Noah woke without the alarm.
Atlas was there. Still asleep.
When did he get home?
The early light caught on Atlas's lashes. His jaw was slack—no tension for once. Breathing deep and even through slightly parted lips.
Noah didn't move. Just watched.
He looks so young like this.
Atlas's hand twitched toward where Noah had been lying. Then stilled.
Luna was curled in the armchair. Sunny—downstairs, probably.
Noah slid out carefully. The sheets whispered.
---
The kitchen tiles were cold under his bare feet.
He filled a glass at the sink. The water was ice-cold going down. Outside, the garden had that new-leaf green—small, bright. Spring light hitting everything softer now.
His mouth curved without meaning to.
Then: Sunday. The server crash.
Need to review it with the team today.
The coffee maker hissed. He set it brewing. The smell filled the space—dark, bitter, grounding.
Sunny appeared. Tail going. Pushed his cold nose into Noah's palm.
Noah crouched. Scratched behind his ears. Sunny leaned his full weight into it.
They stayed like that. Just breathing.
The coffee finished. Noah poured. Leaned against the counter.
Steam rose. He blew across the surface. Drank.
Atlas.
The past few days. Gone early. Home late.
What aren't you telling me?
Noah's grip tightened on the mug. The ceramic warm against his palms.
He set it down. Went back to the bedroom.
---
Atlas hadn't moved.
Noah climbed back in. Lay on his side. Watched.
The morning light made Atlas's skin look bronze. There were shadows under his eyes—faint but there.
How are you fighting them?
Noah shifted closer. Rested his head on Atlas's shoulder. Breathed him in.
Sleep. Warmth. That cedar soap.
Atlas's arm came around him—pulled him in. His other hand found Noah's hair.
Noah tilted his head back.
Atlas's eyes were barely open. Heavy-lidded.
They looked at each other.
"Good morning, Love."
"Good morning." Atlas's voice came out rough. Sleep-raw.
He kissed Noah's forehead. Lingered there. Then his mouth found Noah's.
Slow. Deep. Like they had all the time in the world.
Noah made a sound in the back of his throat. His fingers curled into Atlas's shirt.
When they broke apart, Atlas's thumb traced his jaw.
"Missed you," Noah said quietly.
Atlas's eyes searched his face. "I'm sorry. I know I've been—"
"Busy. Yeah." Noah kissed him again. "You're here now."
Atlas's forehead dropped to his. "I'm here."
They stayed like that. Just breathing each other.
Noah's hand moved to Atlas's chest. Felt his heartbeat. Steady. Real.
Please tell me. Whatever it is. Just tell me.
But the words stayed locked in his throat.
Atlas shifted. Rolled them so Noah was under him. His weight solid and grounding.
"I love you." Atlas said it against Noah's mouth. "You know that, right?"
Something in his voice made Noah's chest tight.
"Yeah. I know." Noah's hands framed his face. "I love you too."
Atlas kissed him again. Deeper now. More urgent.
His hand slid under Noah's shirt—palm warm against bare skin. Noah arched into the touch.
"Atlas—"
"I know." Atlas's mouth moved to his neck. Found the spot that made Noah's breath catch. "I know."
Noah's fingers tangled in his hair. Pulled him closer.
Atlas's teeth grazed his throat. Not gentle. Noah gasped.
"Shower," Atlas murmured. "Come on."
---
They stumbled into the bathroom. Mouths never breaking apart.
Atlas's hands were everywhere—Noah's waist, his hair, his jaw. Claiming. Worshipping.
Noah's back hit the tile wall. Cold against his overheated skin.
He gasped.
Atlas's mouth moved from his lips to his jaw. Down his neck. Finding that spot that made Noah's knees weak.
"Atlas—" Noah's voice came out breathless. Desperate.
"I know." Atlas's hands slid under Noah's shirt. Pushed it up. Off.
It hit the floor.
Atlas pulled back. Just for a moment. His eyes dragged down Noah's bare chest. Dark. Hungry.
"God, you're beautiful."
Noah's face went hot. "Don't—"
"Don't what?" Atlas stepped closer. His hands on Noah's waist. Thumbs tracing the lines of his hip bones. "Tell you the truth?"
