Him? [JesBible]

8 [A Hasty Delivery]

The soft glow of the apartment lights cast a warm ambiance as Bible settled in for a quiet evening. He had treated himself to a lazy night at home, slipping into his favorite oversized hoodie and pulling on a pair of fuzzy socks. After a long day at the café, he was looking forward to indulging in some comfort food while binge-watching his favorite show.

With a few taps on his phone, he ordered his usual dinner through Uber Eats, anticipation building as he envisioned the crispy spring rolls and fragrant pad Thai he loved so much. While waiting for the delivery, he decided to treat himself to a sheet mask, hoping to pamper his skin while enjoying his meal.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Bible rushed to the door, feeling giddy at the thought of food. He peeled off the mask and tossed it aside, but as he glanced at his phone, confusion washed over him.

“Your order has been delivered to Jet’s apartment,” the notification read.

His heart dropped. Jet’s apartment? Panic surged through him as he realized his food was sitting right next door, and he was still in his mask, looking utterly ridiculous. He glanced at himself in the hallway mirror, a tangled mess of hair framing his face and the green sheet mask making him look more like a horror movie character than a person about to retrieve a meal.

With no time to waste, he threw on a pair of shoes and grabbed his keys. His stomach growled in protest, reminding him that he needed to act quickly. He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to just wait for the delivery person to bring it back. But the thought of Jet getting his food was too much to bear. He needed to retrieve it himself.

With determination, Bible dashed out of his apartment, the mask still plastered on his face. As he approached Jet’s door, he felt his heart racing. This was the last thing he had expected to do tonight.

He raised his hand to knock but paused, suddenly feeling shy. What would Jet think seeing him like this? Would he laugh? Would he think he was a fool? Shaking his head, he forced himself to knock, the sound echoing in the hallway.

After a moment, Jet opened the door, and Bible’s breath hitched. Jet stood there in casual sweatpants and a loose t-shirt, his hair slightly damp as if he had just come from a shower. His expression shifted from surprise to amusement as he took in Bible’s appearance.

“Uh, hey!” Jet said, a smirk creeping onto his face. “Did you come to borrow a cup of sugar, or…?”

Bible felt his cheeks flush, heat rising to his face as he struggled to find the words. “I, um… I ordered food, but it got delivered here instead.”

Jet chuckled, stepping aside to let him in. “Come on in, I’ve got your dinner.”

Bible hesitated for a second before stepping into Jet’s apartment. The space immediately caught his attention — diving gear lined one wall, and surfboards were propped up in the corner. Photos from underwater excursions and scenic beaches filled the shelves, a clear testament to Jet’s adventurous spirit.

Something about the vibe of the place tugged at Bible’s heart. He glanced at the diving tools, and a familiar pang hit him. Jes, his late boyfriend, had been a passionate diver too. The sight of the equipment brought back memories — of Jes excitedly packing his gear, recounting tales of the ocean floor.

“I see you’re into diving,” Bible said, trying to keep his voice light but feeling the weight of nostalgia press against his chest.

Jet’s eyes lit up as he noticed Bible’s gaze. “Yeah, I’m a diving instructor. I teach beginners mostly, but I do advanced dives when I can. Have you ever tried it?”

“Jes—” Bible caught himself, his throat tightening. “I mean, my late boyfriend was into it. He’d always drag me along to his dives. I never really got the hang of it, but I loved how happy it made him.”

Jet’s expression softened, understanding flashing in his eyes. “It’s amazing down there, isn’t it? Like a whole other world. No distractions, just the ocean. It’s peaceful. I’m sorry about your boyfriend.”

Bible swallowed hard, nodding as he glanced again at the familiar equipment. The ache in his chest grew stronger, but he tried to push it down, not wanting to break the moment.

“Thanks. It’s still… it’s still hard sometimes. Seeing all this,” Bible gestured to the gear, “it reminds me of him, you know?”

Jet nodded, his voice gentle. “I get that. The ocean can be like that too. It’s beautiful, but it can pull you in so deep, just like memories.”

For a moment, Bible stood there, silent, letting the quiet calm of Jet’s apartment wash over him. It felt strange — being here, with someone who was so different from Jes but also somehow familiar. He wasn’t sure if it was comforting or disorienting, maybe a little bit of both.

Breaking the silence, Jet grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, at least your food’s safe and sound. But I have to admit, it smells too good to just give it back without a bite.”

Bible chuckled softly, grateful for the shift in tone. “You’re really not going to let me take my food and go, are you?”

Jet laughed and shook his head. “Nope. Consider it a trade — your dinner for some company.”

Reluctantly, Bible nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as he took a seat at the small dining table. Jet retrieved two plates and began serving the food, the delicious aroma filling the air and making Bible’s mouth water.

As they settled in to eat, Bible’s gaze kept drifting back to the diving photos on the wall. Jet noticed and smiled.

“That was from my trip to Koh Tao last year,” Jet said, pointing at a photo of him in a wetsuit, grinning with a group of fellow divers. “It’s one of the best spots in Thailand for diving. Clear water, colorful reefs, and so many fish. It’s incredible.”

Bible smiled faintly, remembering how Jes had always wanted to take him there. “Jes used to talk about Koh Tao all the time. He said it was his dream to dive there.”

Jet’s expression softened again, and he reached out, placing a comforting hand on Bible’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you never got to go together. But if you ever want to try, I could take you. No pressure, of course.”

Bible hesitated, feeling a surge of emotions he wasn’t ready to unpack. “Maybe… maybe one day.”

They continued to eat, Jet effortlessly guiding the conversation toward lighter topics, sharing funny stories from his diving trips and teaching adventures. Bible found himself laughing more than he expected, the awkwardness from earlier slowly fading away as they enjoyed their meal together.

“I’m really glad you came by,” Jet said between bites, his gaze warm and inviting. “I’ve seen you around, but I’ve been meaning to get to know you better.”

“Same here,” Bible admitted, feeling a flutter of hope in his chest. “I didn’t expect to see you like this, but I’m glad I came.”

The conversation flowed easily after that, as they shared more stories and laughs. Bible felt something begin to shift inside him — not a replacement for the loss he felt, but a softening, a sense that maybe, just maybe, there was room for something new in his life.

And as they cleaned up, Bible couldn’t help but glance at the diving gear once more, the bittersweet memories of Jes still lingering, but now joined by the flicker of something unexpected — hope.