The steady rhythm of autumn rain against glass filled the room, a gentle cadence softened by the dense fabric of blackout curtains. In the absence of sunlight, the muted grey walls and charcoal floor seemed to blur together, cocooning the room in shadowy tranquillity. The subtle hum of the city beyond was barely perceptible, fading into the lulling quiet of a morning.

Sean stirred, his body half-submerged beneath the warmth of the duvet, just as his alarm pierced the silence. He silenced it, then ignoring his busy schedule, Sean turned to the other side of the bed. A soft smile graced his lips, as it did every morning when he looked at him.

He shifted closer, his bare chest pressing against the warm, soft skin of Jay's back as he wrapped his arm around him. Instinctively, Jay nestled into the embrace, their bodies fitting seamlessly together. Even in his sleep, Jay's fingers sought his, intertwining as though it was second nature. Sean adored these small, unaware moments where it felt like he was all Jay needed.

Beyond the untamed passions they shared and the slow, deep lovemaking, it was this tranquil interlude between their alarms, the moment they simply existed together – unguarded, unspoken, and perfect in its simplicity – that made everything else worthwhile.

With his eyes closed, Sean pressed a tender kiss to Jay's shoulder, then whispered, "I love you."

Sean carefully extricated himself from the tangle of sheets and limbs, his bare feet landing soundlessly on the wooden floor. The hem of his pyjama trousers brushed the top of his foot as he walked down the hallway, his eyes briefly catching the retro cinematic poster from Camden Market. It stood out against the once-immaculate white walls like a call for rebellion.

As he entered the living room, his gaze landed on Jay's shirt, carelessly abandoned by the white leather sofa, still bearing the chaotic aftermath of their sudden urges. Soft, colourful cushions were scattered around, some having tumbled to the floor after a passionate make-out session that had interrupted one of their attempt at working together in the living room.

Sean leaned down to pick up his jumper from the other side of the sofa, and his gaze landed on a collage of photographs from their trip to Scotland. There were photos of them on the trials, climbing, selfies by the bonfire, and other casual moments. But among all the snapshots frozen in time, one particular photograph held his attention – a candid shot, capturing Jay in an unguarded moment, his radiant smile lighting up the frame. That genuine and captivating smile had entirely captured Sean's heart.

He walked into the kitchen through a wide arch, popped two slices of bread into the toaster, and turned on the coffee machine. He had always been a coffee person. He couldn't imagine starting his day without the rich, dark aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans. On the other hand, Jay had what Sean could only describe as a borderline obsession with green and white tea. Their kitchen cupboard was a testament to this obsession, its shelves dedicated solely to Jay's meticulously chosen and labelled tea stash.

Soon, a gentle aroma of jasmine filled the kitchen as Sean poured hot water over a small basket with tea leaves suspended in Jay's favourite cup. He set the precise timer and placed the toasts on the plates — his with dark chocolate spread, Jay's with strawberry jam, a reflection of their contrasting tastes and perfect harmony.

The timer's chime broke the peaceful stillness, prompting Sean to swiftly remove the infuser from the cup. Almost on cue, warm arms wrapped around his waist, and Jay's soft lips brushed against his neck, delivering a half-asleep but tender, "Good morning."

Sean turned, taking in Jay's morning appearance: half-asleep, hair tousled, and pyjama trousers resting low on his hips, effortlessly alluring. He rested his hand on Jay's jawline and leaned in for a soft kiss. Their lips moved in a slow, unhurried rhythm, a little thing that made the morning feel complete. In recent months, these simple moments, woven into their busy lives, had become something neither would trade.

"Your tea."

"Thanks," Jay muttered, taking a sip. "Do you want to get lunch somewhere in Covent Garden after your classes?"

"Yeah, I should have enough time... I think..."

Jay gave him a teasing smile. "Worried you will be late on your first day?"

"I'm never late," Sean quipped back, though he had to admit, his schedule would be tighter with volunteering at the pro bono clinic in Brixton.

