Chapter Text
The city was waking up. The streets filled with birdsong, distant barking of dogs, and the voices of dog owners animatedly discussing their weekend plans. Somewhere on the outskirts, the roar of a motorcycle echoed, likely waking up a few unlucky souls. It was early Saturday morning, and there were few people on the streets, which surprised Jack—he was usually still asleep at this time. He stood on the balcony, leisurely sipping his coffee and enjoying the first rays of sunshine painting the city in warm hues.
Memories swirled in his head: how his family had just moved here from Paris, how they had renovated their new apartment, leaving their signatures on the walls. He remembered his old school and then the explosion in it. Days spent on the beach under the scorching sun with friends. Nostalgia overwhelmed him, and it took a few minutes to bring himself back to reality. His phone vibrated with an incoming message. It was a voice note from Rayane:
"Hey! I hope you've already gotten your ass out of bed. I'm having breakfast now, and in an hour, Karim and I are heading to the station. Should we pick you up, or will we meet there? Oh, and don’t forget to bring my sweater! Love you! Also, grab my headphones and charger, okay? Kisses!"
Jack laughed. He had seriously feared that Rayane would oversleep again and had already imagined the dramatic scene at the station, where they would have to return their tickets and listen to a flood of excuses from his boyfriend. He pressed the record button and replied:
"Good morning! Honestly, I thought you’d sleep in. Everything’s already packed, including your sweater. I'm going with my family—Damien will drive us. See you at the station. Kisses!"
Jack put his mug down on the table and joined Lizzie and Jordan, who were cozily settled on the couch.
"So, ready to become Rayane’s slave? I give you a month before you run away!" Jordan smirked.
"More like Rayane will give up first when you ask him to pick up his socks," Lizzie added.
"Very funny. And honestly, it's kinda hurtful that you don’t believe in our life together! We've already been living together for almost three years."
"Yeah, but now you won’t have anywhere to run when you fight. Get ready to sleep in a box by the entrance!" Jordan grinned.
"Why not him?" Jack protested.
"Be realistic. You can never say no to him."
"We'll see about that."
Jack glanced at the clock. It was only six in the morning—two hours until departure. He went to his room to check his things. Rayane's sweater lay on top of the suitcase. Opening the closet, he noticed a cane on the top shelf. He took it in his hands and smiled. Memories flooded back: a hospital room, Rayane handing him this gift, a day spent in the park that became their special place. He remembered how Rayane had almost moved to Toulouse, how they had sat on a bench, afraid of the future. How they had spent their lunches lying on the grass, chatting about everything and nothing. A wave of sadness washed over him. He was leaving behind so many memories… but ahead of him was a new chapter with the person he loved. He carefully placed the cane back and stepped into the hallway, ready to leave.
After a final walk through the apartment, the Roussel family finally headed to the station. Jack stepped out of the building and looked around at the familiar streets. He remembered coming back here with Rayane, how they had made up at the entrance after a long fight, how they had kissed as if saving each other. How they had raced up the stairs with Lizzie and Jordan. A pang of fear struck him. What if he and Rayane started fighting? What if daily life ruined their relationship? What if everything turned out to be harder than they thought? He pushed the anxious thoughts away.
"What are the odds that Rayane will be late?" Jordan smirked.
"Jordan, stop," Audrey said sternly.
"Did you text him that we're on our way?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah, they're on their way too."
"Jack, when you arrive and settle in, message me right away and send photos. Oh, and I packed a first aid kit in case you get motion sickness…"
"Mom, everything will be fine. You're worrying too much."
"I’m going to miss you. Take care of each other. And call me every day, okay? Even if it’s just to say hi."
"Of course, Mom. I promise."
Familiar sights flashed past the window: Spoon, the beach, the oyster farm, the stadium. Jack couldn't believe that after five years in Sète, he was returning to Paris—the city of love—with his love. He feared that the distance would separate him from his family, that their bond might weaken, that Paris would change him. But he knew he could always come back home. He wondered if he was being overly dramatic—of course, he would visit, but would this still feel like home in a year? That, Jack didn’t know.
Rayane stepped out of the car and looked around. The Roussels weren’t there yet. He pulled out his phone and recorded a voice message for Jack:
"Hey, we’re already here. Where are you? Don’t tell me you forgot my sweater and had to go back for it!"
Karim, still sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced at him.
"Rayane, wait a second."
"Oh, you want to give me advice? Go ahead, lay it on me."
"Well, since you insist—listen up," Karim smirked. "You can always call me. And your mom too. And remember… it’s just the two of you out there. Every decision you make will affect Jack too, so keep yourself in check."
Rayane nodded.
"I know, Karim. I’ll do my best."
"Good. And don’t forget—school comes first."
Rayane chuckled, then spotted Damien’s car pulling up. He grabbed his suitcase and walked over to Jack, greeted everyone, and couldn’t resist placing a quick kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek.
"You ready?" he asked seriously.
"Definitely."
The group moved toward the platform, where their train was already waiting. The hardest part had come—saying goodbye. Rayane knew it would be tougher for Jack. Not that he wouldn’t miss Karim, but Jack was undeniably more attached to his family.
The farewell was truly difficult. Audrey teared up, and Jack hugged her tightly, then Jordan, then Lizzie, and finally pulled Rayane into a full-on Roussel family embrace. Then he turned to Karim, saw the rare glint of a tear in his eye, and hugged him firmly.
"Thank you for everything," Rayane said.
"Take care of each other," Karim replied quietly.
Jack hugged him once more and promised to keep an eye on Rayane.
Once on the train, Rayane rushed to claim the window seat.
"I’m at the window!" he declared.
"I don’t care," Jack replied flatly.
Rayane noticed the expression on Jack’s face. Leaving like this wasn’t easy for him. Rayane thought about how Jack was much more tied to his family than he was. He took Jack’s hand, and Jack squeezed his fingers tightly.
"I didn’t think this would be so hard," Jack admitted.
"Me neither… but we’ll be back soon, don’t worry," Rayane reassured him.
Jack looked at him and smiled.
They sat in a double seat. Rayane was glad that all the seats faced the same direction and there were no people directly across from them, like in other train cars. Through the window, he saw Karim, looking unusually downcast, with the Roussels behind him, offering bittersweet smiles. The train started moving.
Three hours of travel lay ahead. Cityscapes gave way to nature. The sun was blinding, and Rayane pulled the curtain halfway down. Jack looked at him, once again admiring how beautiful Rayane was. His gray-green eyes, slightly sad, became brighter in the sunlight. His sharp profile and thoughtful expression made him look even more enigmatic.
They both wore headphones, but Jack wanted to share this moment. He took out one of Rayane’s earbuds and put it in his own ear. Rayane looked at him in surprise, and their eyes met. In them, they saw love—and that was all that mattered. Rayane smiled and turned up the volume. Yellow by Coldplay played. Jack found Rayane’s sentimentality amusing, but he liked it.
He thought about their future in Paris. Would they find friends? Would living together destroy their relationship? How would they manage university? So many questions… but he didn’t want to ruin the moment.
"Rayane?"
Rayane looked at him. Jack saw that familiar face and found his answers. They would be okay.
"By the way, I’m first in the shower," Jack said mischievou sly.
Rayane laughed and pulled Jack closer. Jack rested his head on Rayane’s shoulder.
"We’ll see about that."
They fell asleep to the sound of the tracks, as the train carried them toward their future.