The days had started to blend into one another in the most comforting way. Each evening, when Ocean and Skyler returned to Ocean's home after school, it felt as though they were slipping into a dream that had become reality. The rhythm they had fallen into was gentle, quiet—like the ebb and flow of the ocean waves. There was no need for grand gestures or dramatic confessions. The truth of their connection lay in the simplest of things.
Dinner had become a ceremony of peace between them. Tonight, they moved together in the kitchen with the kind of unspoken synchronicity that made it feel as though they had been doing this for years. Ocean, chopping vegetables with steady hands, couldn't help but glance at Skyler as he stirred a pot of soup. Skyler was humming softly under his breath, a tune Ocean couldn't quite place but found soothing.
Skyler's soft smile, the one that never demanded anything, rested easily on his lips. He caught Ocean's gaze and tilted his head, the smile widening just slightly. "Want to taste it?" he asked, holding up the spoon.
Ocean stepped forward, letting Skyler gently blow on the spoon before offering it to him. He tasted the soup, warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with the food. "It's good," Ocean murmured.
Skyler chuckled softly, his eyes shimmering in the soft kitchen light. "Glad you approve."
They ate together, sitting close but not too close, the silence between them comfortable. Skyler never pushed for conversation, never pressed for words that Ocean wasn't ready to speak. He seemed to understand that everything Ocean wanted to say was already there, woven into the small glances, the shared smiles, and the steady rhythm of their routine.
Ocean's thoughts wandered as they ate, his heart stirring with the same familiar uncertainty that had been with him for weeks. Skyler had admitted his love long ago, yet he never pressured Ocean to reciprocate. He had given Ocean time, space, and more patience than Ocean thought he deserved. Skyler's love was a quiet presence, always there but never overwhelming. And though Ocean feared the depth of it, he also found comfort in it.
After dinner, they washed the dishes side by side, their movements quiet and steady, as if the world outside their small bubble didn't exist. Skyler handed Ocean a clean plate, their fingers brushing slightly, and Ocean felt his heart skip a beat. He glanced at Skyler, his cheeks flushing softly, but Skyler didn't seem to notice—or perhaps he did and simply didn't mention it. That was Skyler's way: always observant, always kind, but never pushing too far.
When they finished, the two of them retreated to Ocean's room. It had become their haven, a space where they could simply exist without the weight of the outside world. They lay side by side on the bed, their bodies not touching, but the quiet intimacy between them filled the space.
Ocean stared at the ceiling, his thoughts spinning in circles. He knew he loved Skyler. He had admitted it to himself, quietly, in the dead of night when no one else could hear. But every time he thought about telling Skyler, the words stuck in his throat. His fears, his doubts—they clung to him like shadows, whispering that he wasn't ready, that he didn't deserve someone like Skyler.
But Skyler... he was patient. So patient that it made Ocean's heart ache. Skyler never asked for anything, never demanded that Ocean love him back. His love was something Ocean could feel in every small gesture, every lingering glance, every soft smile. And that love was enough to make Ocean want to say the words—to tell Skyler that he loved him too, even though he wasn't ready to fully give himself to that love.
As Ocean's eyes began to drift closed, he felt Skyler's gaze on him. He didn't need to look to know it was filled with warmth, with understanding, with love.
Morning came with the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Ocean stirred awake to the familiar scent of breakfast wafting through the air. Skyler, as always, had woken before him, slipping into one of Ocean's school uniforms—a ritual that had become oddly endearing.
Ocean stretched, yawning as he sat up. He could hear the quiet clatter of dishes from the kitchen, and his heart swelled with a warmth he couldn't quite explain. He stood, running a hand through his hair before heading out of his room.
As he stepped into the kitchen, he was greeted by the sight that had become his daily comfort: Skyler standing by the stove, his back turned, humming softly to himself as he cooked. When Skyler turned and saw Ocean, his face lit up with that same sweet smile that Ocean had grown so used to.
"Morning," Skyler said, his voice gentle as always.
"Morning," Ocean replied, his own smile small but genuine.
Skyler gestured toward the table. "Breakfast is ready."
They ate together, the familiar rhythm of their mornings settling around them like a blanket. Ocean sipped his banana milkshake, a staple that Skyler had insisted on making ever since he found out it was Ocean's favorite. As always, Ocean's heart skipped a beat at the simple thoughtfulness behind the gesture.
When they finished, they gathered their things for school. In the car, Skyler drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the gear shift. His fingers were close to Ocean's, and Ocean could feel the warmth of his presence without them even touching.
In class, Skyler and Ocean sat next to each other, as they always did. The lecture droned on, the professor's voice fading into the background as Ocean's attention shifted. He felt Skyler's pinky finger gently brush against his own, and before he could react, Skyler hooked their fingers together under the table. It was a small, simple gesture, but it made Ocean's heart race.
He glanced at Skyler out of the corner of his eye, his cheeks burning. Skyler didn't look at him, keeping his gaze fixed on the front of the classroom, but the ghost of a smile played on his lips. It was as if Skyler knew exactly what he was doing to Ocean, but chose to let the moment remain quiet, unspoken.
Ocean's breath caught in his throat, his mind swirling with emotions he still couldn't fully process. How had it come to this—this quiet, unspoken intimacy that made him feel both comforted and terrified at the same time?
Lunch at the café had become another part of their routine. They sat at their usual quiet spot in the corner, Skyler sipping his coffee while Ocean picked at his food. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but today it felt heavier, as if there were words waiting to be spoken, but neither of them knew how to begin.
Skyler glanced up at Ocean, his eyes soft and filled with that quiet understanding that always made Ocean's heart ache. "You've been quiet today," Skyler said gently, his voice a soft melody in the hum of the café.
Ocean looked down at his plate, unable to meet Skyler's gaze. "I've just been thinking."
"About what?" Skyler's tone was curious but never intrusive.
Ocean hesitated, his fingers tightening around his fork. How could he put into words the storm that had been raging inside him? The fear, the uncertainty, the love he felt but was too scared to admit aloud?
"Just... us," Ocean said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Skyler's eyes softened even more, but he didn't push for more. He simply nodded, his smile gentle, as if to say, I understand.
The drive home was quiet, but the air between them had shifted. Ocean stared out the window, his thoughts still a tangled mess of emotions. He knew he loved Skyler. He had known it for a while now. But the fear of stepping into that love, of giving it a name, of making it real—it still held him back.
Yet every day, Skyler waited. He gave Ocean space, time, and all the love in the world without asking for anything in return. And that made Ocean's heart ache with a tenderness that he couldn't ignore.
They arrived back at Ocean's home, slipping into the familiar routine that had become their life. As they settled into bed that night, Ocean found himself lying awake, staring at the ceiling. Skyler was next to him, his presence a comforting weight beside him, even if they weren't touching.
Ocean knew that one day, he would be ready to say the words—to tell Skyler that he loved him, that he was ready to take that step. But for now, he let the quiet rhythm of their routine wash over him, comforting and steady, as Skyler's love surrounded him like the softest of embraces.
TBC. 🩵
