They wandered back through the open-air market.
The smell hit first—fresh bread from one of the stalls, warm and yeasty. Then soft jazz filtering through a speaker somewhere, mixing with the metallic clink of camera lenses being swapped and adjusted. People moved slowly here, unhurried, stopping to look at handmade jewelry or vintage postcards.
Eventually they found a café with tables outside. Mismatched chairs, chipped paint, the kind of place that felt lived-in.
The group settled in, pulling chairs closer, bags dropped on the ground. Lydia, Dorian, and Selena immediately had their heads together, scrolling through their shots, trading screens back and forth, laughing at something Dorian had captured.
Alice and Sienna sat across from Noah and Atlas. Alice was saying something about light quality, gesturing with her hands. Sienna picked up Sunny, cooing at her, scratching under her chin. Alice let Luna sniff at her sleeve, the kitten's nose twitching.
Every so often, Alice glanced at Noah and Atlas. Not obvious. Just—aware. Like she was checking something.
Noah and Atlas sat side by side. Not touching. But close enough that Noah could feel warmth radiating off Atlas's shoulder, could sense every small shift of his body.
"So," Sienna said, looking up from Sunny. "Next month we're shooting in Italy."
Alice leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Come with us." She was looking at both of them. "Both of you."
Atlas hummed, thoughtful. His fingers tapped once against his coffee cup. "If I can make it work, maybe."
"You should," Lydia jumped in without looking up from her phone. "You'd love it."
Noah gave her a look across the table. Stop.
Lydia ignored him completely.
"Maybe," Noah said finally. Non-committal. Safe.
Alice smiled at that—small, knowing. She exchanged a quick glance with Atlas that Noah definitely saw but pretended not to.
---
After lunch, they walked back toward the cars.
The light had changed. Golden now, softer, making everything look like an old photograph. Shadows stretched long across the pavement.
Lydia decided to ride back with Alice and Sienna. Just announced it, Luna already tucked under her arm.
"Wait—what?" Noah frowned at her.
"See you back!" She was already walking away, waving over her shoulder.
Noah sighed. Shook his head. Of course.
Atlas just opened the car door, not saying anything.
"Guess it's just us," he said quietly.
Inside, Sunny curled up in Noah's lap immediately. Already asleep before Atlas even started the engine.
They drove in silence for a while. The Hudson gleamed beside the road, gray-blue and vast. Noah watched it through the window, his reflection ghosting over the water.
Atlas glanced over. Once. Then again a minute later.
Noah's eyes were on the window, but there was the faintest smile there. Not directed at anything. Just—there.
The air between them hummed. Calm, but charged. Like a wire pulled taut but not breaking.
---
Cold Spring, early afternoon.
They parked by the narrow main street where every shop window seemed to hold a plant or an old book or both. The air smelled like roasted coffee and river mist, that damp-earth smell that clung to everything near water. Through the trees, the Hudson caught the light, pale silver.
Atlas locked the car. Noah stepped out beside him, pulling his hoodie tighter against the wind cutting down the street.
Sunny was in Atlas's arms now, settled against his chest, calm and warm. They walked side by side without speaking. Just the crunch of gravel under their shoes, the distant sound of water.
The group spread out ahead—Alice and Sienna taking photos of the dock, Lydia laughing with Dorian and Selena about something, their voices carrying back.
Noah and Atlas stopped by a café kiosk. Paper cups exchanged hands, steam curling up and disappearing into the cold air.
They walked the stone path along the waterfront. The rhythmic lap of water against the dock filled the space between words.
Atlas broke the silence first. His voice was steady, professional—but the setting softened it somehow.
"About the board meeting next week… did you look over the analysis report I sent?"
"Yeah." Noah glanced at him. "I read it last night."
Atlas's tone shifted into focus mode, the way it always did with work. His hands moved slightly as he talked, gesturing. "It's solid, but the revenue section—some projections are thin. We should expand on the expense offsets."
Noah watched him talk. Watched every small gesture. The way Atlas squinted when he was thinking hard about something. The half-smile when he caught himself overexplaining.
"You're right," Noah said. "I didn't include the secondary logistics costs. They'll ask about that."
Atlas nodded. "Exactly."
Their eyes met. Held for a second too long. The afternoon light caught in Atlas's eyes—made them look almost gold, unguarded.
Noah looked away quickly, smiling into his coffee cup.
Atlas noticed. A corner of his mouth curved up.
Noah bit his lip without meaning to.
That didn't go unnoticed either.
Atlas looked ahead, the smile still there, lingering.
From up the trail, Sienna's voice carried over. "We're moving to the pier! Come on!"
Alice threw her arm around Sienna, both laughing as they jogged ahead.
Noah and Atlas followed, slower. Their steps synced almost unconsciously—left, right, left.
Sunny barked once, sharp and happy. Atlas chuckled and lifted her up so she rested across his shoulders like a scarf, her paws dangling.
"You're ridiculous," Noah said. He was smiling.
"She likes the view," Atlas replied, grinning down at him.
Noah shook his head. His eyes flicked up to where Sunny's chin rested near Atlas's jaw. Don't stare, he told himself.
