The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Jaxon was still asleep, nestled comfortably against Brian’s chest. Brian blinked awake, feeling the weight of Jaxon’s arm draped over him, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His heart swelled with a warmth that felt new, different—like nothing he had experienced before.
He shifted slightly, careful not to wake Jaxon, and ran his hand gently through Jaxon’s hair, marveling at how peaceful he looked. There was no drunken boldness, no guarded humor—just Jaxon, unfiltered and relaxed, his breathing slow and steady. Brian’s chest tightened, overwhelmed by the simplicity of this moment: just two men, wrapped in each other’s warmth, and no expectations beyond the morning.
For a few minutes, Brian lay there, soaking in the feeling, his heart thumping softly in his chest. He thought to himself that he could get used to this.
Jaxon stirred, stretching slightly before slowly blinking his eyes open.
Brian smiled down at him. "Good morning, sleepyhead. How’d you sleep?"
Jaxon grinned lazily, snuggling closer into Brian’s chest. "I slept amazingly," he murmured. "I got to snuggle a beautiful man who smells like vanilla and cinnamon."
Brian chuckled, clearly caught off guard by the compliment. "Vanilla and cinnamon, huh? I wonder why you say that. I’m not wearing any cologne or body wash that’s close to those."
Jaxon sniffed him again, his face half-buried in Brian’s neck. "I know. That’s just what you naturally smell like to me. Your natural scent."
Brian blinked, a little confused but flattered. "Well, at least I smell good to you," he said with a soft laugh.
Jaxon sighed contentedly. "I could snuggle you all day, every day. I never wanna leave this spot."
Brian chuckled, clearly amused by Jaxon’s sleepy ramblings. "That so?"
Jaxon nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, yes. Yessss. Foreverrrrr," he mumbled dramatically.
Brian raised an eyebrow, his smile growing. "So it wasn’t the alcohol? You’re actually just like this?"
"Only for you, Bri Bri," Jaxon replied, nuzzling closer and pressing his face into Brian’s chest.
Brian laughed softly, running his fingers through Jaxon’s hair again. "No one would believe me if I told them one of the country’s best fighters was sniffing and nuzzling me like a puppy."
Jaxon looked up with a lazy grin. "Country’s best?"
Brian shrugged. "Well, you mentioned you’ve won over 200 fights in your life, so I just assumed you’d be one of the best."
Jaxon grinned. "Fair, fair. I’d say I’m pretty high up, but I wouldn’t know considering I haven’t had a real challenge in years."
Brian tilted his head, intrigued. "Wouldn’t that mean you’re really strong, then?"
"I guess," Jaxon muttered. "But how do you know how strong you are without relatively strong peers? A lion doesn’t know how strong he is when he kills a gazelle. All he knows is the gazelle is weaker than him. A lion only truly knows how strong he is when he fights another lion and wins—or loses."
Brian blinked, taken by the metaphor. "Wow, that’s an interesting analogy. So… I’m guessing you’re a lion surrounded by gazelles?"
Jaxon’s expression shifted as he sat up in bed, his gaze distant. "Yeah, and when you’re surrounded by easy prey, it takes away the thrill of the hunt." His voice grew quieter, more reflective. "I honestly lost most of my passion for fighting a long time ago. Every fight is over in fewer and fewer blows as I improved. No more challenge. No more thrill. Just empty victories." He paused, his shoulders slumping slightly. "And sure, the money is good, and I’m recognized as a strong fighter, but it just feels so empty. There’s nothing really worth fighting for. I’m just hitting a guy because people like seeing it."
Brian frowned, his heart heavy with sympathy. "I’m really sorry to hear that, Jax."
Jaxon shrugged, glancing over at Brian, his expression softening. "It’s fine. I’ve found something else to care about." His eyes lingered on Brian, the meaning clear.
Brian caught the hint, a warm feeling spreading through his chest as he pointed to himself, slightly teasing. "¿Qué? Me?" He couldn’t help but smile.
Jaxon nodded, his voice quiet but full of sincerity. "I know it’s only been a night since we’ve known each other, but I feel like I’ve known you forever. I’ve never felt this way before." He paused, his eyes searching Brian’s. "To look at someone and be happy I woke up next to them… it’s new to me."
Brian’s chest tightened with emotion, a smile tugging at his lips. "Honestly, I feel the same," he admitted softly. "I could definitely get used to this."
They sat there, the quiet between them filled with unspoken understanding, a shared connection deeper than either of them had anticipated.
Brian reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair away from Jaxon’s face, his fingers lingering for a moment longer. "You know… you’re different from anyone I’ve ever met, Jax. I like that."
Jaxon smiled, leaning into the touch. "And you… you’re more than I could’ve ever expected."
They stayed close, the morning sunlight filling the room as the weight of their words hung in the air—two men, unexpectedly drawn to each other, their bond growing with every passing moment.
A few weeks later…
In the weeks that followed that first morning together, Jaxon and Brian fell into an easy rhythm. What had started as an unexpected connection quickly blossomed into something more—something both of them were beginning to crave.
They went on more dates, each one more comfortable than the last. Whether it was simple things like grabbing lunch at a small café, walking through the park, or even staying in to watch a movie at Brian’s place, they found that being around each other felt effortless.
Brian had a way of making Jaxon laugh, often with that playful teasing and his casual use of Spanish that Jaxon had begun to pick up on—sometimes guessing, sometimes getting it right, but always with a grin. And Jaxon… well, Brian was quickly learning that beneath Jaxon’s confident exterior was someone deeply caring, full of warmth, and perhaps just a little afraid to let someone in. But Brian was patient. And Jaxon? He was finding it easier and easier to let his guard down around Brian.
