Archive of Our Own

As Jimmy scrolled through social media in his hotel room, a strange and very unfamiliar shyness settled over him.

He wasn’t usually the type to search his own or Sea’s name online. Most of the time, he avoided it altogether. But tonight, for some reason, he couldn’t stop himself.

His own event had been yesterday. Today, it was Sea’s turn, and his timeline was flooded with clips of the younger man—laughing, teasing, shining under the attention. The fans were relentless, just as they had been with Jimmy the day before.

And yet, none of that was what stayed with him, because one moment clouded his mind. 

A fan had shouted, “JimmySea is real!”. 

Loud and clear. 

And Jimmy? He smiled.

Not just that…. he had even giggled.

It was so unlike him.

The words had caught him completely off guard, leaving him no time to compose himself, no chance to slip back into the calm, controlled demeanour he was known for. Instead, he had reacted honestly, instinctively, and now the internet had preserved it forever.

A perfect digital footprint.

That soft, almost helpless smile lingering on his lips.

The clip kept resurfacing on his feed. So did the video of him carefully preparing a small ring that was meant to be given to Sea the next day, which the staff advised him about before the event started. 

Every time one appeared, Jimmy would scroll past it quickly.

Still, it did not help… The feeling lingered, a tight twist in his stomach that refused to go away.

Then his feed refreshed again.

A new video. 

Sea, on stage, holding up the ring.

It felt like Jimmy’s world paused right at that moment.

The way Sea looked at it—attentive, careful, like it meant more than just a handmade prop—sent a warmth through him that was difficult to ignore.

Then another clip followed.

Sea, grinning, teasing the fans, refusing to send kisses because they were “reserved for someone special.”

Of course, nomnoms ran with it immediately.

They always did.

Jimmy let out a quiet breath, something between a sigh and a laugh, and finally locked his phone. He set it aside, as if putting distance between himself and the whirlwind on the screen.

The room fell silent again.

His thoughts didn’t.

With a quiet sense of resignation, he turned back to his bag, checking it once more. Making sure everything was packed, nothing left behind. His flight back to Bangkok was early in the morning, and it was better to be prepared now, before exhaustion took over.

Still, even as he folded the last of his things, his mind lingered elsewhere.

On that pretty smile, a ring and teasing voice he knew so well.

♡

Jimmy unzipped his bag again, even though he had already checked it twice.

Shirts—folded. Charger—packed. Passport—tucked safely into the inner pocket.

There was nothing left to fix.

Still, his hands lingered there, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting, as if the small, repetitive motions could quiet the noise in his head.

They didn’t.

Because if he was being honest, his feelings had been a mess for a while now. Unpredictable, impossible to sort through no matter how much he tried.

The truth was, he had known for longer than he dared to admit.

What they had stopped being just work somewhere along the way. Between long shooting days and quiet moments in between, there were glances that lingered too long, conversations that stretched just a little further than they should have.

By the time they finished filming Last Twilight, it had already become too obvious to ignore.

And yet, neither of them said anything.

They just… kept going.

Jimmy exhaled slowly, resting his hands on the edge of the suitcase.

He wasn’t stupid, he knew Sea felt something too.

It was in the way he showed up at the clinic, unannounced but never unwelcome, lingering even after exhausting schedules just to spend a little more time by his side. It was in the quiet touches when no one was watching, brief but intentional, or the way he leaned closer like he was always just slightly drawn to him.

Always careful, too—never crossing the line in public, always mindful of what Jimmy was comfortable with. And when he did slip, even just a little, he would apologize so quickly it made something in Jimmy’s chest tighten every time.

It was obvious.

Painfully obvious.

And that was the problem, because he didn’t know what to do with it.

Every time they were together, something in him softened. The smallest things like shared looks across a room, quiet laughter behind the cameras, fleeting moments stolen between takes felt like they meant more than they should have.

And maybe they did.

Because whatever this was… it wasn’t simple anymore. It wasn’t something he could brush off as friendship, or chemistry, or habit.

It had grown into something else.

Something deeper.

And that terrified him.

Because this wasn’t just about feelings.

It was about everything they had built together—their work, their partnership, their friendship.

Jimmy swallowed, his grip tightening slightly against the suitcase.

Because if he crossed that line… if he said it out loud…

What if it changed everything?

