Chapter Text
"I was thinking about organizing a small get-together in the garden. This Saturday." Nana announces over breakfast, almost bouncing on her chair from clear excitement, "What do you think?"
"I think that's lovely! Wait, this Saturday?" mom brightens up, and her smile tells Rayane that there might be something more about the day, "Oh, that's amazing! We will help you with everything, right, Rayane?"
"Sure. But what's the occasion?"
"Your grandma's birthday." mom smiles with all the love in the world, "That's such an incredible idea! Who'd you like to invite?"
"Some friends and neighbours. I've heard from Lili that Jack's family is coming over, I'd love to have them over, they're such a lovely bunch..."
Nana and mom carry on with the conversation, starting to plan already, and Rayane finds himself drifting away a little. He feels a small pang of guilt that he didn't know the date, but he gets over it quickly with the decision that he's going to get her some nice gift. He could use some help with that, though, and he knows a perfect person for that.
"I'll go get Jack, and we'll head for some walk, alright?"
"Sure, have fun!"
"And say hi to Jack!" mom calls after him, and Rayane is able to hear a smile in her voice.
He's in luck, as he finds Jack sitting on the front steps leading to Lili's house, leaning back and listening to music. Rayane smiles to himself, entertained with a possibility of pulling a little joke. He sneaks closer quietly, leaning down and beeping Jack on the nose. Jack gasps, raising his head, so rapidly his headphones fall, and he narrows his brows, clearly unamused.
"Hi!" Rayane grins, and Jack shakes his head, but then smiles as he pushes himself up to a standing position.
"Well, well, let's see who appeared to torment me again." he chuckles, gripping the front of Rayane's shirt and pulling him into a brief kiss, "What's up?"
"Do you fancy going to the village with me in search of a gift for one lovely lady?"
"Say no more." Jack grins, taking Rayane's hand, "What's the occasion?"
Rayane explains everything to him, and Jack seems excited about the prospect. But at the same time, he looks like something is bothering him; Rayane catches him opening his mouth as if to say something, but he never does, and instead he scrunches his nose, lowering his head a bit. It worries Rayane a little, but he swallows down any remarks, choosing to give Jack his space.
"Okay, I think we could check out that tiny bookshop on the corner first." Rayane hums as they pass through the square, but Jack stops all of a sudden, and when Rayane looks at him, his expression is odd, something a bit anxious, something determined.
"What happened?" Rayane asks, squeezing Jack's hand, "Are you okay?"
Jack seems to be holding a breath for a moment before exhaling deeply, and he brings their linked hands to his chest, resting them over his heart.
"I need to tell you something." he says, "But I'm afraid you're going to be mad."
"Okay, now you're scaring me." Rayane chuckles nervously, little blades of stress locking in his stomach, "You can tell me everything. You know that."
There's a small smile on Jack's lips, and he takes one more dep breath.
"You are really beautiful."
Rayane blinks rapidly, taken off guard, and he silently watches as Jack tentatively raises his free hand and touches his cheek.
"Really beautiful." he repeats quietly, and a hint of realization flickers in Rayane's head.
"Wait." he breathes out, shocked and confused, "Jack, can you-?"
"It started coming back some days ago. Small spots of light. I was afraid I was losing my mind, making up things." Jack talks quietly, as if truly afraid Rayane would get angry because he can say everything, "But it turned out I was not going crazy, and it's getting better and better every day, and I... I can almost see the colour of your eyes."
Jack clearly wants Rayane to say something, but he isn't able to make a word. He wouldn't know what to say anyway, because there's too much happening inside his head, shock, happiness, but also a bit of disappointment. He has shared so much with Jack, everything, the ugliest parts of himself, and yet he decided not to share this utterly amazing news right away.
But does it really matter?
The silence rings in between them, and Jack drops his gaze and Rayane's hand, his lips quivering, and it snaps Rayane back to action.
"Jack..."
