Noah woke to the light from the window warming his eyelids.
He stayed where he was for a while—trying to gather his thoughts as his breath moved in and out of his chest with a thin tremor.
Then he turned his head to the right.
Atlas was asleep on the couch, knees bent, one arm across his chest, the other hanging down to the floor.
An involuntary smile appeared on Noah's face—soft, warm, a little surprised.
He tried to remember how many days he'd been in the hospital but the image wouldn't sharpen.
His eyes filled—he blinked quickly, pushing the tears back before they could reach his cheeks.
Watching Atlas breathe peacefully felt good.
He slid toward the edge of the bed—wanted to go to him.
But his legs felt heavy—his muscles refused to carry him.
He leaned back against the pillow and kept watching Atlas.
After a while, Atlas's breathing changed.
His chest began rising and falling more deeply—then his eyelids moved.
He woke up.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Noah.
A small smile passed between them—wordless. You're okay.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Atlas got up from the couch immediately, reached Noah in a few steps. Sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand—fingers wrapping around Noah's like they'd been empty without them.
Noah's smile became a bit more visible.
Atlas's thumb traced a small circle over Noah's fingers, slow and deliberate.
"Missed seeing you smile."
Noah squeezed back, a little tighter. "Missed you too."
Right then—soft knock on the door.
An attendant came in, set down trays.
They both started eating without speaking—glancing at each other, smiling. That wordless intimacy settling between them again.
Then the nurse came in, checked medications.
Noah took his chance. "Can I take a shower?"
"Yes." The nurse nodded. "There are attendants who can help if you want."
Atlas spoke immediately:
"I'll help."
The nurse gave Atlas a brief look—are you sure?—then nodded.
"Press the button if you need anything." She left.
Noah turned to Atlas, slightly embarrassed.
"I can shower by myself."
Atlas tried to hide the smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Whatever you want."
After a while Noah tried to sit up.
The moment Atlas saw Noah move, he appeared right beside him.
Noah looked at him, took a calm breath.
"I'm better."
When he stood, his legs trembled but held.
Atlas walked with him—close but not touching.
When they reached the bathroom, Atlas stopped at the threshold.
"I'm here." Voice very calm.
The door closed.
Atlas pressed his lips together as he listened to the water running inside, clasped his hands behind his back. His pulse in his throat—wanting to go in, not going in.
The moment the water stopped, he knocked softly.
Opened the door to bring Noah's clothes inside.
Noah was reaching for the towel—when his hand trembled, Atlas reflexively leaned forward and grabbed it.
He wrapped the towel around Noah's shoulders—movement slow, careful, gentle. His fingers brushed Noah's collarbone as he adjusted the fabric.
For a moment their eyes met...
Something passed between them—shyness and closeness and that familiar trust all at once. Atlas's gaze dropped to Noah's mouth for half a second before he caught himself.
They both looked away at the same time.
Atlas held out the clothes—as Noah dressed, a silly smile appeared on his face.
When Atlas saw this, he laughed without meaning to.
When Noah moved to the bed, Atlas dried his hair with the towel. Fingers threading through the damp strands.
"It's gotten really long."
Noah lifted his head.
"Doesn't it look good?"
Atlas left a light kiss on his cheek—lingered there a second longer than necessary, breathing him in.
"Love it." Voice husky.
Noah smiled.
Right then the door burst open and Lydia rushed in.
Even the sound of her steps was full of urgency.
She ran straight to Noah and hugged him tight.
Noah's breath caught.
"You're squeezing too hard." Weak laugh.
Lydia's voice filled with trembling happiness.
"I missed you so much."
Noah's hands moved over Lydia's back.
"Missed you too."
Lydia took Noah's face in her hands and kissed his cheeks.
When Noah laughed, his eyes lit up too.
"I love you."
Noah's smile grew.
"Love you too."
Atlas was watching them—something settling in his chest. Relief. Warmth.
Noah turned his head for a moment and looked at Atlas—that small smile saying I'm okay.
Then Lydia turned to Atlas and went to him, hugged him too.
Atlas, surprised but calm, put one hand on Lydia's back.
"Thank you." Lydia pulled back.
Then her eyes locked on Atlas.
"I love you." Her eyes slightly reddened.
Atlas responded with a small smile.
Lydia turned back to Noah and pulled out her phone, showed him photos of Sunny and Luna.
When Noah saw the photos, his eyes widened.
"They've gotten so big." His voice carrying a thin break.
Then he looked down.