What if it ruined the one thing he couldn’t afford to lose?

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then let out a long, steady breath.

Enough.

Whatever this was—he would deal with it later.

Right now, there were simpler things to focus on.

Like the fact that chances of seeing Sea tomorrow when Jimmy’s flight back to Bangkok left so early, were… slim at best. Their schedules did not line up at all, did not give them a chance to celebrate together.

For a moment, he just stood there, staring at nothing in particular.

Then, almost abruptly, he reached for his phone.

If he couldn’t figure everything else out… he could at least do this.

His thumb hovered over the screen for a second before he unlocked it, opening a search without overthinking it this time.

Nearest bakery.

Options filled the screen almost instantly. Photos of neatly decorated cakes behind glass displays, soft pastel frosting, carefully piped designs. Some looked too elaborate, others too plain, but he kept scrolling anyway, more focused than he had been all evening.

♡

The energy from the event still lingered in Sea’s body. The evening full of best kind of chaos, echoes of cheers and laughter… The warmth and excitement of the crowd was now replaced with silence of the car taking him back to the hotel.

He leaned his head slightly against the window, letting out a small breath as he unlocked his phone.

One new message.

From Jimmy.

Sea blinked.

“Come to my hotel room when you're back :)”

“…Huh?”

He stared at the screen a little longer, as if the message might explain itself if he looked hard enough.

Of course it didn’t.

His brows furrowed, confusion bubbling up almost immediately.

What… was happening?

Jimmy wasn’t exactly the type to casually ask him over like this, especially this late after a long day like this. If anything, he would usually tell Sea to take care of himself and get some rest or go to sleep early.

“…What is going on?” he muttered under his breath, though a small, curious smile tugged at his lips.

♡

He slipped into his room first, dropping his bag onto the chair and shrugging off his coat, barely taking the time to properly settle in. His mind was already elsewhere.

A few doors down. 

Sea hesitated for only a second before stepping back into the hallway.

The walk felt oddly short but before he could overthink it any further, he raised his hand and knocked softly.

A few seconds passed and then the door cracked open just slightly. Enough for Sea to catch a glimpse of Jimmy’s face.

“Could you close your eyes for me?”

Sea blinked, confused even further.

“…What?”

There was no explanation. Just that same calm voice, a little quieter than usual, a little… different.

Sea let out a small laugh.

“You’re being weird,” he mumbled, but there was no real resistance in it.

So, he did as he was told.

“Okay… now what?”

The door opened wider. Before he could process anything, warm hands found his. 

“Just… come in,” He said softly.

Confusion lingered, but he let himself be guided forward, step by step into the room. The door closed softly behind them.

When they stopped, the warmth slipped away. 

Then came the faint sounds.Something shifting. A quiet movement. Maybe a soft clink of something placed down.

Sea’s brows knit together.

“Jimmy…?”

“Wait,” Came a murmur.

And so he did.

After a brief pause finally came quiet—

“You can open your eyes now.”

Sea did and froze. 

Jimmy stood in front of him, illuminated only by the soft glow of the bedside lamps. The rest of the room was dim, shadows stretching gently along the walls.

In his hands? A cake topped with flickering candles that casted a warm light across his face.

His breath caught.

“…What—”

“I know it’s a bit early,” came the quiet explanation, a faint, almost shy smile tugging at Jimmy’s lips, “but… I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see you tomorrow.”

His grip on the cake steadied slightly, like he had planned this but still wasn’t entirely sure how to stand in it.

“So… I wanted to celebrate with you. Even if it’s just like this.”

For a moment Sea just stared, trying to find the words.

“You…” A soft, disbelieving breath slipped out, eyes flickering between the cake and the person holding it. “You got me a cake?”

The older huffed a small laugh, glancing down for a moment.

“It’s not that much.”

But in Sea’s eyes it really was. He felt something tighten in his chest, sharp and sudden.

Because somehow, in the middle of everything… All busy schedules, distance, all the things left unsaid Jimmy still made a space for him.

“Hia…” he mumbled, voice softer than before, barely holding together.

Of course, Jimmy noticed, he always did.

A fond, almost helpless smile appeared as the cake was tilted slightly, trying to catch his gaze.

“Hey,” he said gently, a teasing lilt slipping into his tone, “it’s just a cake. Don’t cry already.”

