Diamant's POV
Since the moment Noah confessed, something inside Diamant loosened — a quiet restraint he'd been carrying for weeks.
He didn't smother Noah, didn't overwhelm him.
But he stopped hiding how he felt.
A gentle touch to Noah's shoulder.
A warm hand guiding him through the hallway.
Standing just a little closer.
Lowering his voice when he spoke to him.
Every time Noah looked up, Diamant was already watching him with a softness meant only for him.
And Noah…
Noah didn't pull away.
He blushed.
He stared at his feet.
Sometimes he curled his fingers nervously—
But he didn't pull away.
He's adorable, Diamant thought, affection squeezing his chest.
---
Noah's POV
Noah felt like he was learning how to breathe again.
Diamant was gentle — too gentle sometimes. He put a hand at Noah's back when they walked, touched Noah's cheek when he looked too tired, and always, always checked if he'd eaten.
Noah used to flinch at sudden touch.
Now he leaned into it without meaning to.
He'd never been cared for like this.
Never been treated as something precious.
The first time Diamant brushed Noah's hair behind his ear at work, Noah nearly melted into the carpet.
"Your hair keeps covering your eyes," Diamant murmured.
"...Oh." Noah's face burned.
Diamant smiled — slow, warm, satisfied.
And Noah swore his legs actually weakened.
---
Evan's POV
Evan walked into the office during one of those soft moments, saw Noah practically glowing pink and Diamant pretending to be serious while adjusting Noah's collar, and he stopped dead.
"…Wow," Evan said loudly, "I leave you two alone for one day and you're already acting like newlyweds."
Noah instantly hid behind Diamant's arm.
Diamant glared. "Leave."
Evan ignored that.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, expression far too entertained.
"So," he said casually, "are you two official now?"
Noah quietly nodded.
Diamant didn't respond — he simply placed a hand on Noah's waist, protective.
Evan whistled. "Cute."
Noah's ears turned red.
Then Evan narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Noah's neck… and frowned.
"Wait."
He stepped forward.
Diamant instinctively pulled Noah behind him.
Evan scoffed. "Relax, I'm not going to bite him."
He pointed at Noah's neck.
More specifically, the place where Diamant's dominant mark should have been.
"…Did you two—? Hold on." Evan stared at Diamant. "YOU HAVEN'T MARKED HIM AGAIN?"
Noah stiffened. Diamant's jaw tightened.
Evan stared at his friend like he'd grown two heads.
"You're in love with him. He's in love with you. You know your first mark was erased against your will. And you STILL haven't marked him again? Diamant, you absolute—"
"Evan."
Diamant's voice was a warning.
"No, no, you don't get to scare me out of this." Evan pointed accusingly. "You're a FOOL."
Noah's eyes widened.
Diamant looked away, expression serious.
"I won't mark him until he's ready," he said quietly. "He's still recovering. His body is still fragile. The last time he was marked, it was out of helplessness and pain from his heat."
He glanced down at Noah with a softened expression.
"I promised I'd never hurt him."
Noah felt his heart swell so painfully he grabbed Diamant's sleeve just to steady himself.
Evan's expression softened too — but only for a moment.
"Fine," Evan said. "That's… actually kind of sweet."
Then he pointed at Diamant again.
"But you're still a fool."
Diamant sighed.
Noah giggled quietly behind his hand.
---
Later That Day
Diamant walked noah home, one hand hovering protectively at the small of his back.
When they reached the door, Noah hesitated, looking up shyly.
"Diamant… thank you."
"For what?"
"For… everything."
He lowered his head, voice small.
"And for waiting for me."
Diamant cupped his cheek very gently — just his fingertips.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I'll wait as long as it takes, Noah."
Noah's heart fluttered hard enough to hurt.
Diamant leaned forward just a little — not kissing him, not pushing anything, simply resting his forehead against Noah's for a moment.
Soft.
Warm.
Steady.
And Noah whispered,
"…Love you."
Diamant breathed a quiet laugh.
"Love you more."