Noah woke to eyes watching him.
Blinked. Once. Twice.
Atlas.
Still here. Real.
Morning light filtered through the blinds. Casting stripes across his face. Gold in his eyes.
"Morning." Atlas's voice came out soft. Rough from sleep.
But his hand—his hand was different.
One hand gentle on Noah's face. Tracing his cheekbone. Feather-light.
The other fisted in his hair. Not hard. But possessive. Claiming.
Noah's breath caught. Tender and rough. Both at once.
"Morning," he managed.
I missed waking up with you.
The thought came unbidden. True. Painfully true.
Atlas leaned in. Kissed his forehead. Soft. Loving.
Then his mouth found Noah's. Hard. Consuming. Tongue immediately deep.
Noah gasped into it. The shift. Gentle to desperate in seconds.
His hands gripped Atlas's shoulders. Holding on.
When they broke apart, Atlas's gentle hand—the one that had traced his face—came back. Thumb brushing Noah's swollen lip. Tender again.
"Mine?" Noah whispered. Small voice. Needing to hear it.
Atlas's other hand—the possessive one—tightened in his hair. Pulled slightly.
"Always." Voice rough. Certain. No room for doubt.
Then kissed his forehead again. Soft and rough. Love and claim.
They lay like that. Atlas pulled Noah closer. Noah turned his head. Kissed Atlas's jaw. His neck. Tasted salt and sleep.
"What do you want to do today?" Atlas's fingers traced lazy patterns on Noah's shoulder. Down his arm. Back up.
"Need to go home." Noah's voice still rough. "Check on Sunny and Luna."
"I'll come with you."
Not a question. A statement.
Noah pulled back. Looked at him.
Their eyes met. Held.
Something passed between them. Understanding. Trust. Maybe hope.
"Yeah. Okay."
Atlas's hand moved. Slow. Deliberate. Down Noah's chest. Counted his ribs. Found his hip. Stopped there. Just resting. Warm.
Noah's breath hitched. That simple touch setting everything on fire.
"Missed waking up with you," Atlas murmured against his hair.
Noah pressed his lips to Atlas's collarbone. Then his chest. Right over his heart. Felt it racing under his mouth.
"Me too."
His hand slid across Atlas's stomach. Felt the muscles tense. Jump under his palm.
Atlas made a sound. Low. Needy.
Then kissed him. Hungry. Desperate. Like he'd been starving for this.
Noah responded immediately. His body remembering. Wanting. Aching.
Their mouths opened. Tongues touching. Tasting. Coffee from yesterday. Salt. Something that was just them.
Breathing through the kiss. In through nose. Out through mouth. Sharing air. Sharing everything.
They broke apart. Barely. Mouths still close. Still sharing breath.
Both gasping. Hearts racing.
Noah smiled. Couldn't help it. That stupid smile he couldn't control around Atlas.
Atlas's hand cupped his face. Both hands gentle now. Thumb tracing his cheekbone. His jaw. His mouth.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"Starving." Noah's stomach chose that moment to growl. "Anything."
Atlas's mouth curved. That dark smile. The one that made Noah's pulse kick.
He moved down. Kissed Noah's neck. Lingered there. His tongue tracing. Then teeth. Gentle bite.
Noah's breath came faster. "Atlas—"
"After shower." Voice dropped.
He sat up. Looked back at Noah.
Noah was watching him. That look. The one Atlas knew. Heat and want and something deeper.
"Want to join me?"
Noah's teeth caught his bottom lip. Released it slow. "If you insist."
Atlas moved back to him. Fast. Hand sliding to Noah's neck. Not squeezing. Just there. Reminder.
"What do you want me to say?"
Noah's pulse jumped under Atlas's palm. Visible. Racing.
His teeth caught his lip again. "Maybe I want you to show me."
Atlas's expression shifted. Eyes going dark. Pupils blown.
His thumb pressed against Noah's pulse point. Felt it hammering.
"Tell me," he commanded. Soft but firm.
Noah leaned up. His tongue traced Atlas's lower lip. Light. Teasing. Gone before Atlas could catch it.
"Maybe later."
Atlas growled. Actually growled. Pulled Noah up. Fast. Strong.
"Let's discuss this in the shower."
"Not convinced," Noah said. But his voice came out breathless.
Atlas's hand found Noah's hip. Squeezed. Hard enough to feel. Not hard enough to hurt.
"I'll convince you." His voice rough. Certain.
He pulled Noah against him. Hard. Let him feel exactly how much he wanted this.
Noah's breath left in a rush.
They made it to the shower.
---
Thirty minutes later they emerged.
Both flushed. Skin pink from heat and water and each other.