"I know, I know, I'm really sorry, I just didn't know ho-"
Rayane cuts the blabbering by taking Jack's face in his hands and kissing him hard, making a point in the only way he can think of now. Jack gasps against his lips, his hands coming to grasp Rayane's forearms as he kisses him back clumsily, tension fading away from his shoulders.
"I'm so happy for you." Rayane whisper when they draw back to catch a breath, "So, so happy."
"Oh." Jack lets out shakily, "I'm-"
"Hey there, ladies man! Love is in the air, huh?"
They pull back rapidly, and it dawns on Rayane that they have just kissed in a very public place, and anxiety clogs his throat for a moment. But when he looks around, he says no one paying attention to them, except of Theo waving at them from his place in the ice cream stand. Rayane raises his hand to wave back at him, and gets a wide grin in return before turning to Jack again, and any fears and doubts are gone the moment he sees his face.
"Alright then." he says, and his chest feels so full it's almost hard to breathe. He reaches for Jack's hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing his knuckles, "Good to go?"
He doesn't want to make a big deal about it, even though his soul seems to be singing with happiness.
"Good to go." Jack confirms, with a smile brighter than the thousand of suns.
Saturday morning is filled with preparations. A couple of people come a bit earlier to help out, which is a blessing, because preparing a huge backyard party is actually a lot of work. Preparing the food, setting the tables; mom even finds an old radio that runs on batteries and stacks a pile of cassettes next to it, clearly excited about having some music. Rayane feels like he's in three places at the same time, but he likes to feel useful, so he doesn't really mind. The most important thing is that grandma is beyond excited, eyes glimmering. She has changed her outfits at least three times, and when Mario appears on the doorstep with a bunch of roses, her cheeks are almost as red as the flowers.
Rayane is just finishing attaching the tablecloths to the tables itself so they won't fly away, when he hears his mom welcoming someone, and when he turns around, he sees Lili, Jack and his family coming from the side of the house. His heart skips a beat when he notices Jack, because of course he does, and he looks as radiant as ever in his nice white shirt.
The exchange smiles from the distance, and Rayane's skin itches to touch him, and soon he is granted that wish, when Jack walks toward him and kisses his cheek, lips lingering a bit too long for it to be seen as platonic, blushing adorably. Rayane can't help but look around to check how the rest would react, but what he sees is an adorable giggle from Leo and the widest, brightest smile from Audrey.
After a couple more minutes the rest of the guests arrives, and they all settle down around the joined tables, the conversations flowing around, easy and smooth. No one bats an eye when Rayane immediately sits down next to Jack, the only reaction being kind smiles directed towards them.
"This is so nice." Jack sighs quietly, and Rayane can't help it, he puts his hand on Jack's thigh, and the feeling of warm skin beneath the thin fabric almost drives him insane.
Their mom click together instantly, and their conversation seems to carry on perfectly. Rayane doesn't want to be a cliché and focus solely on Jack, so he tries his best to interact with everyone. Jack seems to come to the same conclusion, as he chats with Mario, and Rayane makes an effort to talk to Lizzie, who's sitting right across the table from him. She's polite, but Rayane can't shake off the feeling that she isn't the biggest fan of him; it's a bit jarring, but at the same time, Rayane kind of gets it. She's Jack's twin, and it's only fair, because she for sure is protective about him, and she doesn't know Rayane all that well. So he makes sure she warms up to him, asking her a lot of questions about Sete and such, and after some time she starts smiling, and Rayane counts it as a personal win.
When they're done with the main courses, it's time to clear the table and bring on the snacks and drinks, and Rayane volunteers without the word. He doesn't want Nana and mom to do everything, and he also could use a little breather, because sitting still next to Jack makes him go a little crazy. He picks up a pile of plates and carries it to the kitchen, and when he steps in, he is immediately met by his mom's wide grin.
