whisper.

He was starting to get conflicted in removing Aria from that position. Her injured arm and leg made him, the memory of her painful wince earlier flashed through his mind, the way her eyes had scrunched up in pain and the faint grimace on her lips but he knew it wasn't only because of that.

There was something more that was pushing him to drag her out of that position.

He just stood there frozen with his gaze fixed on the entwined forms. "What am I even thinking?" Ryan muttered quietly to himself, shaking his head left and right.

He turned and walked out of the sitting room, leaving Samuel and Aria sleeping. Ryan's footsteps hits softly on the soft rug as he walked towards the bedroom.

He entered the bedroom and he quickly closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. The cool air filling his lungs as he sat on the bed, running his hands through his hair.

What am I so conflicted ?,he thought, shaking his head while leaning on the bedroom door.

He doesn't even know Samuel and Aria that well, but why did he care about that harmless sleeping position, the was Aria leaned on Samuel was not harmful, so why.

Ryan's eyes snapped shut, his mind recoiling in disgust. A thought had quickly flashed through his mind, and he shook his head violently, as if attempting to dislodge the unwelcome idea. His face crunched in rejection.

" Fuck no," he muttered to himself, the words barely audible, a whispered curse.

Why would he want to be the one sleeping near Aria and holding her, not Samuel? The mere suggestion seemed absurd, yet disturbingly tantalizing. It was as if his mind had momentarily betrayed him, conjuring an image he dare not acknowledge.

Ryan opened his eyes, which had involuntarily closed as he wrestled with his thoughts. The room seemed to spin for a moment, the bed and walls blurring together. He blinked, clearing his vision.

He moved out from his leaning position against the bedroom door and he stepped away. Each step felt heavy, as if he was been weighed down by his turbulent thoughts.

He walked to the bed and sat down tiredly, the mattress dipping beneath him. The softness of the bed enveloped him giving him some comfort.

Ryan shook his head again, trying to clear the confusion. His mind felt foggy, as if shrouded in a thick mist.

"What's wrong with me?" he thought, frustration etched on his face. He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache brewing. The tension was a built and a slow throbbing ache.

Ryan's thoughts were swirling like a strom. Emotions were conflicted and that was warring within him. He couldn't understand why he felt this way.

Aria and Samuel's sleeping position wasn't his concern, hell even if they dated, he shouldn't care but somehow, that thought disturbed him greatly.

Ryan lowered his back to lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft glow of the bedroom light shined softly on his face.

The silence seemed taunting, weighing upon him. Ryan's breath came in shallow inhale and exhale as if his chest was getting tight.

He felt unsettled and uncertain about his own feelings and about their future in a world like theirs.

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