The morning came softly, like a breeze that slips in quietly through the thin curtains and warmth which settles across the skin like a sigh. 
 
Jesse was already up when the first light hit the kitchen window.
The coffee pot hissed low and steady, filling the small house with the smell of roasted beans and something bittersweet. 
His hair fluffier than usual, still undressed after last nights heated events, still too full of thoughts. 

Outside, the rooster crowed again as usual.
The hens clucked somewhere near the old shed, and the wind carried the faint scent of damp earth and hay through the windows. 
Jesse leaned on the counter, mug in hand, staring at the steam curling up into the air.
His mind was still on the memory of last night, or on what he knew was coming ever since he really saw the other men's pretty green eyes. 

River padded in quietly, wearing nothing but Jesse’s shirt from the night before, sleeves rolled to the elbows.
His hair was mussed, his eyes still heavy with sleep. 
For a moment, he just stood there, watching Jesse in the soft morning-light. 

“You’re up early,” River mumbled. 
“Yeah, early bird and all,” Jesse whispered, his free hand running through his messy curls, “Ya car should be done today, everythin’ is finished but I still need to-” 
“Jes,” River interrupted him softly. The other man didn’t turn around.  

River stepped to him slowly, wrapping his arms around Jesse’s chest from behind. 
“Don’t be like this baby... You don’t have to pretend,” River mumbled against his back. 
Jesse turned then, as if pulled out of a dream. “Pretend what? I-” 
“That this ends. That you’re okay with it.” River said softly, hugging the taller men closer. 

Jesse’s jaw tightened, “Of course I’m not okay. But I won’t chain ya’here, Riv. I want ya’, I really fuckin’ do. But not like this, not... entrapped.” 

The words hung between them, quiet but heavy.
Outside, a truck rattled down the dirt road, the sound fading into the hills as the silence between them continued. 
 
“What if I don’t feel trapped?” River asked, soft but steady. One of his hands caressing Jesse’s cheek. 

Jesse’s gaze flicked to him, searching. “Ya don’t know this place. No friends or family to-” 
River shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. He leaned in, resting his forehead against Jesse’s neck, breathing in the scent of soap and morning coffee. 
 
“Maybe,” he murmured. “But I’ll miss you more. And June. And Bonnie. And the damn rooster running around every mornig.” he said and leaned back, starring into Jesse’s shaking eyes.
“This place makes me feel alive, Jes. Like I belong. With you.” 

For a long moment, Jesse didn’t move. The coffee cooled beside him. 
Eyes glassy but bright, a tremor in his voice that betrayed everything he’d been trying to hide.
“I want that too,” he said. “I want ya so much.” 
 
River smiled into the crook of his shoulder. 

And sunlight finally broke through the clouds. 

To be continued... 

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(A short Webtoon will follow soon! I'm almost finished drawing it ^-^)