The reception had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Music swirled through the garden, mingling with laughter and the clinking of champagne glasses.
Guests moved between tables, dancing, and conversations, but Jason had already begun to feel the subtle strain of being surrounded by polite strangers.
He ducked behind a tall floral arrangement near the buffet table, grabbing a glass of sparkling water. "Finally… a moment to breathe," he muttered, spinning slightly to take in the scenen. When he saw move to someone.
Tobias Menzies.
He was still standing at the edge of the garden, expressionless, hands clasped lightly in front of him. Like a statue carved from cold marble.
The man hadn't moved, hadn't even turned to greet anyone else. Tobias wasn't just dull—he was almost otherworldly.
Jason raised a glass in mock salute. Tobias didn't acknowledge it. Of course he wouldn't.
Still, something about the way he stood—still, patient, observing—made Jason uneasy. Curious. Intrigued.
Jason decided he wouldn't be intimidated. He didn't often get that feeling, but Tobias… well, Tobias demanded it. He moved closer to the edge where Tobias was standing, careful not to make it look obvious.
"Hey," Jason called, casual but loud enough. "Enjoying the party?"
Tobias's dark eyes flicked toward him, as if measuring him. His lips twitched slightly, almost imperceptibly. "I'm observing."
Jason blinked. That was it? "Observing, huh?" He smirked, leaning slightly on the railing. "You could at least pretend to have fun. It's a wedding, not a funeral."
Tobias didn't flinch. He tilted his head slightly. "Pretending is unnecessary."
Jason laughed softly, shaking his head. "Wow. Straight to the point. No small talk. I like that."
The air between them was charged in a way Jason couldn't place. He felt like he was in a room with someone holding a knife, yet instead of fear, there was… something else. Excitement. Intrigue.
"So, what's your story, Tobias Menzies?" Jason asked. "You're not here to celebrate Emma. Friends of the groom, yeah? But you don't really look like a guy who enjoys champagne and dance floors."
Tobias regarded him for a long moment. Then he spoke again, his voice calm, steady, and disarmingly direct. "I don't attend celebrations often. It's not necessary."
Jason snorted. "Not necessary, huh? Well, congratulations. You've officially earned the title of 'most intimidating wedding guest.'"
Tobias's gaze shifted slightly, just enough for Jason to catch the faintest trace of something in his dark eyes. Curiosity? Interest? Jason couldn't tell. And that made him grin.
"You're staring at me again," he said, teasing. "Is there something you want to say, or are you just cataloging my every move for… fun facts?"
Tobias's lips quirked ever so slightly. "You are… interesting."
Jason blinked. That was new. The kind that made his stomach do a little flip. "Interesting, huh?" Jason repeated, tilting his head. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Another silence. Longer this time. And Jason realized with a jolt that he wasn't uncomfortable. He was… drawn in. Like there was a gravity around Tobias that pulled him forward even as it warned him to be careful.
Abruptly, Tobias's phone buzzed. He glanced down at it, expression neutral as ever. Without another word, he turned and walked slowly back toward the main gathering.
Jason frowned, staring after him. The moment was gone. But the weight of it still remain, like a scent clinging to the air.
The rest of the evening blurred past. Jason tried to enjoy the wedding—the dancing, the cake, the speeches but his mind kept drifting back to Tobias. That cold, unreadable face. That faint trace of a smile or was it just his imagination?
When he said Jason was "interesting."
By the time the dancing had slowed and the night was winding down, Jason found himself near the same quiet edge of the garden. Alone. Perfect.
"Still here?"
Jason jumped slightly, then froze. Tobias had returned, standing a few feet away. The dark suit was immaculate even under the soft glow of string lights.
"Yes," Jason said cautiously, trying to sound nonchalant. "Apparently I like the edges of things."
Tobias studied him, eyes sharp and deliberate. "Edges are… revealing."
Jason tilted his head, curious. "Revealing, huh? You talking about me?"
Tobias didn't answer immediately. He just looked at him, still and unwavering. Finally, he said, soft but clear: "Yes. You are… not like the others."
Jason laughed softly, the sound a mix of disbelief and amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment too."
The moment stretched and felt intimate. Jason realized he didn't feel threatened. Instead, he felt… seen. For once, someone wasn't judging him, just… noticing.
"You know," Jason said after a pause, "you're kind of hard to read. Is that your thing? Scare everyone off with silence?"
Tobias tilted his head slightly. "Silence is… informative."
Jason grinned. "And yet, here you are, talking to me."
"You asked questions I… did not expect."
Jason chuckled, leaning casually on the railing. "Well, I guess I have that effect. I ask the hard questions. Make people uncomfortable. You're… not uncomfortable."
A faint tension cross Tobias's features. Jason noticed it. He smiled inwardly. "Maybe you like it."
Tobias's lips twitched, almost a shadow of a smile. Without another word, he straightened and started to walk away again, disappearing into the crowd.
Jason exhaled slowly. Damn. That was… confusing. But he knew one thing for sure: he wanted to see Tobias again.
And the strange, electric pull between them promised he would.
As Jason joined his sisters for one last photo near the glowing fountain, he caught a glimpse of Tobias standing on the edge once more, staring at him.
Their eyes met briefly. Tobias's expressionless face gave nothing away—but Jason could feel the unmistakable weight of that gaze.
And in that glance, Jason realized something that made his heart race.