He leaned in. Kissed Noah's collarbone. Then lower. His mouth hot on Noah's chest.
Noah's head fell back against the tile. His hands came up. Fisted in Atlas's hair.
"I missed this," Atlas said against his skin. "Missed you. So much."
His mouth moved lower. Kissing. Tasting.
Noah couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
Just felt.
"Three days," Noah managed. His voice shaking. "You were gone three days."
"I know." Atlas's mouth found his again. "I'm sorry."
The kiss was different now. Slower. Deeper. An apology and a promise.
Noah melted into it. His hands moved from Atlas's hair to his shoulders. His chest. Pushing at his shirt.
Atlas pulled back just enough. Stripped it off.
They came back together. Skin to skin.
The contact—electric. Overwhelming.
Noah made a sound. Something between a gasp and a moan.
Atlas's forehead dropped to his. "You okay?"
"More than okay." Noah's hands traced down Atlas's back. Feeling the muscles shift under his touch. "I just—I need—"
"What do you need?" Atlas's voice was rough. His hands cupping Noah's face. Making him look. "Tell me."
"You." Noah's voice cracked. "Just you."
Atlas's eyes went impossibly darker. His jaw clenched.
Then he kissed him. Hard. Consuming. His hands sliding down to Noah's thighs.
"Up," he commanded softly.
Noah jumped. Atlas caught him. Held him against the wall.
Noah's legs wrapped around his waist automatically. His arms around Atlas's neck. Holding on.
They were pressed together completely now. Nothing between them but thin fabric and desperate need.
Atlas kissed him again. And again. Like he couldn't stop. Like Noah was air and he was drowning.
Noah kissed back just as desperately. His fingers threading through Atlas's hair. Tugging. Making Atlas groan into his mouth.
"Shower," Atlas managed between kisses. "We should—"
"Don't care." Noah's mouth found his neck. Kissed. Bit down gently.
Atlas's grip tightened. His hips pressed forward.
Noah gasped. His whole body arching into the contact.
"Noah." Atlas's voice came out strained. Warning. Or pleading. Maybe both.
"Please." Noah pulled back to look at him. Their faces inches apart. Both breathing hard. "Please, Atlas."
Atlas's control snapped.
He turned. Carried Noah the few steps to the shower. Reached in. Turned on the water.
Still holding Noah. Still kissing him. Like he couldn't bear to let go even for a second.
The water came on. Cold at first. Then warm. Then hot.
Steam began to rise.
Atlas stepped in. Both of them still half-dressed. Water hitting them immediately.
Noah's hair was soaked in seconds. Water running down his face. His neck. His chest.
Atlas's eyes tracked every drop. His hands moved to Noah's waistband.
"Can I—"
"Yes." Noah didn't let him finish.
Atlas helped him out of his sweatpants. Then his own. Until there was nothing between them.
Just skin. Just heat. Just them.
The water pounded down. Hot. Relentless.
Atlas pressed Noah back against the tile. One hand braced beside his head. The other on his hip. Holding him steady.
"I love you," Atlas said. Looking right into Noah's eyes. "I need you to know that. Whatever happens—I love you."
Something in his voice made Noah's chest tight. Like he was trying to say more. Like there was something underneath the words.
But then Atlas kissed him again. And Noah stopped thinking.
Atlas's mouth was everywhere. His neck. His shoulder. His chest. Marking. Claiming. Worshipping.
Each kiss left Noah more breathless. More desperate.
"Atlas—" His voice broke. "I can't—I need—"
"I've got you." Atlas's hands slid down his sides. Steadied him. "I've got you, baby. Let go."
And Noah did.
Let himself fall into the sensation. Into Atlas. Into them.
The water. The heat. Atlas's hands. His mouth. His body.
Everything blurred together.
There was only Atlas. Only this. Only now.
Noah's hands clutched at Atlas's shoulders. His back. Anywhere he could reach.
Holding on like Atlas was the only solid thing in the world.
"That's it," Atlas murmured against his skin. "Just like that. You're perfect. So perfect."
His voice—rough and tender at once—undid Noah completely.
