"I only breathe because you exist."
Sunlight danced across Sea's bare skin, and Boss couldn't stop looking.
His arm was wrapped protectively around Sea's waist, holding him like someone might come and snatch him away if he let go.
Sea stretched, the shirt riding up just enough for Boss's gaze to darken.
"Stop looking at me like that," Sea murmured, cheeks flushed.
Boss raised a brow. "Like what?"
"Like you're about to drag me back under the sheets and ruin me again…"
Boss smirked. "Would that be so bad?"
Sea rolled his eyes but his smile betrayed him. He leaned in and kissed Boss—slow, deep, lazy. The kind of kiss that made time pause.
"You're dangerous," Sea whispered against his lips.
"I know," Boss murmured. "But I'm only deadly for anyone who isn't you."
They laid there, limbs tangled.
Sea's fingers lazily traced the scars on Boss's chest. "These… they look like stories," he said softly.
"They are," Boss said. "Bloody ones."
Sea looked up at him. "Will I be one of your scars too?"
Boss's jaw clenched at that. He sat up, pulling Sea into his lap like he couldn't bear even the idea of losing him.
"No," he said firmly. "You'll be the only part of me that doesn't bleed."
Sea blinked. He wasn't used to words like that—raw and unfiltered.
Boss lowered his head and kissed his collarbone, his voice a whisper, "You're mine, Sea. You don't get to be a scar. You're the reason I want to heal."
Sea exhaled shakily, his arms wrapping around Boss's neck.
"I'm scared," he confessed. "Everything's changing so fast…"
Boss cupped his cheek gently, eyes intense but soft. "Then hold on to me. Even if I'm the storm—I'll still be your anchor."
Just then, the sound of Boss's phone buzzed on the nightstand.
He ignored it.
Not even the empire he ruled could take him from this moment.
Not when Sea was warm in his arms.
Not when his heart—usually frozen—was actually beating for someone.
Boss reached over to the breakfast tray he'd called for earlier (because yes, even ruthless men can be soft when they're in love), and handed Sea a glass of juice.
Sea blinked. "Wait… you brought me breakfast?"
"Don't act surprised," Boss said. "You look like you'd forget to eat if I didn't feed you myself."
Sea giggled, and Boss just stared at him.
That laugh… it did something to him.
"Eat now," Boss ordered gently. "I've got plans for you after."
Sea raised a brow. "What kind of plans?"
Boss leaned down, lips brushing his ear.
"The kind that'll make you forget how to walk."
Sea choked on his juice.
---
To be continued