The room lay immersed in tranquil dimness, the blackout curtains veiling it in an unbroken stillness that seemed to hush the outside world. The gentle hum of the climate control system faded into the silence. Shadows softened every surface, lending the space an air of serenity untouched by the passage of time. It felt as though the room itself was suspended in anticipation, cradling the stillness until the first stir of life would ripple through its calm embrace.

Sean stirred awake, silencing the alarm with a habitual swipe. Turning over, he reached for the familiar presence beside him but found the bed unexpectedly empty. A faint crease of worry formed as his eyes flicked towards the bathroom door, no light either. It was so unlike Jay to be awake before him that it left him unsettled, and Sean nearly jumped out of bed.

But as soon as he entered the kitchen, his quick steps faltered. Jay stood by the counter, wearing loose joggers and a tank top, swiftly slicing bird's eye chillies. A pot simmered gently on the stove, releasing a savoury aroma laced with a perfect amount of spice. Sean walked over and hugged him from behind, resting his chin on Jay's shoulder.

"What are you doing here so early?"

Jay tilted his head, looking back at him with a soft smile. "Your coffee is on the table."

"You... as in you, made me a coffee?" Sean questioned, looking at him suspiciously. "Should I be worried?"

Instead of answering, Jay gently pushed him towards the dining area and steaming hot mug. Puzzled by his unusual behaviour, Sean took a sip. The temperature was just as he liked it, indicating Jay must have timed it perfectly.

"Are you really not going to tell me anything?" he asked, resting his chin on the palm and watching Jay move around the kitchen.

Jay shook his head. He wasn't surprised that Sean forgot it was his birthday today. Between his classes, internship and volunteering, combined with the additional workload the three carried, days were simply too short, blending together. One more reason to make it special.

He poured the golden broth over the single, unbroken strand of noodle neatly coiled in the bowl. The toppings were Sean's favourites – thinly sliced Sichuan beef, tender bok choy, and bird's eye chillies to add the heat he loved. A light drizzle of Sichuan pepper oil gave the soup a numbing edge, while a sprinkle of spring onions added a burst of freshness.

Jay placed the bowl in front of Sean and kissed him, "Happy birthday."

At first, Sean was surprised, but then his gaze softened as an unexpected wave of nostalgia swept over him. Growing up, longevity noodles had always been something he looked forward to, a small but meaningful tradition his mother cultivated with each year since he could remember. But after she passed away just weeks before his eighteenth birthday, Sean never imagined he would experience it again.

"You woke up early... to make this? For me?"

Jay smiled at him. "Of course, it felt important when you mentioned it last year... I know, it's probably not the same, but–"

His words dissolved as Sean pulled him down, sealing his mouth with a slow but deep kiss carrying more emotions than any words could express.

"It's perfect, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Sean tried a spoonful of the soup. The flavour was incredible – rich and complex, with just the perfect amount of spice. The noodle itself was soft yet perfectly chewy. He couldn't help but smile. "You've really outdone yourself."

"I tried," Jay shrugged casually. "Sorry, I need to leave early today, and I'm in court most of the time, so I won't be able to see you for lunch, but I will pick you up for dinner, okay?"

He shook his head as he remembered Jay telling him, looking incredibly apologetic, that he would be swamped on Friday, but Sean was too busy himself to make a connection that it was his birthday. Yet, Jay planned to wake up early and make extra time to prepare breakfast for him. This alone meant the world to him.

"Dinner sounds great," he said, kissing him again. "Go take your shower while I enjoy my noodles."

"Sure?"

"Of course," Sean brushed off a strand of hair from Jay's forehead. "Although it's a shame I won't get to see you in the shower..."

Jay rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Take your mind out of the gutter... at least until after the dinner."

"No promises!" he called after him before returning to his noddles with a soft smile.

Sean savoured each bite, the memory of his mother gently intertwined with the presence of someone who had become his everything. Jay had never outright said he loved him, except for that one unconscious admission on the plane, but he didn't need to. Sean already knew. And moments like this always reminded him how much he mattered to Jay.

The evening rush settled around Temple Underground Station with a steady current of commuters spilling onto the pavement. The autumn air was cool but pleasant, carrying a hint of autumn as the sun dipped lower, casting warm light over the Thames. Despite the bustle, the scene held a certain charm, the kind only a busy London evening could evoke.

Jay crossed the road in a hurry, swiftly navigating between cars. Despite a long day in court, his crisp white shirt and tailored black suit remained immaculate, the slim tie perfectly aligned. His trench coat draped over one arm, partially concealing the leather laptop bag slung on his shoulder. There was a subtle but undeniable spark in his gaze, an excitement almost that softened his typically indifferent demeanour.

As he walked into the foyer, the security guard at the entrance nodded in greeting, then skipped formalities and unlocked the inner door. With most employees gone for the day, the building was much quieter now. Jay leaned on the reception counter and texted Sean that he arrived.

