"And it's *ours*."
Jake staggers back like he's been struck.
His lips part, but no words come. Just breath—shaky, uneven.
Then his eyes drop to Felix's stomach—still flat under the soft fabric of his sweater—and something in him *breaks.*
"Oh God," he whispers. "*Felix...*"
He falls to his knees right there in the snow, tears spilling fast and hot down his face.
"I didn't know," he sobs. "I didn't know… let alone… this…"
Felix watches him—heart pounding—not pulling away, not reaching out either.
He lets Jake cry.
Lets him feel it all: the guilt, the grief, the joy too big to hold.
And when Jake finally looks up again—with eyes red and raw—he asks one trembling question:
"...Can I... touch it?"
Silence answers for a beat…
then Felix takes a slow breath—
and places Jake's hand gently on his stomach,
where their future is already growing,
quietly,
secretly,
but undeniably real.
---
Tears slide silently down Jake's cheeks as his palm presses softly against Felix's stomach, feeling—for the first time—the new life blossoming inside.
"There's really a baby in there," he whispers, like he can hardly *believe* it.
Felix nods, a small smile breaking through the hurt and confusion.
"Yeah," he says—soft, but steady. "There is."
For the first time in hours, Jake smiles—wide and genuine—tears sparkling on his cheeks like diamonds as he lowers his head,
and kisses Felix's stomach.
"I love you," he whispers between kisses for their baby. "I love *both* of you."
"Don't," Felix whispers—voice breaking. "Don't promise love like it's free."
Jake looks up, eyes glistening.
"I'm not," he says softly. "I'm promising it because I know what I lost... and what I almost missed forever."
Felix swallows hard, trembling—but doesn't pull away.
Snow falls around them in quiet flurries, wrapping the world in white...
---
"Come here," Jake whispers, gently, gently pulling Felix closer.
When Felix doesn't object, he wraps his arms around him—not holding tight enough to crush, but close enough to feel it.
Felix buries his face in the crook of Jake's neck, hands gripping his jacket in white-knuckled fists.
Jake can feel him shaking, like he's caught somewhere between crying and fighting.
So he just holds him tighter—whispering in his ear:
"Breathe with me. Breathe, baby… it's okay…"
"I've got you," Jake says softly. "I've got you, and our baby… it's going to be okay."
Felix's grip slowly relaxes, letting Jake's warmth soak through skin into his bones.
His breathing finally finds rhythm, slowing with Jake's own steady inhale, exhale.
"That's it," Jake murmurs, as Felix's trembling eases. "Keep breathing. I'm right here..."
Felix's mother stands nearby, watching all this in silence.
When Jake finally lets go and steps back, her eyes fall on Felix.
"Are you alright?" She whispers.
Felix gives a small nod, then clears his throat—still not meeting Jake's eyes.
"Can I ask you something?" He asks his mom.
"Of course," she says softly. "Anything, Felix."
He takes a trembling breath, steeling himself.
"...Can I… stay at Jake's penthouse for a while? Just until... until I get my head together."
His mother doesn't answer for a moment.
She looks between them, face serious now.
"...Alone?" She asks finally.
"Yeah," Felix nods.
He can't help the way his heart beats a little faster at the thought of being alone with Jake.
The same way it did back when they were falling for each other.
His mother studies him, like she can tell exactly what he's thinking.
Then she sighs.
"...Alright."
Felix blinks, surprised.
"Really?"
His mother gives a soft smile.
"Yes."
He hugs her, sudden and tight.
"Thank you," he whispers.
"You're welcome," she murmurs back.
When Felix steps back, she puts a hand gently on his cheek.
"But you tell me if anything goes wrong," she tells him. "Promise?"
"I promise," Felix says softly.
His mother gives a firm nod, then turns her gaze to Jake.
"Take care of them," she says—voice quiet but steely. "Both of them."
Jake swallows hard, standing straighter.
"I will," he promises. "With everything I am."
She holds his eyes for a long moment… then finally nods once and steps back into the house, closing the door gently behind her.
The front porch is suddenly quiet—just the wind and snow and faint, distant city lights.
Felix finally turns to Jake.
"...Can we go?" He asks, voice still soft.
"Yeah," Jake says quickly, stepping toward the car. "Yeah, of course. I'll drive—"
He stops.
Felix is already walking past him, arms wrapped around himself.
But Jake follows close—protective without touching—and opens the passenger door for him like he's handling something sacred.
When Felix gets in and shuts his eyes—
Jake whispers:
"I'm not letting go again."
