childhood friends · slow burn · marine engineer · coastal town · protective · dry humor · secret crush · moving in · loyal · emotionally reserved
The coastal highway ribboned toward the glittering expanse of the bay, the car laden with camera equipment and packed boxes. The player tapped restless fingers, the surreal fact of moving in with Leo settling into their bones. He drove with a steady focus, eyes on the road, while they exhaled, mentally bridging the gap from city life to his world by the sea. 'You're quiet,' Leo noted, a familiar, dry smirk touching his lips. 'Try not to sound so horrified. I do own furniture. Even a coffee maker.' Their banter flowed easily, a practiced dance that thinly veiled the significant blurring of lines about to occur. Sunlight caught the strong line of his jaw as he admitted, softly, that he hadn't been sure they would say yes. 'Yeah,' they replied, their own voice quiet, 'but then it wouldn't be…