A few minutes later, they were walking towards the underground station when Sean suddenly reached it and loosely intertwined their fingers.

"Can you finally tell me where we are going?"

Jay shook his head. "It's a surprise."

"What if you spoil me too much, and I turn into a high-maintenance brat?" Sean asked playfully.

"I will deal with it... or drop you off the cliff."

Sean gave him a long side glance, his tone full of mock indignation. "You wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't," Jay responded with a faint smile. "You could never be too high-maintenance for me..."

Jay wanted to tell him that it was because he loved him more than anything, but again, he couldn't do it. It was as if always something stopped him at the very last moment, and he couldn't figure out what. Jay even started to think there must have been something wrong with him, but Victor disagreed, insisting he just needed more time. That the walls he had built his whole life weren't there to keep people out but to stop him from feeling anything. And his mind followed the same old pattern, trying to protect him. After all, saying it out loud would make it real, and real things could always be taken away.

Suddenly, everything disappeared as a unique sense of completeness washed over him and Sean's spicy and smoky scent with fresh notes wrapped around him like a blanket. Sean's slender fingers slipped into his hair, and with a gentle pull, his face was buried in the crook of Sean's neck.

"I'm here, just focus on the next minute," Sean whispered. "Which line do we need to take?"

Jay sunk deeper into his arms, unusually relaxed. "Circle."

"Damn, this doesn't give me much clues about our destination," Sean sighed with resignation. "It's like a treasure hunt. Exciting."

And just like that, the atmosphere between them returned back to normal, intimate and playful, as if nothing happened.

After a brief but pleasant walk from Green Park, they arrived at the restaurant, nestled within a sleek, modern building that blended effortlessly into the fashionable streetscape. Its understated exterior gave no hint of the stylish mix of contemporary design and traditional Chinese influences inside, where dim lighting and plush furnishings created an intimate, welcoming vibe.

Sean was never more glad that ever since he started his internship, his style shifted more towards smart-casual with tailored trousers, shirts and well-tailored blazers, giving him a relaxed yet more polished look. It helped him blend in and masked how unaccustomed he was to places like this.

"Good evening, Mr Anderson. It's always a pleasure to have you back," the hostess said with a professional yet warm smile and turned to Sean. "Welcome, sir."

It never stopped to surprise Sean how inclusive the staff was in places like this – another confirmation that things were never black and white.

"Your usual table is ready for you, if you could please follow me."

The hostess led them to the corner booth, perfectly balancing privacy and proximity. It was tucked away from the main dining area but with a clear view of the restaurant's elegant ambience, allowing them to enjoy their meal without distraction.

"Your waiter will be with you shortly. Please enjoy your evening," the hostess added and returned to her stand.

Sean looked around before his gaze settled on his face. "You come here a lot, don't you?"

"Yeah, it's one of my favourite restaurants," he responded, deciding not to hide it. "I know you are not big on places like this, but I wanted to bring you here today."

"It never stops to amaze me how considerate you can be," Sean smiled, tracing Jay's jawline. "You even sacrifice things you like just to make me feel better."

"Isn't it normal?"

Sean shook his head. "I want you to enjoy things you like, remember? Don't worry about me. I will get used to it, just like you got used to me constantly manhandling you."

Jay blinked in surprise but then smiled at him. "It's different."

"How so?"

"I'm perfectly fine with not going to places like this," he explained, glancing at Sean as he absentmindedly played with his fingers. "But you literally wilt when you don't do something to me when you have the chance."

Sean paused, then reluctantly let go of his hand, only for Jay to stop him.

"I kind of enjoy it now, remember?" he said lightly, mirroring Sean's phrasing. "Besides, it makes you happy."

Before Sean could respond, the waiter arrived with a polite smile, placed the menus in front of them, and then swiftly poured each glass of water. He introduced the specials of the evening, offering a few suggestions without lingering too long.

"If you need anything, please let me know," the waiter said, giving them space to decide at their own pace before stepping back to wait nearby.

Jay looked at him worriedly as Sean opened the menu, only to freeze almost immediately. His discomfort was palpable, almost certainly triggered by the prices. A wave of guilt swept over him, sinking in his stomach as he realised he might have overstepped and ruined Sean's birthday. The thought only deepened his unease, reminding him how hopeless he was at these couple's things.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" Jay asked a bit hesitantly.

Sean peeled his gaze from the menu and slightly shook his head. He knew it would take time to get used to things like this, but this was the life Jay was accustomed to, and Sean understood that he wanted to share it with him. Besides, after discovering that the agreed 30% of Jay's monthly income allocated to their shared expenses exceeded the average annual salary, Sean became less surprised by such moments and slowly learned to take them in stride.