Sea huffed, sniffing as he wiped quickly at his eyes, clearly failing to look unaffected.

“I’m not—” he started, then stopped, because that was obviously not convincing.

A quiet laugh sounded, softer now, his eyes warm as they lingered on Sea’s face.

“You are,” he murmured. “You get emotional so easily.”

There was no judgement in his words, if anything they were full of tenderness. Jimmy truly adored how expressive his partner was.

Sea shook his head, a small, embarrassed smile breaking through despite everything.

“Just… let me blow the candles before I actually start crying,” he said, voice wavering slightly.

Jimmy nodded, stepping a little closer, steadying the cake.

“Okay. Make a wish first.”

The younger glanced up at him for a brief second and then closed his eyes.

His wish came easily.

He leaned forward and blew out the candles in one soft breath. The tiny flames flickered, then disappeared, leaving behind thin trails of smoke curling into the dim light.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Jimmy cleared his throat lightly, busying himself with setting the cake aside.

“See? Not that dramatic,” he said, trying to lighten the moment again.

A soft laugh still lingered in the air, but the moment Jimmy’s hands were free, Sea moved without hesitation.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him, holding on tightly, like letting go wasn’t an option. His face pressed into Jimmy’s shoulder, hiding there, as if that was the only place he felt steady enough to stay.

Jimmy froze for a brief second, caught off guard by the sudden closeness.

Then he softened immediately.

“Oh—” the breath left him quietly, more surprised than anything else, but he didn’t pull away.

If anything, his arms settled more firmly around him.

Sea only held on tighter.

“Thank you,” he whispered, voice muffled but heavy, carrying far more than the words themselves could explain.

They stayed like that for a while, neither of them moving, the quiet stretching between them.

And maybe it was the way younger clung to him, like he was afraid to let go. Maybe it was the quiet, the warmth, the way everything in that moment felt a little too real to ignore.

Before he could think it through, Jimmy tilted his head slightly and pressed a small, gentle kiss to the top of Sea’s hair.

The reaction he got was unexpected to say the least.

Sea’s breath hitched sharply, and the quiet tears from before broke into something heavier, messier, his grip tightening almost instantly as a shaky sob slipped out against his shoulder.

Everything stilled.

“Hey—” Jimmy pulled back just enough to look at him, concern flashing across his face. “Sea? What… what happened?”

But the only thing he got back was just shake of his head. Sea was refusing to let go, pressing closer like the question itself was too much.

“Did I do something wrong?”

No answer.

Just another broken sound that made his chest tighten.

“Hey… it’s okay,” he murmured , one hand cradling the back of his head, protective without thinking. “I’m here. I’ve got you Sweetheart.”

Still, Sea didn’t loosen his hold, if anything, he clung tighter.

So, the hold adjusted instead, carefully guiding them both toward the bed.

“Come here,” Jimmy said quietly.

He sat down, pulling him along, settling him onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

There was no resistance.

Sea curled into him immediately, arms still wrapped tightly around him, face tucked into the space between his neck and shoulder, somewhere feeling safe enough to fall apart.

Jimmy’s arms came around him without hesitation, one hand resting securely against his back while the other moved gently through his hair in slow, steady strokes.

“It’s okay,” he murmured again, softer this time. “Take your time.”

Sea’s breathing was uneven, catching every now and then as the tears gradually slowed, but he didn’t move away.

So, Jimmy stayed.

He shifted slightly, adjusting him more comfortably, then began to sway without thinking—slow, subtle movements, back and forth—like it might help, like it might ease whatever was breaking inside him.

Minutes passed like that, the room quiet, wrapped in soft shadows, the world outside fading into nothing.

Eventually, Sea’s grip loosened just a little, his breathing evening out, the tension in his body softening into something tired instead of overwhelmed.

Jimmy glanced down, voice low, careful not to disturb the fragile calm that had settled between them.

“…Hey,”

Only a small sound answered him.

With a bit of hesitation, he tried again.

“Are you ready to talk to me, Sea?”

There was a small pause, where the younger moved slightly but remained silent. and Jimmy didn’t rush him. His hand continued its slow path through his hair, steady and reassuring.

“…Did something happen?” he asked trying to keep his voice as soft as possible “Or… is there something I can do for you?”

