A/N: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Hidelias for bringing Sir Fitzgerald to life. Thank you so much!

The first light of dawn seeped gently into the loft, softening the edges of the slanted ceiling and casting a warm glow over the room. The air, thick with the lingering scent of rain, seemed to hold its breath, embracing the stillness that came with the early hour. The quiet rustle of leaves blended seamlessly with the faint murmurs of a city not yet fully awake, as if nature and life were perfectly aligned in their pause.

Sean stirred, his body rousing on instinct, bound by months of waking at the same hour. He was still half-asleep when the realisation that there was no need to reach for his phone sank in. The mattress beside him wasn't cold either. He shifted closer, slipping his arm around Jay and pressing a soft, unhurried kiss to his shoulder blade, a quiet acknowledgement of comfort and presence that felt as natural as breathing.

Something he nearly pushed away.

When Sean had agreed to move in with Jay, he thought his doubts were gone. But as the time passed, a quiet unease began to creep in. The idea of moving into Jay's penthouse started to feel like a betrayal of the values that defined him and the principles that had driven him to fight for equality and justice.

As these thoughts grew louder, Sean found himself wondering if he should instead look for a small flat on the outskirts of London, somewhere he could afford on his intern's salary. It would be inconvenient, certainly, but it felt honest. It wouldn't risk diminishing the integrity of his work or the person he aspired to be.

His struggle must have been written all over his face because Sari cornered him one evening after dinner, invoking her big sister's privilege to demand an explanation. When he finally finished, she sighed heavily before smacking him lightly on the head.

"So, your solution is to punish both of you for the disparity in your finances?"

Sean stared at her, caught off guard. "It's not punishment. It's...fair," he muttered, though the word felt hollow even as he said it.

"Fair?" Sari raised an eyebrow. "You think it's fair to strain your relationship by living across the city because you can't match Jay's bank account? Fair to deny yourself the time and space to be together when your schedules are already insane? A relationship isn't about keeping score, Sean. It's about supporting each other. If the roles were reversed, wouldn't you want Jay to move in with you if it meant making things easier for both of you?"

Her words lingered in his mind long after the conversation ended, forcing him to confront a truth he had been avoiding. Living separately wouldn't make their relationship more equitable. It would simply put distance between them when time together was already precious. He thought about how hectic their lives would be, even in the same city. If they weren't living together, it might be days or weeks before they found a free evening. But this wasn't the only thing that helped him reinforce his decision...

Jay was always respectful and understanding, never flaunting his wealth. Even his style was defined by luxury in a quiet, unassuming way, where the absence of visible logos reflected his preference for elegance over ostentation. More importantly, Jay never made him feel dependent or inadequate, never drawing attention to the gap in their financial realities. In fact, it was the opposite. Jay often made him forget it was there in the first place. And Sean finally realised that moving together wouldn't change it... that Jay asked him to move in simply because he wanted to be with him.

"Do you have a death wish?"

The chilling voice was so sudden it cut through Sean's thoughts like a blade. He froze, yet his fingers still unconsciously kept tracing the spider lilies.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, can you not do that right now?" Jay hissed, pulling the light duvet over his head.

Sean instantly came to his senses, a cheeky smile playing on his lips as he slid underneath the covers. "My apologies," he muttered, kissing his shoulder as his fingertips glided right above Jay's low waist pyjama trousers. "This should work better... for fuck's sake, don't you agree?"

"You're a fucking menace."

He chuckled, his breath tickling the sensitive skin on Jay's neck. "Anything for you, sunshine."

Suddenly, the air around them felt like it had dropped to a freezing point. It was the voice Sean only heard on a few occasions... when Jay was truly and dangerously angry.

"Jesus Fucking Christ... do me a favour and die on the other side of the bed."

"I can't..." Sean chirped. "You would miss the sex."

Jay gripped the pillow and buried himself underneath, but Sean still could hear his voice, filled with silent ferocity. "If you don't shut up and leave me the fuck alone, sex will be the least of your worries."

Sean's grin widened as he leaned closer, deliberately invading Jay's hideout. "You know," he murmured, his voice oozing mock sweetness. "I haven't seen you for over a month, Jay. Forty-two whole days. But who's counting? I'm finally done with finals, and all I want is to spend every second with you. And what do I get? You... muttering death threats under a blanket."

Jay let out a low growl, muffled by the pillow and duvet. "Sean..."

