Luna was playing with Atlas's hair.
Noah's hand rested on Sunny's back. Atlas's arm was heavy across his waist—solid, warm. Real.
Still here. He's still here.
Luna climbed down to Atlas's shoulder. Her paws pressed against his cheek, then her head settled on his face.
Atlas's eyes opened to find Luna sprawled across him, paws kneading his jaw.
A laugh broke out of him. "Good morning, Luna."
Noah stirred. Blinked. Saw Luna and smiled—that soft, still-half-asleep smile that made Atlas's chest tight.
Noah reached for her. "Let me—"
Atlas caught his wrist. His thumb found Noah's pulse. Pressed. "She's okay."
"You sure?" Noah's voice was rough with sleep. "I know this isn't what you pictured for Sunday morning."
Atlas threaded their fingers together. Squeezed. "It's better than I pictured."
Luna started kneading against Atlas's chest. Purring loud enough to vibrate through him.
Atlas went still—watching her like she might disappear.
Noah propped himself on one elbow. "Careful. She might start thinking you're her mother."
"She's comfortable," Atlas murmured. His free hand came up—hesitant—then settled on Luna's back.
They watched her. Every small movement. Every rumbling purr.
Eventually Luna stretched, climbed off Atlas, and curled up on Sunny.
Noah met Atlas's eyes.
They started laughing—breathless, silent, the bed shaking with it.
Noah opened his mouth to say something.
Atlas kissed him instead. Slow. Tasting sleep and Noah.
Noah hummed. Opened for him.
The kiss deepened. Atlas's hand slid into Noah's hair. Noah's leg hooked over Atlas's hip. Their bodies pressed together through the sheets.
Sunny barked. Once. Sharp.
They broke apart. Breathing hard.
Noah dropped his forehead to Atlas's chest. Laughed. "Worst timing."
Atlas's hand was still in his hair. Couldn't let go. "The worst."
Sunny barked again. Louder.
Noah groaned. "I'm getting up." He glanced back. "Taking her out."
Atlas's other hand slid down Noah's spine. Stopped at the small of his back. "I'll come."
"It's fast. You can sleep."
Atlas just looked at him. Waited.
Noah's mouth curved. "Okay. Together."
---
They took Luna and Sunny downstairs. Atlas set Luna in the living room—watched her settle before turning away.
Noah scooped up Sunny. Grabbed their coats.
Outside, Sunny pulled ahead. Atlas and Noah followed without talking.
After a block, Atlas's arm slipped through Noah's. Casual. Like he'd done it a hundred times.
Noah glanced at him. Smiled. A few steps later, he rested his head on Atlas's shoulder.
Atlas's hand found Noah's hip. Squeezed once.
Yeah. Me too.
They stopped at the bakery on the way back. Bought bread. Pastries that smelled like butter and sugar and Sunday morning.
Luna was waiting at the door when they got home—tail high, eyes fixed on them.
Atlas crouched down. Scratched behind her ears. "You're very demanding."
Noah laughed. Fed Sunny. Carried their bag to the kitchen.
"I'll make breakfast," Noah said. He glanced back. "You can sleep more if you want."
Atlas crossed the space between them. His hands settled on Noah's waist. Slid lower. "Do I look tired?"
Noah's breath caught. Heat spread through him. "Now that you mention it..." He turned. "No."
Atlas's mouth curved. Dangerous.
Noah kissed his cheek. Quick. Teasing.
Atlas pulled him in. Kissed him properly—slow and deep and thorough enough to make Noah's knees weak.
When they broke apart, Noah's hands were fisted in Atlas's shirt. "We need to—"
"Make breakfast," Atlas finished. But he didn't let go.
"Yeah." Noah didn't move either.
They stood there. Foreheads pressed together. Breathing the same air.
Finally Noah stepped back. Smiled. "Okay. Actually making breakfast now."
"Okay." Atlas's hands slid away slow. Reluctant.
---
They moved around each other in the kitchen. Noah reached for the cutting board. Atlas's hand brushed his lower back—barely there but deliberate.
Noah cracked eggs. Atlas came up behind him. His chest pressed against Noah's shoulder blades. His breath warm on Noah's neck. His hands settled on Noah's hips.
"You're in my way," Noah murmured.
