Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 170: I want you to be comfortable

Chapter 170: I want you to be comfortable

Chris reread the last text exchange between him and Sky today.

It had been a while since they’d last texted, a stark contrast to the constant stream of messages they used to exchange.

Today’s conversation had been brief, almost perfunctory.

Sky: Got some stuff to handle at school and with the band. Won’t be back to the dorm early.

It wasn’t like Sky was avoiding him—at least, Chris didn’t think so—but why did it always feel like they only met at night? Like Sky only made time for him when the world quieted down?

And

Chris... he was always waiting.

Chris: Okay.

He’d kept his reply short. For now, he didn’t mind.

Sky: You had lunch and dinner, right?

Chris: Why? Did your mom send you extra food again?

He was teasing him. And before Sky’s message came in, he already expected it.

Sky: Shut up.

He tossed his phone onto the bed, a sigh escaping his lips. And then he remembered he had to call Rachel. Also, he had thought to call his family. Since the last person he spoke to was his mother, he called his father now.

He didn’t expect much, knowing that he was usually mostly busy. So he sat up when his father answered after the second ring.

"Christopher?" his father’s voice came in through the speaker but it sounded low. It also sounded like he was surprised Chris had called him.

Because yeah, Chris wasn’t the type to call.

"Hey, Dad," Chris said, leaning back against the bed.

"Yeah. To what do I owe the pleasure?" his father asked, his voice brisk and business-like.

"Just wanted to check in," Chris said, trying to sound casual. "See how you’re doing."

There was a pause on the other end, a silence that stretched just a little too long.

"I’m well," his father finally said. "Busy, as always. Expanding into other markets. The potential is enormous."

"That’s good," Chris said, a flicker of concern in his voice. "You sound stressed."

"It’s nothing I can’t handle," his father assured him.

"Are you at least seeing Mom?" Chris asked, changing the subject again.

There was a beat of silence. "Of course. She has been busy too, but we make time to have dinner."

He sighed again.

"You sure you’re okay?" Chris asked again. He didn’t like how his father sounded. Almost like he was struggling to speak.

His father sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "I am. Just a little tired," he admitted. "These long flights are starting to take their toll."

"Maybe you should slow down," Chris suggested. "Take a break."

His father chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "A break? In my line of work, there’s no such thing. Besides," he added, a subtle shift in his tone, "this is what you’ll be doing someday, Chris. You’ll understand then."

Chris stiffened. The unspoken topic of succession hung heavy in the air between them. He didn’t want to think about that, not now.

But he didn’t comment on it.

"Well, at least try to take care of yourself," Chris said, shifting away from that topic.

"I will," his father promised. "And you? How are your studies going?"

"Fine."

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, the conversation fading into a comfortable silence. Chris knew it was time to end the call.

"I should let you go," he said. "I know you’re busy."

"Yes, of course," his father said. "Take care of yourself, Chris."

"You too, Dad."

Chris hung up the phone, a sigh escaping his lips. His father’s distant voice, echoed in his ears. "This is what you’ll be doing someday, Chris." Someday. The thought of inheriting his family’s empire, of stepping into that whirlwind of high-stakes deals and relentless pressure, filled him with a sense of dread. He didn’t know if he wanted it. Or maybe he was just a coward and knew he would fail, so he was simply running away.

Also, how would his life turn out? He was almost used to simple life here. To wearing knockoffs. To people not knowing about him. To Sky not knowing.

His trail of thoughts was broken into when a knock echoed through the room, followed by the click of the doorknob. Sky entered, a furtive glance over his shoulder before he slipped inside.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or shake his head when he saw Sky.

Sky was wearing the exact same outfit Chris had picked out for him last night – the faded hoodie, the beanie pulled low over his brow, the face mask, and even the ridiculous mystery glasses. He looked like he was about to rob a bank, not return to his own dorm room.

Chris leaned back against the bed, a playful glint in his eyes. "You know, this is your dorm room. You don’t have to act like you’re sneaking into a brothel."

Sky chuckled awkwardly, pulling off the face mask and glasses. "I just didn’t want to bump into anyone... you know... who would want to keep me talking. And I did bump into a lot of them." He dropped his backpack by the bed with a sigh and sat down, as if he had just run a marathon.

Chris looked at him, contemplating whether to believe that or not but at the end, what could he gain or lose if he doubted him? So he simply nodded.

"So, it was a covert operation?"

Sky shrugged. "Something like that."

Chris considered teasing him further, but decided against it. He was genuinely curious about how things had gone with Rain. "How did it go with Rain?" he asked casually, crossing his legs at the ankles.

At the mention of Rain’s name, a small, genuine smile touched Sky’s lips, a stark contrast to his earlier furtive behavior. It was clear they had resolved whatever issue was between them and reconciled.

"We talked things through," Sky said vaguely. "She... she doesn’t have any problems with it."

He didn’t specify what "it" was, but Chris knew. It was them. Chris’s heart fluttered slightly at the thought.

He was curious to know what Sky had told Rain. Had he told her... everything? Had he told her that he—Sky liked him— Chris?

The question hung in the air between them, unspoken. Chris wanted to ask, needed to know, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear the answer. What if Sky had downplayed it? What if he’d dismissed it as a drunken mistake and nothing more? The thought made Chris’s stomach clench.

Before he could overthink further, Sky stood up and looked at him. "Stand up." Sky said, a little too roughly.

Chris blinked. It had been a while since Sky had spoken to him like that. Chris raised a brow, intrigued.

Sky seemed to realize his slip and softened his voice. "Please."

Chris smirked slightly but didn’t say anything as he got to his feet.

Sky cleared his throat again, a nervous tic Chris found oddly endearing. "I... I didn’t want to say all this looking at you," he mumbled, his gaze fixed somewhere over Chris’s shoulder. He took a step closer, then another, until he was standing right in front of Chris. Then, he did something Chris hadn’t expected. He embraced him.

Chris froze.

Sky’s arms were tight around him, his chin resting lightly on Chris’s shoulder. It wasn’t an awkward, hesitant hug—it was warm, steady, intentional.

Chris felt the heat creep up his neck. "What’s this for?" he muttered, clearing his throat.

Sky exhaled softly, his grip tightening just a little. "I said I didn’t want to say this while looking at you."

Chris swallowed. His own arms hovered for a moment before finally settling around Sky’s back.

"I just..." Sky continued, his voice quieter now. "I wanted to say thank you."

Chris blinked, feeling the warmth of Sky’s breath against his neck. "For what?"

"For... you know... for joining my mom in the kitchen," Sky said, his voice a little hesitant. "And for... doing your best to make things less awkward with my dad and Rain at the table. And... that too."

The awkward toast. When he had frozen.

Chris was pretty sure his face was on fire.

He cleared his throat, shifting slightly in Sky’s hold. "Well... I am a very adorable sweetheart compared to you."

Sky let out a quiet laugh against his shoulder. "Idiot."

They stayed like that for a moment—just standing there, wrapped in a silence that didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

"If... I didn’t do all that for you," Chris said softly, "who would?"

Chris remembered something Sky had told him once, or maybe twice. A casual yet profound statement that had stuck with him.

Sky had said something like no one could treat Chris better than him. No one could care for him like he would. Of course, he had taken that as their usual flirting.

However, now, Chris repeated those words to him, his voice soft but firm.

"No one can care for you better than I will." He didn’t use ’can’. He used ’will’.

"I want you to be comfortable. Not just with me. But every time. That’s all. Just... for you to be comfortable."