Still, he wanted to do it. Sean enjoyed his internship and could easily imagine his future at Anderson, Chambers and Partners, but he couldn't pass up the chance to work with an organisation offering free legal assistance to marginalised groups facing discrimination and human rights violations. Plus, passing the recruitment process on his own made it all the more meaningful.

"Eventually, I can leave the office on time, and we could grab dinner at Brixton Market. It's an eclectic mix of food stalls and restaurants, kind of like Camden Market," Jay proposed as if reading his mind. "You will love it."

"Aww, you would finish work early for me? I'm honoured," Sean chuckled, finishing his coffee.

"It's way too early for this," he complained, reaching for his toast.

"Fine, fine," Sean said, brushing off hair from Jay's forehead. "Dinner sounds great... but do you really not mind me taking on another thing?"

Jay shook his head. "It's something you really want to do, so it is my job to support you, right?"

It was so straightforward that it left him speechless. There was no complaint about him getting busier and not having much time, only support. Sean glanced at Jay, still half-asleep but unwavering in his trust in him, his choices, and the things that mattered to him. He leaned in and kissed him briefly.

"Love you," Sean whispered against his lips before heading to the bathroom.

Jay stayed by the kitchen island, the faint trace of Sean's kiss lingering on his lips as he watched him disappear into the hallway. Sean's gaze and the effortless way he said 'love you' pressed against a part of him that was slowly, reluctantly, beginning to yield. Jay wanted to say it back. He really did. The words were closer now than they had ever been, yet they still stuck, like a lock that needed just the right key to turn. A quiet voice deep in his mind reminded him that he had never truly learned how to say it and mean it – not properly, not in the way Sean deserved to hear. But he was learning. Slowly. Painfully.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair as if that would clear the static in his head. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible anymore, either. Sean had brought him further than he thought he could go, and even if he hadn't reached the finish line yet, he wasn't standing still. That thought eased the frustration gnawing at him just a little, even though his perfectly composed demeanour didn't betray a single flicker of the storm inside.

"Did you fall back asleep?"

Sean's teasing voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and Jay blinked, realising over fifteen minutes had slipped by. The tea he had barely touched was now cold, the faint chill from the mug reminding him that he was running late now.

"Jay?"

"It's nothing...," he habitually responded, missing Sean's worried gaze as he left the kitchen. "I will see you in the evening."

The rain drummed against the tall windows of Anderson, Chambers and Partners, casting a soft haze over the grand stone exterior of the building. Yet, the firm hummed with activity as colleagues filtered in, greeting each other in quiet tones. The polished floors reflected the soft glow of recessed lighting, creating a sharp contrast with the bustling energy of the morning rush, enhanced by the scent of fresh coffee.

Jay stepped into the lift and pressed the button for the top floor. Just as the doors began to close, three interns hurried in, still absorbed in their conversation.

"Any special occasion?" one of the interns, a tall blonde with a bright smile, asked her colleague, gesturing to a Tupperware filled with macaroons.

The girl with short, dark hair shook her head. "Sean helped me with the draft, so I wanted to thank him. I would be doomed without him."

Jay didn't even look up from his phone, but the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself. Sweets, of all things...

"Do you think he has someone?" the third intern, a redhead with glasses, chimed in, leaning slightly towards her friends.

"I never heard him mention anyone," the girl with macaroons responded, raising an eyebrow. "But then he always keeps a polite distance, so it's possible."

"Why? Are you into him?" the blonde teased, nudging her.

"Well..." the dark-haired intern hesitated with a shy smile. "He's smart, good-looking... and he actually listens when you talk, which is more than I can say for most of the guys around here."

The rest of their conversation faded away as the lift door opened and interns left on their floor, leaving utterly amused Jay alone. To avoid causing any issues for Sean during his internship, they kept their relationship under wraps. As a result, no one knew about it besides Margaret and maybe Rebecca. Still, this overheard conversation gave him something to tease Sean about over dinner.

"Good morning, Mr Anderson," Rebecca greeted him as he passed by her desk on the executive floor. "Your 9:30 meeting with Mr Thompson is confirmed, and your 11:00 call with the client is set up as requested."