Breathing uneven. Chests rising and falling. Not quite synchronized yet.
Atlas came up behind Noah at the mirror. Arms around his waist. Pulled him back against his chest.
Kissed his neck. That spot below his ear that made Noah shiver.
They looked at each other in the reflection. Water still dripping from their hair. Running down their skin.
"I love you." Atlas's arms tightened. Almost crushing. Like he couldn't hold Noah close enough.
"Love you too."
Noah leaned his head back. Against Atlas's shoulder. Let himself be held.
Both their hearts racing. Visible in the mirror. Chests rising and falling. Gradually syncing. Matching rhythm.
In. Out. In. Out.
Together.
Noah's hand came up. Covered Atlas's on his stomach. Laced their fingers together.
Atlas pressed his forehead to Noah's temple. Just breathing him. Both their eyes closing.
This. This was intimacy.
Not the shower. Not what they'd done there.
This. Standing. Breathing together. Hearts beating in sync.
They stayed like that. Minutes passing. Neither wanting to move.
Finally Atlas kissed his neck again. "We should get dressed."
"Probably."
Neither moved.
Then Noah turned in his arms. Faced him. Looked up.
Their eyes met. Brown and blue-green. Both soft. Both vulnerable.
Noah kissed him. Soft. Gentle. Sweet.
When they pulled apart, both smiling.
"Okay. Now we can get dressed."
---
They dressed together. Moving around each other. Easy. Natural.
Noah pulled on jeans. Black t-shirt. Gray, actually. Soft. Worn in.
Turned. Found Atlas wearing the same color.
They looked at each other. Then down at themselves. Then back up.
Started laughing. Couldn't help it.
"My stuff's still here." Noah touched the clothes in the closet. His shirts mixed with Atlas's. Like they belonged together.
Atlas came up behind him. Arms around his waist. Chin on his shoulder.
"Always," he said against Noah's ear.
Noah turned in his arms. Kissed him. Quick. Soft.
Then deeper when Atlas's hand came to his face. When his other hand pulled Noah's hip flush against him.
They broke apart. Both breathing harder.
"Food," Noah said. "We need food."
"Right." But Atlas didn't let go. "Food."
Noah grinned. Kissed him again. Then pulled away. "Come on."
---
They made breakfast together.
Kept touching. Couldn't stop.
Atlas's hand on Noah's lower back when he passed behind him.
Noah's fingers trailing down Atlas's arm when he reached for the eggs.
Stupid smiles they couldn't stop. Didn't want to.
Sat side by side at the counter. Legs pressed together. Noah's thigh warm against Atlas's.
Talked about nothing. Made jokes that weren't funny but laughed anyway.
Ate from each other's plates without asking. Without thinking.
Noah got honey on his lip. Didn't notice.
Atlas did.
Leaned over. Kissed it off. Slow. Thorough. His tongue tracing Noah's bottom lip. Tasting the sweetness there.
Noah's breath caught. Face heating. "Atlas—"
"Couldn't help myself." Atlas pulled back. That dark smile. "You had honey."
Noah's smile went wider. Stupider. That breathless kind of happy he'd forgotten existed.
They kept eating. Atlas feeding Noah a piece of bacon. Noah doing the same with a strawberry.
Their eyes kept meeting. Holding. Heat building between them with every glance.
Finally they looked at the table. Empty plates everywhere. Nothing left.
"We were hungry," Noah stated the obvious.
Atlas moved close. Kissing distance. Looked in his eyes. Then at his mouth.
"Always," he said. Voice dropped low. Rough.
Meaning more than food.
Noah's breath caught. He saw it. That look. The one that said Atlas was thinking about—
Atlas started to pull back.
Noah grabbed his shirt. Pulled him in.
Kissed him hard. Deep. Hungry.
Atlas made a sound. Surprise turning to want. His hands came up. One gentle on Noah's face. One gripping his hip. Hard.
Tender and possessive. Both at once.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard.
Atlas smiled against Noah's mouth. "We should go."
"Yeah." Noah didn't move. "We should."
Neither moved.
Then Atlas stood. Held out his hand.
Noah took it.
----
They left the yacht. Walked to the parking garage.
Their hands kept bumping. Once. Twice. Three times.
The fourth time Atlas caught Noah's hand. Laced their fingers together.
Held on.
Noah didn't pull away. Didn't look around to see who was watching.
Just held on back.
At their cars, Atlas pulled Noah close. Right there in the open garage. Kissed him.
Public. Real. Claiming.
His hand on Noah's neck. The other on his lower back. Pulling him flush.
Noah kissed back. His hands fisting in Atlas's shirt.