He gasped Atlas's name. Then couldn't form words anymore.
Just felt.
Atlas held him through it. Kissed him through it. His hands gentle now. Soothing.
"I've got you," he kept saying. "I've got you."
When Noah could breathe again, when the world came back into focus, he realized he was shaking.
Atlas was still holding him. Still pressed against him. Still anchoring him.
"Okay?" Atlas's voice was soft now. Concerned.
Noah nodded. Couldn't speak yet.
Atlas kissed his forehead. Then his temple. His cheek. Soft kisses. Reverent.
"You're incredible," he whispered. "Do you know that?"
Noah's arms tightened around his neck. Buried his face in Atlas's shoulder.
"I love you," he managed. Voice muffled. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." Atlas's hand moved up and down his back. Soothing. "So much, Noah. So fucking much."
They stood like that. Under the water. Just holding each other.
Noah's breathing slowly steadied. His heartbeat slowed.
But he didn't let go.
Neither did Atlas.
Eventually, Atlas reached for the soap. Lathered his hands.
Then his hands were on Noah again. But different now. Gentle. Caring.
Washing him. Taking care of him.
Noah's eyes drifted closed. Let Atlas's hands move over him.
This was just as intimate as before. Maybe more.
The tenderness. The care. The quiet worship in every touch.
When Atlas finished, Noah took the soap. Did the same for him.
His hands moved over Atlas's chest. His shoulders. His back.
Atlas's eyes never left his face. Dark. Soft.
When Noah finished, Atlas pulled him close again.
Kissed him. Long and slow and deep. Not desperate. Not urgent.
Just... theirs.
When they broke apart, both were smiling.
"We should probably actually shower," Noah said. His voice still rough.
Atlas laughed. Quiet. Genuine. "Yeah. Probably."
But he kissed him again anyway.
They did eventually wash their hair. Clean up properly.
But they never stopped touching. Never created space between them.
Atlas's hands on Noah's waist as he shampooed his hair.
Noah's fingers trailing down Atlas's arm as he rinsed.
Small touches. Constant connection.
When they finally turned off the water, they were both flushed. Breathless. Smiling.
Atlas reached for a towel. Wrapped it around Noah's shoulders. Pulled him close.
Kissed the top of his head.
"Better than three days apart?" he asked. Teasing. But there was something vulnerable underneath.
"So much better." Noah looked up at him. Smiled. "Don't leave me that long again."
Something flickered across Atlas's face. Too fast for Noah to catch.
"I won't," Atlas said. "I promise."
He kissed him again. Soft. Sweet.
And Noah believed him.
---
They stepped out. Steam everywhere.
The mirror completely fogged.
Noah wiped a section clear. They looked at each other in the reflection.
Both still flushed. Lips swollen. Hair wet and messy.
Noah's eyes dropped to his neck. The mark there. Dark. Obvious.
His fingers went to it.
Atlas's eyes tracked the movement. Something possessive flickered in his gaze.
He moved behind Noah. Arms around his waist. Chin on his shoulder.
They looked at each other in the mirror.
"You marked me," Noah said. Voice soft.
"Yeah." No apology. "I did."
His mouth found that same spot on Noah's neck. Kissed it. Gentle this time.
Noah's breath caught.
"Everyone's going to see," he said.
"Good." Atlas's arms tightened around him. "Let them."
Noah turned in his arms. Looked up at him.
"You want people to know."
"I want the world to know." Atlas's hand came up. Cupped his jaw. "That you're mine. That I'm yours. That this—" he gestured between them "—is real."
Noah's chest went tight. "Atlas—"
"I'm not hiding you, Noah. Not anymore. Not ever."
The conviction in his voice. The certainty.
It made something in Noah's chest crack open.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too." Atlas kissed him. Soft. Reverent. "More than anything."
They stood like that. Wrapped around each other. Steam curling around them.
Neither wanting to break the moment.
Eventually, Noah smiled. "We really do need to get ready now."
"Yeah." But Atlas didn't move. Just kept holding him.
"Atlas—"
"One more minute." His arms tightened. "Just one more."
Noah melted into him. Let himself be held.
