It was raining outside, light taps of water tracing down the windows of Roy’s apartment. Inside, everything was warm. Dim lighting. A blanket lazily draped over the back of the couch. The scent of takeout still hung in the air.

Jason was sprawled across the couch, head on Roy’s lap, boots half-kicked off and leather jacket tossed somewhere across the floor. He looked up, eyes half-lidded, watching Roy with the kind of soft expression he didn’t show anyone else.

Roy was carding his fingers through Jason’s hair absentmindedly, one hand still holding his phone, scrolling through something unimportant. Every now and then, his thumb would brush along Jason’s temple or tug gently at a stubborn knot.

Jason mumbled, “You know you don’t have to do that.”

Roy smirked without looking down. “I know. I want to.”

Jason didn’t answer that. Just sighed and closed his eyes, like melting into the moment. He never got to relax like this. Not really. But here—here, with Roy, it was different. Safer.

After a beat, Roy put down the phone and leaned over, planting a kiss to Jason’s forehead.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

Jason opened one eye, giving him a slow nod. “Yeah. This is nice.”

Roy smiled, a little crooked and tired. “Good. Stay here tonight.”

“Wasn’t planning on leaving.”

Roy didn’t say anything more. He didn’t need to. He just wrapped the blanket around them both, Jason shifting a little closer, fingers curling into Roy’s hoodie. The rain kept falling outside, but inside, everything was still and quiet and okay.