Felix nods, smiling softly. His guard is finally down, eyes holding Jake's in an intensity that makes his heart soar.
"I mean it, Jake. I really mean it."
"I know," Jake whispers. He hesitates, then asks the question that's been burning in his mind:
"Can I... can I ask you something else?"
Felix nods, still smiling, almost reassuring.
"Of course. You can ask me anything."
Jake's chest fills with a rush of emotion at the permission, at the openess in Felix's eyes... but he swallows back the feelings. There's something he has to ask first.
"I... I just... need to know one thing."
Felix's eyes flicker with curiosity, maybe even a little trepidation.
"Okay," he says quietly. "Ask."
Jake takes a slow breath, steeling himself. This is the question he's afraid of... but he has to ask it.
"Do..." he starts, then hesitates, searching Felix's eyes.
"Do you... do you still love me?"
For a long moment, Felix doesn't answer. Jake's heart races in the silence. He watches Felix's face as it shifts—eyes flickering with surprise, then pain, then... something soft. Finally, he whispers:
"What do you think?"
Jake's heart races as Felix speaks, the words sinking in.
"I've loved you since I saw you at the red carpet," Felix says softly, his hand still resting gently on Jake's arm. "And I never stopped. I've loved you with everything I have... everything I am. Even... even when I was angry, and hurting, and angry again. I've never stopped loving you."
Tears burn at the corners of Jake's eyes, his heart swelling with tenderness at Felix's words. He takes a shaky breath, struggling to speak through the emotions clogging his throat.
"Felix," he whispers, reaching out to cup the other man's face gently. "You... there are no words for how I love you. I've only ever loved you. Since the moment I laid eyes on you, I was done for. You're my one and only one. You're my favorite person. You're... goddamnit, you're my heart."
Felix lets out a soft breath, eyes shimmering with tears of his own. He reaches up to cover Jake's hand with his own, holding it against his face.
"You're mine, too," he whispers. "You're all I want. All I've ever wanted."
Something in Jake's heart seems to break open at those words, the ache of loss replaced with a hope he'd given up on. He can't help but lean forward, resting his forehead against Felix's as he lets out a shaky breath.
"God, I missed you," he whispers. "I missed you so damn much."
Felix's hand slides up to cup the side of Jake's face, his thumb brushing away a tear, and the gesture is so achingly tender it makes Jake's heart ache even more.
"I missed you, too," Felix whispers. "Every day. Every single day."
Jake closes his eyes for a moment, letting the tears fall silently as he leans into Felix's touch, feeling more vulnerable than he's ever been... but safe too, for the first time in days.
"Don't leave me again," Felix whispers, voice trembling. "Promise me."
Jake pulls back just enough to look into his eyes—wide, earnest, full of fear and love.
"I promise," he says fiercely. " I'm here... I'm all in."
And then—
without another word—
he leans in, and kisses Felix.
Soft at first—testing the waters—but when Felix lets out a quiet whimper and kisses back with everything he has, it deepens,
a collision of missed, love reclaimed,
tears on lips,
hands clutching fabric like they're afraid the other might vanish—
until finally they break apart, breathless and blinking in the golden light.
"...I've waited so long for that," Jake murmurs.
Felix smiles through fresh tears.
"...Me too." Jake said.
Jake pulls Felix into a tight embrace, burying his face in his neck.
"I love you," he whispers, voice muffled against Felix's skin. "I love you so goddamn much."
Felix clings to him just as tightly, tears spilling onto Jake's shoulder.
"I love you too," he murmurs. "So much. So, so much."
They stay like that for a long moment, wrapped up in each other, not speaking—just holding on, as if they both know how close they came to losing this.
"Stay with me tonight?" Jake murmurs against Felix's neck. "Just... sleep together. No pressure. Just—just be here."
Felix nods, already melting into him.
"I don't want to be anywhere else."
Jake helps him lie back, carefully tucking the blanket around his shoulders again.
Then he slides in beside him—fully clothed, shoes kicked off—pulling Felix gently into his chest.
One arm curls protectively over his stomach,
the other cradling his head.