Still no response, but there was no rush. He just held him there—steady, warm, patient because he wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how long it took.

Eventually Sea pulled back just enough to look up. His eyes were still glassy, lashes damp, cheeks faintly flushed from crying.

“Hia…” he murmured softly. “I’m sorry.”

Jimmy blinked, caught off guard.

“What? Why are you apologizing?”

His gaze dropped again, uncertain, like the words had been sitting there for too long and still didn’t quite know how to come out.

“I just…” he started, then stopped, shaking his head faintly. “I didn’t mean to… ruin the moment.”

Jimmy’s expression softened immediately, something warm and almost aching settling in his chest. He lifted a hand, gently nudging Sea’s chin up so he would look at him again.

“Hey,” came quietly, fond disbelief woven into the tone. “You’re being silly.”

The younger nodded and looked down again, the heavy silence felt weirdly filled with everything they had both been avoiding.

“…I just don’t understand,” he admitted, voice quiet, fragile in a way Jimmy had never heard before.

“Understand what?” he asked gently.

Sea hesitated, then pushed himself just a little more upright, though he didn’t move away from Jimmy’s lap.

“You…” The words faltered. “You take care of me so much. You always have.”

A shaky breath was ripped from his chest

“You remember everything. You show up for me. You do things like this—” a glance, brief, toward the cake before returning again, “—all the time.”

Suddenly the air felt heavier, almost suffocating.

“And I just…” another unsteady inhale, “I don’t know where I stand.”

The monologue has hit him hard.

“I don’t know what I am to you,” he continued, quieter now, like saying it too loudly might break something. “Because it feels like more than just work. More than just friends.”

Jimmy froze.

“But you never say anything,” He whispered. “And I don’t want to assume something that isn’t real.”

His voice cracked at the end, and he quickly looked away, like he already regretted saying it out loud.

“I am just… so confused,” he finished weakly.

The silence that followed felt even heavier than anything that had come before it. 

Jimmy could barely breathe.

Because every word had been true—and worse, he knew exactly why.

All the hesitation, all the careful distance he had convinced himself was necessary, all the restraint he thought was protecting what they had… it hadn’t. It had only left the other standing there, unsure, questioning something that should have never been in doubt.

“Sea…” His voice broke on the name.

Those glassy eyes snapped back to him immediately, concern replacing everything else the second he noticed.

“I—” the words wouldn’t come. His breath turned uneven, guilt tightening painfully in his chest. “I’m—”

“Hia?” The shift was instant. Hands came up to him without hesitation, panic slipping into his voice. “Why are you crying? I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have—”

Jimmy shook his head quickly, reaching out to hold onto him, fingers closing around his wrist like he needed something solid to keep him there.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

And in that moment, something in him gave way.

All of it—the fear, the restraint, the endless second guessing—fell apart at once, leaving him with nothing to hide behind anymore. He leaned in slowly, giving him time to pull away, to stop him if he wanted to.

He didn’t.

Their lips met in a careful, almost uncertain kiss, soft enough to feel like a question at first, like he was still asking for permission even as it happened.

Jimmy’s breath faltered against him, his hand lifting instinctively to cradle his face, thumb brushing lightly over warm skin as he steadied himself in the moment.

A quiet, startled breath slipped between them, but neither of them moved away.

If anything, they stayed closer.

And slowly, almost without realizing it, the hesitation began to fade.

The kiss deepened naturally. Everything that had been held back for so long surfaced all at once. Every glance that lingered too long, every touch that had meant more than it should have, every word they had never said. It all settled into the way they held onto each other now, into the quiet intensity that replaced uncertainty.

Sea responded just as instinctively, his hand finding Jimmy’s shoulder before sliding higher, holding onto him as he leaned in closer. He returned the kiss with no hesitation left in it—he was tired of all the careful distance, of tiptoeing around something that had already grown far beyond that.

For a while, nothing else existed.

No thoughts. No consequences.

Just warmth, closeness, and the quiet realization that neither of them wanted to stop.

When they finally pulled apart, it wasn’t by much. Their foreheads nearly touched, breaths still uneven.

Sea’s eyes searched his immediately, something vulnerable settling there again now that the moment had slowed.

“Jimmy…” he whispered, voice still slightly breathless. “I need to know,”

The words hung between them.