"Am I?" Atlas's voice was low. Right against his ear.
Noah turned his head. Their mouths an inch apart. "Yes."
Atlas's eyes dropped to his lips. "You sure?"
"Atlas—"
Atlas kissed him. Backed him against the counter. One hand on his waist. The other flat on the granite beside him. Caging him in.
Noah's hands fisted in Atlas's shirt. Pulled him closer.
The door opened.
They sprang apart.
Lydia appeared. Hair messy. Still in pajamas. If she noticed their flushed faces, she didn't say. "Morning."
Atlas stepped back. Smooth. Like nothing happened. But his breathing was uneven.
Noah cleared his throat. "Morning."
"Morning," Atlas said.
Lydia sat with her phone. Quiet for a minute.
Noah caught Atlas's eye. Atlas's mouth curved. Just slightly.
Noah bit his lip. Looked away.
"I'm meeting friends after breakfast," Lydia said finally. "Anna first. Then Marina—it's Chris's birthday."
Noah and Atlas exchanged a look.
Lydia ate fast. Barely touched her coffee. "I need to get ready." She disappeared upstairs.
Noah and Atlas sat at the table. Their chairs close enough for Atlas's thigh to press against Noah's.
Atlas's hand found Noah's leg. His fingers traced slow patterns just above the knee.
"You have plans today?" Noah asked. His voice came out quieter than intended.
Atlas looked at him. His hand squeezed. "Nothing important." His smile went slow. Deliberate. "What should we do?"
"What are the options?"
"Tennis?"
Heat crept up Noah's neck. His smile turned knowing.
Atlas's gaze sharpened. "What?"
"Just remembering last time."
Their eyes held. The air between them shifted.
"How was I supposed to act?" Atlas asked. His fingers stopped moving. Pressed in.
Noah leaned closer. Close enough to feel Atlas's breath. "A little calmer."
Atlas's gaze dropped to Noah's mouth. "Calmer." He closed the distance. Kissed him hard. Claiming. His other hand came up to cup Noah's jaw. Angled his head. Took what he wanted.
When they broke apart, Noah's lips felt swollen. He smiled. Tried to catch his breath. "Got my answer."
Atlas's thumb traced his bottom lip. "Good."
---
They cleaned up together. Atlas rinsed plates. Noah dried. Their arms kept bumping.
Atlas set the last dish down. Dried his hands. "I'm gonna shower."
"Okay." Noah refilled Luna and Sunny's bowls. Was wiping down the counter when Atlas stopped moving.
Noah looked up.
Atlas was watching him. Something intense in his expression. Something that made Noah's pulse kick.
The door burst open. Lydia came out dressed, makeup done. She saw them and grinned. "I'm leaving."
"Call if you need anything," Noah said.
"See you later," Atlas added.
Lydia looked at Atlas. Her grin widened. "You should say what you want. He can't read minds."
Atlas laughed.
Noah glanced between them. "What did I miss?"
"Nothing." Lydia waved. "Bye."
The door closed behind her.
Atlas turned back. Stepped closer. "You coming?"
Noah's heart kicked. "If we're just showering."
"Okay." Atlas's eyes went dark. Predatory.
Noah's mouth went dry.
Halfway up the stairs, Atlas's hand slid to Noah's ass. Not gentle. Possessive. His fingers dug in.
Noah glanced back. Smiled. "I know I'm gonna regret this."
Atlas's mouth curved. Wicked. "Yeah."
---
They stumbled out of the bathroom forty-five minutes later.
Noah's towel was slung low on his hips. Water still tracked down his spine. His hair dripped onto his shoulders. There were marks blooming on his collarbone. His neck. Red and deliberate.
Atlas couldn't stop looking.
Noah caught him staring. Smiled slow. Knowing. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Liar." Noah stepped closer. Close enough for Atlas to feel the heat radiating off him. To see water caught in his collarbones. To smell soap and skin.
Atlas's hand came up. Traced one of the marks with his thumb.
Noah's breath caught. His pulse jumped under Atlas's fingers.
"We should get dressed," Noah said. His voice came out rough.
"Yeah." Atlas's hand slid to Noah's jaw. Tipped his face up.
They kissed. Soft at first. Then not soft at all.