Atlas caught the shift. The way Noah looked, then looked away.
"So… do you actually sleep with her?"
Noah glanced over, startled. Atlas's tone was teasing but soft. Sunny was still sprawled across his neck like the world's most ridiculous accessory.
"Yeah," Noah admitted, looking away at the water.
Atlas smiled. Faint. "That explains a lot."
"I'm not asking what that means," Noah said, but he was smiling despite himself.
"Just remembered something," Atlas said. His voice was light, careful.
"I'm definitely not asking," Noah replied, laughing.
---
By the time they reached Riverview Restaurant, the others had already claimed a table overlooking the water. The air carried salt, citrus, fried batter—that seaside smell that made everything feel like summer even in November.
Alice waved them over. "We ordered already!"
Noah and Atlas sat down side by side. Sunny curled between them. Luna perched quietly in her carrier near Lydia's chair, eyes half-closed.
The table hummed with conversation—camera talk, laughter, someone's phone buzzing.
Alice turned to Noah, eyes bright. "So—you started cooking classes?"
Noah blinked. "Lydia told you, didn't she?"
"Of course." Alice grinned.
Atlas looked up, actually surprised. "Cooking classes?"
"Three weeks," Noah said, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal.
Atlas opened his mouth. Closed it. Just smiled instead—quiet amusement flickering across his face.
Alice jumped in. "Lydia says you're good. Like, actually good."
"She's exaggerating," Noah said, laughing a little.
Atlas watched him closely. His elbow barely brushed Noah's on the table. Noah leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"Simple stuff. Nothing fancy."
"Didn't say I did," Atlas said, smiling.
Their shoulders touched again. Accidentally. Neither moved away.
The food arrived—warm bread that steamed when you broke it, grilled salmon with herbs, crispy potatoes. The conversation drifted between upcoming shoots, travel plans, Italy.
Sienna mentioned it casually, reaching for her water. " We'll be in Florida in two weeks. You two should come."
Atlas glanced at Noah. Quick. Testing.
"If I can free up time, maybe."
Lydia perked up immediately. "You have to! It'd be perfect."
Noah shot her a look. She ignored him completely, grinning.
"Maybe," he said finally. Took a sip of water to have something to do with his hands.
Alice's gaze flickered between him and Atlas again. Knowing but gentle. She didn't say anything.
---
After lunch, they headed back to the parking lot. The sun was lower now, light melting gold across the river, turning everything amber.
Lydia tossed her bag into Alice's car.
"See you!" She was already buckled in, waving through the window.
Noah exhaled. Amused and exasperated in equal measure. Atlas just gestured toward his car, one hand in his pocket.
"Guess we're carpooling again."
Sunny hopped into Noah's lap the second they got in, curling up before the engine even started. Her weight was warm and grounding.
They drove out of Cold Spring, past quiet houses and trees burning orange in the late light. Silence stretched between them. Not empty. Full. Steady. Alive with things neither of them were saying.
Atlas glanced sideways. "So… which class are you taking?"
"It's a small one downtown. Basics, mostly." Noah scratched behind Sunny's ears. "Knife skills, sauces, things like that."
Atlas hummed, thoughtful. "When I was in Italy my first summer at Yale, I took lessons from a private chef. Spent a month there."
Noah turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Really?"
"Yeah." Atlas kept his eyes on the road. "I don't love eating out. Never know how things are prepared."
"I've never even thought about that," Noah admitted.
Atlas nodded. "Mediterranean's easier to start with anyway. Simple, clean. You'd like it."
"Yeah," Noah said after a pause, almost to himself.
Atlas looked at him. Then back at the road. For a few seconds, the car was only the hum of the engine and the river beside them and the space between their bodies.
Noah ran his fingers through Sunny's fur. Atlas caught the movement from the corner of his eye, looked away with a faint smile.
After a while, Atlas broke the quiet again. "You going to that Madison Ave event next week?"
"Probably not." Noah shifted Sunny slightly. "My mom thinks I should."
"Why?"
"My friends aren't going," Noah shrugged.
Atlas nodded, thinking. Then— "If you want… we could go together."
Noah turned to look at him. The suggestion hung there, warm and unexpected and terrifying.
He hesitated. Then smiled a little. "Maybe."
Atlas's mouth lifted at the corner. "Maybe's good enough for now."
The car rolled on through soft light, the city waiting somewhere ahead. Sunny shifted in Noah's lap, sighing contentedly, and neither of them said another word.
---
Olana State Historic Site—Hudson, sunset.
The cars rolled into a quiet parking lot surrounded by tall grass and gold light that looked unreal, like someone had painted it.
From here, the river was a long sheet of silver, and the sun hung low above the hills. The air smelled like pine and salt and fading warmth.
They started walking uphill toward the overlook.
The group scattered naturally. Alice and Sienna walked close together, Alice's hand resting at the small of Sienna's back. Sienna leaned her head against Alice's shoulder. Both of them framed by the dying light.
Noah slowed down, watching them for a moment before turning his gaze toward the river. Beside him, Atlas matched his pace—close, but not touching. Their steps crunched in sync on the dry grass.
