Noah woke to Atlas's heartbeat under his ear and dawn painting the room purple-gray.
He didn't move—just breathed, let himself believe this was real.
Sunny sprawled across their feet. Luna stretched above Atlas's head on the pillow. Everyone still asleep.
He tilted his head. Watched Atlas sleep in the dim light.
The shadows caught the line of his jaw. The slight part of his lips. The way his chest rose and fell—steady, real, here.
Something in Noah's chest pulled tight.
Sunny's eyes opened. Found Noah's.
"Morning," Noah whispered.
Her tail thumped once. She crawled up—over Atlas's legs, across Noah's ribs—and licked his face.
Noah tried to quiet her. "Shh, don't—"
Atlas stirred. His eyes opened slow. Unfocused at first.
Then he saw Noah.
His whole face softened.
"Didn't mean to wake you," Noah said.
Atlas's mouth curved. He kissed Noah's forehead. Barely a press of lips.
Noah's hands came up. Cradled Atlas's face. "Good morning, love."
He kissed him. Gentle. Tasting sleep and Atlas.
Atlas's smile turned stupid. That grin he couldn't control—the one that made him look twenty.
"Love," he murmured against Noah's mouth. Kissed him again.
Sunny sat between them. Watching. Head tilted.
Atlas tried to school his expression. His jaw tightened. His mouth pressed flat.
Didn't work. The smile broke through anyway.
Noah laughed. "You look ridiculous."
"Your fault."
"How is it my fault?"
"You said love." Atlas's thumb traced Noah's cheekbone. "You can't just say that and expect me to be normal."
Noah's throat went tight. "Get used to it."
"Yeah?" Atlas pulled him closer.
"Yeah."
They stayed like that. Foreheads pressed together. Sharing air.
"I should take Sunny out," Noah said finally.
"I'll come."
Noah smiled. "Okay."
---
Outside, the city was barely awake. Gray light. Cold air. A woman jogging past with headphones. The coffee shop on the corner just opening—the smell of espresso drifting out when someone opened the door.
Sunny pulled ahead. Sniffing every tree, every fire hydrant, every interesting smell.
Noah glanced at Atlas.
That look was still there. Soft. Open. Like he'd forgotten how to put his walls back up.
Atlas's arm settled around Noah's shoulders. Noah's hand found his waist. They walked slow. No destination.
A runner passed. Then a man walking three dogs. Someone's car alarm went off down the block.
Normal Monday morning sounds.
But Noah felt like the world had shifted. Like everything looked different now.
We're really doing this. Living together. Planning trips. Being—
"What?" Atlas asked.
"Nothing." Noah smiled. "Just happy."
Atlas kissed his temple. Didn't say anything. Didn't need to.
---
Home. Atlas fed Sunny. Noah rinsed coffee mugs from yesterday.
"I'll shower, then make breakfast," Noah said.
Atlas caught his wrist. Turned it over. Kissed the inside—right where Noah's pulse jumped.
Noah's breath stuttered.
"Come on." Atlas pulled him toward the stairs.
In the bedroom, Atlas's hands slid under Noah's shirt. Found skin. Warm. Deliberate.
Noah looked up at him. "Shower, right?"
"Right." But Atlas's hands were already pushing the shirt up. Over Noah's head.
Noah laughed against his mouth. "We're gonna be late."
"Don't care." Atlas walked him backward. Toward the bathroom.
They kissed their way across the room. Clumsy. Noah's back hit the doorframe. Atlas's hands found his hips. Held him there.
"Atlas—"
Atlas's teeth caught his bottom lip. Pulled. Let go.
Then kissed him properly. Thorough. Taking his time.
Noah's hands fisted in Atlas's shirt. He pulled. Heard fabric stretch. Didn't care.
They stumbled into the bathroom. Atlas reached back. Locked the door.
"Clothes," Noah managed.
"Yeah." Atlas pulled Noah's sweatpants down. Rough. Impatient.
Noah got Atlas's shirt off. Then his jeans. His hands were shaking.
