The apartment was quiet.
Mek kicked off his shoes, sighing as he flopped back onto the bed, arms spread wide like he'd just run a marathon.
Pete stood in the doorway, grinning at the sight. "You survived your first official date with me."
Mek turned his head, hair a mess, cheeks faintly pink. "Barely."
Pete walked over, pulled off his jacket, and collapsed beside him. "Ten outta ten, right?"
Mek snorted. "I got clay in my socks and sugar in my bloodstream. You owe me foot rubs."
Pete wiggled his fingers. "Deal."
Mek rolled onto his side, face half-buried in the blanket. "...Thanks. For today."
Pete looked at him, soft. "It was the best day I've had in years."
Mek blinked. "You're such a sap."
"I mean it," Pete said. "I don't remember the last time I laughed that much."
Mek's lips twitched into a tiny, genuine smile. "You looked... free."
Pete reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Mek's face. "So did you."
They lay there for a while. Just breathing. Listening to the hum of the city outside the window.
Then Mek whispered, "Do you ever think this'll last?"
Pete's eyes didn't leave him. "What?"
"This." Mek gestured vaguely. "Us. Peace. Whatever the hell this feeling is."
Pete leaned closer, foreheads almost touching. "I don't know. But if it ends, it won't be because I let go."
Mek's throat tightened. "You always say the right things."
"That's because you're the one person I don't wanna screw up with."
Silence again.
Then Pete nudged him. "Come here."
He pulled Mek into his arms, wrapping the blanket around them like a cocoon. Mek melted into him, fitting perfectly against his chest.
"I've never shared a bed like this before," Mek murmured.
Pete kissed the top of his head. "Get used to it."
Mek looked up, half-smiling. "Do you always cuddle like this after first dates?"
Pete chuckled. "Only when I fall for someone."
Mek blinked.
"Wait—"
"I said what I said."
Mek buried his face in Pete's chest. "Shut up."
Pete smirked. "Make me."
They lay there, limbs tangled, hearts slowing to the same rhythm.
And just before sleep claimed them, Mek whispered so softly it barely existed:
"I think I'm falling too."
Pete didn't reply.
He just held him tighter.