Undeterred, Sean pressed his luck, his fingers brushing gently over Jay's spine. "I mean, I get it. You're tired. Poor baby had a long flight and—"

The pillow slammed into Sean's face with startling accuracy. "I. Don't. Fucking. Care!" Jay snapped, emerging from under the covers just long enough to glare at him before retreating back into his cocoon.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop... Get more sleep, sunshine."

"I'm going to fucking kill you."

Sean laughed softly, utterly unfazed, and pulled him closer, tenderly running his fingers through dark brown hair. It didn't take long for Jay's breath to even up as he relaxed into his embrace. Sean smiled, fairly certain Jay would fulfil his threats if only he had any recollection of them once he was fully awake a few hours later. Not that Sean would ever admit, even to himself, that this tiny detail was the only reason he dared to use pet names in the first place.

A couple of hours later, the room stirred with the smooth yet persistent notes of a jazz ringtone. Sean blinked awake and gently nudged Jay to get his attention. The result was unexpected and melted everything inside him. Jay shifted slightly, then turned around and, with a soft sigh, buried his face into Sean's neck as if to escape the unwelcome intrusion of sound.

Sean smiled faintly, threading his fingers through Jay's tousled hair before planting a light kiss on his head. "Your phone has been ringing for a while."

"Can you deal with it?" Jay mumbled, his words blurring into each other as he sunk deeper into Sean's arms without care for the world.

With a helpless look, Sean reached over to the nightstand to grab the phone. "It's Victor."

Jay's only response was a soft hum, followed by a muffled, "Tell him to stop panicking."

Stunned, Sean glanced at the screen with an incoming video call. It wasn't just that Jay asked him to handle something so personal. It was the quiet, unspoken trust behind it – effortless, unguarded – that touched him. Jay's walls always seemed unshakeable, but in moments like this, it felt like Jay let him in a way that felt natural and unreserved. Sean looked at him with incredible tenderness, then leaned in and kissed him again.

He slid the button, and Victor's exasperated face instantly popped on the screen. He was passionately venting his frustration to a black cat.

"Sorry to disturb your... conversation, but I've been asked to pass the message," Sean said, getting his attention. "Stop panicking?"

Victor paused mid-sentence, surprise flickering across his face before it softened into a wide grin. Sir Fitzgerald seized the moment, slipping from his grasp and vanishing from view with the aloof elegance only a cat could muster.

"Unexpected, but I'll take it," Victor said, waving hi. "Sorry, I forgot he's visiting you. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Sean shook his head and angled the camera to show Jay asleep, tucked close and half-hidden against him.

"Aww, I had no idea he could do that," Victor chuckled, amazed to see his friend like this. "Is he still in stage I will fucking kill you or harmless one?"

"The harmless one," Sean responded with amusement, keeping his voice low. "Do you want me to wake him up?"

Victor waved his hand dismissively. "He barely sleeps without you, so let him have it... I will try to talk with Sir Fitzgerald, who oddly seems to be a cat version of that heartless bastard. Seriously? Don't panic? What if things go wrong again? Or I will say something stupid? And he doesn't care at all... neither of them does."

Sean looked curiously at him, his free hand habitually brushing through Jay's hair. "You seem... stressed."

"Stressed is an understatement, mate," Victor started, launching into a story about him and Scott, including their misunderstanding. "So, after we cleared it up over coffee, we decided to give us a chance, but I'm pretty much sure I will fuck this up. We are going on a date, like an actual date with dinner and film... but the problem is, I don't really do dates like this, so I'm bound to mess up, right?"

This sounded oddly familiar, so familiar that Sean subconsciously glanced at Jay. Slowly, he began to understand why Jay and Victor were so close – they were, in many ways, the same. "A date is just a fancy name for what you two were doing all along, literally a hangout with the right to kiss whenever you feel like it."

Victor stared at him wide-eyed. "I never thought about it like this."

"Neither does he," Sean chuckled lightly, looking at the person beside him. "Just enjoy yourself, and don't worry about labels. Besides, from what you said, Sir Fitzgerald likes him, which must mean something."

"Scott is his vet, remember?"

"And?" Sean's eyebrow quirked questioningly. "Cats hate vets on principle."

"Oh, so you are saying if he can handle someone who hates him with ease, he can handle one clueless guy?"

Sean was about to respond that this wasn't what he had in mind when Jay's soft and drowsy voice beat him to it. "Yeah, exactly that... now quit bothering us, or you will be late."

Victor glanced at the time with panic and waved goodbye. "Thanks a lot, Sean," he said with appreciation, then glanced at Jay. "And you go back to sleep, you heartless bastard."