“I can’t keep guessing,” he continued, quieter now, fingers tightening slightly where they still held onto him. “I don’t want this to just be a moment… not if it means something different to you.”

Jimmy swallowed, his chest tightening again, but not in the same way as before.

There was no running from it now.

“…I think I’ve known for a while,” he admitted finally, voice unsteady but honest. His grip tightened slightly, trying to somehow keep himself together. “I was just scared. Of saying the wrong thing. Of ruining what we already have. Of losing you if I got it wrong.”

A breath slipped out of him, quiet, almost helpless.

“So I thought if I just stayed like this… took care of you, stayed close, but didn’t cross the line, maybe it would be enough.”

A faint, bitter huff followed.

“It wasn’t.”

His gaze softened as it settled fully on him again, something clearer there now, something that didn’t waver the way it had before.

“Because the truth is… I think about you all the time,” he continued, the words coming easier now that he had started. “I look for you without realizing it. I wait for you, even when I pretend I don’t.”

His voice was breaking seeing Sea’s eyes well up with more tears.

“And when you’re not there… I feel it,” Jimmy added quietly. “I like taking care of you... not because I have to, but because it makes me happy in a way I don’t get with anyone else.”

A small, almost self-conscious laugh slipped out.

“And when you smile at me like that, or come find me for no reason… I lose all the logic I try so hard to keep.”

His thumb brushed lightly against Sea's wrist,

“I told myself it was just habit. Or work. That I was reading too much into it.”

A slow breath.

“I wasn’t.”

The words settled between them.

“What I feel for you… it’s not something halfway.”

Sea’s chest rose sharply at that, something shifting in his expression.

“When I think about the future,” Jimmy continued, quieter now but steady, “you’re just there. Not even as a question.”

His grip steadied, no longer uncertain.

“And when you said you didn’t know where you stood…” his voice softened, regret threading through it, “that shouldn’t have happened. You should’ve known that you’re the person I care about the most.”

A brief silence followed.

Then—

“…I’m in love with you.”

For a moment, everything stilled.

It felt like the world itself had paused, holding its breath right along with him.

Then it hit all at once.

“Hia…” His voice broke on the word, soft and unsteady as he shook his head faintly, like he couldn’t quite believe what he had just heard. “You…”

A quiet, shaky laugh slipped out of him, fragile and breathless all at once.

“Say it again.”

The plea was soft, but it hit him somewhere deep. So, Jimmy didn’t hesitate this time.

“I’m in love with you,” he repeated, just as quietly, his hand lifting instinctively to brush away the tears that had already begun slipping down warm cheeks. “I have been for a while… I was just too scared to say it.”

That was all it took.

“You’re so—” a breathless laugh, head shaking as words failed him. “Why would you wait this long?”

The question hanged in the air because Sea didn’t give him time to answer.

He leaned in instead, closing the distance without hesitation, his hand coming up to cup Jimmy’s face as their lips met again.

This kiss was different.

Deeper.

There was no uncertainty left in it. The relief, longing, the quiet ache of all the time they had spent circling around something neither of them had dared to name.

Jimmy responded instantly, arms wrapping around him, pulling him closer, because there was no longer any reason to keep even the smallest distance between them. His hand slid to the back of Sea’s neck, holding him there gently as the kiss deepened, slower this time, more deliberate, like he wanted to feel every second of it.

Sea shifted in his lap, closer as if trying to somehow erase all the space that had ever existed between them.

When they finally pulled apart, their hearts were racing like crazy.

With their foreheads pressed together Sea let out a small, breathless laugh, eyes still damp but brighter now.

“You’re really in love with me?” came softly, like he needed to hear it one more time just to believe it.

Jimmy smiled, the expression soft and unguarded as his thumb brushed lightly along Sea’s cheek.

“Yeah,” he murmured. “I really am.”

“Hia…” he murmured, shifting closer again like he couldn’t quite get enough.

A quiet, absent hum answered him.

“Nothing,” he added, a small giggle slipping out despite everything. “I just wanted to say it.”

Jimmy watched him for a moment, probably longer than necessary, trying to take it all in—this moment, this version of them that had once felt too far out of reach to even consider.

It still felt a little unreal.

But instead of letting himself get lost in that thought, he made a different choice.

He wanted to hear that laugh again.

So, without warning, his hands moved to Sea’s sides, fingers pressing lightly.