Atlas noticed. Caught Noah's hands. Pressed them flat against his chest. Over his heart.
"Hey," Atlas said softly. "It's me."
Noah's laugh came out shaky. "I know. I just—" He looked up. Met Atlas's eyes. "I still can't believe you're here."
Atlas's expression did something. Went tender. Fierce. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
He kissed Noah. Slow. Reverent. Like he was trying to prove it.
Then he reached past Noah. Turned on the water.
Cold hit them first when they stepped in.
Noah gasped. Laughed. Pressed into Atlas for warmth.
"Fuck, that's—"
"Give it a second."
The water turned hot. Steam rose fast. Filled the space.
Atlas pressed Noah against the tile. The cold ceramic made Noah arch forward—right into Atlas's heat.
"Better?" Atlas asked. His mouth on Noah's neck.
"Yeah." Noah's head fell back. "Yeah, better."
Atlas's hands mapped his body. Slow. Deliberate. Like he was memorizing every line. Every curve. The places that made Noah's breath catch.
Water ran between them. Down their faces. Their chests. Made everything slick.
Noah's fingers dug into Atlas's shoulders. Slid down his back. Felt the flex of muscle under wet skin.
Atlas's mouth moved lower. Noah's collarbone. His chest. The ridge of his ribs.
"Missed this," Noah breathed. "Missed you. So fucking much."
Atlas's forehead pressed to Noah's stomach. He stayed there. Just breathing.
When he looked up, his eyes were bright. Too bright.
"I'm here," Atlas said. Voice rough. "I'm right here."
Noah pulled him up. Kissed him. Tried to pour everything into it—the month they lost, the fear he'd felt, the relief of having this back.
Atlas responded. Fierce. Consuming. His hands gripped Noah's hips hard enough to bruise.
Noah didn't care. Wanted it. Wanted proof this was real.
The water beat down on them. The bathroom mirror fogged completely. Steam made it hard to breathe.
Atlas's hands slid lower. Noah made a sound—half gasp, half moan.
"Look at me," Atlas said.
Noah forced his eyes open. Met Atlas's gaze through the steam.
Atlas smiled. That private smile. The one only Noah got to see. "Hi."
"Hi." Noah's voice broke.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Noah kissed him. "Love you so much it scares me sometimes."
"Don't be scared." Atlas's thumb traced his jaw. "I'm not going anywhere."
They stood like that. Water running over them. Just looking at each other.
Then Atlas kissed him again. And Noah stopped thinking. Just felt.
---
When they finally turned off the water, Noah's legs felt weak. He braced himself against the wall.
Atlas laughed. Low. Satisfied. "You okay?"
"Shut up." But Noah was smiling.
They stumbled out. Grabbed towels. Green ones. Wrapped them around their hips.
Atlas looked down at himself. Marks blooming across his chest. His ribs. One on his collarbone.
Noah noticed. Their eyes met in the mirror.
Started laughing. Breathless. Can't stop.
"Didn't leave any," Noah said. Still laughing.
Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Waiting for the others to heal first." Noah came up behind him. Pressed against his back. Looked at their reflection. "Don't want to overwhelm you."
Atlas's mouth curved. Dangerous. "Want me to show you how I did it?"
"No." Noah kissed his shoulder blade. "We'd never leave."
"Problem?"
"Yes." Noah rested his chin on Atlas's shoulder. Met his eyes in the mirror. "We need concealer in this house."
Atlas turned his head. "Seriously?"
"Dead serious." Noah was grinning. "Can't show up to work like this."
"I'll get some." Atlas's voice dropped. Playful. "What shade?"
Noah stood on his toes. Got closer. "Match it to our skin tone."
Atlas's hands came back. Found Noah's hips. "Our skin tone."
"Yeah." Noah kissed just behind his ear. "Ours."
Atlas turned in his arms. Looked at him. Something soft in his expression. "Let's get dressed."
"Yeah." Noah took his hand. Led him out.
