Faded Embers

25

Hey y'all! I've had a lot going on lately in my personal life and haven't had time for writing unfortunately. This is going to be the last official chapter of the book (there may be an epilogue) and then I'll be going on a bit of a break !

I will be back eventually to continue writing, but I can't split my attention right now and want to be putting my whole heart into my works. For now, though, I need a bit of a break before I continue.

Thank you all for reading and stay tuned for future projects !!!

•••

~6 Months Later~

Sean's POV:

I didn't end up leaving like I planned after two weeks. Two weeks became three weeks, three weeks became three months... California became my home and I found a new bar to work at for someone Miles knew when he last visited for inspiration on his own clubs.

My mentor is so happy for me but I know Miles secretly misses me and Calin misses Atlas. We all talk often and I did visit a few months ago to get the rest of my stuff before I came back. I've been living with Atlas, obviously, and Calin took care of getting rid of the old apartment that Atlas and I were in. The lease was supposed to run longer, but Calin is smart and negotiates really well.

Atlas and I are going back sometime within the next few months to visit, but for now it's just the two of us taking on California. He absolutely loves his teaching job and has so many students who admire him for being an openly gay teacher. Hell, Atlas started working with the club dedicated to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and he and I both go to the meetings.

I only went to spend time with him at first, but I've met some pretty cool people who are closer to my age because I'm still younger than Atlas. It's a nice, comforting community, and I sometimes see the students hanging out at the bar where I work, and they trust me to keep an eye on them. None of them are big drinkers and they mainly go for the food and the dancing.

It's early in the morning, the sun rising on a new day of my wonderful life. A year ago I wouldn't think this would be possible, but I'm so happy that I've come so far and have the most incredible boyfriend in the world.

Atlas and I both have the day off today, it being Sunday, but I didn't get off of work until one in the morning. So, we decided to just watch movies and stay up until dawn to watch the sunrise. We can sleep all day if we want, and we both took little naps throughout the night anyway.

"Mmm, there's the sunrise," Atlas whispers in my ear, his arms wound around my waist as we sit on our bed and gaze out the sliding glass door that leads to the balcony. "It's so much nicer in the fall."

I look at the clock and it's nearly six thirty. "We could go on a walk and get coffee or we could go back to bed," I hum, leaning back into Atlas chest and adjusting under the fluffy blanket that we got when it started getting colder out.

Our room is so comfortable and warm; there's tiny LED lights that we put up so that we can turn off the main lights and cuddle in a whimsical environment.

"Sleep sounds good. It's too cold out for a walk, babe," Atlas murmurs, kissing my cheek and then the corner of my lips. "And I'm tired as fuck."

I hum and we lay down, the television still playing old episodes of Grey's Anatomy on a low volume. I've never really liked the show but it's nice to have some background noise.

Atlas and I are facing each other, his head on my chest and arms around my waist. Usually we switch up who holds the other because neither of us likes how roles get set up in relationships and someone has to be the protector. We're both our own people and we crave different sorts of affection day to day.

I don't feel super tired so I'm still wide awake twenty minutes later, but Atlas is sound asleep. It makes me smile as he breathes slowly against my chest and I rub his back. I'm still interested in getting a drink, so I slide out of bed and go to the kitchen to make myself hot chocolate.

Atlas has gotten really good at cooking and I absolutely adore it, and I'm a professional bartender and I can make any drink. We have often indulged in boozey coffee and hot chocolate when we have the day off, but I don't think I need alcohol when I've been up for twenty one hours.

I get stuff set up on the stovetop and when I finish my hot drink, I sit on the balcony and watch the sun continue to rise. It's cold outside but it feels amazing, especially with the hot drink in my hands. Plus, I'm wearing sweatpants and a long sleeve so I'm not freezing.

Atlas is a deep sleeper, but I hear him come outside not long after I've sat down.

"Are you alright?" he asks me, sitting down beside me on the comfy bench we have outside. "You look tired, babe."

I smile and hand him my drink, which Atlas takes a grateful sip from. "I'm perfectly fine. I just didn't feel super tired. Even though I apparently look exhausted."

"You do!" Atlas argues, and I know he's only saying it so I can be encouraged to rest, not because he wants to upset me.

He's not like that. Atlas is an angel among humans and he has never said anything to me that's rude or harsh. Even during our arguments, he's always stayed calm and collected and tried to talk things out sweetly as opposed to yelling and bullying me. We have a super positive relationship and we always try to communicate kindly as opposed to aggression.

"I'm... I just feel so good right now," I say, smiling and laying my head on Atlas' shoulder. "I love you, Atlas."

"I love you, too, Sean."

We sit outside in silence for a long time until we finish our shared hot chocolate and I'm finally feeling tired. Of course, it's when it's light out so Atlas literally carries me to bed and closes all of the blinds that keep the room dark so I can sleep.

This time, Atlas basically lays on me so I won't leave and kisses me before covering my eyes with his hand.

"Time to sleep, brat," he says in a light tone, kissing my lips.

It takes me a second to reciprocate because I didn't see him kissing me, but I do and it makes him chuckle. He uncovers my eyes and I can see his eyes shining in the darkness of the room before I shut my own and begin to drift to sleep.

Mentally, I'm wondering when I'm going to propose to Atlas or if he plans to propose to me. I know we love each other and that we will be together for the long run, but I don't know if Atlas wants a wedding or any big ceremony.

His first one didn't go to well; memories of meeting Atlas in the woods spring to my mind.

How things have changed.

"Do you ever want a wedding?" I blurt, and I feel Atlas tense a bit before relaxing.

"Uh... if that's what you want, I'm not opposed. Obviously I want to marry you, but I don't want a huge ceremony like Veronica wanted. Just some family members, Calin, Miles, maybe some coworkers... Why do you ask?"

I keep my eyes closed as I respond. "Just curious," I murmur, smiling. "I don't want to propose someday and have you panic and run off on me."

"I love you and you're the best thing in my life. I won't run away from my soulmate."

My heart warms. "Goodnight... well, good morning, Atlas."

"Good morning, Sean," Atlas whispers as we both drift to sleep.

I don't need to worry right now about our futures... it's all going to work out. We're meant to be, and I know I'm not one to give up on what I want.

Lucky for Atlas, he's all I want.