A/N: This chapter skips 4 years ahead, so Jay and Sean are now 29 years old. I hope you will enjoy it. Thank you!

A light spring shower misted against the windows, blurring the lines of the city. The rain barely registered, ignored like background noise in the steady midday rhythm. That same pace carried into the firm, where quiet conversations wove through the hum of printers and hiss of coffee machine. The break room buzzed with the kind of excitement only eager-for-gossip new interns and administrative staff could bring.

"How's your first week under Rebecca? I heard she's intense," Jenna asked curiously.

Claire let out a dramatic sigh and dropped into the chair beside her. "I never thought there'd be so much to remember from day one. I figured I would just be answering phones and booking meetings, but I have to juggle partner schedules, make sure confidential files go to the right people, and somehow predict what the lawyers need before they even ask. And if I mess up? Rebecca knows before I do."

"Well, there's a reason she's Head of Administration."

They chatted about their workload over the meal, or rather, Claire was venting about the overwhelming amount of responsibilities she didn't expect while applying for her position to her friend's amusement.

"Laugh all you want," Claire huffed, closing her lunchbox. "At least some of the guys here are nice to look at."

"Now you're talking." Jenna perked up. "And I'm all ears."

"There's Jason – mid-thirties, very elegant, very handsome. Unfortunately, married. Then there's Sean... hot. Very hot. Late twenties and already a senior associate with two master's degrees. No wedding ring, but he wears a black band on his right ring finger. That's probably nothing, right?"

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, that's interesting. Maybe it's like a promise ring or something?"

"I was hoping it's simply fashion."

Suddenly, a lady from accounting turned towards them with a slightly scolding tone. "I would advise you to not have any ideas about Miss Anderson's protégé, besides he is..."

"Oh no!" Claire jumped to her feet and dashed away. "I will be late."

She settled back at her desk by the entrance to the executive floor, sorting through the documents Rebecca had assigned her. Suddenly, the door opened, drawing her attention to a man she didn't recognise. Unlike the senior associates and partners, he wasn't dressed in a high-end suit. Still, even in well-fitted dark jeans and an elegant yet casual sweater with sleeves pulled up to his elbows, he carried a refined aura that even the most expensive tailored suit would struggle to match.

Claire scoffed in displeasure as he passed her with a simple nod, engrossed in his phone as he seemed to type an urgent response. Being ignored like this ruffled her feathers, and she stood up, resting her hands on the desk. Only then did she notice two sets of intricate black symbols inked onto his forearms, arranged in vertical lines with incredible precision. Her nose wrinkled slightly. Tattoos. She never understood the appeal – especially ones like these, all cryptic and serious-looking. They seemed so out of place here, in a firm where status and appearance meant everything. He didn't look like he belonged on the executive floor, not with those.

"Excuse me! What do you think you are doing? You can't just walk in like this!"

Caught off guard by the abrupt voice, Jay lifted his gaze from his phone, surprise flickering across his face. His eyes swept the area, expecting to see Rebecca, but when he didn't, his brows drew together in a frown.

"You may want to adjust your tone when addressing visitors in the future," he said, his voice composed, touched with faint amusement. "Particularly those who have access to this floor. The entrance requires an authorised access card – no one simply 'walks in.'"

She stared after him, speechless, as he walked towards Sean's office. Then, to her horror, he simply pressed the handle and walked in without knocking.

"You are late," Sean said playfully, glancing up from his laptop.

"Sorry, I had to take care of a few documents and took longer than I expected," Jay responded, walking closer to his desk and leaning over it.

Sean rolled his eyes. "It seems like I need to have another conversation with Stephen and ask him to explain to you what 'day off' means," he chuckled, gripping Jay's sweater and tugging him in.

"Excuse me, S...."

Her voice trailed off as Sean closed the distance, capturing Jay's mouth in a tender yet passionate kiss. His fingers threaded through dark brown hair, drawing him in even further as he deepened the kiss, unconcerned with anything else. After all, it was his private office.

Claire stared at them wide-eyed before her initial shock gave way to an awkward shuffle. She took a slow step back, trying to slip away unnoticed – only to freeze when Sean glanced at her with silent disapproval. Her face turned bright red, and she nearly bolted out the door, almost crashing into Rebecca, who peeked inside and shook her head in resignation.

