Noël slept like the dead.
His body, completely drained, surrendered to rest so deeply that it was as though time itself paused for him. His heat, his anxiety and his pain all melted into an exhausted but peaceful darkness. He didn't even stir when Avery gently moved him after the fever broke.
Avery took the opportunity to clean him up with warm water and a soft cloth, wiping away the remnants of the night as carefully as one would handle fragile glass. Then he helped Noël into clean clothes, pulled the blanket over him, and stepped into the shower.
The hot water did little to settle his nerves.
As steam fogged up the glass and water ran down his body, his mind was loud with questions. What happens now? What would Noël think when he woke up? Did he regret it? Was he in pain? Would things between them change irreversibly?
He came back to the room, towel-drying his hair, and lay beside Noël once more. But sleep wouldn't come easily. He stared at the ceiling for almost an hour before finally dozing off beside the Omega's still form.
_______
Morning sunlight poured through the windows.
By 7 a.m., Avery stirred awake, groggy but alert. He turned his head and looked at Noël, who hadn't moved an inch. His breathing was steady, his expression peaceful almost childlike. Avery exhaled a slow breath and brushed Noël's hair back from his forehead before quietly getting up.
Downstairs, he called his secretary.
"Prepare breakfast," he said. "And have it delivered to the house."
He could've skipped work again. A big part of him wanted nothing more than to stay home to watch over Noël, to be there when he woke up, to answer his questions if he had any. But he couldn't afford it.
He had already missed two days, and the company was starting to feel it. Even his father had called yesterday, asking if something had gone wrong.
After eating a light breakfast, Avery took a long shower, dressed sharply in dark navy slacks and a crisp white shirt, then stood once more in Noël's doorway.
Noël hadn't moved. He looked as if he were floating between dreams, his lips slightly parted, a light blush still clinging to his cheeks.
Avery didn't disturb him.
He simply whispered, "Sleep well," before closing the door softly behind him.
_________
The office felt different.
People stared the moment Avery walked in. Some were confused, some worried, others curious. The CEO missing work? For two days in a row? That never happened.
Whispers chased his every step as he walked through the building.
"Is he okay?"
"I heard he collapsed."
"No, no, I think someone came to his place. An Omega."
"Maybe he's in love."
Avery ignored them.
He strode into the conference room, dropped his briefcase on the table, and adjusted his watch. "Let's begin," he said flatly, not bothering with greetings. "We have a lot to catch up on."
It was a long day.
Meeting after meeting. Financial updates, product reviews, marketing revisions, partner calls. He barely had time to breathe. At lunch, he had only fifteen minutes. Barely enough time to eat, so he used them to call home instead.
But there was no answer.
He stared at his phone, thumb hovering over the screen. Still sleeping? Or… avoiding me? The doubt gnawed at him. He told himself to stay calm. It hadn't even been twelve hours. Noël was probably still exhausted.
Still… a small part of him feared the silence.
_______
Back at home, Noël finally stirred.
It was 2 p.m. when his lashes fluttered open, revealing bleary, half-focused eyes. For a moment, he didn't know where he was. Then the familiar ceiling, the scent of clean sheets, the soft weight of the blanket reminded him.
I'm in Avery's house.
His body felt oddly weightless. Like he had just returned from a long journey. But as soon as he tried to sit up, a sharp, dull ache jolted through his lower body.
He winced. "O-ow…"
His hand moved instinctively to his abdomen, then lower, and memories hit him like a sudden wave. Heated kisses. Avery's body over his. His own voice, gasping. The moment he'd said yes.
His face went red instantly. He covered it with both hands and groaned into the sheets. What did I do?!
He kicked his legs under the blanket, then immediately regretted it. His entire body protested. "Is it supposed to be this painful?" he mumbled.
Despite the discomfort, he stood slowly, managing to shuffle out of bed. Every step downstairs was stiff and awkward, but he made it.
On the table, he found a warm breakfast tray and a folded note with his name on it.
"Good morning. I didn't want to wake you. There's food for you. Take the day to rest. – Avery"
Noël stared at the note for a long moment, holding it tightly.
Then he sat down and began to eat. The food was light but comforting. Soft eggs, porridge, fruit. As he ate, his mind wandered.
He remembered how Avery had asked for his permission. How he stopped, waited, asked again. How careful he'd been, how he looked like he was restraining something wild inside him.
A quiet warmth spread in Noël's chest, melting some of the leftover embarrassment. He held the note close, whispering softly:
"Thank you… for being gentle."
_______
The office clock struck eleven.
Avery finally shut his laptop and leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. His body ached from the hours of back-to-back meetings, but it was his mind that refused to settle. Thoughts of Noël had been with him all day, clawing at the edges of every boardroom pitch and video call. Even now, as he gathered his things and made his way home, one question haunted him: What happens now?
By the time he reached the house, it was well past midnight. The entire place was dark and still, the air quiet like the aftermath of a storm. He ascended the stairs with slow steps, pausing in front of Noël's door. His hand hovered over the handle. He hesitated.
Then, quietly, he pushed the door open.
Inside, Noël was asleep. The moonlight filtered in through the curtain, casting a soft glow on his features. He looked peaceful like he was finally getting the rest he deserved. Avery's chest tightened. He stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of hair from Noël's forehead, his fingers lingering longer than necessary.
Without a word, he left for his own room, showered off the weight of the day, and returned in silence. This time, he slipped beneath Noël's blanket, wrapping his arms around the smaller frame like it was the only way he could sleep. He buried his face into Noël's neck, breathing in the faint trace of his scent.
Noël stirred, his eyelashes fluttering open.
At first, he froze, eyes widening at the presence behind him. Then he saw the familiar sharp jawline, the tousled black hair, and the gentle rise and fall of Avery's chest.
"Avery?" he whispered, nudging him lightly. No response.
"Avery," he said again, louder this time.
A groggy groan answered him. The CEO blinked himself awake, eyes dazed and slow with sleep.
"You didn't eat," Noël muttered, trying to sound firm but ending up somewhere between scolding and worried. "You didn't even change into pajamas."
Avery blinked, taking a few seconds to remember where he was, and why he was in Noël's bed in the first place.
Noël stood up and padded out of the room. Moments later, he returned with a warm plate of food, his cheeks pink and his eyes refusing to meet Avery's. "Eat. Please," he said softly, offering the plate.
Avery sat up, reaching out to take the dish. "Thanks," he replied, the awkwardness settling between them like fog.
They didn't speak for a long while. Only the sound of Avery's spoon tapping against the ceramic bowl filled the room. Noël sat on the edge of the bed, legs swinging slightly, fingers twisting into the hem of his shirt.
Finally, Avery put the plate down on the nightstand. "About last night…" he began, his voice low.
Noël glanced at him nervously.
"I don't want you to feel like it meant nothing," Avery continued. "I'm planning to take responsibility."
Noël tilted his head, confused. "Responsibility?" he echoed.
"I mean…" Avery sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how you feel about this situation we are in. I know this is complicated and I made this choice knowing the potential consequences.
Noël looked down at his hands. "I… don't know what to say," he murmured. "Everything's moving so fast. I didn't expect any of this."
"I know," Avery said gently. "You don't have to give me an answer now. I just want you to know what I think. We don't have to put a label on this yet. We'll take it one day at a time. Is that okay?"
Noël's eyes softened. He nodded.
Avery leaned closer, brushing his thumb along Noël's cheek. "That's all I need for now."
And with that, the tension between them melted just a little.
They didn't kiss. They didn't say anything more. They just sat there in the dim light, two people trying to understand the bridge between what they were and what they might become.