"Are you having fun, sweetheart?" she asks, taking a sip from her wine glass while she's placing biscuits on a plate with her other one. She looks so relaxed, the lines on her face smoothed, and Rayane is just so... happy. She deserves everything, and more.
"It's great. Great fun. When do we bring the cake?"
"Later, later." Nana waves, her cheeks flushed adorably, and Rayane wonders if it's because of the wine she has had, or maybe the fact she's sitting next to Mario, "Now we're just going to have some drinks and snack, Rayane, will you be a dear and take this?" she basically pushes a tray in his hands, ushering him away, and he is under an impression that she wants a minute with her daughter alone, so Rayane leaves them be promptly.
In the garden, the party kind of escalates, people leaving their chairs and mingling, some of them swaying to the music. Rayane immediately locates Jack's, who's standing with his family, and after putting the tray away, it's just natural that Rayane walks towards them, because there's no other option. Jack brightens up when he sees him, and he reaches out almost mindlessly, putting his hand on the small of Rayane's back.
It feels so natural, so right, and it's so easy to breathe.
Rayane's gaze crosses with Audrey's, and he's amazed by the way she smiles at him, with kindness and gratitude. Then she looks at Jack, lovingly and gently, and Rayane feels like they have some kind of pact now, as if loving Jack means they share a profound bond already.
"This is such a lovely party, I need to thank your grandma again!" Audrey smiles even brighter than before, "We all needed that, definitely!" she glances aside, when Leo is thrilled to make friends with some neighbourhood cats, and then she looks at her wrist to check an hour, "Hmm."
"All good, mom?" Jack asks.
"Yes, just - oh, here they are!" she exclaims, turning around, and when Rayane follows her gaze, she sees Karim and some other man walking with Rayane's mom and grandma.
"Okay, who's that?" Rayane hums, and Jack runs his hand up and down his back quickly.
"Well, I know Damien was supposed to come with some family friend, I'm not sure who, though."
"Oh, cool. The other guy is my new-found uncle, I guess."
"I think him and Damien work together."
"Ah." Rayane nods in acknowledgment, "That explains stuff. And damn, your mom is lucky, he's kinda hot-"
Jack elbows him, hitting right on the ribs, and Rayane gasps, more surprised than hurt.
"Hey, I'm only speaking facts."
"Yeah, keep your facts about my future step-father at bay." Jack mutters, but he's smiling, and then turns his head quickly to kiss Rayane on the cheek.
The men's arrival guides all the attention to them, which is understandable, as the appearance of two good-looking men causes quite a stir. They make their way to the little group Rayane and Jack are in, and Damien kisses Audrey on the cheek before squeezing Jack's shoulder and then turning towards Rayane, extending his hand.
"I've heard quite a lot about you, nice to meet you, man."
"You too." Rayane says; Damien's grip and not threatening, and Rayane likes the way he smiles at Jack, kind and protective.
"Good to see you, Rayane." Karim says, giving him a nod, and Rayane knows that some day, probably soon, they will start getting to know each other better; but it's not the place, and not yet the right time.
The atmosphere turns loose with every moment and every glass of wine drank, people walking around, engaging into chatters, some of them starting to sway to the music that mixes with laughter in the fresh air of early evening. Jack and Rayne keep close to each other, making sure some parts of their bodies are touching, whether it's their shoulders brushing or their knuckles gently grazing against each other. And every time their skin meet, Rayane feels a certain kind of thrill shooting up through him, and it's getting harder and harder to keep it at bay. He thinks, or maybe just imagines it, but Jack's breathing keeps on hitching every time Rayane leans to him, and the pull between them just keeps getting stronger and stronger, and harder to play cool.
“Look at you, like two lovely birds.” Lili chirps like a bird herself, appearing in front of them suddenly and basically pushing two glasses into their hands, “I’m about to make a toast.” she says, winking at them, before walking towards the table again.
“I can’t tell what that is exactly, but, it looks kinda dark.” Jack raises the glass to his nose carefully, “Oh yes, that’s wine. We’re being blessed today.”