He jolted instantly.

“Hia—!”

The grin that followed was immediate.

Laughter broke out, bright and uncontrollable, as Sea twisted, trying to squirm away, though not with much success, his hands pushing weakly at Jimmy’s shoulders as he tried to catch his breath.

“Stop—! Wait—!” he gasped between laughs trying to get away from the other’s attack.

But Jimmy only shifted his weight, catching him easily and guiding him back onto the bed in one smooth motion, settling above him without hesitation, his hands still relentless in their teasing.

“I can’t breathe!” came through laughter.

“Well, good thing I’m a doctor,” He shot back lightly, completely unbothered.

Eventually—mercifully—he relented.

Sea caught his wrists, and this time Jimmy let himself be stopped, his hands stilling as he gave him space to breathe again.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Jimmy remained where he was, hovering just above him, watching quietly as Sea’s chest rose and fell, cheeks flushed, eyes still bright with lingering laughter.

And just like that—

Jimmy forgot how to breathe instead.

Because like this…

Sea looked unfairly beautiful.

He didn’t even realize he was leaning down until he was already there, close enough to see every small detail he had memorized without meaning to. His lips brushed gently along the sweet smile lines, then again just beside it, slowly as if to map him out.

Light kisses followed, scattered across his face, lingering over every small mole that he adored so much before drifting lower, to his jaw, then to his neck, where a soft, involuntary sound slipped out.

It made him pause for just a second.

“You’re so stunning,” he murmured, voice low now, stripped of teasing, completely unguarded.

A breath faltered, hands finding his arms instinctively.

“Hia…” came half-breathless, half-flustered. “If you keep this up, I might actually have a heart attack.”

A quiet laugh answered that, warm and soft, before he leaned in again, pressing another kiss to his lips. Sea's hand came up to cup his cheek, thumb brushing lightly against warm skin as the kiss deepened, just enough to make it feel different.

Jimmy felt the way he melted beneath him immediately, something he had only ever imagined before outside of the sets of their series. Fingers tightened slightly, then slid to the back of his neck, holding him there, keeping him close.

Their breaths mingled, uneven but in sync, each kiss carrying more than the last, less hesitation, more certainty.

A hand slid lower, resting at Sea’s waist, slipping just slightly beneath the fabric of his shirt, drawing a small shiver from him. In response, he pulled him closer, closing whatever space remained between them.

And just like that, they got lost in it.

Completely.

The warmth, the closeness, the quiet rhythm of breath and touch—it all blurred together until nothing else seemed to matter.

When Jimmy finally pulled back, it was only enough to rest their foreheads together again, both of them a little breathless, neither feeling the need to say anything.

Sea shifted beneath him as his eyes fluttered open, pressing closer again, unwilling to let the moment fade.

Jimmy couldn’t help the quiet laugh that slipped from him, warmth settling deep in his chest as he looked down at him like that—close, soft, still not quite ready to let the moment go.

And right then, Sea decided it was time for payback.

It started innocently enough, just a light brush of lips against Jimmy’s neck, curious and slow, like he was testing the space between them again. For a second, Jimmy didn’t react at all, caught off guard more by the sudden shift than the touch itself.

Then it happened again.

And again—lingering just a little longer each time.

His breath caught before he could stop it.

What began as something soft and almost playful shifted gradually, small nips and gentle pressure replacing those initial hesitant touches, just enough to make Jimmy’s head tilt back slightly as he exhaled under his breath. Sea didn’t rush, didn’t hold back either—moving with confidence, clearly paying attention to every reaction he managed to draw from him.

“Sea—” Jimmy tried, but there was already no real steadiness left in his voice.

The only response he got was a soft hum, low and satisfied, as if that alone was encouragement to continue.

And he did.

Jimmy let out another shaky breath, something dangerously close to a laugh slipping through as his hand came up to rest against Sea’s side, fingers pressing lightly as if reminding both of them where they were.

The touches grew bolder making Jimmy feel his composure slipping in real time. The warmth in his chest turning into something heavier, something harder to ignore.

A breathless huff left him before he finally reached up properly this time, fingers curling just enough to still him gently, but firmly enough to make a point.

“Slow down Sweetheart,” he said quietly, voice low, steadier than he actually felt.

Sea paused.

Just for a second.