Then closes the door gently behind him,
and hurries to the driver's side,
heart racing not from fear this time…
but hope.
---
The car hums to life—quiet, smooth.
Jake adjusts the heat just a little higher, glancing over.
"Are you cold?"
Felix shakes his head—then nods. "A little."
Jake smiles softly—the first real one in months—and turns up the warmth.
"Better?"
This time, Felix has to fight back a smile in turn.
"Yeah," he says quietly.
"Better."
They pull away from the curb, silent but not uncomfortable—snow falling all around them like a blanket,
wrapping the world in white.
The drive to Jake's penthouse is short—
---
Jake pulls into a parking garage, turns off the engine.
Felix looks out the window—a sleek building towering into the clouds, lit up like a Christmas tree.
He sighs.
"I forgot how fancy this place is."
Jake huffs an agreeing little laugh, eyes not leaving him.
"Don't worry," he says softly. "The inside is homey."
Felix finally looks at him, trying not to shiver.
"...How homey, exactly?"
"Comfortable," Jake says. "Comfy. Warm. And I just had the cleaning lady tidy up, so... it's spotless."
Felix lets out a soft laugh.
"Of course you have a cleaning lady."
Jake grins.
"I'm a famous actor," Jake says. "I can afford nice things."
Felix smiles to himself.
"Humble, aren't you."
"What? It's true," Jake says playfully. "I'm like an English Brad Pitt."
Felix snorts. "Brad Pitt, really."
"What? I'm handsome and successful. It fits."
"Brad Pitt is way more famous that you."
Jake gasps dramatically.
"So cruel."
"You're exhausting," Felix mutters—but there's a smile on his lips.
Then he winces, hand drifting to his stomach.
Jake sees it instantly—face shifting from playful to concerned.
"Are you okay?"
Felix nods. "Just… tired. Long day."
"Let's get you inside then." Jake opens his door fast, hurries around to help him out.
"No need for a fuss," Felix says weakly as Jake gently guides him by the elbow.
"Too bad," Jake whispers close. "*I'm going all in on the fuss.*"
And with that, he helps Felix up into the elevator—
one slow step at a time—toward home,
toward rest,
and maybe… just maybe…
toward healing at last.
---
The elevator hums as it climbs the high-rise.
Jake keeps close to Felix's side.
His eyes keep drifting down to the hand clutching Felix's stomach, but he doesn't ask.
He knows why.
Finally, the elevator dings, and doors slide open onto a long hallway.
"Almost there," Jake murmurs.
He's more concerned than teasing now, hurrying to unlock the penthouse door.
"Come inside. You need to lie down."
Jake walks Felix into the penthouse, the door shutting softly behind them.
The apartment is modern and minimalist—clean, white walls; black furniture—except for a cozy, plush couch, piled with throw pillows.
Jake leads him through a long hall leading to the bedroom, where warm, golden light filters through large windows with a panoramic view of the bright city.
"Here," he says softly. "Lie down. Get some rest. It's been... a long day."
He helps Felix lie back against a stack of pillow, gently tucking a soft blanket over the bump.
Felix's eyes flutter shut as he lets out a sigh, tension leaving him gradually as he sinks back into the pillows.
Jake sits on the edge of the bed, watching him quietly—a myriad of emotions playing across his face.
Finally, he whispers: "Can I... ask you something? Something serious?"
Felix meets his eyes, expression guarded.
But he doesn't say no.
"...You can ask," he whispers back.
Jake swallows, fingers fidgeting nervously with each other.
"I… I know you're tired, and this isn't the right time… but there's something I need to say."
Felix watches him—still guarded, still cautious.
"What is it?"
Jake takes a deep breath, steadying himself.
"It's something I've been thinking about for months… something I should have told you a long time ago."
Felix's expression shifts—from guarded to skeptical.
"...Go on," he whispers.
"Have you forgiven me Felix".
Felix's expression softens at this.
He doesn't hesitates then
"Yes," he whispers, almost surprised himself by how much he means it. "Yeah, Jake... I forgive you."
Jake lets out a sigh, relief flooding through him so fast he nearly stumbles.
"You... you do?" he whispers, hardly daring to believe it.
"I do," Felix says softly. "I forgive you."
Jake has to hold back tears, the words like a weight lifted off his shoulders. He's spent so much time wondering if Felix could even bring himself to look at him again, let alone say the words... and now he has. It's almost too good to be true.
"God, I... thank you," he breathes.