"You're safe," Jake whispers into his hair. "You're loved."
And for the first time in too long,
Felix closes his eyes—not afraid, not alone— but home.
The room grows quiet—just their breathing, slow and syncing.
Outside, the city glows beyond the glass, a million lights like distant stars.
Felix stirs slightly in Jake's arms, shifting to nestle deeper into his chest. His hand finds Jake's over his stomach and holds it tight.
"You're really here," he whispers. Not a question—more like a prayer answered.
"I'm really here," Jake breathes back. "And I'm not going anywhere."
A soft sigh escapes Felix—contentment, relief—all the fear finally giving way to peace.
And as they drift together toward sleep,
Jake presses one last gentle kiss to his forehead…
…whispering dreams of family, of mornings with sunlight on baby giggles, of love that broke…
and healed stronger than before.
The night deepens, the city beyond the window fading into shadow.
The penthouse is quiet except for their breaths, falling into rhythm with the steady rise and fall of sleep.
Jake's hand remains protectively against Felix's stomach. It moves softly over the bump every once in a while—a habit now, as if even asleep he wants to feel that life against his palm.
His other arm cradles Felix to his chest, holding him close—the rhythm of their heartbeats a soft, shared lullaby of love and forgiveness, hope and healing.
The hours crawl by in the quiet dark—long, endless, peaceful.
Jake dreams of laughter, of the future ahead. He sees a house, full of light, full of life. He sees Felix there, smiling, safe, happy—their child in his arms.
He sees himself there, too—a father, a lover, a man who learned the value of both.
And when the first light of morning finally breaks on the city skyline, Jake stirs—opening his eyes to find Felix awake, watching him.
Jake smiles softly, still groggy from sleep.
"Morning," he murmurs, brushing Felix's hair back from his forehead.
Felix smiles back—real, unfiltered happiness. His hand finds Jake's on his stomach, linking their fingers.
"Morning," he says, voice raw but warm.
Jake squeezes his hand gently, feeling... peaceful. Like some part of him he hadn't even known was broken is finally whole again.
Jake shifts closer, pressing a soft kiss to Felix's temple.
"You hungry?" he whispers. "I can make pancakes. My specialty."
Felix chuckles—quiet, sweet—and shakes his head.
"You barely know how to boil water."
"I've learned!" Jake insists, grinning. "YouTube doesn't lie."
Felix rolls his eyes but leans into him anyway.
"…Fine. But if you burn the kitchen down, I'm telling your mom."
Jake laughs—bright and full and free for the first time in ages—and pulls Felix just a little tighter.
"And if you're good," Felix adds with a sleepy smirk, "I might even let you feel the baby kick later."
Jake's eyes light up like fireworks.
"Really?"
Felix nods, warmth spreading through his chest at the pure joy on Jake's face.
"Really. But only if you don't poison me with your 'pancakes.'"
Jake presses another kiss to his forehead—lingering, tender—then swings his legs out of bed.
"Challenge accepted."
He pauses in the doorway, turning back with a look so full of love it makes Felix's breath catch.
"...Thank you... for giving me a second chance."
Felix smiles softly—no words needed—
because some loves are simply meant to last.
Jake hums as he flips a pancake—burnt on one side, somehow still raw in the middle.
Felix watches from the kitchen doorway, wrapped in a soft sweater, laughing into his coffee.
"I *told* you," he says. "YouTube lies."
Jake pouts dramatically, flipping it again with way too much flair.
"It's *artistic*! One-of-a-kind pancakes!"
"More like fire hazards."
He slides one onto a plate—charred edges and all—and brings it to Felix with an exaggerated bow.
"For you, my king. Made with love… and questionable technique."
Felix takes a bite, grimaces playfully.
"...Needs syrup. And mercy."
But he's smiling—bright and warm—and when Jake leans down to kiss him mid-eye-roll?
He lets him.
And for the first time in forever…
everything feels right again.
As they eat—pancake-crispy-burnt-edges and all—Jake's eyes keep flicking back to Felix's stomach. He can't help it—imagining the baby growing beneath his sweater, wondering if he'll feel the kicks today.
Felix catches him looking, smiling faintly.