One evening, they were sitting together on Brian’s couch after a long day.
Jaxon had his head resting on Brian’s shoulder, their fingers casually intertwined. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the TV in the background. They weren’t really watching—it was more about the comfort of being close, of sharing space.
"You know," Jaxon began, his voice low, "I didn’t think I’d find myself here. With you." He glanced up at Brian, his dark eyes reflecting the soft light from the TV. "But now… I can’t imagine being anywhere else."
Brian turned his head, smiling down at Jaxon. "Yo también, Jax." He squeezed Jaxon’s hand, the warmth of the gesture not lost on either of them. "I can’t imagine it either."
Jaxon smiled, still not entirely sure what Brian had just said but knowing enough by now to recognize the feeling behind it.
They had shared moments like this more often now. Quiet, intimate moments that told them both something more than words could convey. Jaxon had gotten used to waking up next to Brian on lazy weekends, had learned to love the way Brian smelled like coffee in the mornings, and how he’d hum softly when he cooked. And Brian had come to adore the way Jaxon would grin sheepishly when he didn’t understand some of Brian’s Spanish but would always give it a try anyway.
They hadn’t defined what they were yet. They didn’t need to. For now, the quiet glances, the shared laughter, and the occasional whispered "Bri Bri" were more than enough.
That same evening, after dinner, they walked together through the city streets.
Brian slipped his hand into Jaxon’s, and neither of them said anything. They didn’t need to. The past few weeks had already spoken volumes. With each passing day, each shared moment, their connection grew deeper, more solid, like a foundation being built beneath their feet.
Jaxon looked over at Brian, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest. "I like this. Us."
Brian glanced back at him, his own heart skipping a beat. "Me too, Jax. Me too."
They stopped for a moment, standing beneath the glow of a streetlight, and without hesitation, Brian leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Jaxon’s lips. It was gentle, full of promise, and Jaxon responded with just as much tenderness, feeling like everything was falling into place.
As the weeks had passed, it had become clear to both of them that this wasn’t just a fling. This was something more. Something real. And as they stood there, the world quiet around them, they both knew it.
It was a quiet evening at Brian’s apartment. They were lounging on the couch, Jaxon with his arm around Brian, the soft glow of the TV casting shadows on their relaxed faces. The hum of their conversation had slowed, and it was in that moment, when everything felt easy and right, that Jaxon spoke up.
"Hey, Bri?" Jaxon asked, his voice casual but holding a hint of something more.
Brian looked up at him, a small smile already forming. "Yeah?"
Jaxon hesitated for just a second before breaking into a grin. "Do you wanna come to my next match? It’s coming up soon."
Brian’s eyes widened a little in surprise. He had heard about Jaxon’s fighting career, but this was the first time Jaxon had invited him to a match. "Really? You want me to come?"
Jaxon nodded, his grin turning into something a little more earnest. "Of course, I do. I want you there. I fight better when I’ve got someone to fight for." He paused, squeezing Brian’s hand gently. "In fact, next match I’m dedicating my win to you."
Brian’s eyes softened, and he blinked in disbelief. "You’re gonna dedicate your win to me?"
"Yeah," Jaxon said, his tone full of conviction. "I’m gonna look directly into the camera after I win, and I’ll say, ‘This win is for my boyfriend Brian.’"
Brian’s cheeks flushed, both from the boldness of Jaxon’s words and the fact that he called him his boyfriend so casually. "Boyfriend, huh?" he teased, but there was no hiding the warmth in his voice.
Jaxon shrugged with a playful grin. "What? You don’t wanna be my boyfriend?"
Brian laughed softly, shaking his head. "Of course, I do. I just wasn’t expecting you to declare it to the whole world."
"Why not?" Jaxon asked, his grin softening. "I’m proud of it. I want people to know who I’m fighting for. Every punch I throw, every win I get, it’s gonna be for you."
Brian’s heart swelled with emotion, caught off guard by the sincerity in Jaxon’s voice. "You really mean that?"
"Yeah," Jaxon replied, his tone steady. "I mean it. You don’t know how much it helps, knowing you’re there, rooting for me." His voice dropped to a softer tone, his gaze locking with Brian’s. "I’ll fight harder thinking about you in the crowd. Knowing you’re watching makes me want to give it everything."
Brian felt his chest tighten with affection. The intensity in Jaxon’s words wasn’t just about the fight; it was about them. About how much this relationship was starting to mean to him.
"I’ll be there," Brian said, his voice soft but firm. "I wouldn’t miss it."
Jaxon’s face lit up, the excitement clear in his eyes. "Good. I’ll dedicate all my wins to you from now on." He leaned in closer, brushing his lips against Brian’s in a soft, lingering kiss. When he pulled back, he added with a playful grin, "And if I ever lose, well… I’ll still dedicate it to you."
Brian chuckled, resting his head on Jaxon’s chest. "I don’t think you’re gonna lose anytime soon. But even if you do, I’ll still be there. Win or lose."
Jaxon wrapped his arms around Brian, pulling him in tighter. "That’s why I’m fighting for you. You always make me feel like I’ve already won."
Brian closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Jaxon’s embrace sink in. "You’re gonna knock ‘em out, Jax. I believe in you."
"I know," Jaxon whispered, his voice full of quiet confidence. "I believe in me too. Especially when you’re there."
