The early morning sun peeked through the curtains as Ocean slipped out of the warmth of the bed, the cool air of the room meeting his skin in contrast to the lingering heat from the night before. His mind was still reeling from everything, but there was a sense of quiet peace that clung to the air, even in the aftermath of their conversation. The weight of last night's confessions, the honesty they had shared, still hung between them, fragile but real.
He stretched, his muscles tight from the unfamiliar comfort, and walked over to his closet, pulling out clothes for the day. School was still in the back of his mind—another day, another routine—but his heart wasn't in it. Not today. Not after everything that had happened.
As Ocean moved about the room, gathering his things, he felt Skyler's eyes on him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Skyler still in bed, leaning back against the pillows, watching him. But there was something different in the way Skyler looked at him this time—soft, gentle, like he was seeing him for the first time.
Ocean turned back to his task, ignoring the flutter in his chest, trying to keep his focus on the mundane. But before he could reach the door, Skyler's voice broke the quiet.
"Don't go to school today."
Ocean froze mid-step, his hand gripping the doorknob as the words hung in the air between them. Slowly, he turned to face Skyler, confusion flashing across his face. "What?"
Skyler shifted on the bed, sitting up slightly, his gaze never leaving Ocean. His voice was soft, almost pleading. "Stay. Don't go to school today."
Ocean stood there, uncertain. There was something about the way Skyler looked at him, a quiet vulnerability in his eyes that made Ocean's heart skip. It wasn't a command or a demand, but an invitation—a request, tender and raw.
"Why?" Ocean asked, his voice quieter now, softer.
Skyler's lips curled into the faintest of smiles, but his eyes remained serious. "Because... I just want to be with you today. No distractions, no interruptions. Just us."
The sincerity in his voice made Ocean's resolve waver. He wanted to stay, wanted to linger in this moment a little longer, but there was still a part of him that felt unsure, that wasn't quite ready to give in.
"You don't have to decide right now," Skyler continued, his gaze unwavering. "But... after everything, after last night, I don't want to waste a single moment. I don't want to go back to pretending everything's fine, like we didn't just have the most important conversation of our lives."
Ocean's chest tightened at Skyler's words. He wanted this too—wanted to stay in the bubble they had created, away from the outside world, away from the complications. But part of him still feared that it wasn't real, that this fragile peace between them would shatter the moment they stepped back into reality.
"I know it's a lot," Skyler said, his voice quieter now, more vulnerable. "But I want to show you... I want to show you that I'm not going anywhere this time. That I'm serious."
Ocean's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but there was something in Skyler's gaze—something so sincere, so full of love and understanding—that made it hard to resist.
He hesitated, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. "But... school..."
"School can wait," Skyler said softly, swinging his legs off the bed and standing up slowly, taking a few steps closer to Ocean. He reached out, gently taking Ocean's hand in his. "You can always go to class, but today... let's just be us. No masks, no pretending."
Ocean's heart raced at the warmth of Skyler's hand in his. There was no pressure, no expectation—just a quiet request, a hope that they could spend this day together, away from the noise of the world.
For a long moment, Ocean said nothing. He looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the warmth of Skyler's skin against his own, feeling the softness of his gaze on him. His heart ached with the weight of it all, the love that had been there, waiting, for so long.
Slowly, Ocean nodded. "Okay... I'll stay."
Skyler's face lit up with a soft, relieved smile, and Ocean felt his heart flutter in response. He had agreed, but it was more than just about skipping school—it was about choosing to trust Skyler again, even if it was just for today.
Skyler gently pulled him closer, his hands sliding up Ocean's arms, his touch soothing and grounding. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice full of quiet gratitude.
Ocean let out a shaky breath, his forehead resting lightly against Skyler's chest. He still wasn't sure where this would lead, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like maybe—just maybe—they could make this work.
The quiet morning stretched out before them, full of possibilities, full of hope.
Skyler stepped back slightly, still holding Ocean's hand, and gave him a teasing smile. "So, what should we do with our day off?"
Ocean chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're the one who convinced me to stay. You figure it out."
Skyler grinned, the playful glint returning to his eyes. "I'll think of something." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Ocean's forehead before gently leading him back toward the bed. "But first, how about we just... stay here a little longer?"
Ocean didn't resist as Skyler guided him back to the bed, the warmth of his touch still lingering. They climbed back under the covers, the weight of the world falling away as they settled into the quiet comfort of the morning.
For now, it was enough. Just them, just this moment.
As they lay there, side by side, Ocean couldn't help but steal a glance at Skyler, who was looking at him with that same soft, adoring gaze that made his heart ache. How had he missed this? How had he not seen just how deeply Skyler cared for him all along?
Skyler caught him looking and smiled, a small, knowing smile that made Ocean's cheeks flush slightly. "What is it?" he asked softly, his voice laced with affection.
"Nothing," Ocean mumbled, turning his gaze away, but Skyler's hand gently tilted his chin back toward him, their eyes meeting once more.
"Tell me," Skyler said gently, his thumb brushing softly against Ocean's cheek.
Ocean hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, his voice quiet. "I just... I didn't realize how much you cared. How much you... loved me."
Skyler's expression softened even more, and he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Ocean's lips. "I've always loved you, Ocean. From the very first moment I saw you."
Ocean's heart swelled at the sincerity in Skyler's words, and for the first time, he let himself believe it. He let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, this was real.
And so they stayed, wrapped up in each other, in the quiet morning light, with nothing but the sound of their breathing and the warmth of their bodies to fill the space between them. There was no rush, no pressure—just them, and the promise of something new, something beautiful, waiting to unfold.
TBC. 🩵
