Eriko’s Midnight Study Session
The apartment was cloaked in the stillness of late night. The only sound was the faint rustle of pages as Eriko sat at the small desk in the corner of the living room, her lamp casting a pool of golden light around her. The rest of the apartment lay in shadow, the world outside silent under a blanket of stars.
Eriko’s brow was furrowed in thought, her long black hair falling over her shoulder as she scribbled notes in the margins of the thick book in front of her: Alexander of Aphrodisias’ Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics. The dense text absorbed her completely, its exploration of causality and existence holding her mind captive.
But in the bedroom, Sammi stirred.
She reached out instinctively for Eriko, only to find her side of the bed empty. With a sleepy groan, Sammi sat up, her fiery red hair a messy halo around her face. She rubbed her eyes and squinted at the faint glow coming from the living room.
“Eriko,” she mumbled to herself, swinging her feet to the floor. “It’s 2 a.m. What is she doing now?”
The Intervention
Sammi shuffled into the living room, her steps soft against the floor. She paused in the doorway, leaning against the frame as she took in the sight of Eriko, completely engrossed in her work. A faint smile tugged at Sammi’s lips—she loved Eriko’s focus, the way she poured herself into her thoughts with an intensity that could rival the philosophers she adored.
But Sammi also knew how much Eriko needed her rest, even if Eriko herself refused to admit it.
“Eriko,” Sammi called softly, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Eriko didn’t look up, her pen scratching another note into the margin. “Hmm?”
“It’s late,” Sammi said, stepping closer. “Come back to bed.”
Eriko glanced up briefly, her expression apologetic but determined. “Just a little longer, Sammi. I’m at a critical point in Alexander’s commentary on the Unmoved Mover.”
Sammi crossed her arms, tilting her head. “The Unmoved Mover can wait. You, my love, are very much moved—and very much sleep-deprived.”
Eriko gave a faint smile at Sammi’s playful tone but turned back to the book. “I promise, just ten more minutes.”
Sammi’s Persuasion
Sammi sighed, her hands on her hips as she considered her next move. Eriko was stubborn when it came to her studies, but Sammi had learned that gentle persistence often won out.
Without a word, she slipped behind Eriko and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, resting her chin on top of Eriko’s head. Eriko stiffened slightly in surprise but soon relaxed into Sammi’s embrace.
“You’re warm,” Eriko murmured, her pen pausing mid-note.
“And you’re tired,” Sammi replied, her voice soft. “I get that this is important to you, but so is resting. How are you going to analyze metaphysical principles tomorrow if you’re running on no sleep?”
Eriko hesitated, her gaze drifting back to the page. “It’s not just about tomorrow. It’s… these ideas, Sammi. They keep me awake. They feel so close, like I’m on the verge of understanding something profound.”
Sammi smiled, her hands gently squeezing Eriko’s shoulders. “I know. That’s one of the things I love about you—how you never stop searching for meaning. But you know what else is profound?”
“What?” Eriko asked softly, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Sammi kissed the top of her head. “The fact that your body and mind need rest. And the fact that your very cute girlfriend is waiting in bed and wants to cuddle you.”
Eriko laughed quietly, finally setting her pen down. “When you put it that way…”
A Quiet Resolution
Sammi reached over and closed the book gently, her smile widening as Eriko didn’t protest. “Come on,” she said, taking Eriko’s hand and pulling her to her feet. “Alexander can wait. I, however, cannot.”
Eriko let herself be led back to the bedroom, her hand warm in Sammi’s. As they settled into bed, Sammi curled up against her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Thank you,” Eriko murmured, her voice drowsy but sincere. “For reminding me to pause.”
Sammi kissed her shoulder, her voice soft in the darkness. “Always. Now sleep, love. The Unmoved Mover will still be there in the morning.”
And as Eriko drifted off, the weight of philosophy and sleepless nights giving way to warmth and quiet comfort, Sammi smiled to herself. She didn’t need Aristotle to tell her—moments like this were the essence of happiness.
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