---
They got dressed slow. Noah would button his shirt. Atlas would undo one. Kiss the exposed skin. Noah would laugh. Push him away. Do it again.
"You're making us late," Atlas said.
"Me?" Noah came over. Started on Atlas's shirt. One button at a time. His eyes on Atlas's mouth. "I'm helping."
His fingers traced Atlas's collarbone as he worked. Feather-light. Barely there.
Atlas's jaw ticked. "Noah."
"What?" Innocent. But his mouth was curving.
Last button. Noah's fingers slid down. Traced the line of Atlas's stomach through the fabric.
Atlas caught his wrist. "We need to leave."
"I know."
"Now."
"I know."
Neither of them moved.
Atlas made a sound—frustration, want, something—and kissed him. Hard. Messy. All need.
When they broke apart, Noah had that grin. The one that made him look trouble.
"Okay," Noah said. "Actually leaving now."
"Good." But Atlas's hands were still on him.
"Atlas."
"Yeah." He let go. Stepped back. "Leaving."
They made it downstairs. Finally.
---
Kitchen. Sunny and Luna wove between their ankles.
Noah cracked eggs into a bowl. Atlas ground coffee beans. The machine whirred.
They moved around each other easy. Natural. Atlas would reach past Noah for a mug. His hand would graze Noah's lower back. Noah would turn. Their eyes would meet. They'd smile.
The door opened.
Lydia shuffled in. Hair everywhere. Eyes barely open. Mascara smudged under one eye.
"Morning," she mumbled.
Noah looked at her. "Still?"
"My head." She winced. Grabbed the coffee Atlas handed her. Drank it black. Made a face.
Atlas leaned against the counter. Watching them. Amused.
Noah pointed at her. "Tonight. We're talking about last night."
Lydia glanced at Atlas. Smiled slightly.
Under the table, Atlas's hand found Noah's thigh. His fingers traced lazy patterns. Circles. Figure eights.
Noah looked at him. Tried to look stern.
Didn't work. He was smiling.
Leaned close. Whispered in Atlas's ear. "I know what you're doing."
"I'm not doing anything." Atlas's fingers pressed in. His face perfectly innocent.
Noah bit his lip. Turned back to his coffee.
Lydia watched them. Shook her head. Smiled into her mug.
---
After breakfast, they headed out.
At the door, Noah stopped. Pulled something from his pocket.
A key.
Held it out.
Atlas stared. At the key. At Noah. Didn't take it.
Noah's heart started hammering. Too fast. This is too fast. He doesn't—
"I mean," Noah said. Too quickly. "We're living together, right? You're here every night anyway, and it just makes sense for you to have—"
Atlas took the key.
But he wrapped Noah's fingers around it first. Then his own hand over both of theirs.
They stood there. Both holding it.
"Thank you," Atlas said. His voice came out rough.
Noah nodded. Couldn't speak past the thing in his throat.
Atlas kissed him. Right there in the doorway. Didn't care about neighbors. Didn't care about anything except Noah.
When they pulled apart, Noah's face felt hot. "We should—"
"Yeah." But Atlas was smiling. Looking at the key in his palm like Noah had given him something priceless.
Maybe I did.
In the parking garage, Atlas stopped. Turned. "Thank you."
Noah looked at him. "You already said that."
"I mean it." Atlas held up the key. "This. Us. All of it."
Then he pulled Noah in. Kissed him slow. Deep. His hand cupped Noah's jaw. Tilted his head.
When they broke apart, Noah was breathing hard.
"This cologne," Atlas murmured. His nose against Noah's neck. "Fuck. It's so good on you."
Noah grinned. Pushed at his chest. "Miss me."
"I will." Atlas kissed him once more. Quick. "See you tonight."
"Tonight."
They got in their separate cars. Noah watched Atlas pull out first. Waved.
Atlas waved back. Smiled.
Noah sat there for a second. Just processing.
He has a key. We're living together. This is real.
He started the car. Drove to work. Couldn't stop smiling the whole way.
---
At the office, Clara and Elias were already there. Making coffee.
