Thomas didn't look back. He kept walking, fists in pockets, shoulders pulled tight like he was carrying the weight of the entire sky. Noah stayed frozen under the old oak, little finger still curled, the sounds of graduation blurring away until everything felt muted. The light was gold and soft, but Noah only felt the ache of losing the person who mattered most.
That night brought a soft knock at the bedroom window. Noah sat on his bed, eyes aching, staring hard at a suitcase that looked big enough to swallow his whole life. He opened the curtains and found Thomas standing outside, pale in the moonlight, eyes red around the edges.
Thomas climbed in without a word, landing soundlessly on the carpet. For a moment, their breaths were the only sounds in the world. "You weren't going to tell me," Thomas whispered, lips trembling. "You were just going to disappear?"
Noah's throat burned. He wanted to say he would have told him, but the words stuck. "I was going to," he managed, voice cracked. "I just… I didn't know how."
"When?" Thomas pressed. "On the way to the airport? Already gone?"
Noah bit his lip. "Please, Thomas. Don't make it sound like I wanted this. I didn't choose it." His voice shook. "Saying makes it real. I didn't want it to be real."
They stood close, knees brushing. Thomas's anger faded, replaced by something more fragile. "When are you leaving?" His voice was less than a whisper.
"Tomorrow morning." Noah met his eyes, guilt swirling hot in his chest. He pulled in a shaky breath and finally confessed everything. "It's not just Greenville," he whispered, barely audible, "My dad is sending me abroad to study medical. to London."
Thomas blinked like he was trying to stay awake during a nightmare. "London?" His voice splintered.
"King's College," Noah said, tears falling before he could stop them. "I got in, Thomas. I found out this morning. I wanted to tell you… but you left before I could."
Thomas's hand shook as he sat on the bed, shoulders caving. "You're leaving. For years?"
"It's my dream," Noah managed, voice breaking. "You told me I could do this. Remember? You said, 'You'll be the best doctor in the world.' You told me to chase it."
Thomas's breath came thin and fast. "I didn't know chasing it meant leaving me behind."
That hurt so deep, Noah grabbed Thomas's hand like it was the last lifeline. "I'm not leaving you behind," he swore. "It's always you, Thomas. You're always home."
Thomas looked away, blinking tears. "Promise?"
Noah pressed his little finger out, just like when they were kids. "Promise." Their fingers linked tight, sealing the vow.
They collapsed, shoulder to shoulder, heads together, breathing the same heavy air. "I'm going to miss you," Thomas whispered, voice full of both anger and love.
Noah squeezed his hand. "I'll miss you more. But I'll call. I'll text. I'll annoy you so much you'll beg for a break."
They fell asleep like that, tangled together. The morning came too soon.
At the airport, the world was rushing by. Thomas stood there, hands deep in his hoodie, tears shining in his eyes. Noah held him close in one last hug, breaths synced like they were trying not to forget the sound. "Promise me," Thomas whispered, voice shaking, "Promise this won't be our last time."
Noah couldn't speak, so he squeezed Thomas tighter. "Always," he whispered. "I swear."
The announcement was cruel. Noah had to go. Their eyes met one last time, wet and yearning. Thomas hooked their pinkies, just like a thousand times before. Noah smiled through the tears, "Always."
As Noah's plane lifted, Thomas stood at the glass, refusing to leave until the last trace disappeared. That was when he knew, deep and forever—he loved him. And Noah, staring out the window at a shrinking town and a boy under a sky, loved him right back.