When they broke apart, both flushed. Breathing hard.
"I'll follow you," Atlas said.
Noah nodded. Didn't trust his voice.
Got in his car. Started it. Pulled out.
Atlas's headlights appeared in his rearview mirror immediately. Following. Constant.
For the first time in weeks—maybe months—Noah felt light.
That stupid smile again. Tried to stop it. Couldn't.
His phone rang. Atlas's name lighting up the screen.
He answered immediately. "Something wrong?"
"Wanted to hear your voice."
Noah's smile went impossibly wider. His chest doing something. Warm. Full. Too much feeling to contain.
"You literally just saw me."
"So?" Atlas's voice warm. Amused. "Still wanted to hear you."
They talked. Nonsense. Work. Plans. Nothing important.
Laughed at jokes that weren't even funny.
All the way to Marcus's place. The whole drive.
Noah couldn't stop smiling. His face hurt. He didn't care.
This. This is what I missed. Not just Atlas. But this. Us. Easy. Light. Happy.
---
Sunny exploded when she saw them.
All seventy pounds of golden retriever launching herself at Atlas.
He caught her. Barely. Laughing. Actually laughing. The sound doing something to Noah's chest.
"Missed you, girl." Atlas's hand in her fur. Rubbing her head. Her back. Both at once.
Sunny licked his face. His neck. His ear. Whining. Happy. Frantic.
Her whole body wiggling. Tail going so hard her back end was swinging.
"I know. I know. I'm here." Atlas was still laughing. Happy. Open.
Noah watched. That warm feeling in his chest spreading. Taking over.
This. Watching Atlas smile like that. Hearing him laugh. Seeing him happy.
This was everything.
Inside, Marcus was in the kitchen.
"Hey."
He looked at them. Took in their matching shirts. Their stupid smiles. The way they kept gravitating toward each other.
That knowing smile spread across his face. "Well. Guess dinner went well."
They sat in the living room. Coffee appearing. Noah and Atlas on the couch close. Atlas's arm around Noah's shoulders. Natural. Easy.
Noah leaned into him. Let himself be held.
Luna appeared. Regal. Dignified. Jumped on the couch.
Walked right to Atlas. Sniffed him thoroughly. His chest. His neck. His face.
Seemed satisfied. Curled up on his lap. Started purring.
Atlas kept talking to Marcus. One hand absently stroking Luna's head. Behind her ears. Down her back. Gentle. Automatic.
Marcus looked at Noah. Grinned wider. "So that's what yesterday's preparation was about."
Noah blinked. Face immediately heating. "What preparation?"
Atlas looked confused too. Perfect acting. "What preparation?"
Looking at Noah like he had absolutely no idea what Marcus meant.
But Noah saw it. That little twitch at the corner of his mouth. Fighting a smile.
"I don't know what—" Noah looked at Marcus. Eyes wide. Pleading. Stop talking.
Marcus just grinned.
Atlas bit his lip. Trying not to laugh. Shoulders shaking. Failed completely.
Noah elbowed him. "Stop laughing."
"I'm not—" But he was. That laugh. Deep. Real. Happy.
Marcus stood. Grabbed his bag. "I'm heading out. Won't be back till tomorrow night."
"Where are you going?"
"Staying at a friend's place." Marcus's grin turned knowing. "It's Saturday anyway. You guys have fun."
He left.
The door closed.
Silence.
Noah and Atlas looked at each other.
Atlas's hand came up. Cupped Noah's face. Thumb tracing his still-pink cheek.
"You're adorable when you're embarrassed."
"Shut up." But Noah was smiling.
Atlas kissed him. Soft. Sweet.
Then deeper when Noah's hand slid into his hair. When Noah made that sound. The one Atlas loved.
They broke apart. Both breathing harder.
"What do you want to do?" Atlas asked.
"What are the options?"
"Riding. Tennis. Golf. Swimming."
Noah thought. Watched Atlas watching him. Those eyes. Dark. Wanting.
"Swimming sounds good."
Atlas's eyes lit up. Actually lit up. Like Noah had offered him something precious.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
They left. Got in Atlas's car this time.
---
The drive.
Atlas's hand on Noah's thigh. Resting there. Warm. Heavy. Perfect.
His thumb traced circles. Slow. Hypnotic. Higher each time.
Noah tried to focus. The road. The buildings. The sky. Anything.
Atlas's hand moved higher. Deliberate now.
Noah's breath caught. "You're driving."
"Mhm." Atlas's eyes stayed on the road. But that smile. Small. Knowing.
His hand squeezed. Right there.
"Atlas—" Noah couldn't finish. Face too hot. Body too aware.