"You want to feel?" he whispers, resting a hand softly on the bump.
Jake's eyes widen, hope shining there.
"Can I?" he whispers back, barely daring to breathe.
Felix nods, taking his hand and guiding it gently to the curve of his stomach.
The moment Jake's hand touches Felix's stomach, it's like time stops—a moment of suspended breath, anticipation hanging in the air like a held note.
Then… he feels it.
The tiniest, gentlest flutter, like butterfly wings inside Felix's skin.
Jake's eyes widen, a lump rising in his throat.
"That's…" he whispers, voice shaking. "That's the baby."
Felix smiles, pride and tenderness in his eyes.
"Yeah," he whispers back. "That's our kiddo."
Jake's fingers brush softly over the spot where the baby fluttered, like he's trying to coax another kick.
"It's… amazing," he breathes. "They're so… alive. So real."
Felix rests a hand gently on the back of Jake's—encouraging him to stay there, to continue feeling their child stir.
Jake feels it again, the faintest fluttering—more intense this time, like the baby knows he's there. He lets out a soft, shaky breath, eyes locked on Felix's stomach.
"They're so active," he murmurs, completely mesmerized. "And it's… it's just..."
He trails off, the words stuck in his throat—overwhelming awe and love rendering him speechless. Felix smiles again, still holding Jake's hand over the bump.
"I know," he whispers. "It's incredible."
Jake feels another little kick—stronger, this time—and he can't help but laugh softly, tears welling in his eyes.
"They're saying hello," he whispers, voice thick with emotion. "Our kid… they're saying hello."
Felix squeezes his hand gently, love shining in his eyes.
"They're saying, 'Hi, Daddy,'" he murmurs. "That's what they're saying."
The word hits Jake like a wave, washing over him, leaving him breathless and awed. *Daddy.*
Jake's heart swells, tears spilling over his cheeks. He's still staring at Felix's stomach, feeling the baby's gentle movements, overwhelmed by the realization that he's not just any old parent. He's a father.
And this child… this little life they've made together… it's theirs.
His voice is barely a whisper now, heavy with love and wonder.
"I'm… I'm their dad."
Felix squeezes his hand tighter.
"Yeah," he whispers back. "You are."
"I'm gonna be a good one," Jake says suddenly—fierce, determined—eyes still on Felix's stomach. "I'm gonna be there for every kick, every ultrasound, every late-night craving… I'm not missing a single second."
Felix smiles softly, heart full.
"You already are."
Jake looks up then, the intensity in his eyes mixed with something else—vulnerability, worry, hope.
"You really think so? After everything… you think I'm gonna be a good dad?"
Felix cups his jaw, gentle, tender.
"I know you are," he whispers. "You're kind, and strong, and good. And the love you have for this kid… even now, when they're still safe and tucked away inside me? It's already immense."
Jake's eyes swim with emotions, tears and hope and love—too much to hold in. He leans into Felix's hand, closing his eyes as the reassurance washes over him, finally allowing himself to let go.
"I've been so scared," he whispers, voice cracking. "I've been so scared I was gonna screw this up. I'm…"
Felix brushes a thumb softly over his cheek, wiping away tears.
"It's okay," he murmurs. "It's okay to be scared. But you're not gonna screw this up, Jake. You've got this. *We
"...have this," Felix finishes gently. "Together."
Jake opens his eyes, breath hitching as he looks at Felix—really looks at him. The man he loves. The father of his child. His future.
"Together," he echoes, voice thick but sure.
And in that moment, with the morning light spilling across the kitchen floor and their hands still resting over their growing baby, it finally feels real.
Not just forgiven.
But rebuilt.
Stronger than before—rooted in love they never lost… and a new one just beginning to kick its way into the world.
For a long moment, they just look at each other, soaking in the quiet peace of the moment—the sun filtering softly through the windows, the baby still dancing gently beneath Felix's sweater. There are no more words, no more fears or doubts. Just the two of them, together, and the life they've created.
Finally, Jake smiles—soft and bright and full of hope.
"Can I…" He starts, clearing his throat. "...Can I ask you something?"