"Thank you," Jay replied, pausing briefly. "Also, could you ensure my schedule is clear from six onwards?"

Her eyebrow quirked slightly, and a teasing smile appeared on her lips. "Mr Anderson, you do realise our official hours end at 5:30, don't you? But I'll make sure nothing overruns."

Jay just shook his head with amusement and soon disappeared into his office. He should be focused on his meeting only half an hour away, yet his mind was fixed on something else. Just a few days away. Sean's birthday. And he still didn't have a gift, besides booking a table at a Chinese restaurant he liked a lot and hoped Sean would too.

The problem wasn't a lack of ideas; it was that everything he considered fell flat. Sean had grown accustomed to the shift in his lifestyle since moving together. Still, Jay wasn't blind to his occasional discomfort – a hesitant glance, a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. And this was the last thing he wanted to happen on such an important day. A trip would have been ideal as he could easily plan something thoughtful and entirely about Sean. However, with Sean's university schedule, internship, and now volunteering, time wasn't on their side.

Jay leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He didn't want Sean to feel awkward, so the gift needed to feel right – not too much, but not thoughtless either. And with the days slipping away, he was running out of time to figure out what "right" even looked like.

With several minutes left until his meeting, Jay unlocked his phone, opened the chat, and typed a quick message.

Me

I need your help.

Vivi

Are you still stuck on Sean's birthday gift?

Me

Yes, nothing I can think of feels right and getting away even for a weekend is impossible.

It's his first birthday here, Vivi.

I would hate to mess it up.

Vivi

I'm sure that knowing how much you care about it would already make him happy.

Me

Not helping.

I know he misses having a motorcycle

Especially now that we have sorted out his licence.

But if I get him one, it would make him so uncomfortable.

Vivi

Yeah, it would be a bad idea.

Maybe something more leaning towards experience?

Like a day on a circuit or something?

Me

I could get him a professional training session at Silverstone to try out the Fireblade

His face literally lits up every time he sees it somewhere

Vivi

Aww, just like you when someone gives you cake 🤭

But seriously, it's brilliant, and I'm sure he will love it

Me

Thanks

Vivi

Anytime

We want to take him for lunch with Jonathan next week.

Do you have time to join us as well?

Me

I have few court sessions, so it may be hard

But I will try

Vivi

You really changed, you know?

Earlier would be: Sorry, I'm busy

Me

Am I really that bad?

Vivi

Yes 😑

I'm glad you met him, Jay

Me

Yeah, me too

By the time Jay finished his last meeting, the day had blurred into a series of case files and client discussions. It was almost six, and though heavy clouds loomed outside, the office remained bright. He barely noticed the time passing as he moved from one task to the next until a knock at the door pulled his attention away from the document he was working on.

"Do you have a moment?" Margaret asked, stepping inside.

Jay glanced at his watch and nodded. His demeanour remained as usual indifferent, not carrying a trace of familiarity.

Margaret closed the door behind her and walked to his desk, handing him a case file. "A new case came through today. It's... complicated. High-profile, too. But I think it will be a good challenge for you."

He flipped through the file while listening to her explanation. But even at first glance, he could say his mother was right. It will be a challenge.

"Our client is accused of murdering her ex-husband, Matthew Fielding. He was found dead in his residence last week, stabbed multiple times."

His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he tried to recall where he heard that name before. "He was rather known politician, wasn't he?"

Margaret nodded. "Their divorce case was all over the media when you were in Bangkok. It was a mess with accusations flying back and forth. And they still didn't fully settle the property division."

"I assume this makes her prime suspect, or do they have evidence?"

"This is where it gets tricky. The evidence is circumstantial, but she was at the crime scene on the day. Fielding housemaid claims she heard them arguing before leaving to run a quick errand, and when she returned, she found him dead in the living room. According to our client, she indeed argued with her ex-husband about their art collection but didn't stab him over it."

Jay leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Let me get this straight. She argues with her ex-husband in his house, leaves, and at some point after that, he's stabbed to death. The maid returns, finds him, and calls the police," he paused, flipping a page in the file. "What does the autopsy say about the time of death?"