"What?" All innocence. But his thumb pressed. Knowing exactly what he was doing.
The light turned red. Atlas looked over.
Took in Noah's flushed face. His rapid breathing. His hands gripping his own thighs.
Smiled wider. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're red."
"It's warm."
"Not that warm." But he moved his hand. Back to the gear shift.
Mercy.
Noah exhaled. Tried to get control back.
Failed.
They talked about their week. Work. Meetings. Plans. Normal things.
But that charge. That heat. Never went away.
Noah couldn't stop watching Atlas. His hands on the wheel. His jaw. His throat.
The way his tongue came out. Just slightly. When he was thinking.
Atlas caught him looking. Smiled. That dark one. "See something you like?"
"Drive."
"I am driving."
"Watch the road. Not me."
"Can't." Atlas glanced at him. Quick. Heated. "You're too—"
"What?"
"Distracting."
Noah's stomach flipped. "Just—drive."
But he was smiling. That stupid smile again.
---
The club.
Changing rooms. They separated. Got ready.
Noah came out first. Black swim trunks.
Stood by the pool. Waiting.
Atlas came out. Navy trunks.
He saw Noah. His eyes tracked. Slow. Deliberate. Down Noah's chest. His stomach. His legs. Back up.
Pupils blown. Mouth slightly open.
Noah stopped breathing. "What?"
"Nothing." Atlas's voice came out rougher. Deeper. "Just—come here."
Noah walked to the edge. Sat. Feet in the water. Cool against his skin.
Atlas swam over. Positioned himself between Noah's legs. Hands on his thighs. Warm. Possessive.
Looked up at him.
Noah's breath caught. That look. Those eyes. Dark. Wanting. Vulnerable.
"Hi," Atlas said softly.
"Hi."
Atlas's thumbs traced circles on his skin. Slow. Hypnotic. Each circle going slightly higher.
"You gonna get in?" Voice dropped lower. "Or just gonna sit there looking—"
Noah pushed. Hard.
Atlas went under with a splash.
Surfaced. Laughing. Water streaming down his face. "Oh you're gonna pay for that."
Noah was already moving. Dove in.
The water closed over his head. Cool. Refreshing. Perfect.
He surfaced. Swam away fast.
Atlas caught him anyway. Always did.
Arms around his waist. Pulling him back. Against his chest.
"Got you."
Noah turned in his arms. Face to face. Bodies pressed together underwater.
"Maybe I let you."
Atlas's hands slid lower. Under the water. Gripped. Squeezed.
"Is that right?"
Noah's breath hitched. "People are—there's people here."
"Three people." Atlas's mouth close to his ear. "And they're not paying attention."
His hand squeezed again. Higher. Bolder.
"Atlas—" Noah's voice came out strangled.
"Relax," Atlas whispered. Then bit his earlobe. Gentle. "I've got you."
They swam. Played. Splashed each other like kids.
Atlas kept finding excuses to touch him.
His hand on Noah's waist when he passed.
Brushing against him "accidentally" underwater.
Grabbing his ankle and pulling him under.
Each touch deliberate. Purposeful. Building something.
Noah retaliated. Splashed him. Dunked him. Climbed on his back and tried to push him down.
They were laughing. Acting like idiots. Not caring who watched.
At one point. Fewer people around. Afternoon fading.
Atlas pulled Noah close. Backed him against the pool wall.
His body pressed against Noah's. Warm despite the water. Hard. Everywhere.
"You're distracting me," Atlas murmured. His hands on Noah's hips. Holding him there.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You're existing. That's enough." His hand slid up Noah's side. Slow. "You know what you do to me?"
Noah's breath came faster. Heart racing. "Atlas—"
"What?" His mouth hovering near Noah's ear. Not touching. Just breathing there.
"Your hands—"
"What about them?" But he smiled. Knowing exactly what he was doing. Loving Noah's reaction.
Noah grabbed his wrist. Held it. "Stop."
"Make me."
They stared at each other. The water moving around them. Between them.
Heat. Tension. Want.
Then Noah kissed him. Hard. Deep. Couldn't wait anymore.
Atlas groaned. His hands gripping Noah's hips. Pulling him closer. Flush.
Let Noah feel everything. How much he wanted this. Wanted him.
They broke apart when they heard voices approaching. Teenagers. Loud.
Both breathing hard. Faces flushed.
"We should—" Noah gestured vaguely to the rest of the pool.
"Yeah." But Atlas didn't move. His forehead pressing to Noah's. Eyes closed. Just breathing.
In. Out. In. Out.
Synchronized now. Matching rhythm.
"In a minute," Atlas whispered.
