Skyler had always been a planner, a quiet strategist when it came to the things that mattered most to him. He wasn't impulsive, especially when it involved Ocean. Every step he had taken over the years—from observing him in high school to attending the same university—had been careful, deliberate. But now, with everything falling apart between them, Skyler knew he had to do something drastic.
It wasn't enough to simply wait for Ocean to come around anymore. Skyler had hurt him too deeply, twice. The blackmail, the kiss—it was all too much for Ocean to forgive with just words. No, Skyler needed to prove himself, to show Ocean how serious he was. He needed to make things right, and if that meant getting down on his knees and begging for forgiveness, then so be it.
Skyler spent the whole day going over his plan. He had skipped his afternoon classes, unable to focus on anything except Ocean. He needed Ocean to see that he wasn't going to give up. He needed to show him that his feelings were real, that they had been real from the moment he first laid eyes on him all those years ago.
By the time school ended, Skyler knew what he had to do. He grabbed his bag and headed straight for Ocean's apartment, his heart racing with a mix of nerves and determination. He wasn't sure if Ocean would even give him the chance to speak, but Skyler had to try. He couldn't let this go on any longer. He couldn't stand the thought of Ocean believing that he didn't care.
When Skyler arrived at Ocean's apartment, the sun was already beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow across the street. He leaned against the wall outside the door, his mind racing as he waited. He had no idea what Ocean's reaction would be, but he was ready to face it—no matter how cold, no matter how harsh.
He had no other choice. This was about love. His love for Ocean.
It was an hour later when Ocean finally appeared, walking up the street toward his apartment. Skyler's heart lurched in his chest at the sight of him, but as Ocean drew closer, Skyler noticed something that made his chest tighten even more.
Ocean's eyes were red.
He had been crying.
Skyler's breath caught in his throat as a wave of guilt crashed over him. Is this because of me? He had never wanted to hurt Ocean like this, never wanted to see him in so much pain. The sight of Ocean's tear-stained face was enough to make Skyler's resolve harden. He had to make this right. He couldn't let Ocean carry this hurt alone.
Ocean had spent the entire day feeling like he was trapped in a war with himself. He knew he had been cold toward Skyler, shutting him out, refusing to talk to him. And part of him—a big part—regretted it. But the other part of him, the part that was still so deeply hurt, wouldn't let him let Skyler back in.
Ocean knew why he was acting this way, why he had built up these walls. It was because of all the people who had promised him things, only to break those promises and leave him behind. He couldn't trust anyone—not even Skyler, not after everything that had happened.
But today, something had shifted.
As much as Ocean tried to pretend that he didn't care, that Skyler's absence and that awful kiss hadn't broken him, he couldn't ignore the ache in his chest. It had been there all day, gnawing at him, making it harder and harder to focus on anything else. And when he had gotten home, alone with his thoughts, the weight of it all had come crashing down on him. He had cried—silent, angry tears that he hated himself for shedding.
Because the truth was, Ocean regretted how he had acted. As much as he wanted to push Skyler away, to protect himself from the inevitable hurt, his heart ached for him. Ocean wasn't sure how to reconcile the hurt with the love he still felt.
As Ocean walked up the street toward his apartment, his eyes still stinging from the tears, he wasn't expecting to see anyone waiting for him. But then, as he drew closer, he saw a figure standing by the door, and his heart skipped a beat.
Skyler.
For a moment, Ocean froze, his breath catching in his throat. The sight of Skyler standing there, his expression full of determination and regret, made Ocean's heart twist painfully in his chest. He had been avoiding Skyler for days, refusing to talk to him, shutting him out. But now, seeing him here, Ocean felt something inside him start to crack.
But before Ocean could say anything, Skyler stepped forward.
"Ocean," Skyler's voice was soft but steady, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and hope. "Please. I need to talk to you."
Ocean swallowed, his heart racing. He didn't know what to say, didn't know if he could handle this conversation right now. He still felt the sting of betrayal, the hurt that came with seeing Skyler with someone else. But at the same time, he couldn't deny the pull he felt toward Skyler, the part of him that wanted to hear him out.
"I don't know if I'm ready to talk," Ocean said quietly, his voice shaking slightly.
Skyler nodded, his expression pained but understanding. "I get that. But I need you to hear me out. I've been keeping things from you—not because I wanted to, but because I thought I was protecting you."
Ocean frowned, confusion flickering across his face. "Protecting me? From what?"
Skyler sighed, running a hand through his messy blonde hair, the weight of his guilt heavy on his shoulders. "From the reason I disappeared. From the blackmail."
At the word "blackmail," Ocean's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that. He had assumed Skyler had left for personal reasons, or worse—that he had left because he didn't care enough to stay. But blackmail? That was something he hadn't seen coming.
"Blackmail?" Ocean echoed, his voice soft but laced with shock.
Skyler nodded, his gaze steady. "Three months ago, I got a letter. Someone threatened to hurt you if I didn't stay away. I couldn't risk it, Ocean. I couldn't let you get hurt because of me."
Ocean blinked, trying to process the weight of Skyler's words. He had been so convinced that Skyler had left without caring, that he had abandoned him without a thought. But now, hearing the truth, Ocean's anger began to fade, replaced by something else—something deeper.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to blame yourself," Skyler continued, his voice thick with emotion. "But keeping it from you was a mistake. I see that now. And I'm sorry, Ocean. I'm so, so sorry."
Ocean stared at Skyler, his mind racing, his heart pounding. He didn't know what to say. The hurt was still there, but now, mixed with it, was a growing sense of understanding. Skyler hadn't left because he didn't care. He had left because he cared too much.
But that didn't erase the pain. It didn't erase the fact that Skyler had still hurt him, had still kissed someone else—or let someone else kiss him—when all Ocean had ever wanted was to feel like he mattered.
"I don't know what to do with this," Ocean whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't know how to handle this."
Skyler stepped closer, his eyes searching Ocean's, his voice soft but full of resolve. "You don't have to do anything right now. Just... please, let me prove to you that I'm not going anywhere. That I'm here for you. That I love you."
Ocean's heart skipped a beat at those words—I love you—but the wall he had built around his heart was still there, still holding him back.
"I don't know if I can trust you again," Ocean admitted, his voice cracking with emotion. "I don't know if I can let you in."
Skyler nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I get that. And I don't expect you to forgive me right away. But I'm willing to wait, Ocean. I'll wait as long as it takes."
For a long moment, they stood in silence, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Ocean's heart ached, torn between the hurt he still carried and the love he was afraid to admit he still felt.
"I'll think about it," Ocean finally whispered, his voice barely audible.
And for now, that was enough.
TBC. 🩵