"Morning," Noah said.
They turned. "Morning."
Clara studied him. Really looked. Her eyes narrowed. "You talked to him Friday."
It wasn't a question.
Noah's face did something. That smile he couldn't help.
Elias grinned. "You made up."
"Yeah." Noah looked down. Face heating.
"I'm so happy for you." Clara hugged him. "Tell me everything."
Noah sat. Told them—the edited version. Left out some parts. Kept the important ones.
"You're glowing," Clara said.
"I'm not—"
"You are." Elias laughed. "It's disgusting. I love it."
They worked. Reviewed notes from Friday's meeting. Made calls. Normal Monday stuff.
Around noon, Clara stood. Stretched. "Lunch?"
Pizza place down the block. They got their usual table. Talked about weekend plans. Clara's sister's engagement. Elias's mom visiting next week.
Back at the office, Noah settled in. Opened his laptop. Started on the offshore account restructuring.
Two hours later, the door opened.
Atlas walked in.
Noah's pen stopped. His whole body went still.
What—
Clara and Elias looked up.
Atlas crossed the room. Smooth. Professional. But his eyes found Noah immediately. Stayed there.
"Hey," Atlas said. His hand landed on Noah's back. Spread across his shoulder blades. Warm. Claiming. "How's it going?"
Noah swallowed. "Good. I—" His voice came out weird. He cleared his throat. "Did you have a meeting upstairs?"
"Yeah. Just finished." Atlas glanced at Clara and Elias. Extended his hand. "Atlas."
"Clara." She shook it. Tried not to smile. Failed.
"Elias." He did the same.
Clara pulled over a chair. "Sit."
"Thanks." Atlas set it next to Noah's. Close. Their knees touched.
Under the desk—out of sight—his hand found Noah's thigh.
Noah's breath caught. His face went hot.
"What are you working on?" Atlas asked. Casual. Like his thumb wasn't moving. Tracing the seam of Noah's jeans. Slow. Deliberate.
"The—" Noah's voice cracked. He cleared his throat again. "The offshore accounts. For the restructuring."
Atlas's thumb pressed in. Right where the muscle tensed. "Sounds complicated."
"It's—yeah." Noah couldn't focus. Couldn't think. Atlas's fingers were moving higher. Just an inch. Then back down.
Clara looked away. Bit her lip.
Elias coughed. Studied his laptop very intently.
Noah shot Atlas a look. Stop.
Atlas's mouth curved. No.
He leaned closer. His breath on Noah's ear. "See you at home."
His teeth caught Noah's earlobe. The barest pressure. There and gone.
Then he stood. "Nice meeting you both."
"You too," Clara managed. Her voice strangled.
Atlas walked to the door. Hand on the handle. Glanced back.
Winked.
The door closed.
Silence.
Noah stared at it. Couldn't move. His whole face was on fire.
"Holy shit," Clara said. Out loud.
Elias shook his head. "I did not—I mean, I knew you guys were together, but that was—"
"Hot," Clara finished. "That was really hot."
Noah covered his face with his hands. "I need water."
He got up. Went to the kitchen. Drank cold water straight from the tap. Splashed some on his face.
Looked at himself in the reflection of the microwave door.
His face was red. His eyes were too bright. He looked—
He did that on purpose. The absolute bastard.
He started laughing. Couldn't help it.
When he came back, they were waiting.
Clara had made him coffee. Handed it over.
"Thanks."
"So," she said. Sitting on the edge of his desk. "That was Atlas."
"Yeah."
"He's—" She paused. "Intense."
Noah choked on his coffee.
"In a good way," she added quickly. "Like, you can tell he's—" She gestured vaguely. "Into you. Really into you."
Elias nodded. "I knew in the elevator. But seeing you guys in person? Yeah. That man is gone for you."
Noah looked at them. "Can we work now?"
They laughed. But then started asking questions.
How long have you been together? How did you meet? Why did you wait two whole days to apologize?
Noah answered some. Dodged others. Eventually Clara took mercy on him.
