After the last bite of strawberry cake was shared between them, they cleaned up quietly, the comfortable silence between them filling the air like a soft blanket. Ocean felt a lightness inside him, the tension and confusion that had once weighed heavily on his heart slowly lifting. The small, gentle moments they shared today—shopping, the aquarium, the cake—each one had softened the distance he'd tried to keep between them.
When they settled on the couch, Ocean leaned back against the cushions, letting out a content sigh. Skyler sat next to him, close enough for their shoulders to touch but still giving him space. For a while, neither of them spoke, just enjoying the quiet hum of the evening. Ocean glanced sideways at Skyler, whose eyes never left him.
Skyler's gaze was soft, warm. The kind of gaze that felt like it could see straight through him, into his soul, without judgment or expectation. It made Ocean's heart skip a beat—how could someone look at him like that, with such tenderness?
"Are you... okay?" Skyler's voice broke the silence, gentle and careful. It wasn't just a casual question. It was layered with meaning, a subtle way of asking if everything between them, after all the hurt and misunderstandings, was finally okay.
Ocean bit his lower lip, his mind spinning. He felt a flutter in his chest, the emotions of the day catching up to him. He was happy. Despite everything, the time they spent together had warmed a part of him he had tried to bury.
"I am," Ocean whispered, his voice barely audible, but enough for Skyler to hear. He turned slightly, catching Skyler's gaze fully, and for the first time in a while, he didn't feel the need to pull away.
Skyler's lips curved into a soft smile. "I'm glad," he said quietly, his hand slowly reaching out to rest on top of Ocean's, a light, reassuring touch. "I really am."
Ocean's heart raced, but this time, it wasn't from fear or doubt. It was from something else entirely—a quiet sense of peace that maybe, just maybe, things could be better between them.
As they sat there, side by side, the weight of the past few months began to feel more distant. The heaviness in Ocean's chest had lifted, replaced with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.
Skyler's hand squeezed his lightly, bringing him back to the moment. "How about we go to school together tomorrow?" Skyler's voice was light, almost playful, but there was a vulnerability in his eyes as if he was asking for more than just that. He was asking for more time—more chances.
Ocean blinked, surprised by the request. "Together?"
Skyler nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yeah, together. Like... you know, old times."
A soft laugh escaped Ocean, and he nodded, feeling an odd sense of relief. "Okay. Tomorrow then, together."
Skyler's grin was contagious, and for the first time in a while, Ocean felt his own lips curve into a smile too. It felt natural, unforced. They sat there in the quiet, the only sound between them the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
But then, after a beat, Skyler's voice dropped to a more intimate tone. "And... maybe, stay with me again tonight?"
Ocean's breath caught, his heartbeat quickening at the unexpected suggestion. The night before had been so surreal, like a dream that he wasn't sure had truly happened. To think that Skyler wanted to repeat it, to spend another night together, made his mind whirl.
Skyler must have sensed his hesitation because he leaned in just slightly, his eyes filled with nothing but affection. "I don't mean anything complicated," he added quickly, a soft chuckle in his voice. "I just... I want to be near you. I want to hold you again."
Ocean could feel the warmth rising in his cheeks, a blush creeping across his skin. He wasn't sure if he could find the words to say what he felt in that moment, but his body seemed to know. He slowly nodded, his lips parting as he whispered, "Okay."
Skyler's smile was bright, his happiness palpable as he gently pulled Ocean into his arms. The feeling of warmth and security enveloped Ocean, and as he rested his head against Skyler's chest, he could hear the steady beat of his heart. It was a soothing rhythm, one that made him feel safe in a way he hadn't in a long time.
As they lay there on the couch, wrapped in each other's presence, Ocean closed his eyes, allowing the moment to wash over him. The warmth of Skyler's embrace, the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the quiet hum of the world around them—it all felt perfect, like a missing piece of his life had finally clicked into place.
"I'm not letting go this time," Skyler whispered, his voice soft against Ocean's hair. "I'm going to do everything I can to make this right. I promise."
Ocean's heart clenched at the sincerity in his words, and though he didn't say anything in return, he squeezed Skyler's hand in quiet acknowledgment. He wasn't sure what the future held for them, but for now, in this moment, it felt like everything was going to be okay.
As the night deepened, they stayed like that for a long time—wrapped in warmth, love, and a newfound hope. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep, still holding each other close, with the quiet promise of tomorrow lingering in the air.
TBC. 🩵
