The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room as Skyler moved quietly around the space. Like the day before, he had chosen one of Ocean's school uniforms, slipping into the familiar fabric with a quiet smile. It was loose in some places, tighter in others, but he didn't mind. It was a piece of Ocean, something that made him feel connected, even if Ocean had yet to realize it fully.
As Skyler made his way to the kitchen, he began preparing breakfast with his usual care. This time, it was something simple: cereal with a banana milkshake for Ocean, and his usual black coffee for himself. He worked in silence, but there was a soft energy about him, a kind of peace that came from these moments spent in Ocean's home, in Ocean's world.
Ocean, still waking up, padded into the kitchen. His hair was slightly tousled, and his uniform looked crisp and neat. As soon as his eyes fell on Skyler—wearing his uniform again, standing by the counter with a calm ease—Ocean's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. He tried to hide it, though he wasn't very good at concealing his emotions. There was something about seeing Skyler in his clothes, making breakfast, that made his heart race in a way he couldn't quite explain.
"Morning," Skyler greeted him softly, noticing the flush on Ocean's face but saying nothing. His smile was gentle, knowing, but he didn't tease.
"Morning," Ocean mumbled, his voice still a little rough from sleep. He walked over to the table, trying to calm his nerves as he sat down.
Skyler brought the cereal and milkshake to him, setting it down in front of Ocean with a quiet grace. "Banana milkshake today," he said with a soft chuckle. "I figured you'd like it."Ocean's blush deepened, but he didn't say anything, simply nodding as he picked up the glass and took a small sip. The sweetness of the milkshake was a comforting contrast to the nervous flutter in his stomach.
Skyler sat across from him, sipping his black coffee, his eyes flicking to Ocean every now and then. He couldn't help but smile, seeing how Ocean's reactions had become a part of his morning routine. There was something so endearing about the way Ocean would blush but never comment, always quietly accepting the little gestures that Skyler made. It made Skyler feel more connected, more hopeful that, little by little, Ocean was letting him in.
After breakfast, the two of them walked to school together. The atmosphere between them was easy, the silence comfortable. Skyler walked slightly ahead at times, glancing back now and then to check on Ocean, who seemed deep in thought but content. It wasn't long before they reached the university, blending into the flow of students as the morning classes began.
By the time they were seated in their lecture hall, the usual hum of excitement filled the room. It was a buzz that Ocean was all too familiar with but rarely participated in. Today, however, there was a particular energy that seemed to ripple through the students, something different.
The professor walked in, smiling broadly as he faced the class. "I have some exciting news for you all," he began, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Next week, we'll be going on a camping trip to the mountain. It's part of the curriculum this semester, an opportunity for some hands-on learning and team bonding."
The room erupted into chatter. Students were whispering excitedly to each other, some already making plans, others expressing their joy aloud. But in the midst of it all, Ocean remained quiet. His expression didn't change, his gaze fixed on the desk in front of him. The idea of camping, being surrounded by so many people, away from the comforts of solitude, filled him with unease. It was something he had never enjoyed, even as a child.
Skyler noticed the shift in Ocean's posture immediately. He didn't say anything, just watched Ocean with quiet concern. The camping trip clearly wasn't something Ocean wanted to be a part of, and Skyler could already guess his answer before he even asked.
Later, during the lunch break, the two of them found themselves at a small café near the university. It was a place they had come to a few times before, but today it felt quieter, more intimate. They chose a secluded spot near the back, away from the noise of other students who were still chattering about the camping trip.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, Ocean sipping his drink while Skyler watched him thoughtfully. The breeze from the open window drifted in, carrying with it the soft scent of fresh coffee and the distant hum of city life. It was peaceful, but Skyler could sense that something was still on Ocean's mind.
After a few more minutes, Skyler finally spoke. "So... the camping trip." His voice was casual, but there was a gentle undertone to it, like he was trying to gauge Ocean's reaction without pushing too hard. "Are you thinking about going?"
Ocean didn't look up from his drink. He swirled it around in the cup for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I don't really like those kinds of things." His voice was soft, but firm, as if he had already made up his mind.
Skyler nodded, not surprised by the answer. He had expected it, but hearing it aloud made his own decision easier. "That's okay," he replied, leaning back in his chair with a small smile. "I won't go either."
Ocean finally looked up at him, surprise flickering in his eyes. "You don't have to do that," he said quietly. "I know you like outdoor stuff. You don't have to skip it just because of me."
Skyler shrugged, his smile never wavering. "I'd rather spend time with you than go on some trip I don't really care about." His words were sincere, and the way he said them so easily made Ocean's heart skip a beat.
For a moment, Ocean didn't know how to respond. He wasn't used to people making decisions like this for him, especially not without a second thought. But Skyler's gaze was so calm, so full of affection, that Ocean couldn't bring himself to argue.
"Okay," Ocean finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't sure what else to say, but the warmth in his chest told him that Skyler's decision meant more to him than he could put into words.
Skyler took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving Ocean's face. "Besides," he added with a playful smirk, "if I went without you, who would I sit with when everyone else is off hiking or doing team-building activities?"
Ocean smiled, a small, shy smile that barely reached his eyes but was there nonetheless. It was enough to make Skyler's heart race just a little faster.
The rest of the lunch passed in easy conversation, the two of them talking about school, their plans for the weekend, and anything else that came to mind. The topic of the camping trip didn't come up again, and Skyler was glad. He didn't need to convince Ocean to go, and he didn't need to justify his own decision to stay behind. It was simple: he wanted to be where Ocean was, and that was enough.
As they left the café and headed back to campus, Skyler couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. There was something about being around Ocean that made even the simplest moments feel meaningful, like they were building something between them—something real, something unspoken but understood.
And for Ocean, though he didn't say it out loud, there was a quiet gratitude in his heart. Skyler's presence, his understanding, and his willingness to stay made the world feel a little less lonely.
TBC. 🩵
