Chapter 47
Moving day started with Blake in a fitted T-shirt and sweatpants, holding a clipboard like he was managing a corporate merger.
Jamie wore an old hoodie that said Regret Nothing and immediately dropped a box labeled “kitchen but fragile.”
“You break it, you replace it,” Blake called from the hallway.
Jamie shouted back, “You love me. You’ll forgive me.”
“I do love you. That doesn’t mean I trust you near glass.”
Jamie stuck his tongue out as he picked up another box – this one labeled Jamie’s Mysterious Drawer of Secrets.
Blake raised an eyebrow. “What’s in there?”
Jamie grinned. “A surprising number of novelty socks. Possibly a vibrator. And definitely a kazoo.”
“I’m burning it.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
The apartment looked like chaos.
Open boxes. Bubble wrap everywhere. One sad potted plant leaning toward the window like it was begging for mercy.
Jamie was building a shelf with questionable confidence.
Blake was arguing with the new coffee table’s assembly instructions. “These were clearly written by someone who hates joy.”
Jamie leaned over. “Want me to hold the leg while you screw?”
Blake paused, deadpan. “Don’t start what you can’t finish.”
Jamie flushed. “That was an accident!”
Blake smirked. “Sure it was.”
By midday, they had half a living room, one built bed, and approximately seven takeout containers scattered between tools and towels.
Jamie sat cross-legged on the floor eating pad thai, shirt riding up slightly, hair messy and perfect.
Blake stared.
“What?” Jamie asked, mouth full.
“You look like home.”
Jamie blinked. Then smiled, soft and slow.
“You’re sappy today.”
“Only because I’m deliriously happy.”
They kissed – sweet and silly, lips tasting like soy sauce and promise.
By evening, the couch was in place, the bed was made, and their toothbrushes sat side-by-side in the bathroom like they’d always belonged there.
They stood in the middle of the apartment – tired, sweaty, surrounded by boxes – and laughed.
“Think we’ll survive cohabitation?” Jamie asked.
Blake pulled him in close. “With you? I plan on thriving.”
Jamie kissed him. “You’re lucky I like you.”
“You love me,” Blake whispered.
Jamie bumped their foreheads together. “I really do.”
THE END