"We don't have a physical copy yet, but the preliminary findings estimate he died within a 30-minute window after the argument."

"That's too close to definitively rule her out, but it also doesn't exclude the possibility of someone else coming in after she left."

Margaret nodded. "Exactly, and the prosecution is banking on the narrow timeline and her lack of an alibi."

"Make sense."

"So, what do you think? Will you take it?" she asked tentatively. "Handling a case like this will strengthen your portfolio, especially if you're serious about moving to the Complex Case Unit."

"It's an intriguing case, and I can see the challenge. Plus, you are right. It will help me a lot, so I will take it," Jay said, closing the file, but seeing she wasn't making a move to leave, he asked, "Is there anything else?"

Margaret hesitated for a moment as if debating whether she had the right to ask. Then, with a faint smile, she seemed to make up her mind. "How is Sean settling in? I heard his supervisor is very impressed with him."

Jay's expression didn't shift, his tone remained polite yet distant as he replied, "He's doing well," he paused, then glanced at his watch. "If that's all, I have dinner plans this evening."

"Yes, please enjoy yourself," she said, turning to leave.

The more she wished she could turn back time and fix her mistakes, the harder it was to face him and his unwavering indifference. It hurt, but she couldn't blame him.

The rain had finally ceased, leaving a fresh, earthy scent. The fading light bathed the market in a soft glow, casting long shadows across the vibrant patchwork of stalls and restaurants. Aromas from various kitchens drifted out into the street – smoky barbecued meats, fragrant lamb curry, and the rich scent of sizzling dumplings blending together in an enticing mix adding to the lively chaos, creating a welcoming, buzzing atmosphere that felt uniquely Brixton.

After a leisurely exploration of the market and getting a few snacks from food stalls, they settled on Nepalese cuisine at a small restaurant known for its Himalayan-style dumplings.

"You look both exhausted and overly energetic. If I didn't know you better, I would assume you are on something," Jay teased him as they settled into a corner table.

Sean rolled his eyes. "Just seeing you is enough."

"Smooth," he chuckled, sipping his beer. "So, how was it?"

"Incredibly busy," Sean started, playing with Jay's tie. "I thought I would be stuck with the usual grunt work for weeks, but as soon as they realised I could speak Mandarin and Thai, I ended up shadowing one of the lawyers and helping with more challenging cases and non-English-speaking clients. It was a great experience, but also felt a lot like the clinic back at uni."

Jay smiled. It has been a while since he saw him so excited about his work. "You like it more than an internship, do you?"

"Honestly? A bit..."

"Rather a lot," Jay chuckled.

"Fine, I will admit it," Sean laughed lightly. "I guess it's impossible to fully compare as case calibre is different, but this makes me feel like I can simply pick up where I left off because the desperation and struggle people face is the same."

"It feels like you are back home?"

Sean shook his head. "My home is right in front of me," he said softly, tugging Jay's tie to pull him closer, then giving him a quick kiss. "But it reassures me that I don't need to compromise the work I want to do with where I want to be."

His expression softened, even if it didn't fully show, Jay was incredibly relieved to hear it. He always knew how passionate Sean was about their group's activities and his work in Bangkok. However, ever since he moved to London, some of this spark disappeared, buried under endless grind, and now it was back.

They were still chatting about Sean's day at the pro bono clinic over two bottles of beer when the waiter brought their order, turning the table into a vibrant mosaic. A bowl of golden momos with crispy edges contrasting the soft fillings, accompanied by a rich orange dipping sauce. Another plate showcased steamed dumplings with delicate pleats, drenched in a spicy tomato-based chutney. The stir-fried chow mein speckled with scallions, while the thali platter offered aromatic curries, fluffy rice, and freshly charred flatbreads. Each dish radiated warmth and spice, promising incredible flavours.

"Oh, I nearly forgot," Jay said with his cheeky one-side smile, which in Sean's eyes usually meant trouble. "You missed out on macaroons and possible confession from your fellow intern."

Sean coughed, nearly choking on a dumpling. "The what?!"