The morning sunlight filtered through Miss Reed's curtains, spilling across her bedroom as she stepped out of the shower. She reached for her phone on the dresser and immediately saw Avery's messages from the night before. Relief washed over her at the simple Don't worry. Still, she couldn't help but bite her lip and type out another apology. She had failed to secure the house properly. If anything had gone wrong, it would have been her responsibility.
She quickly arranged for a delivery: painkillers, comfort snacks, and a few extra items that might ease Noël's recovery. Satisfied that she had at least done something useful, she sank into her sofa, determined to enjoy her day off with a movie. Yet her gaze kept flicking back to the glowing screen of her phone. What if Avery calls? Her body begged for rest after the chaos of yesterday, but her mind wouldn't let go of the lingering tension.
On the other side of town, Avery stirred awake. The first thing he did was reach for Noël. The Omega shifted slightly under his touch, the faintest frown appearing before his body relaxed again. Avery smiled in quiet relief. He's okay.
Sliding carefully out of bed, Avery grabbed his phone. Miss Reed's latest apology sat at the top of his messages. For a moment, guilt pricked at him. None of this had been her fault. She was paid to provide security, yes, but she always went above and beyond.
Avery kissed Noël's forehead softly before heading downstairs. He brought in the packages from the porch and set them on the counter, then opened the warm breakfast Miss Reed had ordered. Sitting there, eating alone, his thoughts drifted. His gaze lingered on his phone, thumb hovering over Jay's name.
"Should I apologize? Do I even need to apologize?" he muttered to himself. The thought twisted in his chest. In the end, he shut the phone and pushed it aside, unwilling to face the torment in his own head.
_______
Hours slipped by. The silence of the house stretched until it was nearly one in the afternoon when a faint voice broke it.
"Avery!"
Avery's head snapped up from the study. He dashed to the bedroom and flung open the door. Noël was lying in bed, tears brimming in his wide eyes, his small frame trembling as he tried and failed to sit up. Panic surged through Avery. He rushed to his side, asking if he was okay, but Noël only pouted through the tears and cast his gaze downward.
Avery followed his eyes and understood instantly. Pain. His hips, his muscles, the soreness that came after the night before. Without hesitation, Avery ran downstairs, scooping up the painkillers, snacks, and other items he had left on the counter.
When he returned, Noël blinked at the sight of his favorite snacks nestled in Avery's arms. Just minutes ago, he had been crying. Now, surprise softened his expression, a little wonder cutting through the pain.
Avery gave him the breakfast tray first—oats with fruit and yogurt. "Eat this before the painkillers," he instructed. Noël devoured it quickly, eager to move on to his snacks, but Avery's firm voice stopped him.
"Finish the rest. Sandwich and juice. Then you can have the snacks."
Noël pouted, glaring at the sandwich as though it were a punishment, but he obeyed, chewing with exaggerated slowness while Avery prepared something else.
When Avery sat down beside him with a small tube of balm, Noël's brows knitted in suspicion. Avery began gently tugging at his shorts, and Noël panicked, clutching at them.
"What are you doing? Can't you see I'm literally crippled right now?" His voice cracked, panic rising. For a second, he truly thought Avery wanted to start again.
Avery chuckled. "Relax. Let me help you."
"Help me with what? I don't need—" Noël froze when Avery held up the balm.
"This. For the muscle aches."
Noël's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'll do it myself."
"You can't even sit up without help. How exactly are you going to manage?" Avery countered softly.
Noël scoffed, giving him a sharp side-eye before muttering under his breath, "Whose fault is it that I'm like this?"
Avery heard it but didn't respond. Instead, he carefully slipped off Noël's shorts, ignoring the flush that spread across the Omega's face. Avery applied the balm with steady, careful hands over his hips and thighs, working in soothing circles. Noël hissed from the sting, but relief slowly followed.
Then Avery pulled out another tube, this one meant for the red marks scattered over Noël's body. Each hickey, each bite—evidence of everything that happened— was tended to with meticulous care. When he reached Noël's chest, his fingers brushed over a swollen nipple. Noël gasped, a moan spilling out before he could stop it.
They both froze. Their eyes met.
Heat rushed to Noël's cheeks. He quickly grabbed Avery's wrist, pulling his hand away. "I'll do it myself," he stammered, turning as red as a tomato.
Avery's laugh rumbled low and amused, but he said nothing more, simply helping Noël back into his shorts. Once he was fully dressed, Avery pulled him into a gentle embrace.