Rayane snorts at that, and has a joke sitting on the tip of his tongue, but at that moment Lili knocks her glass with a spoon, with so much force it’s a wonder she doesn’t crush it. She launches into a rather rich speech about how wonderful of a person Rayane’s grandma is. It’s loud and enthusiastic, and 100% true. When Rayane glances at Nana, her eyes are shining, probably with both tears and happiness, and he feels warmth spreading to him, accompanied by the feeling of overwhelming gratitude. Jack must sense he’s starting to get emotional, because his fingers wrap around Rayane’s hand, squeezing gently and yet firmly.
They sing happy birthday, and Rayane goes to hug Nana, and her smile is as wide as ever.
“Happy birthday.” he says into her ear, and she just hugs him tighter, and it means more than any words could.
Nana is quite popular now, so Rayane goes back to Jack, who has chugged half of his wine, looking adorably flushed and bright-eyed, and it definitely does some things to Rayane.
“You again.” Jack breathes out, his hand floating in the air in search of Rayane’s once more, “So, I was thinking…”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yes.” Jack grins devilishly, turning so they stand in front of each other, so close they’re basically nose to nose, and he bumps his glass against Rayane’s chest, spilling some wine on his perfectly nice shirt, and Rayane gasps in horror.
“What the-”
“Whoops.” Jack says innocently, “I guess we need to go get you some clean shirt now.”
At first, Rayane’s brain short-circuits. And then, he catches up and gasps again, but this time with pure shock at Jack’s evil genius.
“Well indeed, I can’t parade around like that.” he catches his mom’s gaze over Jack’s shoulder and points at his clothing, “Will go run inside for a moment, okay?”
She smiles and waves at him before turning away, and it seems like no one pays attention to them as they try not to run towards the house.
Rayane's room is kind of messy, but Jack doesn't seem to mind. Moreover, he hasn't looked away from Rayane ever, his gaze focused and careful, like it's the only thing he cares about seeing, ever.
The window is wide open, the sound of music and people's laughter flowing in with the breeze, and Rayane feels the overwhelming sensation of joy and carelessness, and it hits right into his head, like a glass of champagne drank too fast.
"Jack-"
"I love you so much." Jack whispers against his jaw, fingers clutching the collar of his shirt, "And at this moment, I need you even more."
It's all clumsy hands and messy kisses, and soon their clothes are scattered on the floor in little piles, and neither of them cares. Rayane's mind is a wonderful mush, and every cell of his body seems to be vibrating, and his breath comes out in short, yet regular huffs.
"That will have to be a definition of a quickie, or they will know." Rayane laughs breathlessly, and Jack grins, putting his hands on Rayane's shoulder and pushing him to sit down, rather roughly, and it's just so effortlessly sexy.
"I have a suspicion they might have an idea." Jack laughs brightly, straddling Rayane's lap and kissing him, fierce and smiling, and if perfection exists, it's this.
Rayane puts his hands on Jack's waist, feeling that hot, smooth skin, and he can tell already it's definitely not going to be long. His abdomen is so tense it's almost painful, but in a sweet, exciting way. There's a need growing inside of him, fast, overwhelming, and his breathing hitches when they pull back, lips lingering only inches away from each other.
"Will you fuck me?"
"Nah." Jack's chuckle is a warm flutter against Rayane's cheek, "But I will make love to you."
Rayane's chest is so full it's kind of hard to breathe all of a sudden, so he opens his mouth, inhaling deeply, and he raises his hand, gently pressing his fingertips against tender skin by the corner of Jack's eye. He is so beautiful, so... alive, and he's a blessing, the biggest adventure, an utter prize.
"My eyesight is still far from perfect, so I will need your help a bit." Jack says, smiling, and he takes Rayane's hand, pressing a kiss to the inside of his wrist.