Noah's hands found Atlas's hips. Pulled him closer. Their towels touched. Nothing else. Just heat and want and the slick slide of damp skin.
When they broke apart, Noah laughed against his mouth. Breathless. "We're never getting dressed."
"Problem?" Atlas's forehead pressed to his.
Noah's grin turned wicked. "Not even a little."
Atlas kissed him again. Couldn't help it.
Finally—finally—Noah pushed at his chest. "Okay. Actually getting dressed now."
"Okay." But Atlas's hands were still on him.
"Atlas."
"I'm letting go." He wasn't letting go.
Noah laughed. Stepped back. "Right."
---
Noah wiped steam off the mirror. Caught Atlas's eye in the reflection.
They smiled at each other. Slow. Satisfied.
Atlas noticed the marks on his own neck. Touched one. "When did you—"
Noah winked.
Atlas moved behind him. Wrapped his arms around Noah's waist. Kissed his shoulder. Gentle this time. Let his lips linger on damp skin.
Noah leaned back. The full weight of him. Put his hands over Atlas's. Their fingers laced together.
They looked at each other in the mirror. Neither spoke.
"Move in with me," Noah said suddenly.
Atlas went completely still. His arms tightened.
Noah's heart hammered. Shit. Too fast. Why did I—
"I mean—just a thought. You don't have to—"
Atlas turned him around. Searched his face. "You really want me to?"
"If you want to."
Atlas's hands came up. Cradled Noah's face like he was something precious. "I want to." He kissed him. Sweet at first. Careful.
Then Noah's hand fisted in his towel. Pulled him closer.
The kiss changed. Deepened. Atlas's hand slid into Noah's hair. Angled his head. Took what Noah was offering. His other hand spread across Noah's lower back. Held him there.
When they broke apart, both their mouths were red. Swollen.
Atlas's thumb traced Noah's bottom lip. Pulled it down slightly. "Don't regret it later."
Noah caught his hand. Kissed his palm. His wrist. "Too late."
Atlas's eyes darkened. He leaned in. His tongue touched Noah's bottom lip. Pulled it between his teeth. Gentle pressure. Then released.
They stared at each other. Breathing hard.
Then burst out laughing. Can't catch their breath. Can't move. Foreheads pressed together.
"We're terrible at this," Noah said.
"At what?"
"Getting ready to leave."
Atlas grinned. "Yeah."
---
They got dressed. Jeans. White t-shirts.
Noah pulled something from his drawer. Held it out. "Got this for you."
Atlas took the hoodie. Looked at it. At Noah. Something shifted in his expression. "When?"
"Before..." Noah's throat worked. "Before everything."
Atlas pulled him close. Kissed his forehead. Let it linger. His jaw went tight. His body tense.
Noah felt it. The rigidity in Atlas's shoulders. The way his breathing changed.
He pressed his lips to Atlas's neck. Soft. "We'll look kinda couple-y. You don't have to wear it."
Atlas pulled back. Looked at him. "Kinda?"
He put it on.
Noah's chest felt warm. Full.
---
Downstairs, they kissed Luna and Sunny goodbye.
In the car, Atlas's hand settled on Noah's thigh. His thumb moved in slow circles.
They talked about work. Some merger Atlas was handling. Some problem with the quarterly report Noah was fixing.
"The offshore account needs restructuring," Noah was saying. "And the SEC filing deadline is—"
Atlas's gaze drifted to his mouth.
Noah's words trailed off. "You're not listening."
Atlas's thumb pressed into the muscle of Noah's thigh. "The deadline is next Friday."
Noah laughed. "Okay. You were listening."
"I can multitask." Atlas's hand slid higher. Just an inch.
"Multitask?"
"Yeah." Higher. "I'm very focused."
Noah's breath caught. His hand covered Atlas's. "Eyes on the road."
"They are." But Atlas was smiling. His hand turned. Laced their fingers together.
---
At the tennis club, they walked close. Atlas's hand kept finding the small of Noah's back. Guiding him through the lobby. The locker room.
Outside on the court, Noah remembered the last time. Emma beside him. Atlas across the net—jaw tight, shoulders rigid. Like he was barely holding it together.
Now—
Atlas glanced over. "What are you thinking?"
His hand landed on Noah's shoulder. Warm. Steady.
