The night had settled in, the moonlight casting a soft glow through the curtains of Ocean's room as they both found themselves standing beside the bed once more. The familiarity of the moment should have made things easier, but somehow, there was still an unspoken tension lingering in the air, something that neither of them had fully acknowledged yet.
Ocean hesitated for just a second before climbing into the bed, the sheets cool against his skin. He knew Skyler was close behind him, and though the presence should have made him nervous, it didn't. Not tonight.
He lay down, pulling the blanket up to his chest, and for a moment, everything was still. His heart was beating steadily, his breathing calm. There was something about Skyler being there, so close, that made the usual whirlwind of thoughts in his mind slow down. It was a kind of peace he hadn't known he needed, but now that it was here, he clung to it.
Skyler, on the other hand, sat quietly beside Ocean, leaning back against the headboard, his gaze falling on Ocean's peaceful face. He didn't dare move or speak, afraid that any sound would break the spell of serenity that seemed to have wrapped around them both. As Ocean's breathing grew slower and more even, Skyler knew he had drifted off to sleep.
And then, as if he couldn't help himself, Skyler's eyes softened, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. He watched Ocean sleep, his chest rising and falling steadily, his face relaxed in a way that Skyler rarely saw during the day. There was no tension in his brow, no flicker of discomfort—just pure calm. It made Skyler's heart swell, filling with a warmth that was impossible to ignore.
For so long, he had admired Ocean from afar, even back in high school when their paths had first crossed. He had noticed the way Ocean kept to himself, always careful to maintain a certain distance from others. Even the smallest physical contact—a brush of the shoulder, a fleeting touch of the hand—was enough to make Ocean pull back, uneasy. Skyler had seen it countless times, felt it in the way Ocean would tense up around him.
It was why Skyler had never pushed, why he had always been careful. He respected Ocean's boundaries, knowing instinctively that they weren't there out of dislike but rather out of a deep-seated need for space. But that didn't mean Skyler's feelings had faded or that the desire to be close to Ocean had lessened over the years.
Even now, as he sat beside him, Skyler found himself wanting to reach out, to hold Ocean's hand, to wrap him in his arms and shield him from whatever haunted his dreams. But he didn't move. He wouldn't break the trust that had grown between them. Skyler had promised himself that he would never hurt Ocean, never make him feel trapped or uncomfortable. He had seen Ocean flinch too many times when others tried to get too close, and Skyler swore he would never be the cause of that flinch.
So instead, he watched. He watched with unshakeable affection, his gaze filled with tenderness and something deeper—something that had been growing in his chest for years. It was love, though Skyler had yet to say it out loud. He didn't need to. Not yet. For now, it was enough to be here, to share this space with Ocean, even if it was at a distance.
Ocean, even in sleep, seemed to sense Skyler's presence. His usual restlessness, the tossing and turning that often plagued his nights, was absent. It was as though the demons that haunted his mind couldn't reach him when Skyler was near. For once, he slept soundly, without fear or anxiety gripping his chest.
And then, as the night deepened and the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains, Ocean stirred. He turned and shifted, his brow furrowing slightly before his eyes fluttered open. His mind was hazy, still caught somewhere between sleep and waking, but he could feel it—the gaze.
He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the soft morning light. Skyler's face came into focus, and the realization that Skyler had been watching him made Ocean's cheeks flush with warmth.
"Good morning," Skyler said softly, his voice gentle, as though he didn't want to disturb the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Ocean blinked up at him, his eyes still sleepy. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice rough from sleep.
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them comfortable, unbroken. There was no need for words. The air was thick with something unsaid, something that neither of them were quite ready to voice, but it was there—palpable, undeniable.
Ocean sat up slowly, running a hand through his tousled hair, his heart still racing slightly from the way Skyler had been looking at him. He didn't know what to say. He never did in moments like this. So instead, he focused on the way the light filtered through the window, casting soft shadows across the room.
"I, um... I slept well," Ocean finally said, his voice soft.
Skyler's smile widened just a little, his eyes still fixed on Ocean. "Good. I'm glad." There was a pause before he added, "You seem more rested today."
Ocean bit his lip, feeling the weight of Skyler's gaze, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was warm, like sunlight. "Yeah... I guess I am."
The silence stretched on, but it was a gentle silence, filled with understanding. Skyler shifted slightly, his eyes never leaving Ocean's face. He wanted to say so much, but he knew better than to rush. Ocean needed time, and Skyler was willing to give him as much time as he needed.
"I—" Ocean started, then hesitated, glancing down at the blanket in his lap. "Thank you. For... for staying."
Skyler's heart clenched at the quiet vulnerability in Ocean's voice. He reached out, stopping himself just before his hand touched Ocean's. Instead, he rested it on the blanket between them, close but not quite touching. "You don't have to thank me," Skyler replied, his voice just as soft. "I wanted to."
Ocean nodded, not trusting himself to speak. The emotions swirling in his chest were unfamiliar, overwhelming, but not in a bad way. For the first time in a long time, he felt safe. He didn't know how to explain it, but Skyler's presence had chased away the darkness that usually clung to him in the night.
And Skyler? He just watched Ocean, his heart full. He had noticed the way Ocean had slept more peacefully beside him, and it only deepened the affection he already felt. Skyler didn't need to hold Ocean's hand or wrap him in his arms to show how much he cared. He was willing to wait, to take things slowly, and to respect the boundaries that Ocean had set. But that didn't stop him from loving Ocean, from feeling that love grow stronger every day.
As the sun rose higher, casting more light into the room, Ocean glanced over at Skyler, feeling something shift between them. It was subtle, but it was there—an understanding, a silent promise. Ocean didn't have to say anything, and neither did Skyler.
They both knew.
TBC. 🩵
