The morning sunlight filtered softly through the window as Skyler and Ocean sat at the small table, finishing the last of their breakfast. The air between them had shifted—there was a newfound ease, a delicate sense of peace that wrapped around them like a soft blanket.
Skyler leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on Ocean, who was absentmindedly sipping the last of his banana milkshake. It was as though the weight they had carried with them for so long had lifted, replaced by something much gentler. Something they both needed.
As the clink of silverware fell silent, Skyler broke the stillness with a question. "So," he began, his tone light, "what do you feel like doing today?"
Ocean blinked, caught slightly off-guard by the question. He hadn't really thought about it. After all, he hadn't expected this day to unfold the way it had—certainly not in the arms of someone who had been watching over him for longer than he'd known. He furrowed his brow, glancing down at his empty plate.
"I... have no idea," he admitted softly, shrugging a little. "I don't usually make plans."
Skyler chuckled, leaning forward slightly, his elbow resting on the table. "That's okay. I kind of guessed that." His eyes twinkled with something mischievous, yet warm. He tapped his fingers against the table as though considering something. "What if I make a suggestion?"
Ocean lifted his gaze, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Sure. What do you have in mind?"
Skyler's lips quirked into a small smile as he tilted his head. "How about... the aquarium? It's been a while since I've been, and I remember you used to love going there when we first started uni."
Ocean blinked, surprised by the suggestion. He hadn't thought about the aquarium in ages. When he was younger, he used to find a strange sort of comfort in watching the fish drift through the water—so serene, so untouchable. But as life grew more complicated, he had stopped going. It just didn't seem important anymore.
But now, hearing Skyler bring it up, it felt like a subtle invitation to return to that quiet place. A place where the world seemed to slow down, where things were simple, and he could just... be.
"An aquarium, huh?" Ocean echoed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I guess I haven't been in years."
Skyler leaned back, watching him with that same soft gaze—the kind that made Ocean feel seen, really seen. "Then it's settled," he said with a confident nod, "we'll head to the aquarium. It'll be fun, I promise."
For a moment, Ocean hesitated, his mind caught in a loop of uncertainty. Should he really be spending his day like this? Should he let himself enjoy this? But when he looked at Skyler—at the quiet affection in his eyes, at the way he was so gentle in every gesture, every word—he felt a little bit of that uncertainty slip away.
"Okay," Ocean finally agreed, his voice soft but sure. "Let's go to the aquarium."
The drive to the aquarium was quiet, the city slowly passing by in a blur of morning traffic. Skyler kept his hand on the steering wheel, but his gaze flickered over to Ocean every now and then, as if checking to make sure he was still comfortable. The radio played softly in the background, a soothing melody that blended into the hum of the car's engine.
Ocean sat in the passenger seat, watching the world outside the window, his thoughts drifting along with the passing scenery. There was something calming about the drive—about being in this small space with Skyler, where the world outside didn't seem to matter as much.
As they neared the aquarium, Skyler broke the comfortable silence with a soft chuckle. "You know, I always liked the jellyfish exhibit," he said, a small grin on his lips. "They're so strange, but... kind of beautiful in their own way."
Ocean glanced over, a faint smile touching his lips. "I always liked the sharks," he replied, surprising himself with the admission. "They're powerful, but there's something graceful about them."
Skyler raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I wouldn't have guessed you for a shark fan," he teased gently. "But I can see it now. The quiet, strong type."
Ocean rolled his eyes, but there was a lightness in his chest that hadn't been there before. "Well, I guess we'll just have to see who gets to spend more time at their favorite exhibit today."
Skyler let out a playful hum, glancing at Ocean with a soft smirk. "Challenge accepted."
The aquarium was cool and dimly lit, the air filled with the gentle sound of water filtering through tanks. The moment they stepped inside, Ocean felt a sense of calm wash over him, as though the quiet world beneath the surface had embraced him with open arms. Skyler walked beside him, their shoulders almost brushing as they made their way through the exhibits.
They paused first at a tank filled with brightly colored fish, the neon scales catching the light as they swam lazily through the water. Ocean stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the fish, while Skyler watched him from the corner of his eye.
"You look like you're in your element here," Skyler commented softly, stepping a little closer.
Ocean hummed in response, his eyes never leaving the tank. "It's peaceful here," he said, almost to himself. "I like that it's quiet. Just the sound of the water."
Skyler nodded, his hand slipping into his pocket as he stood beside Ocean. "I thought you might."
They moved through the aquarium at a leisurely pace, pausing at different exhibits, watching the creatures of the sea move through their worlds. When they reached the jellyfish tank, Skyler's eyes lit up, and Ocean couldn't help but smile at the way his expression softened in awe.
"See? Aren't they beautiful?" Skyler murmured, his gaze transfixed on the jellyfish as they pulsed gracefully through the water, their bodies illuminated by soft blue light.
Ocean tilted his head, watching the jellyfish for a moment before glancing at Skyler. "I guess you're right," he admitted softly. "They are kind of beautiful."
Skyler smiled, his eyes flickering toward Ocean. "And the sharks?"
Ocean chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Let's go find them."
When they finally arrived at the shark exhibit, Ocean's heart gave a small, familiar leap. There was something about the way the sharks glided through the water—so powerful, so silent. He stood there, captivated, while Skyler watched him with a fond smile.
"I get it now," Skyler said quietly, breaking the silence. "The way they move... it's like they don't have to prove anything. They're just... being."
Ocean glanced at him, surprised by how accurately Skyler had described it. "Yeah," he agreed softly. "That's exactly it."
They stayed there for a while longer, just watching the sharks, letting the silence stretch between them. It was a different kind of silence than the ones Ocean had grown used to. This one wasn't lonely or suffocating—it was full of understanding, of shared moments.
As they finally left the aquarium, Skyler turned to Ocean with a gentle smile. "Thank you for today," he said, his voice soft. "I know it might not seem like much, but... it meant a lot."
Ocean looked at him, feeling the weight of his words settle in his chest. "No," he replied quietly. "Thank you, Skyler. For everything."
And as they walked out into the bright afternoon, Ocean couldn't help but feel that maybe—just maybe—things were finally starting to fall into place.
TBC. 🩵