It feels like magic, like a scene created by one's imagination. The only thing that could make it even more perfect, would be if there wasn't the sense of rush they both feel. But the same time, there's something so carefree and thrilling, music coming through the cracked open window, carried with a gentle wind.
There is a bit of scrambling around the bed and digging in drawers, and then Rayane finds himself on his back, with Jack hovering over him, face flushed, happy and serious, and Rayane feels like he has to tell him one more thing.
"Just so you know." he chuckles nervously, "I've only done it this way like once before. So... we're both kind of beginners right now."
"Oh." Jack breathes out, putting his hand on Rayane's hip, "So, are you sure? Because..."
"I want to." Rayane says softly, feeling very exposed, but incredibly safe at the same time, "But is it okay if we get to the reasons later? We're kind of on the clock in here."
Jack looks at him for a few moments, brow slightly furrowed, but then his expression melts into a smile, before he leans down to kiss the top of Rayane's nose as his hand slips down Rayane's thigh.
He's gentle and focused, and Rayane has to breathe deeply, urging his body to relax. And it's easy, because Jack isn't one of the nameless strangers. He's someone he loves, someone he trusts, someone he's ready to dedicate his entire being to.
"Yeah, I think we're good." Rayane musters when Jack curls his fingers in a certain toe-curling way.
"You sure? I-"
"Baby, if you don't shut up, I swear..." Rayane's voice catches when he realizes it's the first time he used such endearment, and he watches how Jack's face brightens, containing the light of a million stars.
"It's only fair that now it's you sending threats in my direction for a change." he chuckles lowly, pushing Rayane's legs more apart with a gentle yet strong hand.
Rayane's breathing hitches, and it's suddenly too much, and he has to close his eyes, even though he wishes them open. He has never doubted in the trust him and Jack have in each other, not hesitant to put themselves in the other's hands. But it was never the case with Rayane. He never allowed himself to be vulnerable, always alert, always on the edge, always with an echo of shame vibrating deep in his bones.
But not with Jack. Never with Jack.
Jack's hands are gripping Rayane's thighs, strong and slightly trembling, and Rayane focuses on the pattern of his breathing, quickened and deep.
"Can you look at me?" Jack asks quietly, reaching to gently brush his knuckles against Rayane's cheek, "Or is it too much?"
Rayane forces his eyes open, and Jack is so close, his eyes wide and searching, and Rayane finds himself nodding, his mouth dry.
It feels like some kind of absolution, when Jack slowly makes his way into his body, foreign and yet so familiar, so damn secure. Rayane whimpers quietly, leaning into Jack's hand touching his face, his lips grazing that soft skin, and his whole being is reduced to his moment, to the overwhelming feeling of giving your heart and body to someone else, completely, without hesitation or shame.
"Fuck." Jack swears softly, pressing his body against Rayane's, their foreheads touching, "That's, oh."
"I know." Rayane chokes out, bringing one of his legs up to wrap around the back of Jack's thighs, and it's like they fit together so perfectly, the closest as humanly possible, with nothing more to give and nothing to hide.
"You can move, you know." Rayane lets out a shaky chuckle, and he sees a muscle in Jack's jaw twitching before he draws back a little so he can look at Rayane properly.
"If I do, I feel it's going to be pretty embarrassing." Jack says, strained and trembling, and there's warmth spreading in Rayane's chest, overwhelming and suffocating, because he loves this boy so much. His courage, his strength, the unbelievable gentleness he shows in everything he does.
Jack stays still for a moment longer, before pulling back a bit, only to move forward again, and Rayane's body tenses, a quiet gasp leaving his parted lips. He raises his hand, that suddenly feels very heavy, and he places it on Jack's cheek, warmth seeping into his skin.
"Jack." the name leaves his mouth like a prayer, "It's okay."
