Sebastian woke to Jack still lying there in his arms, his face tucked into Sebastian's shoulder, fingers clinging to his shirt – like he didn't want to let go, even in his sleep.
Sebastian didn't mind.
He wanted Jack to hold on. He wanted to be Jack's anchor. He wanted to be Jack's. Or, he wanted Jack to be his. And in a way, he was—or would be, soon.
Sebastan would make sure of that.
Jack's breath, warm and slow, brushed against the side of Sebastian's neck in a steady rhythm.
It was grounding. Soothing. Dangerous, in a way that made Sebastian's chest ache.
He stared down at Jack, studied the way sleep smoothed out the tension in his face. The way his lashes lay gently against skin still faintly blotched from last night's tears. He looked peaceful like this. No memories, no grief, no guilt. Just Jack—quiet and safe in his arms.
This is what it should always be like, Sebastian thought. This is how it should stay.
Jack stirred slightly, and then his eyes opened, soft and dazed, landing straight on Sebastian's. They blinked slowly at each other, saying nothing. There was no need for words.
Then Jack moved closer, burrowing into Sebastian's neck with a small sigh. His hands gripped tighter, like he was afraid of waking up and finding Sebastian gone.
Sebastian let out a quiet laugh, more breath than sound, before pulling him in until there was no space left between them.
He held him gently, yet completely.
Jack's eyes slid shut again. And within seconds, he drifted off once more, his breathing deepening. The blanket had slipped partway down, but Sebastian didn't fix it. Jack's warmth pressed to his chest was enough.
Sunlight slowly slipped through the blinds, casting pale lines across the couch. It lit Jack's hair in a soft halo, painted golden edges over the curve of his cheek, his collarbone, his fingers still twisted in Sebastian's shirt.
He looked like something sacred. Something claimed.
Sebastian didn't move. He just lay there, running slow fingers through Jack's hair, watching the way it flopped gently into place again after every pass.
Jack let out another little sigh in his sleep, and it made Sebastian smile.
This was everything he had ever wanted. And it terrified him—how badly he needed this to last.
But eventually, as always, the moment broke. A shrill vibration pierced the quiet. Jack's phone buzzed on the coffee table. Both of them flinched.
Jack slowly opened his eyes again, brows drawn together in a sleepy frown. He sat up with sluggish movements, reaching across Sebastian for the phone. Sebastian rose with him, blanket pooling in his lap.
The screen lit up with a name. Vanessa. One of Louisa's friends.
Sebastian's arm slid around Jack's waist automatically, anchoring him as Jack answered the call.
Jack didn't say much—he mostly listened. The voice on the other end spoke fast, nervous. No one had seen Louisa. She'd left dinner halfway through, excused herself to the bathroom, and just… vanished. No calls. No texts. Nothing since.
She hadn't even taken her overnight bag with her. It was left at the restaurant.
Jack's face was blank when he hung up, but Sebastian could see the storm behind his eyes.
"Do you think… she left because she was scared something would happen to her?" Jack asked, voice quiet, frayed.
"Jack," Sebastian said, his voice firm but gentle. "Of course not."
Jack looked at him, searching. So Sebastian continued, brushing a thumb across the back of Jack's hand.
"If I were her, I wouldn't have left. Not even if I was scared. And I don't think she would've either. Not without saying goodbye. Not like that."
Jack didn't answer. His eyes dropped, his body leaned in again, the weight of everything folding into Sebastian like he couldn't hold it alone anymore.
Sebastian let him.
They sat there a long while, saying nothing. The phone screen dimmed again. The morning light kept inching in. Somewhere, people were waking up, starting their normal lives.
But not them.
"I should probably take a shower," Jack said eventually, but it came out more like a question than a statement.
Sebastian didn't move. Neither did Jack.
It was a loose embrace now—Sebastian wasn't holding him there. Jack could've gotten up at any time. But he didn't. He didn't even try.
After several quiet minutes, Sebastian shifted slightly. "Do you want help?" he asked, careful with his tone.
Jack didn't reply. He only leaned closer, his silence the only answer Sebastian needed.
So Sebastian stood, then gently coaxed Jack to stand with him. Their fingers found each other halfway, interlacing before Sebastian led him to the bathroom without a word.
He turned on the water, steam beginning to curl upward. Then, with gentle care, he helped Jack undress.
He guided him to the stream of hot water, hands steady and patient.
"Do you want me to help you?" Sebastian asked, keeping his eyes on Jack's face.
Jack was still for a moment. Then he gave the faintest shake of his head.
No.
Sebastian nodded. "Then I'll be right outside, alright?"
Jack nodded in return, barely.
And Sebastian stepped out, leaving the door ajar.
Just in case.