ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jeff

Jeff took another slow lick of his ice cream, nodding as if this whole conversation wasn't currently setting off fireworks in his chest. He leaned back in his seat, exuding the usual easy confidence he always carried, but beneath it? He was stupidly, ridiculously happy.

He'd thought about it, of course. About how this whole thing—whatever was slowly unfurling between him and Jackson—would affect Xinxin. He wasn't worried about her disliking him; they'd always had a solid bond. But the shift from "Dad's friend" to something more? That had felt like the real gamble.

And yet, here she was, completely unbothered. Approving, even.

Jeff flicked his gaze toward Jackson, who still looked like he was catching up to reality, a mix of relief and disbelief written all over his face. It was endearing. Almost amusing, really. Jackson was always so composed, but tonight, Jeff had seen cracks in that armor. Soft, uncertain edges. He liked seeing those.

"So," Jeff said casually, tapping his fingers against the table, "does this mean I get a 'World's Best Almost-Stepdad' mug or something?"

Jackson shot him a glare, cheeks faintly pink, while Xinxin just giggled. "That's so lame, Jeff."

He grinned, shrugging. "I gotta earn my title somehow."

Xinxin considered this, then gave a sage nod. "You should buy me more ice cream."

Jeff let out a dramatic sigh. "Ah. So that's what it takes."

Jackson, who had finally regained the ability to speak, gave him a pointed look. "You are not bribing my child."

Jeff smirked, enjoying himself far too much. "It's not bribery. It's strategic bonding."

Jackson groaned, shaking his head, but there was no real bite to it. If anything, the tension that had been coiling in his shoulders earlier had finally eased.

Jeff felt it too—this lightness, this ridiculous sense of belonging he hadn't realized he wanted so badly.

Maybe he wasn't just Jackson's friend anymore. Maybe he was something more.

And maybe, just maybe, he was finally allowed to want that.

As the night wound down, they finally decided to call it a day. The little ice cream shop had emptied out, leaving only the hum of quiet chatter and the faint clinking of spoons against glass cups. Jeff stretched lazily as they stepped out onto the street, the evening air cool against his skin.

Jackson walked ahead with Xinxin, who was still bubbling with energy despite the late hour, her small hand swinging in his. The sight made Jeff smile—Xinxin was clearly still basking in the glow of her little "victory" from earlier.

"Well," Jeff said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I guess I'll see you two tomorrow?"

Jackson nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for coming tonight."

"Please," Jeff scoffed. "You're acting like I wouldn't have jumped at the chance for free ice cream."

Jackson rolled his eyes but didn't argue.

Mrs. Luo, who had been walking alongside Jeff, suddenly let out a thoughtful hum. "Mmm. You know, Jackson," she said lightly, her tone carrying just the right amount of mischief to set off warning bells in his head, "I can't help but notice how attentive you were to Jeff tonight."

Jackson blinked, clearly caught off guard. "What?"

"You know," she continued sweetly, "the little glances, the casual touches, the way you two were oh-so-subtly in your own world..."

Jeff, ready as ever, smirked at Jackson's rapidly reddening ears. "You know, Mae, you're going to make him self-conscious."

But before he could enjoy watching Jackson squirm, Mrs. Luo turned to him instead, her gaze sharp with amusement. "And you," she said smoothly, "for all your teasing, I do believe you're the one blushing, my dear."

Jeff, who never blushed, absolutely did.

Jackson, who had been gearing up for a snarky comeback, paused mid-breath before grinning, slow and triumphant. "Huh. Would you look at that."

Jeff scoffed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's cold. My face gets red when it's cold."

Mrs. Luo chuckled knowingly but didn't press further. She simply patted Jeff's shoulder. "You boys behave," she said with a wink before stepping ahead toward their building.

Jackson shook his head, clearly amused, but there was something softer in his expression now as he looked at Jeff. "See you tomorrow?"

Jeff, finally recovering from his momentary fluster, shot him a lazy grin. "Yeah. Try not to miss me too much."

Jackson huffed but didn't deny it. Instead, he simply nodded before heading off with Xinxin and his helper, disappearing into the quiet of the night.

Jeff exhaled, rocking on his heels for a moment before following his mother into their own building.

Tomorrow, huh? Yeah. He could get used to that.