The days after the partner announcement passed with a quiet rhythm. Ocean and Skyler worked on their assignment in the library, in cafés, and occasionally in the park, but always in neutral, public places—places where they could focus on the task at hand and avoid the unsettling eyes of their classmates. Ocean, especially, felt a kind of peace in these familiar spaces, where he could hide in plain sight.
Yet, as they worked together, something began to shift. The air between them wasn't filled only with conversations about the assignment, but with subtle, unspoken moments. The way Skyler's gaze would linger on Ocean just a bit too long, the comfortable silences that stretched between them, and the way Skyler never pushed when Ocean withdrew into himself.
And then came the evening when everything changed.
They were sitting at their usual spot in the park, working on the final part of the assignment. The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the world, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. Ocean was lost in his thoughts, scribbling notes in his journal when Skyler suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, I was thinking," Skyler began, his tone casual but with a hint of something else beneath it. "We've been working out here a lot, but... would you want to do the rest of the assignment at your place?"
Ocean froze, his pen hovering above the page. He hadn't expected that. Not at all.
He glanced up at Skyler, who was watching him with that same gentle patience he always had. There was no pressure in his expression, just a simple suggestion. But the idea of letting Skyler into his personal space, his home, made Ocean's chest tighten with a mix of fear and something else he couldn't quite name.
His home was his sanctuary—his retreat from the world. It was the one place where he could be himself, away from the eyes of others, away from the weight of expectations. No one came over. Ever. It was too personal, too vulnerable. And yet, Skyler was asking, and something in Ocean couldn't bring himself to say no.
"Uh..." Ocean began, his voice faltering. "I don't know if it's a good idea."
Skyler didn't look surprised. He just smiled softly and leaned back, his arms resting on the bench. "You don't have to say yes. I just thought... it might be quieter. More comfortable for you."
Ocean's mind raced. Quieter, yes. Away from prying eyes, yes. But it was his home, his space. He had never let anyone in before, not like this. But as he looked at Skyler, sitting there so calm, so at ease, Ocean felt something stir inside him—a need to trust. A need to let someone in, even if just a little.
"Okay," Ocean finally said, the word slipping out before he could stop it. "We can... we can work at my place."
Skyler's smile widened, warm and genuine, and for a moment, Ocean's fears seemed to quiet. "Great," Skyler said, standing up and stretching. "Whenever you're ready, just let me know."
Later that evening, Ocean stood at the door of his small apartment, his fingers trembling slightly as he fumbled with the keys. Skyler stood beside him, his presence calm and steady, but Ocean could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Letting someone into his home felt like opening a door to more than just his space—it felt like opening a door to his heart, his carefully guarded world.
Finally, the lock clicked open, and Ocean stepped inside, holding the door open for Skyler. "It's not much," Ocean said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But... it's home."
Skyler stepped inside, glancing around the small but cozy apartment. The space was modest, with soft, muted colors and simple furnishings. A large bookshelf lined one wall, filled with books that Ocean had collected over the years. There was a small desk in the corner, papers scattered across it, and a window with a view of the city skyline in the distance.
"It's perfect," Skyler said, his voice sincere as he took in the space. He walked over to the bookshelf, running his fingers gently over the spines of the books. "This feels like you."
Ocean stood by the door, watching Skyler with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. Skyler didn't seem fazed by the simplicity of the apartment—if anything, he looked completely at ease, like he belonged there.
After a moment, Skyler turned back to Ocean, a soft smile playing at his lips. "Thanks for letting me in."
Ocean swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "Yeah. It's... it's fine."
They settled in, Skyler taking a seat at the small table while Ocean gathered their materials. The evening light poured in through the window, casting long shadows across the room, but there was a warmth in the space now that hadn't been there before. It was subtle, but it was enough.
As they worked, the familiar silence between them stretched out, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Skyler occasionally made a comment about the assignment, and Ocean would nod or give a quiet response, but for the most part, they worked in companionable quiet.
But the silence didn't mean Ocean's mind was still. Inside, his thoughts were a whirlwind.
Why did I let him in? The question circled in Ocean's mind over and over again. He didn't let people into his life like this—especially not into his personal space. But with Skyler, things were different. Skyler had a way of breaking down his walls without Ocean even realizing it was happening. And that scared him. It terrified him.
He wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to sharing parts of himself, letting someone see his world. But as the evening wore on, Ocean found that the fear didn't feel as suffocating as it usually did. Skyler wasn't making him feel vulnerable—he was making him feel... seen. And not in the way that others saw him, like a curiosity or a puzzle to solve. Skyler saw him in a way that made Ocean feel like it was okay to be exactly who he was.
They worked until the light outside began to fade, and the room was bathed in the soft glow of the city lights filtering in through the window. Ocean had grown quiet, his mind still racing but with a different kind of energy now. He could feel Skyler's presence beside him, steady and grounding, and it brought a sense of calm that Ocean hadn't felt in a long time.
At some point, Skyler leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head with a small sigh. "I think we've done enough for today," he said, his voice light but filled with satisfaction. "We're almost done."
Ocean nodded, glancing at the work they had completed. They were ahead of schedule, which was a relief, but that wasn't what was on his mind. What was on his mind was the fact that he hadn't felt the usual tension of working with someone. He hadn't felt the need to retreat, to hide.
And that realization scared him more than anything.
Skyler stood up, walking over to the window and looking out at the city below. "You've got a great view," he remarked, his voice soft.
Ocean followed, standing beside him but keeping his distance. He wasn't sure what to say. The fear of letting Skyler in was still there, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts, but it was quieter now, drowned out by the strange sense of peace that Skyler seemed to bring with him.
After a moment, Skyler turned to face him, his eyes warm and gentle. "I know this isn't easy for you," he said quietly. "Letting someone into your space. I don't take that lightly."
Ocean looked down, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. He wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to someone understanding him without him having to explain.
But Skyler didn't need him to speak. He just stood there, his presence enough, letting the silence stretch between them like a bridge.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ocean whispered, "It's hard."
Skyler nodded, his gaze steady. "I know. But I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
Ocean's chest tightened at those words—words he had always been afraid to hear. Promises were fragile things, easily broken. But with Skyler, it didn't feel like a promise. It felt like a quiet truth, something solid, something real.
They stood there in the fading light, the city spread out before them, and for the first time in a long time, Ocean didn't feel the need to run. He didn't feel the need to hide. He just stood there, letting the quiet settle around them like a blanket, warm and comforting.
TBC. 🩵