Looking at their combined efforts, it truly felt like they were growing as a couple, steadily blending two vastly different lifestyles into something uniquely their own. And this mattered to both of them more than the other could imagine.

"I want to try things you like, and in hindsight, this feels less daunting than climbing Ben Nevis," Sean added with a light chuckle, trying to relax a bit more. "But maybe you could decide?"

Jay smiled and then, with unusual disregard for public decorum, leaned in and kissed him. Slowly and as low-key as possible, but saying more than he could. Sean's face lit up as always when he initiated 'affectionate gestures'.

"What about this one?" he pointed at the signature menu with a couple spicy options. "I think you will love the Sichuan starter and Peking duck with XO sauce."

Sean shifted closer and leaned on his shoulder, looking at the same menu. Having Jay this close was always an immense source of comfort, offsetting the tension of his surroundings.

"Mhm, sounds good."

"Do you want Japanese whisky to go with it?" Jay asked, closing the menu.

Sean scanned the spirits menu, then tapped one of the positions. "What about this one?"

"Why are we drinking my favourite whisky on your birthday?"

"Because it reminds me of the day that started all of this," Sean responded, gesturing between them. "I didn't know what to think when you invited me for dinner back then, but I'm really glad I decided to follow you. It made me realise there is so much more to you than I expected."

"Oh?" Jay's eyebrow quirked teasingly, but his gaze remained soft. "I was sure you followed me to check if I can actually cook."

"Okay... I admit it may have been my initial intention."

Their conversation paused for a moment when the waiter approached them again and took their order. Not long after, he returned with their whisky and light, casual chat resumed. By the time the food arrived, any traces of Sean's discomfort had faded. It seemed that no matter the place, as long as he was with Jay, everything felt right.

The starters were vibrant and appetising: the signature Peking duck with caviar, delicate pancakes, and fresh accompaniments, alongside a selection of steamed dim sum. The chargrilled Szechuan octopus, with its smoky depth and spicy dip, completed the meal, filling the air with rich, tantalising aromas. The main dishes were even more incredible, making Sean almost as happy as watching Jay eating both desserts.

And Jay was right, he loved it.

The opened blinds framed the skyline, the ever-awake city below barely a whisper in the night. Soft, ambient light spilt from the lamps, casting gentle pools of warmth across the room. Shadows lingered, stretching slowly as if the night had drawn its breath and settled in. The atmosphere felt unhurried, inviting a peaceful stillness that seemed to soften everything, making the space feel private and intimate.

Sean sat on the bed, stunned, as Jay straddled him, placing an elegant envelope in his hands.

"What is it?"

Jay gripped his chin and kissed him slowly yet passionately, then answered as if nothing happened. "Your birthday gift."

Sean opened the envelope, pulling out a sleek voucher with the Silverstone Circuit logo embossed on it. His fingers lingered over the crisp paper as he read the carefully crafted text that outlined the details: a full racing training day at Silverstone, complete with a Honda Fireblade SP. He blinked twice as if not believing his own eyes, and then his whole face lit up with excitement.

"Are you for real?"

Jay chuckled lightly. "I know how much you miss having a bike, so while you stubbornly save for it, I thought you may have fun trying it out for a day."

Indeed, Sean missed it a lot. There was nothing quite like the wind pressing against him, the roar of the engine beneath him, and the way the world seemed to blur at the edges, leaving only the thrill of the ride. Being able to experience it again was enough to send him over the moon.

"Thank you," Said said, not even trying to contain his excitement. "You have no idea how much it means to me."

Jay looked suggestively at the voucher with his usual one-sided smile. "I think I have a pretty good idea."

His hand rested on Jay's jaw, thumb brushing lightly against his cheekbone. Then Sean leaned in and captured his lips in a steady and unhurried kiss. His fingers slid into dark brown hair, holding him close as their mouths moved together, the rhythm natural and instinctive.

Jay firmly gripped his waist, drawing them closer as the kiss deepened. The quiet rustle of movement and the faint sound of their breaths mingling filled the stillness, an intimate contrast to the vast cityscape beyond the windows.

Sean's fingers remained tangled in Jay's hair as he pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. "I love you."

Jay looked at him with such tenderness that his heart skipped a beat. It was the kind of look that spoke volumes without a single word, a depth of feelings Jay struggled to express aloud but couldn't quite hide either. Sean had come to understand this about him, how his silence didn't mean absence, how the warmth in his eyes, the way his touch lingered, or the quiet devotion in the smallest gestures, all said what he couldn't.

Sean didn't mind. He didn't need the words, not when Jay's every action made it abundantly clear. Still, in moments like this, he couldn't help but wonder if Jay knew he didn't have to try so hard to prove it.

"I know," Sean murmured softly and pressed a gentle kiss to Jay's temple as if to say he understood and perhaps even to assure him that words weren't always necessary.