Jack smiles, even though his expression is strained, and he breathes out shakily. He clearly tries to be slow and careful, but the strain in his body is palpable, his muscles tight, his brow furrowed, a bead of sweat gathering over his eyebrow. He's a wonder, his own personal miracle, and the only thing Rayane wants in life, is to make him happy.
Rayane lets his thumb move a little, touching the corner of Jack's mouth, watching his lips fall open, feeling a hint of his tongue against his finger.
"Come on." he encourages Jack, arching his body up, and Jack swears again, losing a grip on himself, his hips stuttering, and it's beyond gratifying, to see him, like that, to feel his entire being, to feel that certain kind of burn spreading through his own entire body, "It's okay."
Jack's body trembles, eyes falling shut, face turning so his lips are pressed against the inside of Rayane's palm, open and panting. He comes quietly, almost gently, with the slightest sight that sounds almost like a prayer, and all Rayane can feel is happiness, and love.
A tremor runs through Jack's body one more time, and he drops his forehead against Rayane's shoulder, breathing heavily. Rayane runs his hand along Jack's spine soothingly, and he almost can't take the feeling of the warm skin under his fingertips.
"There." Rayane says fondly, turning his head to press a kiss to Jack's temple, "There you go."
"I told you." Jack mumbles weakly into his neck, "That it would be-"
"Very hot, yes." Rayane chuckles, "But baby, when you're crushing me like that, it's a bit..."
"Oh." Jack gasps, pushing himself up on his forearms before glancing down, "I'm um, sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry ab-" Rayane giggled, feeling utterly giddy, but the sound dies in his throat when he feels a warm hand pressing low on his abdomen, and it crashes down on him, the attention he has had on Jack now dissolving a little as he is suddenly fully aware of tightness of his own body, almost painful.
He could tell Jack that he doesn't have to, but Jack would never do what he didn't want to do. And he clearly wants to do a lot.
"Ah." it's Rayane's turn to mutter helplessly, and Jack sends him a cheeky grin before bowing his head, and words are not a concern any more.
Rayane closes his eyes, and he reaches down blindly, one hand tangling in the soft curls, the other somehow finding Jack's, linking in a comfortable spot on Rayane's hip.
He's aware of everything surrounding him, of the air, fresh but heavy at the same time, of the music and distant laughter, Jack's smart mouth on him, their rapid heartbeats and quickened breaths.
When relief washes over him, it's like absolution, like a part of himself that has been causing him pain is being wiped away, replaced by something else, something better, something unimaginable.
Barely able to open his eyes, Rayane watches how Jack wipes his lips before pressing a kiss to the side of Rayane's thigh. He sits up then, moving around just a bit to find a packet of wet tissues, cleaning both of them up, and Rayane just stays still, warm and boneless, basking in the last fleeting seconds of magic.
"Are you alive?" Jack asks with a fond laughter, poking Rayane's side, and Rayane grins before sitting up as well, his hand immediately reaching for Jack's waist.
"Barely." he says, pulling him closer so they can kiss, sloppy and hot, and maybe it should be gross, but it's just another couple of seconds of perfection.
"We should be getting back, or someone might barge in here soon, and we don't need to scar them for life." Jack grins, kissing the junction of Rayane's jaw before backing off and hopping off the bed, gathering their clothes and throwing them on the mattress, "Which clean shirt do you want?"
"Just take anything from the top drawer, please?"
Jack tosses him a red t-shirt, and they get dressed, glancing at each other and smiling like idiots.
"Okay." Rayane says when they're done, standing in front of each other, "Just, let me fix your hair a bit."
"Does it scream, 'I just got laid?'"
"Yes, definitely." Rayane laughs, carding his fingers through Jack's curls, "Okay, now kind of decent."
He lowers his hands, but Jack catches one of them mid-air, his grip strong and secure.
"Rayane." he says, kind and loving, "Do you want to tell me now?"
Rayane knows what he's referring to, the conversation from some minutes before. And if it was anybody else, in any other time, maybe Rayane wouldn't say what he's about to. But it's Jack. So he's going to.
