Describe A Moment When Your Character Laughs At Someone They’re Falling For — But The Laughter Hides Their Nerves: When Laughter Covers Nerves (Falling for Someone Slowly)

He says something ridiculous — something bold and unexpected and entirely too sincere — and she laughs.

Too quickly.Too loudly.Too much.

The sound bounces off the walls, warm and bright, and he grins like he thinks he caused it on purpose.

But the laughter isn’t about him being funny.

It’s about her being terrified.

He’d said, “You know you’re the most fascinating person I’ve ever met, right?”

Just casually. Like it wasn’t a verbal earthquake.

So she laughed. Because that’s what she does when she feels the ground shifting beneath her feet.

Her hands shake just slightly. She tucks them under her arms so he won’t notice.

He raises an eyebrow.“That funny?”

She laughs again, softer this time, but still not real.“Well, it’s a dramatic statement.”

“It’s a true one.”

Her stomach flips. Her pulse jumps.

She laughs again — a sharp little sound that gives her away.

“You’re serious.”

“Very.”

That shuts her up completely.

He watches her with quiet amusement, but there’s something else in his eyes — something softer, something she’s not ready to acknowledge.

She turns away under the pretense of fixing her hair. Mostly, she just needs to breathe.

“Why would you say something like that?” she asks.

“Because it’s how I feel.”

Her laugh escapes before she can stop it — quick, nervous, almost defensive.

“You shouldn’t just say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” she starts, then trails off.

Because she likes him.Because she’s scared. Because she’s falling and doesn’t know how to land.

He steps closer. Not enough to touch, but enough that she feels the heat of him.

“You laugh every time you want to run,” he says gently.

She freezes.Her breath catches.

He noticed?

Of course, he noticed.

He notices everything.

“I’m not running,” she lies.

He gives a soft hum. Not calling her out. Not accusing. Just… seeing her.

And that’s the real reason she’s laughing — because being seen like this feels dangerous.

He tilts his head. “You don’t have to be nervous around me.”

“I’m not nervous.”

He smiles — slow, warm, devastating.“Then why are you still laughing?”

She opens her mouth.

Nothing comes out.

Her chest tightens. Her heart stumbles.

He steps back, giving her space — not punishment, not retreat… just reassurance.

“I like you,” he says simply.“I’m not asking for anything. I just wanted you to know.”

Her laughter dies completely, replaced by something deeper. Something she’s not ready to name.

But as she meets his eyes, she realizes—for the first time—that maybe falling for him won’t break her.

It might actually save her.

B.A.R.