—
It was late.
Inside Boss house lights dimmed.
Outside, rain tapped gently against the window.
Inside the private room, Boss sat beside Sea on the bed, shirt loosened, tie hanging loosely around his neck. His eyes looked tired—but not from lack of sleep.
From fighting wars no one could see.
Sea leaned against him quietly, head resting on Boss's shoulder. His fingers traced the scar near Boss's wrist—softly, absentmindedly.
> "You always come back with a storm in your eyes," Sea whispered.
Boss turned his head toward him, eyes heavy with something unreadable.
> "And you… always calm it."
He gently cupped Sea's chin, tilted it up until their eyes met.
> "Do you want me to stop?" Boss asked, voice quiet. "Whatever I'm doing out there. Do you want me to let him go?"
Sea hesitated.
He didn't know all the details.
But he knew Boss.
And more than anything… he knew what pain sounded like.
> "I want you to come back to me alive," Sea whispered. "I want you to stop bleeding for me in the dark."
Boss's throat moved—like the words stung.
Then he pulled Sea fully into his arms, cradling him like something sacred.
> "I'd bleed for you forever, Sea."
Sea looked up. His eyes were teary, lips trembling.
> "Don't say that."
> "I mean it," Boss said softly. "You're not just someone I protect. You're the only thing keeping me from losing myself."
Sea closed his eyes, breathing in his scent, his warmth.
And Boss pressed a kiss to his forehead, then his cheek, then his lips—slow, tender, reverent.
> "Sleep," Boss murmured. "I'll be here when you wake up."
> "Promise?"
> "Promise."
And for the first time in a long time...
Sea fell asleep without fear.
Boss stayed awake the entire night, watching him.
His arms never loosened. His eyes never drifted.
Because Sea was his only peace.
And he'd burn the world to keep that peace safe.
—
To be continued