The screen went dark, and Sean lightly tossed the phone aside, then looked down at Jay with a gentle smile. "You two have a very amusing relationship."

"How so?"

Sean ran his fingers through Jay's hair and kissed him softly. "It's like you would do anything for each other if it came down to it, but half the time, you're checking how far you can push each other's buttons."

"I guess it is like this," Jay responded, his eyes still closed. "We have known each other for so long, sometimes it's impossible to tell where one ends and the other starts."

"That explains a lot," Sean said with a wry smile. "You two are like opposite sides of the same coin, loyal to the core while trying to out-annoy each other. It's a bit maddening to watch, but it kind of makes sense."

Suddenly, Jay tilted his head, his sleepy gaze swirled with unspoken emotions. It was like the most beautiful storm. Impossible to look away from, fixing Sean in the spot. It felt so intimate and personal, like something no one else got to see... as if Sean became the singular most important thing in Jay's life.

"I miss waking up like this..."

A quiet, almost inaudible voice pulled at all his heartstrings, making Sean realise something he hadn't fully understood before. Choosing the person he loved more than life itself didn't compromise his values and principles. It wasn't a sacrifice but a shift, a natural redefinition of what mattered the most to him. After all, the two could seamlessly coexist, but one would always take priority over the other.

The faint hum of fluorescent lights mingled with the thick, humid air. Shadows stretched unevenly across the concrete floor, softened by the warm residue of the day. Beyond the corrugated roof, distant traffic whispered through the stillness, blending with the garage's quiet rhythm and industrial vibe.

Jay sat cross-legged on the worn sofa, balancing a laptop on his knees as he typed a legal document. His appearance was unusually laidback. Strands of hair fell across his forehead in dishevelled layers, with a few rebellious locks brushing against his brows. A loose tank top hanging effortlessly over his frame and black skinny jeans added a touch of contrast to his focused demeanour.

It was definitely not an image Tay expected to see when he entered the garage. Even less that his brother had tattoos. It was a rather painful reminder of how much he misjudged him.

"Hi," Tay said awkwardly, regretting he didn't accompany Win to get snacks. "It has been a while."

Jay looked up from the screen with an almost imperceivable nod. "How's your recovery?"

The question caught him off guard, but Jay's neutral tone put him more at ease. It wasn't quite care, but it wasn't indifference either. Something in between that seemed to define their relationship now. "Just a few lingering issues, but I'm nearly there. Thanks for taking care of it."

"It was nothing," Jay waved him off, shifting his gaze back to the screen.

Tay sank into the other sofa, unsure what to say. He wanted to get closer to him, but where could he begin? At six, Jay already had been reserved, but now, at twenty-five, he seemed untouchable, like an intricately carved ice sculpture – cold and completely out of reach. And yet, Sean had found a way to melt past that exterior. How?

"How long are you staying?"

"Just a few days," he responded, continuing to work.

Finally, as if realising something, Tay looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Sean is at the pro bono clinic, and Izzy went to tow someone's car."

Tay sighed inaudibly, unable to get rid of the growing impression that Jay wanted nothing to do with him. And he suspected there was a very good reason behind it, making him even more regretful that he couldn't keep his mouth shut back then. "Uh... so... you guys are serious? That's great..."

Jay finally looked at him with an unreadable expression. "We are. And if that's your attempt at an apology for what you said to him, I suggest you do better."

"Sorry, I went too far," Tay said, scratching his neck. "It's just... for some reason, his existence grinds on my nerves."

Jay's eyebrow arched slightly in a silent rebuke that immediately made Tay regret his excuse. He wanted to explain that he was only worried someone would take advantage of Jay and hurt him even more than their mother already had. But something deep inside told him Jay wouldn't appreciate it. And that maybe this unwanted attempt at protection was a wrong way to repay for what Jay did for him.

Suddenly, the door slid open, and Tay was rendered speechless. Jay's focus shifted away from his laptop as if drawn by something instinctive. His expression didn't change much. It was still borderline nonchalant, but his eyes softened and brightened as though his whole world had just walked into the room.

Sean crossed the garage with an effortless and genuine smile Tay had never seen before. Without hesitation, he leaned in, pressing a deep, lingering kiss to Jay's lips. It was slow, intimate and unapologetic. Tay found himself transfixed, not just by the kiss but by how natural it seemed, as if he wasn't even here.

"An apology gift for running late," Sean said, gently waving a small box from the cake shop. "Your favourite."