Noah looked at him. At his relaxed posture. His easy smile. The way his fingers squeezed Noah's shoulder.
I love this. This version of you.
"Nothing," Noah said. Then realized there were people around. Other courts. Other players. He shifted slightly. "There's people."
Atlas's expression changed. Something shuttered. "Right." He dropped his hand. Stepped back.
Noah's chest hurt.
---
Atlas checked the net. Noah set down his bag. Tested his racket strings.
"We being serious about this?" Noah asked. Trying for light. For normal.
Atlas didn't look up. "You started it."
Noah rolled his eyes. Moved to his side.
Atlas pushed up his sleeves. The sun caught the line of his forearms. The shadows under his jaw. The way his shoulders moved.
Noah swallowed.
This wasn't just tennis.
---
Noah wiped sweat off his forehead. It stung his eyes. His shirt stuck to his back. He could smell Atlas from here—clean sweat and something sharper. Competition. Want.
"Ready?" Atlas called.
Noah spun the racket. "Don't cry when you lose."
Atlas's mouth curved. Not a smile. A warning. A promise.
He served. Fast. Sharp.
The sound cracked across the court.
Noah returned it clean.
They fell into rhythm—hit, step, hit. Almost choreographed. Every ball closer to the line. Harder. Louder.
Neither looked away.
Noah's muscles burned. His lungs burned. But he couldn't stop watching Atlas move. The flex of his shoulders. The way sweat dripped down his temple. The focus in his eyes.
Atlas dove for a low shot. His body stretched. Exposed.
Noah's next hit was half a second late.
Fuck.
Atlas caught it. Slammed it back. "Focus on the ball."
Noah's jaw tightened. Heat flooded through him—competition and something else. Something hotter.
He served hard. Too fast. Reckless.
Atlas caught it. Their eyes locked across the net.
The ball came back. Brutal.
It skimmed the net. Landed inside. Point. Game.
Noah stood there. Chest heaving. Sweat dripping. "Lucky shot."
Atlas walked to the net. Breathing hard. "Luck doesn't make you sweat like this."
Their rackets hung loose at their sides.
Now they were close. Just mesh between them.
Atlas's gaze stuck on Noah's face. The strand of hair plastered to his forehead. The way his chest moved. The pulse jumping in his throat. The flush spreading down his neck.
Noah swallowed. His eyes dropped to Atlas's collarbone. Watched it rise and fall. Followed a drop of sweat down. Disappear under his collar.
"Good game," Noah managed. His voice rough.
Atlas leaned in. His voice dropped. Low. Intimate. "You almost had me."
Quieter: "Almost."
Noah exhaled. Half-laughed. "Almost doesn't count."
"Doesn't it?" Atlas's fingers brushed Noah's on the net. Barely. Maybe accident. Maybe not.
The touch was electric. Deliberate.
The world narrowed. Just their breathing. The heat radiating off both of them. The space that was too small and too big at the same time.
"Rematch next week?" Noah asked. Couldn't look away.
Atlas's smile deepened. Real this time. His fingers moved against Noah's. "Only if you promise to keep looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Atlas's gaze dropped to Noah's mouth. "Like that."
Noah turned first. Had to. Grabbed his bag. His face felt hot. His hands shook slightly.
Behind him, Atlas smiled.
---
In the car, Atlas said he needed to grab some things from his place.
Noah nodded. Watched the city pass.
In the elevator, silence. Atlas's hand settled on Noah's hip. His thumb slipped under the hem of Noah's shirt. Found skin.
Noah felt Atlas's body go tense beside him. The coiled energy there.
He turned. Kissed him suddenly. Hard.
Atlas froze for half a second. Then responded—fierce, thorough, backing Noah against the wall. His hand fisted in Noah's hair. His body pressed against Noah's. All of it. No space.
When the elevator dinged, they broke apart. Gasping.
Atlas laughed—breathless. Wrecked. "You know there's a camera, right?"
Noah's eyes went wide. Panicked. "Where?"
"Behind the mirror."
Noah's face went red. "Seriously?"
"Yeah." Atlas was grinning. Looking at him like—
Like he couldn't believe Noah was real. Was his.
The doors started closing. Atlas caught them.
They walked to the apartment. Atlas stopped at the door. His hand on the handle. Not turning it.
