[ the look on koby's face is enough to make his voice catch in his throat, make his lungs sting and burn with wanting, make his heart thud a little heavier in his chest. he's had flings, he's had flirtations, but nothing like this. nothing that started like a low, simmering fire that has since begun to roar. wherever they go after this, he wants it to be somewhere with koby. somewhere he can find him happily sailing on the see, watch him whoop and holler as the ships tear through the ocean.

he will always yearn for the sea. the smell of salt, the open air, the water lapping up in his face, the spray salty and sweet. but koby will go magnificent places. sail with the marine and chart every corner of the many seas, and the thought alone fills quentin's head with so much adventure and light he can forget there is solid ground waiting for him back in his own life.

he can weather it. koby's told him he can.

how can one person become so instrumental to survival?

the other man's expression is all wide eyes and cautious, and he doesn't have to be able to wonder if he's thinking to hear the cogs turning behind his skull. he doesn't know how to put it into words just yet, can't find what it is he wants to say but he kisses him again, cradling his face and letting it linger, letting the taste of koby stay on his lips and the warmth of him make him feel whole again.

he stays quiet, foreheads touching, noses bumping, breaths shared between them. ]

You're my true north. I don't know how it happened. I don't know when. I hope that's simply enough, but among the many there will always be you.