If Tay hadn't been shocked to the core already, the way Jay's face lit up surely did the job. He didn't even know Jay liked sweets, let alone his favourite. A little thing that made him realise he never had the right to meddle in their relationship... after all, it was none of his business.

Sean plopped on the sofa beside Jay and chuckled. "You were so busy with work, you didn't notice, huh?"

"Maybe," Jay shrugged, scooping a piece of cake with a fork. He held it out towards Sean with a faint smirk. "But if that's the case, this should be yours."

"Absolutely not," Sean uttered, instinctively jumping away.

Jay moved the fork closer. "Are you sure?"

"Not even if you were covered in it."

"Oh?"

Sean glared at him, then stood up to take a shower. "Eat you bloody cake, bastard. Auntie Som insisted that we come for dinner at her place. Apparently, my eating habits suck, and you are way too skinny," he added, rolling his eyes.

"Well, she isn't wrong about your eating habits."

Already halfway to the stairs, Sean spun around, staring daggers at him. "Have you seen your skinny ass recently?"

Jay smiled playfully and shook his head. "But I'm sure you did."

Tay would love to dissolve into thin air, though it already felt as if he was invisible. Still, it was worth staying, even if just to see Jay carefree and happy. Because Tay didn't believe it was possible... not after what their mother did to him.

"Oh, you are here as well," Sean said, finally noticing him. "Someone was looking for you at the clinic. We left contact details and a case file in your basket."

"Thanks," Tay muttered without his usual cockiness. "I heard you are resigning next month. Is it true?"

Sean nodded. "Yes, at the end of June."

"Why?! The whole thing was your idea," Tay questioned him.

His gaze shifted back to Jay, and Sean smiled. "I'm moving."

Tay opened his mouth as if to retort but stopped himself. Seeing them, even briefly, was enough to say it was genuine. So, instead of making another snarky comment, he exhaled slowly and nodded. "Well... at least I won't have to see you every day."

Sean looked at him with surprise. He would rather expect an insult than this relative politeness. But something told him it was linked to the person enjoying his cake as if nothing else held any significance to him.

"The feeling is mutual," Sean responded before disappearing into his loft.

A soft breeze stirred through the makeshift canopy, bringing a brief respite from the heat and carrying the aroma of sizzling chicken and fragrant spices. The soft glow of large fairy lights strung overhead cast a golden hue over the colourful plastic chairs and worn tables, adding incredible charm to the outdoor eatery.

Their small corner table felt secluded and intimate with a simple meal. A basket of fried chicken, its crispy aroma mingling with the faint tang of papaya salad, and a bowl of pickled vegetables offering a sharp, briny contrast.

Sean gently brushed off a droplet of coconut water from Jay's lips. His touch lingered a moment too long before his fingers shifted to grip Jay's chin and pull him into a not-so-subtle kiss.

"You know... there is something Tay mentioned once, but it always slipped my mind," Sean said, looking much more satisfied now.

Jay glanced at him questioningly, dipping a piece of chicken into the sauce.

"What is your actual name?"

Jay froze with chicken halfway to his mouth. There was a brief moment of silence before he casually took a bite, slowly chewed it and swallowed.

"James Henry Sebastian William," he said flatly, meeting Sean's gaze. "But if you ever dare to say it, I will send you straight to hell."

"James Henry Sebastian William," Sean instantly repeated, drawing it out with exaggerated reverence. Then, he smirked mischievously. "And here I thought you were already a mouthful."

Jay's gaze was chilling in its indifference, holding a cold, calculating stillness that could freeze the air between them. Clearly, he wasn't amused by his double entendre. Yet, Sean leaned in slightly with an amused smile.

"Well, I love you, James Henry Sebastian William, even with your long—"

Before Sean could utter another word, Jay grabbed a piece of chicken and shoved it into his mouth, completely silencing him.

"Do you have a death wish?"

Sean laughed lightly, his fingers brushing over the back of Jay's neck before pulling him closer and resting his forehead against Jay's. His teasing and amused gaze turned incredibly tender.

"Funny, that's the second time you asked me this today, and the answer is still the same. I can't die. You would miss the sex," Sean chuckled, but his expression remained serious. "So, why do you hate it so much?"

"It's bothersome," he responded dismissively but then sighed with resignation. "It's... another cage, just technically easier to escape than the others."

Sean learned when not to push him for more and when it's better to let go. After all, patience got him much further than anything else. He smiled faintly and kissed him. "Jay, it is then."

Once, being like this with Jay was nothing more than a dream... getting here still felt very dream-like, and if this was nothing more than a dream state, Sean wished to never wake up.