Noah took his hand. Kissed his cheek. Soft. "Hey."
Atlas looked at him.
"It's okay," Noah said.
Atlas opened the door.
Inside, everything was exactly the same. The couch. The kitchen. The empty coffee mug still on the counter from a month ago.
Noah grabbed Atlas's shirt. Backed him against the door. Kissed him hard. Consuming. Desperate. Trying to erase the month. The emptiness. The hurt.
Atlas responded immediately—hands in Noah's hair, on his ass, pulling him closer, closer, until there was no space left. Until they were breathing the same air.
His hands slid under Noah's shirt. Warm. Possessive. Mapping skin and muscle and bone.
When they finally broke apart, they were both gasping. Shaking.
They looked at each other. Eyes bright. Pupils blown.
Started laughing. Can't catch their breath. Can't move. Foreheads pressed together.
"Hi," Noah said.
"Hi." Atlas kissed him again. Softer. Sweeter.
---
Upstairs, Atlas packed. Suits. Cologne. Shoes.
Noah's hands kept finding Atlas's hips. His waist. Not consciously. Just drawn there. Like magnets.
Atlas smiled over his shoulder. "You like playing games."
Noah's grin turned boyish. Innocent. His hands slid around Atlas's waist. "I don't know what you mean."
Atlas turned in his arms. "Liar."
He kissed him. Long. Slow. Until Noah forgot what they were doing.
Noah opened his closet. Everything still there. Exactly where he left it. His favorite jacket. The shoes he couldn't find for a month.
He didn't touch any of it. A whole month and he didn't—
His chest hurt. Throat tight.
Atlas held out the bag. "Take what you want." Smiling. But there was something careful in his eyes. Like he was waiting for Noah to realize. To leave again.
Noah grabbed a few things. His hands shook. "I'll wear them when I visit."
Atlas saw the shift. The way Noah's smile didn't reach his eyes.
He pulled him close immediately.
They held each other. Tight. Noah's fingers dug into Atlas's back. Atlas's arms shook with the force of it.
"I love you," Noah said into Atlas's shoulder. His voice broke. "I'm sorry I—"
"Don't." Atlas's hand cradled the back of Noah's head. "Don't apologize."
"I left and you—" Noah pulled back. Looked at him. "You kept everything."
"Of course I did." Atlas said it like it was obvious. Like there was never another option.
Noah kissed him. Tried to pour everything into it. The regret. The love. The promise that he wouldn't leave again.
They stayed like that. Breathing together. Holding on.
Finally they grabbed their bags. Atlas took Noah's hand. Led him to the bedroom doorway.
Noah wrapped his arms around Atlas's waist. Put his head on his shoulder. Breathed him in.
Atlas kissed his forehead. Let his lips linger. "Let's go?"
Noah looked up. Nodded.
Atlas's thumb traced his cheekbone. "We're okay."
"Yeah." Noah smiled. "We're okay."
---
In the car, they stared ahead for a minute.
Atlas's hand settled on Noah's thigh again. Familiar now. Grounding.
"What are you thinking?" Atlas asked.
"Nothing."
Atlas's fingers tightened. "Noah."
Noah turned. Really looked at him. At the concern in Atlas's eyes. The patience. "I'm good. Promise."
"Okay." Atlas didn't look convinced. His thumb moved in slow circles.
Noah covered his hand. Squeezed. "Wanna get food?"
"What do you want?"
Noah told him about the Korean place. New. Small. Amazing banchan.
"Okay." Atlas brought Noah's hand to his mouth. Kissed his knuckles.
Noah's chest felt warm.
---
At the restaurant, they cooked together. Atlas turned the meat. Noah added vegetables. Their chopsticks kept colliding. They kept smiling about it.
"There's a family dinner this week," Atlas said. Casual. Too casual.
Noah stopped eating. Put down his chopsticks. "I don't want to go."
"Why?"
"Families will be there." Noah looked at his plate. "Your mom. My mom. Evelyn. Lydia." He met Atlas's eyes. "They all know."
Atlas reached across the table. Took Noah's hand. His thumb traced Noah's knuckles. "It'll be fine." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I can make an excuse. We don't have to go."
"If you don't go, I won't."
"That draws more attention."