"Mr Anderson, are you back here to cause trouble again?" she asked, her voice carrying playful familiarity.

Jay turned around, his eyebrow quirked with amusement. "My life was so empty without your scoldings. It almost makes me miss working here."

"If you miss scolding, we can definitely do something about it," Sean chimed suggestively.

"Oh?"

"Gentlemen, please behave at least once. Miss Rhodes will be traumatised," Rebecca sighed, showing how used she was to their behaviour.

"Fine, fine," Jay laughed, pulling Sean towards the door. "Do me a favour and tell her I kidnapped him for the rest of the day."

"Of course, Mr Anderson."

Claire stood frozen, still processing what had just happened. Then, suddenly, the black band on Sean's hand made sense, especially when she noticed the same one on his boyfriend's finger. Still, she couldn't help but wonder who he actually was. He had walked straight into the most exclusive floor of the firm like he belonged there, and even Rebecca treated him with incredible familiarity.

"Um, Miss Rebecca? Who was that... acting like he owns the place and dragging Sean away from work?"

Rebecca shot her a disapproving look. "That was Miss Anderson's son. And yes, he can absolutely get away with 'kidnapping' his boyfriend for half the day."

Claire scoffed under her breath. "Wow, talk about entitlement."

Rebecca's expression hardened. "Miss Rhodes, I suggest you drop your attitude and stop jumping to conclusions if you want to continue working here," Rebecca scolded, already making a mental note to find someone more suitable for the executive floor. "Besides, that's the Deputy Head of the Complex Case Unit and a rising star in the Crown Prosecution you're talking about. I would think twice before making a fool of yourself."

Rebecca shook her head with disappointment and turned to inform Margaret of Sean's absence for the rest of the day. She paused at the doors, letting out a quiet sigh. Watching Jay's indifference toward his mother was never easy, though it was hardly surprising. Having spent over twenty years at Anderson, Chambers and Partners, she had been the one to handle the calls with Westminster School all those years ago. It wasn't her place to speak then, nor was it now, but a small part of her couldn't help but feel sorry for her boss. Margaret wanted to mend her relationship with her son – but unfortunately, she had come to that realisation far too late.

The late lunch rush had begun to wane, leaving a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. The air was rich with the lingering scents of grilled meats, citrus, and fresh herbs, softened by the gentle hum of conversation. Sunlight filtered through the lush greenery draping from the ceiling, casting dappled shadows across the emerald-hued interiors. It was the perfect moment when the energy of the day still lingered, but the space had settled into something more personal and indulgent.

Their table with velvet booth and low, golden lighting was tucked into a corner framed by greenery, offering intimacy perfect for an unhurried meal. Sean gently caressed Jay's hair, feeling the subtle weight of his head resting against his shoulder.

"You do realise a day off doesn't mean you should pull off the all-nighter working, right?" Sean said in a hushed tone. "Not to mention, you've been working yourself to the bone recently. Why?"

"For a while now, there have been talks that Stephen will be nominated as Director of Public Prosecutions in several months."

"Oh, your ticket to becoming the head of the unit before you turn thirty next year."

Jay nodded without lifting his head from Sean's shoulder, followed by his slightly drowsy voice. "Yeah, but competition will be brutal. Many senior prosecutors are eyeing his position, and they have an advantage with decades of experience."

"Didn't he say the prosecution needed a fresh perspective when he made you his second-in-command last year? He clearly has been training you to take over his job one day."

"Mhm... but he won't be the only one... making the decision..."

Sean chuckled softly as he realised that Jay was so exhausted that he struggled to keep up the conversation. No wonder Stephen forced him to have this day off. And honestly, Sean was a bit worried about him as his sleep time dropped below three hours a day in recent weeks, but now it seemed to finally catch up with him. He shifted slightly to make Jay more comfortable.

"Did you kidnap me for the rest of the day because you needed your pillow?"

In response, Jay snuggled closer, a quiet surrender that had become second nature over the years. With Sean, there was no need for a carefully maintained façade – no polished composure or cool indifference. The world saw a man who dominated courtrooms with effortless control, but Sean had always seen more. He had seen Jay in rare moments of stillness, in the way he gravitated toward him without thinking.

