Jeremy lit the cigarette until it glowed a fiery orange. Placing it between his lips, he inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet taste of tobacco before exhaling a cloud of grey smoke towards the balcony. He stared into the night sky, exhaustion weighing on his bones, but his mind wouldn't rest. Glancing over his shoulder, he expected to see his husband lying on the bed, but it was empty. He had been there just a moment ago. Curiosity turned Jeremy fully around, only to feel a pair of arms wrap loosely around him from behind. He jolted in surprise.

"Sh*t! You can't scare me like that," he scolded, a sigh of relief escaping his lips when he realized who it was.