"I don't care." Atlas's grip tightened. His eyes went hard.
Noah sighed. Looked at their joined hands. "Okay. We'll go. But let's not sit together."
Atlas's jaw ticked. His whole body went tense.
"You're not helping," Noah said. But he was almost smiling.
"We're sitting together." Atlas's foot hooked around Noah's ankle under the table.
Noah bit his lip. "You're impossible."
"You knew that already." Atlas's other hand disappeared under the table. Found Noah's knee. Squeezed.
Noah's breath stuttered. "Atlas."
"What?" But Atlas was smirking.
"We're in public."
"I know." His fingers traced patterns. Higher. Then back down. Slow. Deliberate.
Noah's hand covered his. Squeezed once. Not here.
Atlas's thumb pressed into the muscle. Later.
Heat flooded through Noah. He looked at Atlas. At his innocent expression. The wicked glint in his eyes.
"You're terrible," Noah said.
"Yeah." Atlas smiled. Turned his hand. Laced their fingers together on Noah's thigh.
---
"My friends are getting beers tonight," Noah said later. Watching Atlas's face carefully. "We could go. Just for a bit. If you want."
Atlas nodded. "Okay."
"You sure? If you're tired—"
Atlas squeezed his hand. "I want to be part of your life. All of it."
Noah's throat went tight. He nodded.
---
At the bar, Marcus, Jared, Sam, and Alex were already deep in their drinks.
Noah and Atlas walked in. Alex saw them first. Grinned. Stood up. Pulled Noah into a hug. "There he is."
Marcus and Sam followed. Clapped Noah on the back. Shook Atlas's hand.
"Good to see you, man," Marcus said to Atlas.
They sat. Atlas's hand immediately found Noah's thigh.
Marcus's eyebrows went up slightly. Sam smirked into his beer.
"You guys look good," Marcus said.
Noah glanced at Atlas. Felt Atlas's thumb move against his leg. Slow circles. Deliberate. "We're good."
They talked. Sports. Work. Sam's disaster of a date last week. Alex's promotion.
Atlas's fingers started moving higher. Just slightly. Then back down.
Noah's hand covered his. Squeezed. Warning.
Atlas squeezed back. Didn't stop.
Under the table, Atlas's fingers traced patterns. The seam of Noah's jeans. The muscle underneath. Higher.
Noah's breathing changed. He took a drink. Tried to focus on what Marcus was saying.
Atlas's hand slid higher. His pinky finger brushed—
Noah's hand clamped down on his. Hard.
Atlas's mouth curved. His hand retreated. Innocent. But his fingers stayed laced with Noah's.
"Right, Noah?" Marcus asked.
Noah blinked. "What?"
Everyone laughed.
Noah shot Atlas a look. You're killing me.
Atlas leaned in. His breath warm on Noah's ear. "Sorry." He didn't sound sorry.
Noah bit back a smile.
The others watched. Exchanged looks. Said nothing. But they were grinning.
An hour later, they hugged everyone goodbye.
In the car, Noah's phone lit up. Group chat.
Marcus: Finally
Alex: About damn time
Sam: Called it
Jared: You guys are disgusting. I love it
Noah smiled. Showed Atlas.
Atlas read them. Smiled. Put his hand back on Noah's thigh.
They drove home in comfortable silence.
---
Home. Dark. Quiet.
Lydia wasn't back yet.
They took Sunny to the park. She pulled ahead on the leash. Sniffing everything.
"Next weekend," Atlas said. "Florida. Alice and her friends are going." He paused. "Wanna come?"
Noah glanced at him. Atlas looked tense. Like he was expecting Noah to say no.
"Yeah," Noah said. "If you want me to."
Atlas's shoulders dropped. His whole body relaxed. "I want you to."
He pulled Noah close by the neck. Their foreheads touched.
They smiled at each other. Stupid. Happy.
Someone walked past. A woman with a dog. She stared.
They didn't care. Laughed harder.
---
When they got back, Lydia was on the couch. Her eyes unfocused. Smile too wide.
"I missed you guys," she said.
"You're drunk," Noah said. Not mean. Just factual.
"That obvious?"
"Your eyes." Noah sounded more tired than annoyed.
