As the season transitioned, the weather became cooler, with the early morning light shrouded in a thick layer of white mist. The alarm clock rang, and Zoe quickly jumped out of bed, slipping into a light athletic outfit. Before heading out, he hurried to the adjacent room, knocking loudly on the door and calling out.
"Hey, lazybones, get up and exercise! If you don’t get up, I’ll leave you behind and go running alone."
A hasty voice responded immediately, "Wait for me, I’ll be out as soon as I finish getting dressed."
Zoe smiled, went to the kitchen, filled a large thermos with warm water enough for two, and put it into his backpack. Then, he stood by the door, waiting for Neil. Having lived together for over six months, their routines had gradually become familiar, almost without them realizing it. Every morning, they would exercise together, have breakfast at home, and then Neil would go to work.
If Zoe was free, he would either go to the supermarket to buy groceries or visit the bookstore to find books to read, treating it as a way to expand his knowledge. In the evening, he would ride his bike to the Night bar to work. The job was going well; Zoe had become proficient and was even learning how to mix drinks. Sometimes, he would bring the bar's equipment home to practice, and Neil, of course, was the one to judge the quality.
The cool morning breeze was refreshing, enough to wake up even the drowsiest of people. The trees and grass along the roadside swayed gently in the wind as if they were playfully leaning on each other, soaking in the fresh air. The temperature became even cooler as they neared the denser forest.
Neil and Zoe ran along the highway until they reached the park, not far from a tall pine forest. By the park was a small lake, surrounded by lush greenery. After an hour of running, both of them were tired and stopped, panting, on a small hill. Together, they looked out over the vast lake, watching the sunrise.
Sweat ran down the fair face of the young teenager, making anyone who saw him want to reach out and wipe it away. His clear eyes were beautiful, and Zoe's smile, like the morning sun, made Neil's heart beat faster without him realizing it. He couldn't help but murmur softly, "You’re the most beautiful young man I’ve ever seen, like sunlight that can make flowers bloom in winter."
But the words seemed too quiet, or perhaps they were carried away by the wind, as Zoe didn't seem to hear them. Besides, Zoe was too focused on the fiery red sun rising before them.
Neil's hand wanted to reach out and touch that beautiful face but hesitated and pulled back. He took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and also looked towards the rising sun. Suddenly, he felt something soft touch his cheek. Turning his head, he saw Zoe gently wiping the sweat off his face with a handkerchief.
"Are you thirsty? I brought warm water." Zoe's gentle voice alone was enough to warm the heart.
Zoe took a thermos from his backpack and handed it to Neil. After taking a sip of the warm water, Neil smiled, his eyes fixed on Zoe. He seemed to stand straighter as if gathering all his courage to say something very important to Zoe.
Neil held Zoe's hand, hesitated for a moment, and then seriously said, "Can we stay like this forever? Can you promise me, no matter what happens, you won’t leave me? Please, Zoe?"
Zoe was slightly taken aback by these words, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Neil. But he didn’t think long before gently smiling and nodding.
"Of course."
What Neil had just said was something Zoe never dreamed would happen. He was, after all, just a server with a criminal record—how could he ever be worthy of Neil, a brilliant police inspector? But now, hearing Neil's sincere words, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Unless Neil ever regretted it, found a lover, or wanted to start a family, Zoe would happily stay by his side forever.
This was what Zoe thought, not just in this moment after hearing Neil’s heartfelt words, but from the very first day Neil took him home. From that moment, Neil had taken a place in his heart.
For most of his life, Zoe had never known what it was like to be truly loved or cherished. He had always felt a vast emptiness inside, but since meeting Neil, the care and concern he showed in his actions and words were always so gentle and sincere.
Little by little, like drops of pure water, they filled Zoe's heart. By the time he realized it, he had truly come to like Neil. Even if Neil’s feelings for him were just brotherly, Zoe couldn’t turn back anymore. If one day Neil recognized his feelings and rejected him, Zoe wouldn’t blame him and would gladly leave. But right now, it was Neil who had asked him to stay by his side.
Could this be considered a confession? Zoe didn’t know, but just being able to stay with Neil was already happiness for him.
The sunrise had risen high in the sky, and under the fiery red light, the two of them simultaneously reached out and embraced each other tightly.