1:16AM

Theo's car hummed low beneath them, tires soft against the asphalt as he drove through the sleepy streets, headlights brushing past empty sidewalks and glowing storefronts.

The movie was long over. The laughter and snacks had faded into quiet. Not awkward silence-just something... thicker. Heavier. Like there were a hundred unsaid things taking up space between them.

Remi sat in the middle again, his hands in his lap, fingers twitching like he was debating what to say. Ash sat by the window, his face turned to the cool glass but his eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror where Theo's eyes sometimes met his.

Theo's hand rested near the gear shift. Relaxed. Steady. But there was a tightness in his shoulders, the kind that came when someone was thinking too much and trying too hard to look casual.

He cleared his throat after a bit. "So... did y'all have a good time?"

Remi turned to him first, smile small but sincere. "Yeah. It was really great. I didn't expect a drive-in, honestly. That was... new."

Ash looked over, finally speaking up. "It was cool. Better than I thought it'd be."
A pause. Then, a smirk. "Even with your cheesy ass lines."

Theo chuckled. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"

Remi giggled. "Barely."

Another moment passed. Theo tapped his fingers gently on the steering wheel as he waited at a red light, then exhaled deeply and said, voice softer now, "I'm really glad I asked you both out."

They looked at him.

"I know it might've come off bold or kinda sudden, but I meant it. I like you guys. I don't know what this is gonna turn into, but I wanna find out. With you."

Ash blinked, caught off guard. That was... a lot. And honest. Way too honest for 1 AM in the car, but somehow, it didn't feel overwhelming. Just real.

Theo continued, glancing at them for a second before returning his gaze to the road. "I'm not gonna push anything. If all this ever turns into is friendship, that's okay too. I just..." His voice slowed, a little vulnerable now. "I'd really like to see where this could go. I want a chance. But only if you're both okay with it."

Remi looked over at Ash. Their hands weren't touching, but the space between them buzzed with understanding.

Remi spoke first. "We like you, too, Theo."
His tone was gentle, sure. "I think we've both known that for a bit. But... we've been through stuff. And we're still figuring things out-for us, and whatever this is."

Ash added, "Taking it slow... makes sense. There's a lot we don't know yet."

Theo nodded once. He parked at the curb in front of their apartment building, engine idling low. Then, without a word, he turned slightly in his seat, and reached out. He took both of their hands-one in each of his.

His palms were warm. Calloused. Safe.

"I get it," he said quietly. "Whatever pace you need, I'll match it. No pressure. But I'm not backing off either. I want to show you I'm serious. I want to earn my space-earn you. Both of you."

Remi's throat tightened at that. His grip on Theo's hand tightened.

Ash didn't speak. Not right away. Just nodded slowly, processing. His chest felt weirdly tight-like something soft was curling up inside it and he wasn't used to letting it stay.

Remi broke the silence with a whisper. "Okay. Let's see where this goes."

Theo smiled. The kind of smile that made the corner of his eyes crinkle. Not cocky. Just honest. "That's all I want."

Theo opened his door and came around. They got out, lingering near the sidewalk like they didn't want to leave just yet.

Remi hugged him first.

It was meant to be a quick "thanks for the date" kind of hug, but the moment Theo's arms wrapped around him, Remi melted a little. The guy was warm-really warm. His chest was broad and solid, but he held people like he didn't want them to fall apart.

Remi whispered, "Okay, wow... you are a teddy bear."

Theo grinned. "Told you."

Ash raised an eyebrow as Remi pulled back. "That good, huh?"

Remi just nodded with a playful, dreamy sigh.

Ash stepped forward then, more hesitant. Hugs weren't really his thing. Or maybe they were... when it came to the right people.

Theo opened his arms like it wasn't a big deal. Ash walked in.

And yeah. Damn it.

Remi was right.

It was the kind of hug that didn't feel like pressure, didn't feel like obligation-it felt like safety. Like comfort. Like maybe it was okay to trust someone again, just a little.

Ash pulled back first, trying not to let too much show.

Theo smiled at them both, stepping back. "Text me when you're settled. Or don't. I'll probably text you anyway."

They laughed, soft and tired and full.

"And if you miss us, just look at the pictures we took. You'll just be fine." Remi winked, Theodore grin widened as he nodded.

"Sure." He opened his car door before getting in.

Remi waved. Ash intertwined their fingers. They turned and headed up the stairs to their apartment.

And as they reached their door, Ash murmured without looking at Remi, "That... wasn't awful."

The door clicked shut behind them, muffling the world outside. The soft thud of their sneakers being kicked off echoed in the quiet space, followed by the shuffle of keys dropped into the ceramic bowl near the door.

Remi smirked. "You mean that was kind of amazing."

Ash rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

He wandered into the kitchen, grabbed two water bottles from the fridge, tossed one to Remi. The cap nearly smacked Remi's forehead.

"Rude," Remi muttered, unscrewing the lid.

Ash smirked, leaning against the counter. "You lived."

Remi flopped onto the couch, lifting his legs up and sighing dramatically. "I feel emotionally pregnant."

Ash snorted. "What does that even mean?"

"It means," Remi said between gulps of water, "I have too many feelings and no idea what to do with them. My brain is sweaty."

Ash gave a tired little laugh. "You're ridiculous."

"Admit it, you liked him."

Ash was quiet for a second too long. He took a sip of water to stall. "I... don't not like him."

Remi lifted an eyebrow. "That's your version of confessing you like someone? Please remind me to never let you write me a love letter."

"Shut up." Ash's lips twitched.

They both migrated toward the bedroom, their bodies aching in that content, post-date kind of way-soft limbs and quiet minds.

Ash laid on his side, facing Remi, who was scrolling on his phone under the covers. The blue light glowed on his skin, making his soft curls shimmer slightly. Ash reached over and lazily tugged the phone from his hand.

"No phones. You're gonna roast your brain."

Remi blinked dramatically. "And how will I survive without seeing Theo's shirtless pics for the night?"

Ash rolled his eyes. "You're lucky you're cute."

He set the phone on the nightstand and settled closer. Remi scooted in too, burying his face in Ash's chest with a little hum.

"You were quiet in the car," Remi mumbled into his shirt.

Ash shrugged. "Was thinking."

"About?"

There was a pause. Not long. Just enough to feel real.

"I don't remember the last time a date made me feel... safe," Ash admitted quietly. "Not just entertained or distracted. Actually safe. Like I didn't need to put up walls."

Remi tilted his head up, looking at him. "That's what I felt too."

Ash looked down at him. "But that scares me, a little. Because if this crashes... it's not just me anymore. It's us."

Remi nodded, resting his head back on Ash's chest. "Yeah. But... maybe not everything has to crash."

They laid in silence for a beat.

"Do you think he meant it?" Ash asked. "That whole 'no pressure, I want to earn it' thing?"

Remi whispered, "Yeah. I think he really meant it."

Ash sighed and wrapped his arms tighter around Remi. "That's the scary part."

Remi yawned. "Good kind of scary though."

Another pause. Sleep started to wrap itself around them like a blanket, warm and slow.

Then Remi murmured sleepily, "I hope he texts us first tomorrow. I wanna know what he eats for breakfast."

Ash chuckled softly. "You're obsessed."

"Yup."

And with that, Remi drifted off, fingers curled gently in the fabric of Ash's shirt.

Ash stayed awake just a little longer, staring up at the ceiling in the dark, one arm wrapped around Remi, the other folded under his head.

This was new.

This was something.

And he kind of wanted to see where it would go.