"What did you expect at a party?" Atlas said. His hand landed on Noah's shoulder. Protective. Grounding.
Lydia grinned. "Should I have had coffee?"
Atlas winked at her.
Lydia launched into stories. Who hooked up with who. Who's going to Aspen. Who got dumped via text.
Noah lasted five minutes. Got up. Went to the kitchen.
Atlas followed. Close behind.
"She talks more when she drinks," Atlas said.
Noah laughed. Actually laughed. Tension bleeding out of him. "I don't understand how she knows this many people."
He grabbed vitamins from the cabinet. Mixed them in water. Brought them to Lydia. "Drink this. All of it."
Atlas watched. Smiling soft. Fond.
Lydia drank. "Will this make me sober?"
"I read it somewhere." Noah sat beside her. "We'll see."
He looked at Atlas. "Sorry. I know this isn't—"
Atlas pulled him up. Kissed him. Sweet. "This is normal. Family is messy. I get it."
"I know you're not used to—"
"Be comfortable with me." Atlas looked in his eyes. Serious now. "Don't apologize for your life. For Lydia. For any of it." His hands cupped Noah's face. "I want all of it. The messy parts too."
Noah's throat went tight. He nodded.
Lydia looked at them. Her smile went soft. Genuine. "You guys are so cute." Her voice dropped. "I love you both."
"We'll talk when you're sober," Noah said. But he was smiling.
Atlas winked at Lydia. It's fine. I've got him.
"I'm tired," Lydia said. Stood. Swayed. Made it to her room.
Noah and Atlas sat on the couch. Curled together. Atlas's arm around Noah's shoulders. Noah's head on his chest.
They started laughing. No real reason. Just relief. Happiness. The absurdity of it all.
"She's a lot," Noah said.
"Yeah." Atlas's hand moved up and down Noah's arm. Soothing.
Noah turned his face into Atlas's neck. Breathed him in.
They sat there. Not talking. Just being.
"I have reports to read," Atlas said eventually. Reluctant.
"Okay." Noah didn't move.
"We should probably—"
"Yeah." Noah still didn't move.
Atlas laughed. Stood. Pulled Noah up.
They took Luna and Sunny upstairs. Changed into sweatpants and t-shirts. Got in bed with their laptops.
Atlas opened his reports. Noah opened his email.
"What do you think about this merger?" Atlas asked. Showed Noah the numbers.
Noah leaned over. Read. Pointed to something. "This doesn't add up. Look at the offshore holdings."
Atlas looked. Frowned. Made notes.
They went back and forth. Numbers. Strategy. Risk assessment.
Noah explained his thinking. Atlas listened. His eyes focused. Intense. That look he got when he was completely engaged.
Noah noticed. Stopped talking.
"What?" Atlas asked.
"Nothing." Noah smiled. "I just like when you look like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're solving the world's problems."
Atlas's mouth curved. "I'm just looking at you."
Noah's chest felt warm. He kissed him. Couldn't help it.
Luna meowed. Stretched. Resettled between them.
Sunny snored softly at the foot of the bed.
They went back to work. But Atlas's free hand found Noah's. Held on.
Hours later, Noah's eyes drooped. His laptop slipped.
Atlas caught it. Set it on the nightstand. Watched Noah fight sleep. Lose.
Noah's breathing evened out. His face went soft. Peaceful.
Atlas looked at him. At Luna curled against Noah's side. At Sunny sprawled across their feet.
His chest felt too full. Like his ribs couldn't contain it.
He set his own laptop aside. Lay down beside Noah.
Pulled him close. Careful. Gentle.
Noah made a small sound. Turned into him. Fit perfectly against Atlas's chest.
Atlas's hand came up. Smoothed Noah's hair. His hand shook slightly.
I almost lost this. Almost lost him.
He pressed his face into Noah's hair. Breathed him in. Held tighter.
Luna watched him. Blinked slowly. Settled back down.
Atlas couldn't sleep. Just watched them. All of them. His family. His home.
The city hummed outside. Cars. Life.
Inside, everything was quiet. Still. Perfect.
Eventually his eyes got heavy. His breathing slowed.
He kissed Noah's hair. Whispered, "I love you."
Noah stirred. Mumbled something. Held on tighter.
Atlas closed his eyes.
Smiled.
Let himself fall.