"Will they... remember me?" A whisper.
Atlas's head tilted slightly, a faint worry appearing on his face, but he didn't interfere.
Lydia put her hand on Noah's shoulder.
"Of course they'll remember."
Then she added with a smile:
"When you get out of the hospital, I'll bring them back to you."
Noah looked at her. "Thank you."
Lydia kissed his cheek.
"Came without warning, gotta go."
"No problem."
Lydia hugged him one last time.
"Next time I'll come with Sunny and Luna."
She walked to the door.
As she left, she stuck her head back in.
"Love you guys!" Laughing.
Noah and Atlas at the same time:
"Us too."
Then they looked at each other—smiling at the same time.
Atlas came to Noah's side.
Noah leaned against Atlas's chest and held his hands tightly.
"Thought I'd never see you again." His voice trembling for a moment.
Atlas left a light kiss on Noah's hair—nose pressed there, breathing him in.
"I'm here."
Silence for a while.
Noah, softly:
"Are you okay?"
Atlas pulled Noah a little closer—hand spreading across his back, feeling the warmth of him through the thin hospital gown.
"I'm okay."
Noah turned his head and placed a small kiss on Atlas's neck. Soft. Intentional.
Atlas blinked, his gaze locking with Noah's.
They both smiled.
"Noah, wanna lie down with me?"
Noah smiled.
Atlas lay down on the bed—Noah immediately lay on Atlas's chest, wrapped his legs around his. Their bodies fitting together like they always had.
A soft smile appeared on Atlas's face.
When Noah saw it, he took a deep breath—like he'd been saved.
"Missed you so much."
"Me too."
They stayed quiet for a while—fingers slowly wandering in each other's palms. Atlas's thumb stroking the inside of Noah's wrist, feeling his pulse.
When it started getting dark, there was a knock on the door.
The doctor and nurse came in.
Noah blushed slightly.
Atlas calmly got out of bed and moved to the side—but his hand lingered on Noah's shoulder for a second before letting go.
The doctor looked at Noah:
"How are you today?"
"Better."
"The critical danger's completely passed. We can discharge you tomorrow."
Atlas took a deep breath—brief but noticeable relief.
"Thank you."
The doctor:
"Tomorrow after final checks we'll discuss what needs to be done." And left.
Atlas looked at Noah.
This time there was real relief in his smile.
Noah relaxed when he saw it.
"If you're sleepy, sleep. I'm here."
Noah laughed.
"Think I've been sleeping for four days straight."
Atlas shook his head.
"Actually five."
Noah frowned.
"Still can't remember some things clearly."
Atlas shrugged.
"Sometimes forgetting's good."
Noah looked at him.
"Don't wanna forget anything about you."
A small smile appeared on Atlas's face that he couldn't hold back.
When dinner came, Noah:
"Wanna sit next to me?"
Atlas sat next to Noah without hesitation—their thighs pressed together on the narrow bed.
The attendant glanced at them from the corner of her eye and left.
Noah moved a bit closer, his shoulder touching Atlas's. Hip to hip now.
As they ate, they glanced at each other from the corners of their eyes, laughed quietly.
Then Noah suddenly, with childish seriousness:
"Take me out to dinner."
Atlas looked at him and burst out laughing.
Noah laughed with him.
"Eating this stuff is terrible." Looking at the plates and pouting.
Something loosened in Atlas's chest—he'd missed Noah like this. Missed this.
"I will." Smiling.
After a while the plates were taken away.
Atlas grabbed his phone.
"Be back in a bit." Left.
Noah watched Atlas leave.
The room grew quiet again.
He looked at the wall.
What happens now?
His father came to mind.
What could he do?
When his breathing quickened, he closed his eyes and whispered to himself:
"Get it together."
After a while the door opened.
Atlas came back and sat next to Noah, held his hand—fingers interlacing automatically.
"Can we stay at Alice's for a bit?"
Noah was surprised.
He almost asked why but didn't.
"Yeah."
Atlas stroked Noah's hand—thumb moving over his knuckles, slow circles.
"We need to decide on our new place."
Noah nodded slightly.
Is it that bad?
"What do you wanna do?"
"I don't know."
Atlas lay down next to him—Noah rested his head on Atlas's shoulder, nose pressed against his neck.
Atlas wrapped his arm around him—hand settling on Noah's hip, pulling him closer.
And for the first time in a long time...
they both fell asleep at the same time, in the same rhythm.
Believing everything would be okay.