Jay still didn't display affection or talk about his feelings, but he never pulled away when Sean did, letting him do whatever he wanted. Because with Sean, he didn't have to be anything but himself. There were no expectations, no relentless demands to shoulder. The weight of his name, his career, the world's constant scrutiny – none of it mattered here. Sean never asked him to be more or less than what he was and never pushed him to explain what he couldn't. He simply stayed steady and unwavering, as if he always meant to be there.

Over the years, that quiet certainty had settled between them, unspoken but undeniable. Even when everything else felt impermanent, and his deeply ingrained detachment threatened to pull him away, Sean remained the one thing Jay never had to let go of. And so, without even realising it, Jay stopped keeping his guard up around him. It wasn't something he consciously acknowledged, but it was there in the way he leaned into Sean's touch or in the way he learned to rely on him.

The waiter stepped up to their table, ready to take their order, but before he could speak, Sean raised a finger to his lips in a quiet shush. Keeping his voice low, he placed the order for both of them, ensuring Jay's dessert was included.

"I would appreciate it if you could delay serving it for at least fifteen minutes," Sean said, glancing at Jay, sleeping on his shoulder.

"Of course, sir," the waiter replied smoothly, offering a polite smile. "Would you care for anything in the meantime? Perhaps a coffee?"

Sean nodded. "Kopi Luwak, please."

"Right away, sir."

Soon, the rich aroma of the coffee curled into the air – earthy, subtly sweet, with lingering depth. Sean took a slow sip, savouring its favour as he absently ran his fingers through Jay's hair.

It was rare for them to have such a peaceful moment, and Sean planned to fully enjoy it. After completing work training, his workload at the firm had only increased, further compounded by his commitment to the pro bono clinic and the demands of pursuing his master's degrees in Human Rights Law and International Human Rights Law. Jay was just as consumed by his career, especially after transferring to the prosecution, where the pressure never seemed to ease. Yet, despite their relentless schedules, their relationship had only grown stronger.

It felt like nothing could threaten what they had, even if their relationship came with its own set of challenges. Sean hadn't fully grasped how difficult it would be to be with someone from Jay's background until their relationship became common knowledge at work. The whispers started almost immediately, malicious speculations that he was with Jay for his status and the advantages it brought, especially in a firm owned by his mother. Those assumptions faded soon enough as Sean established himself, his skills and achievements speaking louder than any rumour.

Then came the casual gossip, masked as concern that sooner or later, he would cheat because, as a bisexual, he would inevitably drift towards women. Sean had learned to ignore the noise, but it still stung how often people questioned his commitment. Jay, however, had little patience for such talk. With uncharacteristic bluntness, he shut it down, claiming that their sex life was far too exciting for either of them to even consider cheating. The comment had left some blushing, others speechless, but erasing bigoted views was never easy. Still, the whole thing taught Sean that as much as Jay was a gentleman to the core, always polite and proper in public, he could be ruthless toward anyone who tried to hurt him.

Over the last four years, their relationship has matured and stabilised. Their early struggles with communication and emotional barriers have been replaced with trust, confidence, and an unshakable sense of unity. Without a doubt, they were a team, standing firmly together no matter what, and this knowledge carried an immense sense of security.

Suddenly, soft hair brushed over his neck, followed by Jay's sleepy voice.

"Your coffee cooled down."

Sean's distant gaze cleared and shifted to an elegant porcelain cup. His forgotten coffee indeed chilled. It was a shame, yet he still smiled teasingly. "I never expected a restaurant to make the list of places you can fall asleep, especially since it's a bit of a step up from planes, trains, and cars."

"It's your fault," Jay muttered, massaging his neck.

"Of course, blame the pillow."

As if on cue, the waiter arrived and swiftly arranged the dishes on the table. The aroma alone was indulgent – rich, smoky, and laced with warm spices. The line-caught swordfish steak was seared to perfection, while marbled and glistening solomo de wagyu promised a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The octopus was charred just enough to enhance its natural sweetness, balanced by the roasted peppers and aubergines, punctuated by the briny contrast of Botija olives and the crunch of almonds.

The sides were no less enticing. The chirivia – roasted parsnips, carrying an earthy warmth of garlic and ginger glaze, followed by a touch of sweetness with pisco-glazed pears, harmonised by the boldness of black olive dressing. The molten Argentinian cheese infused with the umami richness of sun-dried tomatoes and anchovies rounded the spread. Everything was plated with elegant precision and impossible to resist.

"Where is my dessert?" Jay asked as soon as the waiter left.