"I'm sorry," Avery whispered.
The words startled Noël. He blinked at him, dazed. He hadn't expected an apology, not from Avery. Of course, he had already guessed this was Avery's rut cycle. It was shocking, yes, how rough he had been—but Noël had heard plenty about how Alphas lost control during rut. What mattered most was that Avery hadn't gone to anyone else. He hadn't sought a stranger to ease his need. He had stayed with him.
And that, more than anything, filled Noël with a quiet happiness.
Noël leaned back against the pillows, his body still sore but finally allowed a moment of peace. He had taken his painkillers after breakfast, and Avery had stayed close, making sure he didn't have to lift a finger. When Noël reached for the small packet of snacks on the tray, Avery wordlessly opened it for him, passing it over as if he were handing him something fragile.
For a while, the silence between them was comfortable. Soft, warm, and oddly domestic. Noël chewed quietly, grateful for the sweet taste cutting through the lingering bitterness of medicine. But then Avery broke the quiet.
"Are you… really okay?" His tone was hesitant, heavy with something Noël couldn't quite name.
Noël froze mid-bite and turned to look at him. Worry flickered in Avery's eyes, stark and unguarded in a way that made Noël's chest tighten. He swallowed before answering, "I'm okay. Still in pain, but… it's fine. I should get used to it if I'm going to stay by your side."
Avery's gaze dropped, his jaw tightening. "I don't like it," he admitted quietly. "I don't like that you're forced to endure pain just to… satisfy me. And worse, I couldn't stop at once. I needed more." His voice carried both guilt and frustration, as if confessing a weakness he hated.
That was when the realization hit Noël like a weight. Avery wasn't simply battling desire. He was restraining himself, holding back a storm every second they were together. Noël lowered his gaze, guilt prickling in his chest. His fingers twisted in his lap, betraying his unease.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Avery's head snapped up, eyes wide. "Why are you apologizing?"
Noël hesitated, then forced himself to speak, even as his voice trembled. "I know how important it is for Alphas to spend their rut with a partner. But I can't give you everything you need. My body… it can't handle it. And it hurts to know I can't ease your suffering."
Avery's chest tightened at the sight of Noël's downcast eyes, the fragile shame lacing his words. He reached out and pulled Noël into his arms, voice sharp with urgency.
"Don't ever blame yourself again. Do you hear me? If there's anyone guilty here, it's me. Never you." His embrace tightened, as if he could crush the thought of Noël's guilt into nothing.
Noël trembled in his arms, the warmth both comforting and overwhelming. Slowly, he let himself melt into Avery's hold.
"Then tell me," Noël murmured softly. "Tell me how I can be of help"
Avery hesitated but eventually nodded. He explained how long his rut usually lasted, how unbearable the fever became, the way desire gnawed at him until his control frayed. What he usually does to relieve himself...His voice carried both candor and restraint, never hiding the truth but softening the edges so Noël wouldn't be frightened.
Noël listened quietly, his heart aching with both sorrow and tenderness. He wanted to do more, to be more, but for now all he could give was his patience and presence.
__________
Meanwhile, at one of Avery's secluded estates, Jay sat in silence, his thoughts heavy. Memories of Avery and Noël resurfaced, stirring emotions he couldn't shake. He longed for his own lover. His boyfriend locked behind prison walls. It had been so long that Jay could barely remember what his touch felt like, and the absence hollowed him. Envy twisted with guilt in his chest. He wanted the bond Avery and Noël shared, but knew the plan he was preparing would tear theirs apart because that was the price to get his boyfriend back.
__________
Across town, Miss Reed finally allowed herself to relax. Hours had passed without a single call from Avery, and she relished the quiet. Curled up on the couch, she ate noodles while watching a movie. The doorbell interrupted her peace.
Expecting her elderly neighbor who usually checked on her with a Sunday cake, she opened the door only to find Sylvie standing there. The smile on Sylvie's face sharpened when Reed's excitement visibly dimmed.
"Am I really that much of an eyesore for you to be disappointed?" Sylvie teased with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Reed frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to hang out," Sylvie said smoothly. "I like your vibe. So… may I come in?"
Reed sighed, knowing exactly what Sylvie was after. Refusing would only make the woman more persistent. Against her better judgment, she stepped aside. "Fine. Come in."
For once, she thought, maybe it wouldn't be so bad not to spend Sunday alone.