"Okay, okay. Back to work."
Noah sat. Checked his phone.
Atlas:Miss you already
Noah smiled at the screen.
Clara and Elias saw. Burst out laughing.
Noah laughed too. Couldn't help it.
They worked until six. Said goodnight at the elevator.
"See you tomorrow," Clara said. Hugged him.
"Tomorrow," Noah said.
He drove home. Kept thinking about Atlas showing up. That wink. The way he'd touched Noah in front of everyone.
He wanted them to know. Wanted everyone to know.
The thought made Noah's chest feel full.
---
Home. Atlas's car wasn't there yet.
Noah took Sunny out. Around the block. Quick.
Back inside, he changed. Jeans. Old t-shirt. Went to the kitchen.
He was chopping vegetables when Atlas walked in.
"Hey."
Noah looked up. "Hey."
They stared at each other. The air shifted.
Atlas crossed to him. Didn't stop until they were toe to toe. Then kissed him. Hard. Thorough.
When they broke apart, Noah's hands were fisted in Atlas's shirt.
"I was annoyed with you earlier," Noah said. "But I'm over it."
Atlas's mouth curved. Dangerous. "Why were you annoyed?"
"What you did at my office."
Atlas's hands found Noah's hips. Slid lower. "What did I do?"
"You know exactly what you did." Noah tried to sound stern. Didn't work.
"I don't remember." But Atlas was smiling. Looking at Noah's mouth. "Remind me."
He kissed him again. Slow this time. Taking his time.
When they pulled apart, both their mouths were red.
"I should change," Atlas said. Didn't move.
"Yeah." Noah didn't let go.
Atlas kissed him once more. Then left.
Noah went back to cooking. Tried not to smile. Failed.
---
Atlas came back down. Sweats. T-shirt. Hair still damp.
He helped. Stirred the sauce while Noah made the salad.
They moved around each other. Easy. Natural. Atlas would reach past Noah. His chest would press against Noah's back. Noah would lean into it. Just for a second.
Lydia came home around seven. All energy. No trace of the hangover.
"Hey!" She bounced in. Hugged them both. "I love you guys."
"We love you too," Atlas said.
Noah gave her a look. "Being cute doesn't get you out of talking about yesterday."
"I don't remember yesterday." She grinned. "What happened?"
"Nice try." Noah pointed at her. "Go change. We'll eat, then talk."
She left.
Atlas looked at Noah. "That sounds familiar."
"What?"
"I don't remember what happened." His voice went playful. "You said that to me once."
Noah's face heated. "No I didn't."
"I drove you home." Atlas moved closer. His voice dropped. "You were drunk. Passed out in my car. In my lap."
"Stop." Noah kept chopping. Face burning.
"I carried you inside. Put you in bed." Atlas's breath on his neck now. "You held my hand. Said goodnight."
Noah covered his face. "I hate you."
"No you don't." Atlas was laughing. He kissed Noah's neck. "You were cute."
"I wasn't cute. I was a mess."
"A cute mess."
Lydia came back. "Food ready?"
"Almost," Atlas said. Still smiling.
They set the table. Sat down. Atlas next to Noah. Their legs pressed together under the table.
Normal dinner conversation. How was your day. Work was fine. Lydia talking about her friends. Some party this weekend.
Then Lydia said, "So. Family dinner Friday."
Noah tensed. Just slightly.
Atlas's hand found his thigh. Squeezed.
"I'm nervous," Noah admitted.
Atlas turned to him. "Why?"
"I don't know. It just feels... different. Everyone's here. It's not like before."
"We're working now." Atlas's thumb traced his jaw. "And I don't care who knows. But if you want to play it careful—"
"I don't want to hide either." Noah shook his head. " I just think… we should be careful."
Atlas smiled. Kissed his forehead. Let it linger.
"Friday will be fine," Atlas said—like a promise Noah wanted to believe.
Lydia watched them. Her eyes a little wet. "You guys are really good together."
Noah's throat went tight. He nodded.
They finished eating. Started clearing plates.