Sunny slept in Atlas's arms, her chest rising and falling against his coat. Atlas's fingers moved absently through her fur, gentle and unhurried.
Noah glanced over. "If you're getting tired, I can take her."
Atlas shook his head, smiling. "I'm fine." Pause. "But you could hand her over, if you want."
Noah laughed softly. "No chance."
The sun slipped lower, brushing orange across the water. The light turned everything softer—their faces, their voices, the space between them.
---
When dusk finally settled, they drove down into Hudson for dinner.
The town glowed with warm windowlight and faint jazz drifting from restaurants along the main street. People moved slowly here, unhurried, talking in low voices.
At the table, everyone was scrolling through their phones—posting photos from the day, tagging each other, laughing at captions.
Lydia showed something on her screen. "I'll send your pictures later," she said, grinning toward Atlas and Noah.
Noah lifted a hand, half hiding his face. "Please don't."
Atlas leaned closer, tone teasing. "I'll be waiting for them."
Noah turned toward him, whispering just enough for Atlas to hear. "You should probably tell her to delete them before she does."
Atlas met his eyes. Close. Too close. Their faces separated by breath.
"Should I?"
Their eyes dropped at the same time—to each other's mouths.
Then Atlas blinked. Pulled back sharply. Looked away. His jaw tightened.
Noah's heart tripped in his chest.
Both of them flushed, almost in sync.
Across the table, Alice noticed. She caught Sienna's eye, fighting a grin.
Noah mumbled something about the bathroom and excused himself.
Inside, he splashed cold water on his face. Stared at his reflection—cheeks pink, eyes too bright.
"Get it together," he muttered.
When he returned, his expression was calm again. Practiced. The conversation flowed easily—Sienna talked about her upcoming gallery show, invited him.
"You should come," she said.
"I will," Noah replied, smiling.
Atlas and Alice stepped outside for a moment afterward, voices fading beyond the door. Noah stayed, chatting with Sienna about Florence, exhibitions, light.
When Atlas and Alice returned, the group gathered their things and headed out into the cool night.
---
The sky was fully dark now, the river glinting black and quiet under distant stars.
They walked slowly back toward the cars, the path lit by dim lamps that barely cut through the darkness.
Goodbyes were soft—hugs, laughter, promises to text. Everyone warm despite the cold.
Lydia climbed into Atlas's car, Luna curled in her lap. She slipped in her earbuds, humming to herself as the car pulled away.
Through the mirror, Atlas caught her looking up. They exchanged a brief, companionable smile.
From the passenger seat, Noah noticed. Watched Atlas in the reflection before turning his gaze back to the window. The night rolled past—blurred lights, silhouettes of trees, water flickering between them.
A long silence hummed in the car. Sunny snored quietly against Noah's leg. Luna was curled like a comma on Lydia's knees in the back.
Then, out of nowhere, Noah spoke. "Thanks. For today."
Atlas glanced over. For a second, neither looked away.
"I should be the one thanking you," Atlas said softly.
They both smiled—small, restrained—and turned back to the road, pretending the air hadn't changed.
The rest of the drive was wordless.
The hum of tires. The quiet breath of sleeping animals. Lydia's faint music through her headphones.
Noah felt something unfamiliar. Peace, maybe. Not the sharp rush of before, but a quiet ease that settled in his chest and stayed there.
---
When they finally pulled up outside his building, Atlas parked carefully. Lydia stirred in the back, half-awake.
"Hey," Noah said gently, turning. "We're here."
Lydia yawned, gathering Luna carefully. She turned to Atlas with a sleepy smile. "Thanks for today," she said, leaning in to hug him awkwardly over the seat.
Atlas hugged her back. Brief but warm. "Thanks for the invite," he said, kissing her cheek lightly.
Noah stood nearby on the sidewalk, watching. When Lydia waved and headed inside, Luna tucked under her arm, he lingered by the car.
"Thanks again. For everything," Noah said quietly.
Atlas didn't look away. His eyes held Noah's. "Thank you."
His voice was low. Serious.
They both smiled—small, real.
"See you," Noah said.
"See you," Atlas echoed.
Noah turned toward the building. At the door, something made him glance back.
Atlas was still in the car, watching him.
Noah smiled. Lifted a hand in a small wave.
Atlas did the same, lips curving faintly.
---
Inside, the elevator mirrored his reflection—cheeks flushed, eyes bright, hair messy from the wind.
He laughed under his breath. "Get it together," he told himself again, but the smile wouldn't fade.
In the apartment, Luna greeted him with a small meow, winding between his legs.
He scooped her up, carrying her to the bedroom where Sunny was already asleep, sprawled across his pillow. Lydia's door was closed—he could see light under it, hear faint music.
He changed into a t-shirt. Collapsed onto the bed.
The day replayed in fragments—laughter, sunlight, glances that lasted too long, silence that felt like conversation.
Luna curled near his shoulder. Sunny at his feet, snoring softly.
Noah lay there smiling like an idiot, eyes closed, until sleep finally pulled him under.