After spending the peaceful evening beneath the oak tree, the day slowly slipped into twilight. The warm hues of the setting sun gave way to the gentle glow of streetlights, casting a soft golden hue over the streets as Ocean and Skyler walked back toward Skyler's car in comfortable silence.
Ocean's mind was quiet for once, the soft rustle of leaves and the cool breeze keeping his usual anxieties at bay. Beside him, Skyler matched his pace, as he always did, never pushing for words or asking questions. The silence between them was never awkward; it was filled with a quiet understanding that Ocean had come to appreciate more than he could express.
Once they reached the car, Skyler opened the door for Ocean, who slid into the passenger seat. The drive back to Ocean's home was as peaceful as their walk had been, with Skyler occasionally glancing at Ocean, who seemed lost in thought, staring out the window at the darkening sky.
When they finally arrived at Ocean's apartment building, Ocean hesitated for a moment after unbuckling his seatbelt. He wasn't sure what he was feeling—maybe it was the quiet comfort of the day, or maybe it was the way Skyler had been so patient with him all this time. Whatever it was, it left him with a fluttering feeling in his chest.
Ocean stepped out of the car and started walking toward the lift, expecting Skyler to leave then. After all, the day was over, right? But the familiar sound of Skyler's footsteps behind him caught Ocean off guard. He turned slightly, eyes wide with surprise as he saw Skyler following him, a small, playful smile on his face.
"You're... coming up?" Ocean asked, his voice soft, almost uncertain.
Skyler shrugged casually, his expression warm. "If that's okay with you," he said lightly, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ocean blinked, his mind racing for a moment. He hadn't expected this. But something in the way Skyler asked—so casual, so understanding—made Ocean nod slowly. "Yeah... it's okay."
They stood side by side in the lift, and Ocean's heart raced for reasons he couldn't fully comprehend. The quiet between them wasn't suffocating, but there was a tension, a kind of awareness that wasn't there before. He could feel Skyler's presence beside him, close but not intrusive, and it made the small space feel even smaller.
When they reached his floor, Ocean led the way to his apartment, fumbling with his keys as his hands shook slightly. He didn't know why he was nervous—maybe it was the realization that Skyler had been slowly becoming a bigger part of his life, more than just a friend. And the fact that Skyler was here, now, stepping into his personal space again, made Ocean's stomach flip.
As soon as they stepped inside, Ocean turned to close the door, only to find Skyler standing close to him, their eyes meeting unexpectedly. For a moment, neither of them moved, and the sudden intimacy of the moment sent a wave of warmth through Ocean's chest.
They stood frozen, gazing at each other, when—without warning—they both chuckled, breaking the tension that had been building between them. The sound of their laughter filled the small space, and Ocean, for the first time in what felt like forever, found himself smiling—a genuine, unguarded smile.
Skyler blinked in surprise, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of it. It was the first time he had seen Ocean smile like that, so effortlessly, so naturally. It was a rare, beautiful sight that made Skyler's heart race in his chest, faster than he expected. For a brief moment, he forgot to breathe, lost in the warmth of that smile.
"You have a nice laugh," Skyler said softly, his voice low and almost reverent. He hadn't meant to say it out loud, but the words slipped out before he could stop them.
Ocean's cheeks turned pink, and he glanced away, suddenly shy under Skyler's gaze. "I don't laugh much," he admitted, his voice quiet.
Skyler couldn't help but take a step closer, his gaze softening as he looked at Ocean. "You should. It suits you."
Ocean's heart did a strange little flip at Skyler's words, and he quickly busied himself by taking off his shoes, hoping to hide the blush creeping up his neck. He felt vulnerable in a way he hadn't before, but not in a bad way. It was as if Skyler saw him—not just the surface, but everything underneath. And for the first time, it didn't scare him.
Once they both stepped inside properly, the atmosphere shifted back into something more relaxed. Ocean moved toward the kitchen, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Are you hungry?" he asked, his voice a little more steady now.
Skyler, who had been watching him with quiet affection, leaned against the wall with a grin. "I could eat," he said with a playful smirk. "But I can't let you cook alone. I'm helping."
Ocean turned to protest, but the look on Skyler's face told him there was no point in arguing. A small smile tugged at Ocean's lips, and he nodded. "Alright. Let's make something simple then."
The next hour passed in quiet harmony as they prepared a quick dinner together, working in sync as though they had done this a hundred times before. Skyler kept things light, making jokes and teasing Ocean in the way only he could—never too much, just enough to make Ocean smile.
After they ate, they found themselves standing in the living room again, this time without the nervous energy that had filled the air before. Ocean leaned against the back of the sofa, his eyes wandering to the window where the night had fully settled in.
Skyler stepped closer, his hand brushing against Ocean's arm, drawing his attention back to him. Their eyes met once more, and this time, the silence between them felt different—charged with something unspoken, something neither of them were quite ready to name.
"Thank you," Ocean said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't just thanking Skyler for the dinner or for being there that day. He was thanking him for everything—for being patient, for never pushing, for staying.
Skyler's gaze softened, and he gave Ocean a small, sincere smile. "Anytime," he replied, his voice just as soft.
They stood there for a moment, the quiet night wrapping around them like a gentle embrace.
TBC. 🩵