"I can't decide what to wear Friday," Lydia said. Got up. Came back with dresses draped over her arm.
Noah and Atlas exchanged looks.
"Seriously?" Noah asked.
"What? I need to look good too." She held up a black one. "This?"
Atlas considered. Tilted his head. "The blue one."
They both stared at him.
"What?" Atlas asked. "I have opinions."
"Since when do you care about fashion?" Noah was laughing.
"Natural talent." Atlas grinned. Looked proud of himself.
Lydia held up two more. Atlas pointed to one.
"Try it on," he said.
She did. Came back. Spun.
"The other one," Atlas said.
She changed. Came back.
"That one," Atlas said.
Lydia looked at Noah. Noah nodded.
"Okay." She smiled. "Thanks, Atlas."
She gathered her dresses. "Night."
"Night."
---
After, they moved to the couch. Luna in Atlas's lap. Sunny at their feet.
The apartment was quiet. Just the hum of the heater. The distant sound of traffic outside.
"Did you tell your mom?" Atlas asked. "About us breaking up?"
"No." Noah's hand found Atlas's. Laced their fingers. "Just Lydia knew. Did you tell Evelyn?"
"No. Just Alice."
They were quiet for a minute.
"I'm thinking," Noah said slowly. Teasing. "Of being cold to you at dinner."
Atlas laughed. "Try it."
Noah looked at him. Surprised. "Really?"
"No." Atlas's eyes went serious. "Four months ago at that dinner, we didn't talk. I was miserable the whole time. I'm not doing that again."
Noah's chest went tight. "I thought you hated me then."
"I was furious." Atlas pulled him closer. "But I never hated you. Not once."
Noah kissed him. Soft. "I know."
"Mr. Sterlins," Atlas said. Mock-offended.
Noah burst out laughing. "You're never letting that go."
"Never." But Atlas was smiling. "You were so formal. So cold."
"You were an asshole."
"I was." Atlas kissed his temple. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too."
They sat there. Just being together.
"I have dinner with Charles and Evelyn tomorrow," Atlas said. "Work stuff. Merger talk. Boring."
"I have a cooking class. I'll be home around nine."
"I'll be here." Atlas's arms tightened.
"You're still coming to the Madison Ave thing, right?" Atlas asked.
Noah pulled back. Looked at him. "You want me to?"
"Yes." Atlas didn't hesitate. "I want you there."
"Then I'll be there."
Atlas kissed his forehead. Slow. Deliberate.
"What do you want to do for Christmas?" Atlas asked.
Noah thought. "I don't know. What do you usually do?"
"Last year, London. With friends." Atlas paused. "This year I want to be with you."
Noah's heart kicked. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Atlas's voice went soft. "Just us. Somewhere quiet."
"Aspen?"
"Or St. Moritz."
"I've never been to St. Moritz."
Atlas smiled. "St. Moritz then. I'll book it this week."
Noah laughed. "Just like that?"
"Why wait?" Atlas looked at him. Really looked. "I want things to look forward to. With you."
Noah's throat went tight. "Okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Noah kissed him. "St. Moritz."
Atlas smiled against his mouth. "Our first real trip."
Our first. Like there will be more. Like we're permanent.
"Our first," Noah whispered.
They stayed like that. Luna purring between them. Sunny's soft snores. The city outside. The warmth inside.
After a while, Atlas said, "Bed?"
"Yeah."
They left Luna and Sunny downstairs, still asleep.
They went upstairs to their room.
Got undressed. Slow. Watching each other.
Atlas pulled Noah close. They settled in. Noah's head on Atlas's chest. Atlas's arms around him.
"Thank you," Atlas said. His voice already sleepy.
"For what?"
"All of it." Atlas's hand moved through Noah's hair. "The key. Dinner. This. You."
Noah pressed his face into Atlas's neck. Breathed him in. "Thank you too."
"For what?"
"Coming back." Noah's voice cracked. "Staying."
Atlas's arms tightened. "Always."
They fell asleep like that. Together. Home.