Sean sighed, lifted Jay's hand, and gently ran his finger over the black band. "Did you notice it's a bit loose?"

"And?"

Sean took another deep, slow breath. "You are so busy with work that you started skipping meals, didn't you?"

"One or two meals won't kill me."

"Perfect," Sean chirped, stuffing a piece of thinly sliced wagyu into Jay's mouth. "You can have proper lunch then."

Instantly, Jay's cheeks slightly puffed, lips pressed into a stubborn line as if holding back a retort. His brown eyes carried a quiet challenge, but his expression was undeniably youthful – almost boyish in its defiance. Sean exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face.

"Stop it!" he huffed with exasperation. "Someone will accuse me again of dragging around a sulking teenager."

Unfortunately, his request fell on deaf ears as Jay was clearly upset about the possibility of missing out on a velvety dark chocolate mousse balanced by the deep, buttery notes of miso caramel with a layer of banana compote, adding a natural sweetness and finished with a scoop of banana sorbet.

"You know, sometimes I wonder how many people are aware that deep down you really are a petulant child dead set on getting sweets right before dinner."

"You are the only one."

Sean chuckled lightly, but his gaze remained soft and indulgent. "I feel both honoured and cursed."

"How so?"

"Well, I'm the only one... but also the only one who has to deal with it, and you know better than anyone what menace you are to deal with when someone messes with your cake."

"Fair enough."

Jay was begrudgingly munching on grilled octopus, resting his chin on his palm, his gaze casually lingering on Sean's face. There was an ease in his expression, a comfort he once lacked in places like this. Years ago, expensive restaurants and high-end gatherings felt like something separate from him, a world Sean had entered but never truly belonged to.

Now, that distance was gone. It wasn't just familiarity but conviction that he had earned his place. The hard work, the long hours, and relentless effort had brought him here, where he stood on equal footing. Even tailored suits, once an occasional necessity, had become his second skin. Yet, none of this changed him... Sean was still the same person who pulled him out of the abyss.

"So? What was it all about at the office?" Jay asked with his usual one-sided smile. "Are you using me again to get rid of unwanted attention?"

"I would never."

His eyebrow cocked slightly, clearly showing that he didn't believe him.

"Fine, I admit it," Sean started, knowing there was no escaping from one of the most talented prosecutors of his generation. "But in my defence, ever since she started last week, I've seen her more than I see you, and we live together. So, I decided to nip it in the bud before she got any ideas."

"Shouldn't you be flattered that a fresh college graduate is interested in you?"

Sean glared at him. "Quit laughing, you bloody bastard. And you could make an effort and at least pretend you are jealous."

In an instant, Jay's gaze darkened. His posture remained relaxed, but there was something unmistakably commanding about the way he held himself – effortless, yet absolute. When he finally spoke, his voice was dangerously smooth, each word measured with unsettling precision.

"If anyone would try to lay a finger on you, there wouldn't be a piece big enough left to bury. Is this jealous enough for you?"

His words hung in the air, unwavering and unshaken, as if he had simply stated a fact rather than issued a threat. His expression was unreadable, but his cold and steady eyes left no room for doubt.

Sean swallowed hard, realising he had walked into it. "Fuck, now I want you to do things to me that are definitely not allowed in public."

Jay slightly tilted his head with a charming smile. "Oh well, at least you can be satisfied with effort because I'm not leaving before my dessert."

"Lost to a cake once more... why I'm even not surprised anymore," Sean sighed dramatically, but then he leaned in and kissed him softly. "Does it really not bother you at all?"

"Your commitment is the last thing I would ever question, Sean. And anyone who does it is a complete moron," he responded, entirely dropping a playful tone. "Besides, you have such rigid boundaries that I would even feel sorry for a poor soul that would attempt to even try to sway you an inch."

"Yeah, me too... after all, there wouldn't be a piece big enough left to bury them."

Sean said it easily, without hesitation, like it was the most natural thing in the world. And it was. People could say what they wanted, make their assumptions, and throw careless remarks his way, but they never stuck. Not when Jay never wavered, never entertained the doubt others tried to plant. It was his unwavering trust that kept those voices at bay. He never so much as flinched at the idea that Sean might stray, never indulged the baseless idea that his attraction to both sides meant inevitable betrayal. And in the end, that was all that mattered.