Then he pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him and the expression he was met with was unfair.

A pout.

Soft, unmistakably unimpressed.

Jimmy exhaled through his nose, something between amusement and defeat flickering across his face as he shook his head faintly.

“Phi Chai…” Sea complained under his breath, clearly not pleased, though there was no real distance in it—just stubbornness wrapped in softness.

For a moment, Jimmy seriously considered giving in.

It would’ve been easy.

Too easy.

Instead, he lifted his hand, brushing his thumb gently along Sea’s cheek, the motion slow and grounding, more for himself than anything else.

“Not like this,” he murmured.

Sea didn’t answer right away.

He just watched him, the pout lingering, though softer now, less resistant than before.

“…Then when?” he asked quietly.

Jimmy let out a small, helpless laugh, shaking his head just slightly as he glanced down at him again.

“Later,” he said, voice softer this time, but certain. “When we actually have time… when I don’t have to leave in a few hours.”

The words settled between them.

The pout didn’t disappear but it shifted, understanding replacing the initial frustration as the meaning caught up.

Jimmy’s hand slid to the back of Sea’s neck, fingers settling there naturally as he pulled him just a little closer—not into a kiss, not yet, just enough to keep him within reach.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he added quietly. “We’ll do this properly.”

There was a brief pause.

“…Promise?” came softer now.

Jimmy didn’t hesitate.

“Promise.”

And just like that, the tension eased. Sea stayed close, the stubborn edge gone now.

“Hia…”

The quiet call barely rose above a murmur, but it was enough.

A soft hum answered him almost immediately.

Sea shifted a little closer, tilting his head slightly as if the movement alone might make his point clearer, his fingers still absentmindedly holding onto Jimmy like he hadn’t quite decided he was allowed to let go yet.

“Can we just… stay like this for a bit?” he asked, voice softer now, already leaning in before he even got an answer.

Jimmy let out a slow breath, something fond settling into his expression as he glanced down at him, one hand still resting warm and steady against his back.

“We are staying like this,” he pointed out gently.

Sea huffed under his breath, clearly unimpressed.

“No, I mean properly,” he insisted, shifting closer again, as if closing the small remaining space between them would somehow make his argument stronger. “Just… cuddle.”

The last word came out quieter, almost shy despite everything that had already passed between them.

Jimmy couldn’t help the small smile that followed.

“You say that like we’re not already halfway there,” he murmured, amusement soft in his voice.

Sea frowned faintly, though it didn’t last long.

“It’s not the same,” he argued, fingers tightening slightly in the fabric of Jimmy’s shirt, “This is… temporary.”

That made Jimmy pause.

“…Alright,” he relented after a while.. “We can cuddle.”

The shift in Sea was immediate.

He brightened so quickly the reaction almost too easy, too genuine to ignore.

But then…

“Actually…” Jimmy added, like the thought had only just occurred to him, though the faint glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. “If we get ready for bed now…”

Sea looked up at him, attentive immediately.

“…we can do it properly, after getting ready to go to bed,” Jimmy continued, tone light but just deliberate enough to give himself away. “Comfortably. Without having to move later.”

There was a brief pause.

A beat where Sea processed that.

“Oh.”

Another second passed.

“…Oh.”

The realization settled fully, and just like that, any remaining resistance disappeared.

“Okay,” he said quickly, already shifting, already moving as if this had been his idea all along. “We should get ready then.”

Jimmy let out a soft laugh, watching the transformation happen in real time.

“Thought so,” he murmured under his breath as he pushed himself up to follow.

Sea didn’t even try to deny it.

Instead, he leaned back in for just a second, close enough to press a quick, soft kiss to Jimmy’s lips before pulling away again.

And then he was gone.

Practically bouncing off the bed, already halfway across the room like the promise of comfortable cuddling had suddenly become the most important thing in the world.

Jimmy stayed where he was for a moment longer, watching him, something warm and steady settling deep in his chest.

There would be things to figure out.

Conversations they hadn’t had yet. Questions still left unanswered. Lines they would have to define carefully once the world outside this room inevitably found its way back in.

None of it would be simple.

But not tonight.

Tonight had already given them more than either of them had been brave enough to ask for.

And whatever came next…

they would be alright.

Because, somehow, that no longer felt uncertain.

They would have each other to hold onto.