Skyler's eyes lit up with a playful gleam. "How about we do something fun? Like... shopping?"
Ocean raised an eyebrow at him, amused. "Shopping?"
"Yeah, why not? It could be fun," Skyler grinned, his excitement contagious. "There's a toy shop nearby I used to visit when I was younger. I think you'll like it."
Ocean chuckled, unable to resist the infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, let's do it."
They made their way to the shop, its bright exterior standing out on the quiet street. Inside, shelves were filled with colorful toys, from action figures to plush animals. The place radiated a childlike wonder that instantly made Ocean feel lighter.
Skyler immediately led the way, picking up random toys and making jokes about them. Ocean found himself laughing more than he had in a long time, the tension of the past few days melting away. Skyler had a way of turning every little thing into something fun, his carefree nature lifting Ocean's spirits without even trying.
At one point, Skyler grabbed two stuffed animals—a shark and a penguin—holding them up in mock battle. "Which one wins?" he asked, his grin wide.
Ocean crossed his arms, pretending to consider it seriously. "Definitely the penguin."
Skyler laughed, tossing the shark aside dramatically. "The underdog wins!" He winked at Ocean, making him smile wider.
Unbeknownst to Ocean, while they were browsing, Skyler slipped away for a moment and picked up a couple of small items near the checkout counter: two matching keychains, shaped like tiny puzzle pieces, and a set of simple leather bracelets. He made sure Ocean didn't notice as he paid for them, tucking them discreetly into his pocket.
After spending some time in the toy store, Skyler glanced at Ocean with a playful smile. "How about we get something sweet? I know you like strawberry cake."
Ocean blinked in surprise, touched by how well Skyler seemed to know him. "How do you know that?"
Skyler shrugged, a soft smile on his lips. "I pay attention."
Ocean felt his heart skip at those words, the sincerity in Skyler's voice catching him off guard. It wasn't just the small things Skyler knew about him—it was how effortlessly he seemed to understand him, how he made Ocean feel seen in a way no one else had.
They found a nearby bakery and picked up a small strawberry cake, the light, sweet scent filling the air as they exited. Ocean carried the cake, glancing at it with a soft smile. "This is my favorite."
"I know," Skyler said with a wink, his arm brushing lightly against Ocean's as they walked side by side.
The sky had turned a warm golden hue by the time they made their way back to Ocean's apartment. The day had passed in a blur of quiet joy, a series of simple moments that left Ocean feeling lighter than he had in ages.
Back at the apartment, as Ocean set the cake down on the kitchen counter, Skyler quietly pulled the keychains and bracelets from his pocket. He walked over to where Ocean stood, holding them out with a sheepish smile.
"Here," Skyler said softly, placing one of the keychains in Ocean's hand. "A little something for you."
Ocean blinked, staring down at the tiny puzzle piece keychain in his palm, its matching piece dangling from Skyler's fingers. "What's this for?"
Skyler's smile softened, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Just... a reminder. That no matter what, we fit together. You and me. Even if things are hard sometimes."
Ocean stared at the keychain, feeling his chest tighten with emotion. He glanced up at Skyler, speechless for a moment before finally whispering, "Thank you."
Skyler then handed him one of the bracelets. "And this too. So you always have something to remember me by."
Ocean smiled, his heart swelling with a mixture of warmth and gratitude. He slipped the bracelet on, the simple leather feeling familiar and comforting against his wrist. "I won't forget."
They spent the rest of the evening together, cutting into the strawberry cake and sharing quiet conversations as the sun set outside the window. The world outside felt distant, almost like a dream, but here, in this small apartment with Skyler by his side, Ocean felt like he had found something real. Something worth holding onto.
And as the night grew darker, the warmth between them only grew stronger.
TBC. 🩵