Whatever you're not telling me, he thought. Whatever you're hiding.
I trust you.
I just hope you trust me enough to tell me eventually.
But he didn't say it out loud.
Just held on.
And let himself have this moment.
---
The kitchen was already full. Alice and Sienna with their coffee. Plates out.
"Morning." Alice's voice was neutral. But her eyes tracked to Atlas. Held for a beat too long.
"Morning." Noah dropped into the chair next to Atlas.
They ate. Sienna talked about a client. Noah explained the server crash.
Under the table, Atlas's hand found his thigh. Warm. Steady.
Noah's foot hooked around his ankle.
Atlas glanced at him. Raised an eyebrow.
Noah smiled.
"Subtle." Sienna didn't look up from her phone.
Alice just shook her head.
After breakfast, Alice and Sienna headed out.
Alice paused at the door. Looked back at Atlas. Some wordless thing passed between them.
Then she was gone.
Noah turned to Atlas. "So. Your day?"
"Meetings. Couple calls." Atlas stood. Started clearing plates.
"Anything interesting?"
"Not really." His voice was too casual. "You?"
"Team review. Then lunch with my mom."
Atlas turned. "Yeah? How's she doing?"
"Good. I think." Noah stood. "She's—handling some stuff with my dad."
Atlas's jaw tightened. "Good."
Noah watched him. The tension in his shoulders. The way his hands gripped the plate a little too hard.
What are you planning?
But he didn't ask.
---
In the garage, Atlas pulled him close.
Kissed him like he was going to war.
When they broke apart, Noah's hands were fisted in his jacket.
"I love you," Atlas said. His voice rough.
"I love you too." Noah's thumb brushed his jaw. "Be careful today. Okay?"
Something flickered across Atlas's face. "Always am."
"Atlas—"
"I gotta go." He kissed Noah again. Quick. "See you tonight."
"Yeah. Tonight."
They got in their cars.
Noah followed Atlas out. Watched him turn right at the second light.
Noah went straight.
In the rearview mirror, Atlas's car disappeared.
Noah's chest felt tight.
Whatever you're doing. Whatever this is. Please be careful.
He cracked the window. Cool air rushed in.
---
The office was already buzzing.
"Morning." Logan was at the coffee station. Saw Noah's neck. His eyes went huge. "Holy—"
"Don't."
"Is that a—"
"Logan."
Logan grinned. Huge. "Dude."
Noah's face went hot. He grabbed his coffee. Headed for the conference room.
His hand went to his neck. The mark was tender. Visible.
Atlas's teeth. Atlas's mouth. Atlas claiming me where everyone can see.
His face went hotter.
But he didn't try to hide it.
The team filed in.
An hour later, they wrapped.
Noah checked his phone.
Mom: Still good for lunch? 1 PM?
Noah: Yeah. See you there.
Atlas: How's your morning?
Noah stared at the screen.
How's yours? What aren't you telling me?
He didn't type that.
Noah: Good. Fixed the security gap. Lunch with mom soon. You?
Atlas: Fine. Boring meetings. Miss you.
Noah: You saw me an hour ago.
Atlas: And?
Noah's mouth curved despite everything.
Noah: And nothing. I miss you too.
Atlas: Tonight. I'll make it up to you.
Noah: You better.
Three dots. Then:
Atlas: I love you.
Noah's chest went tight.
Noah: Love you too. Be safe.
The dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Atlas: Always.
Noah put his phone down.
Across the room, Sienna was watching him.
"What?"
"Nothing." Sienna shook his head. Grinning. "You're just—really gone for him, huh?"
Noah touched the mark on his neck. "Yeah. I am."
"Good." Sienna's voice went softer. "You deserve that. Being happy."
"Thanks." Noah's throat felt tight.
His phone buzzed again.
Atlas: Thinking about this morning.
Noah's face went hot all over again.
Noah: Which part?
Atlas: All of it. But especially the shower.
Noah: We're never getting out of there on time if you keep doing that.
Atlas: Worth it.
Noah bit his lip. Smiled at his phone.
Sienna threw a pen at him. "Stop being cute. It's gross."
Noah flipped him off.
But he was still smiling.