"I used to feel so much shame." he says, playing with Jack's fingers mindlessly, "Even before my father knew, I was aware what would he think. And with everything, putting myself in... certain position, it felt humiliating. Like I'm less of a human. But now, with you… Never with you."
Jack's eyes are narrowed, but Rayane knows it's only because he wants to see him better, and his smile is soft.
"I love you." he says, squeezing Rayane's hand.
"I know." Rayane smiles, leaning forward to kiss his forehead, "Good to go?"
"After you went all Han Solo on me? Sure."
Before they go out, they throw Rayane’s shirt into a bowl filled with water, and Jack insist on adding some vinegar and baking soda into it.
“Okay, I see you, you perfect housewife.”
It seems like basically no one noticed how long they have been gone. That, except of Lizzie, who zones onto them almost immediately, her brow furrowed.
"Jack, I can tell from your smug smile that you definitely didn't only change shirts back there."
"Well, if you need details, I can definitely share..."
"Okay, nope, no, forgot I asked." Lizzie shakes her head, throwing them a look before walking away towards the snack table.
"Well." Rayane shakes his head, "I guess she isn't that fond of me."
"You can bond over the fact that you both love me, okay." Jack says, "But we have all the time in the world for that."
That sounds good. That sounds like a promise.
They eat cake and talk to other people, and they’re never have more than a couple of meters in between them. There’s electricity, and that certain kind of pull that hasn’t eased despite the fact they have been glued to each other for most of the day.
Well, that’s the thing about being in love, isn’t it?
The song switches, upbeat rhythm morphing into a much slower melody, and it seems like it’s some kind of signal, because most of the people start pairing up, some swaying to the bear (more or less), some stepping a bit into the shadows to talk. It’s darker now as the evening, but it’s still pretty visible thanks to the bright disc of the moon and gentle light spread by gentle bulbs of garden laps. Still, Rayane notices Jack blinking rapidly, turning his head like he’s getting a bit confused, and Rayane’s legs carry him over.
“All good?” he asks, putting his hand on Jack’s elbow and is greeted with an honest, if a bit faint, smile.
“Yeah, just got a bit… dizzy for a second.”
“Do you want to sit down?” Rayane asks immediately, moving another hand to the small of Jack’s back, feeling how he breathes out slowly, indicating he’s feeling relaxed.
“I’m good.” a small smile tugs on the corners of Jack’s lips, “But what about a dance?”
“Oh.” Rayane gasps, “I mean, okay. If you’re okay with me stepping on your toes occasionally.”
“And here I thought I’m the mostly blind one.”
“Facts, but I have two left feet”. Rayane laughs, putting both his hands on Jack’s shoulders and gently dragging him to the nearest circle of light before locking his fingers on Jack’s nape.
Jack smiles again, a small, private smile as his hands find their way to Rayane’s waist.
And just like that, it’s only the two of them, in the process of building together something that might just as well withstand everything; the passage of time, the storms and the moments of boring quiet. Good and bad, hard and easy.
Their lives might have started not so long ago, and there’s no telling what they’re going to bring them. Probably a hefty dose of happiness, and a serious amount of pain as well.
But isn’t that what this whole thing is about?
The night buzzes quietly with warm vibrations of late summer, music and laughter swirling around them in cheerful wires, and Rayane thinks that it must be one of the most precious feelings he has ever felt-that he’s safe, and not alone, and he doesn’t have to be ever again.
Jack, as if he could read his mind, lets out a warm, gentle breath, and nuzzles Rayane’s cheek, his nose slightly cold against Rayane’s skin.
“You are the most wonderful thing.” Jack says quietly, his lips brushing over the line of Rayane’s jaw.
And usually, Rayane would say something. Fire a self-deprecating joke, or redirect the attention to Jack.
But now, he just chooses to accept it, to believe it, to hug Jack tighter, and let the stars carry them into the night.