The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Ocean stirred, the warmth of the bed and the soft hum of the world outside coaxing him gently awake. For a moment, he lay still, his mind slow to process the reality of where he was—wrapped in Skyler's arms, his head resting on Skyler's chest.
It felt surreal.
Last night had been quiet, filled with warmth and a kind of comfort that Ocean hadn't felt in a long time. Now, as the morning crept in, he couldn't help but feel the weight of it all—the closeness, the care, the safety. Skyler's arms around him felt right, like they belonged there, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Ocean didn't feel the urge to pull away.
As he slowly opened his eyes, he felt the gentle rise and fall of Skyler's chest beneath him. Skyler was already awake, gazing down at him with a soft, loving smile.
"Good morning," Skyler whispered, his voice low and warm, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the delicate peace of the moment.
Ocean felt his heart skip a beat, his cheeks warming under Skyler's gentle gaze. "Good morning," he whispered back, his voice barely audible.
For a moment, they just stayed there, lying in the soft morning light, neither of them wanting to break the quiet intimacy of the moment. Skyler's hand slowly traced patterns on Ocean's back, and Ocean felt a shiver run down his spine at the gentle touch. There was something so simple yet so profound about it—like Skyler knew exactly how to make him feel safe.
After a while, Skyler spoke again, his voice soft. "We should probably get ready for school," he said, though there was no urgency in his tone. He seemed content to stay like this forever, but they both knew the world was waiting.
Ocean nodded, though a small part of him wished they could stay in bed just a little longer. But he knew better. They had responsibilities, and as much as he wanted to stay wrapped up in this moment, reality was calling.
They got up slowly, the quiet peace of the morning still lingering between them. As Ocean went to freshen up, he couldn't help but feel the warmth in his chest. Skyler knew him—knew what he needed, how to make him feel comfortable, how to create these moments of softness that felt almost like a dream. It was like Skyler had memorized every little thing about him, every preference, every like, every tiny detail.
When Ocean came back into the room, Skyler was waiting with a small smile. "Ready to face the day?" he asked, though the way he said it made it sound like he was asking if Ocean was ready to face it together.
Ocean nodded, though the faint flutter of nerves had started to creep into his chest. Going to school with Skyler—together—felt like a big step. He wasn't sure how to feel about it, especially knowing how much attention Skyler naturally attracted.
They made their way to Skyler's car, the ride to school filled with a comfortable silence, only broken by the occasional hum of the engine. Ocean's thoughts wandered as he looked out the window, the familiar route passing by in a blur. Skyler reached over occasionally to squeeze his hand, a small reassurance that they were in this together.
But as they pulled into the school parking lot, Ocean's nerves began to spike. The moment Skyler parked and turned off the engine, he could feel his heart race. They were about to step out—together. In public.
Skyler noticed the shift in Ocean's mood. His hand gently squeezed Ocean's again. "Hey, you okay?"
Ocean nodded quickly, but his stomach churned. "Yeah... just nervous."
Skyler's smile was soft, understanding. "Don't worry about them," he said quietly, his thumb brushing soothing circles on the back of Ocean's hand. "They don't matter. You and me, that's what matters."
Ocean wanted to believe that, but stepping out of the car with Skyler felt like stepping into the spotlight. As they got out, Ocean immediately felt the weight of the stares. Skyler's presence was magnetic—he drew attention effortlessly, and now, with Ocean by his side, it felt like all eyes were on them.
Skyler, as usual, seemed completely unfazed by it. He walked with a calm confidence, his hand casually brushing against Ocean's as they made their way toward the building. He didn't care who was watching, didn't care about the whispers or the glances. He was completely focused on Ocean, his gaze soft and full of affection.
But for Ocean, it was different. Every look, every murmur, every sideways glance felt like a spotlight burning into him. His heart raced, and he had to fight the urge to pull away, to retreat into the safety of the background. He wasn't used to this—to being seen so openly with someone like Skyler.
He could feel his cheeks burning, the uncomfortable tightness in his chest growing with each step. But then, Skyler's hand brushed against his again—gentle, reassuring. Ocean glanced up at him, and Skyler's soft smile, full of warmth and care, helped to ground him.
"You're doing great," Skyler whispered, his voice so low that only Ocean could hear. "I'm right here with you."
Ocean swallowed hard, nodding slightly. It was still overwhelming, but Skyler's presence beside him made it bearable.
They walked into the school together, the world around them buzzing with energy, but in that moment, all that mattered was the quiet, steady connection between them. Skyler didn't care about the stares, and though it was harder for Ocean, he was learning to lean on Skyler's calm, steady confidence.
Maybe, he could get used to this.
TBC. 🩵
