Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 219: Alone

Chapter 219: Alone

"But this... this is who I am Sky. This is how I was born. Raised. Lived. Do not expect me to not buy you shit. Just be pretty for me and let me spend the money. You can be the sugar daddy in title. I don’t... mind." His voice went lower and lower until he got to the last word.

His eyes flicked up. Sky’s expression was unreadable—like he was on the edge of amusement and something deeper. Something softer. Chris caught the way Sky’s lips twitched like he was fighting a grin, and it filled his chest with a strange, expanding warmth.

"I get what you mean," Sky murmured finally, his fingers finding Chris’s and lacing them together with a kind of casual intimacy that somehow felt more dangerous than anything else. "But... just slow down, okay? This is sweet. You’re sweet. But I don’t need you emptying out shops or whatever just because you can. I’m not... used to this. But I appreciate it. I really do. And bringing us out here too..."

The way Sky was looking at him—head tilted slightly, gaze unwavering, gentle and unguarded—made Chris feel like the air had turned to syrup. Thick. Sweet. Hard to breathe through.

His heart thudded like it had no business doing.

He felt the butterfly thingy in his stomach and tried so hard not to smile like an idiot.

He had to pull away from Sky, bringing back an aloof look as he completely changed the topic.

Chris cleared his throat and turned toward the bed. "The others will arrive tomorrow morning. Nine-ish in the morning. Wilson also would be coming tomorrow with his boyfriend because this was kind of like impromptu and his boyfriend couldn’t just up and follow him today."

Rachel too would come with them.

It was surprisingly hard to ask her. Considering Noel might be tagging along too. No. Noel was coming! Rain too.

So it’s like meeting the people from school she had lied to.

Sky hummed, distracted as he glanced down at the phone in his hand. "So it’s just us tonight, huh?"

Just them.

The words hadn’t been said until now, but something shifted with the weight of them.

Sky’s eyes snapped up to meet his.

And in that moment, it felt like so many strange images were flitting through Chris’s mind. It wasn’t his fault. But he had to pull away. A bit.

Chris was now by the door, leaning against the doorframe.

"You wanna... swim? Chill by the pool a little? The chef’ll have dinner ready in like an hour."

Sky looked up at him like Chris had just asked if he wanted to go bungee jumping into lava.

Chris recognized that look.

"You don’t want to swim," he said, almost immediately.

Sky gave him a flat look. "I didn’t say that."

Chris wasn’t sure how to go from here. Should he tell him to forget it?

Nah.

"The water’s nice. Wear whatever. I don’t care if it’s jeans and combat boots. Just come out." Chris said placatingly.

Sky snorted. "Fine. But do not get surprised later and pretend it wasn’t you who asked me to wear combat boots out."

Chris grinned. "I’ll see you later then."

A few minutes later, Chris was already out by the pool, sitting on the edge with his feet dipped into the water. He wore a black tank top and loose grey shorts, hair slightly tousled from the warm breeze. Of course, there was wine. And an outdoor speakers. Soft jazz played.

The sound of the sliding door caught his attention.

Chris looked up—

And blinked.

Sky walked out slowly, a little hesitant. He had his hands in his pockets, wore a plain black t-shirt and dark shorts that stopped above the knee. Not that dramatic on anyone else, but this was Sky!

Chris stared. Not because it was weird—because it wasn’t.

It was the most relaxed he’d ever seen him. Not in semi formal, not buried under hoodies and joggers, not trying to keep himself invisible. Just Sky—arms exposed, legs bare, like maybe he didn’t care for once if someone looked.

This was a lot different than when Sky had cross-dressed. He looked... relaxed.

Sky was looking at him. Chris could tell he wasn’t exactly in his comfort zone. But he was trying.

Chris looked away fast, biting the inside of his cheek to keep his face neutral. But the flutter in his chest? Unstoppable.

Sky sat down beside him and Chris passed him a glass of wine without a word.

Sky took a sip and looked out at the pool, then at Chris.

They sipped quietly, the night folding in around them.

"So," he said, voice quiet but curious. "your life... usually like this?"

Chris gave a half-laugh. "Define this."

"Fancy-ass houses. Wine at night. Swimming while people make dinner for you."

He could hear the tease in Sky’s tone and let out a laugh.

Chris leaned back, thinking. "I mean... kind of. I throw parties sometimes. Hang out with friends. Go to events with my parents I used to think were stupid but now, I have been the stupid one."

Sky tilted his head. "So it’s boring."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Yeah. And I’m sure you’re living it up with your three friends."

"Excuse you," Sky said, mock offended. "I am made of fun."

Chris chuckled, but Sky’s next look was serious. Steady. "Do you like it?"

Chris looked at the wine in his glass. "I don’t know. I like... parts of it. But most of the time, I’m just trying to keep up."

There was a pause.

"Seem like you are doing a great job." Sky commented.

"I don’t know." Chris said honestly. "But... I have decided to take this seriously. I’ll work hard. To make sure the company survives. That’s my... dream now." A soft smile played on his lips.

Sky nodded slowly and sipped his wine. "So you’d inherit it?"

Chris did not understand the intention behind that question. He hoped Sky was not beginning to imagine the distance between them.

Chris turned to him and nodded. "Yes. But it changes nothing. I’m still... me."

They stared at each other. "I know you’d do a great job." Sky said, meeting his eyes withour flinching.

"Why... do you believe in me so much?" Chris asked him slowly.

Sky shrugged. "I don’t know. You just have this light about you." Sky was staring so intently. Into his soul through his eyes. "I wish you saw yourself the way I see you."

Those had been his words for Sky. To Sky.

He paused. Okay... he was startled by Sky’s passionate tone and the way he was looking at him. He was lost for words.

Sky reached up slowly, brushing a strand of hair from Chris’s face. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this quiet." Sky whispered.

Chris was still lost and immediately cleared his throat, brushing his own hair with his hand.

"Sky Sato, I should warn you. I get seduced way too easily. So don’t... you know... don’t do that... with me."

He didn’t give chance for Sky to respond because he stood up abruptly, needing space. Air. He drained the last of his wine and tilted his head toward the pool.

"Come swim with me."

Sky glanced at him like he’d just suggested they go streaking through traffic. "I’m not sure—"

Chris offered. "If you drown, I’ll save you."

"That’s not comforting," Sky muttered.

Chris smirked and peeled off his tank top, revealing pale skin and toned lines that made Sky look away instantly.

It was too quick. Sky didn’t even try to pretend by feigning. His eyes went to his wine immediately.

Chris noticed, lips twitching in a private, almost smug smile he tried to hide.

"Come on. Live a little," he said, walking toward the pool. He stretched—dramatically, showy—and then dove in. A clean, elegant splash. Droplets hit Sky’s legs and arm, snapping him out of his daze.

He looked up.

Chris surfaced, blinking water from his lashes, hair dripping, cheeks glowing from the contrast of cool water and warm night air. He pushed his hair back, clumsily graceful. Somehow too handsome and too ridiculous at the same time.

"Come on, baby," Chris said, voice softer now, like a dare laced with warmth.

Sky stared. Hesitated. Then sighed.

He set his wine down and stood.