They stayed like that. Breathing together. Hearts racing together.
Then Atlas pulled back. Smiled. Splashed Noah and swam away.
Noah chased him.
---
Later.
Sitting on the edge. Feet in the water.
The sun lower now. Golden light everywhere. Turning the water orange and pink.
Atlas's hand found Noah's. Under the water. Where no one could see.
Laced their fingers together. Held on tight.
Noah looked at him. "What?"
Atlas squeezed. "Nothing. Just—happy."
Noah's chest did that thing again. Squeezed. Released. Too much feeling.
"Me too."
They sat like that. Quiet. Content. Just being.
"Thank you," Atlas said softly.
"For what?"
"For this. For—" He gestured vaguely. "Coming back. Trying again. Being here."
Noah squeezed his hand. "I want to be here."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
They smiled at each other. Soft. Real. Vulnerable.
Then Atlas stood. Pulled Noah up.
"Come on. Let's get changed. I'm starving."
---
The drive back.
Grocery store first. Wandering aisles together.
Atlas kept touching him. His lower back. His hip. His shoulder.
Like he couldn't not. Like gravity pulled his hands to Noah.
Noah didn't stop him. Leaned into it instead.
They grabbed things. Random. Not really planning. Salmon. Shrimp. Salad stuff. Dessert.
At checkout. Atlas pressed against Noah's back. Close. Deliberate. His hand on Noah's hip.
The cashier glanced at them. Smiled slightly. Knowing.
"You guys are cute together."
Noah's face went hot. "We're just—"
"Thank you." Atlas cut him off. His hand settling more firmly on Noah's waist. Possessive. Proud. "We are."
Outside. Loading bags.
Noah looked at him. "You're enjoying this."
"What?"
"Being—" Noah gestured. "Out. Together. Like this."
Atlas closed the trunk. Turned. Looked at him. Stepped closer. Crowded him against the car.
"Yeah. I am."
One hand on the car beside Noah's head. The other on his waist. Gentle but firm.
"Problem?"
Noah's heart stuttered. "No."
"Good." Atlas kissed him. Right there. In the parking lot. Where anyone could see.
Soft at first. Then deeper when Noah's hands found his shirt. Pulled him closer.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard.
Atlas pulled back. Opened Noah's door. "Get in."
Noah did. His brain slightly fuzzy. His body hyper-aware.
They drove. Atlas's hand back on his thigh.
Noah didn't complain this time. Just put his hand over Atlas's.
Held it there.
---
Back at Marcus's.
They unpacked together. Then took Sunny to the park.
Almost empty now. Sunset painting everything gold and orange and pink.
Atlas took Noah's hand. Just took it. Natural. Easy.
Laced their fingers together. Held on.
Noah looked at him. Smiled. That feeling in his chest. Too big. Too much. Perfect.
They walked like that. Hand in hand. Sunny running ahead.
People passed. Saw them. Some smiled. Some didn't.
Noah didn't care. Not anymore.
This. Walking with Atlas. Holding his hand. Being together.
This was worth it. Worth everything.
---
Home.
Noah changed. Gave Atlas his sweats. His shirt. Gray. Soft. The one Atlas always said he liked.
"Good thing we're the same height," Noah said.
Atlas stood next to him. Close. Comparing. "I'm taller."
"By like five centimeters."
"Still taller." Atlas's hand settled on Noah's waist. Pulled him closer. "See?"
Noah laughed. Pushed him away. " You're trouble."
They made dinner together.
Salmon. Shrimp. Salad.
Kept flirting. Atlas's hands finding Noah whenever he passed. Noah's fingers trailing across Atlas's stomach when he reached for the lemon.
Their eyes meeting. Holding. Heat building.
They fed each other bites. Kissed between. Noah feeding Atlas a piece of salmon. Atlas doing the same with shrimp.
Then kissing. Tasting it on each other's mouths.
Dinner took forever. They ate way too much.
First time in weeks food actually tasted good. Like Noah could taste again. Feel again.
They cleaned up together. Loaded the dishwasher. Wiped counters.
Then collapsed on the couch after.
Exhausted. Happy. Full.
Sunny and Luna curled up nearby. Content.
Atlas pulled Noah close. Noah went. Rested his head on Atlas's chest.
Listened to his heartbeat. Steady. Real. Here.
Atlas's hand in his hair. Gentle. His fingers moving through it. Soothing.
Quiet. Comfortable. Perfect.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours. Time felt irrelevant.
Then Atlas spoke. Quiet. Careful. "When do we get our place?"
Noah's hand stilled on Atlas's chest.
He lifted his head. Looked at him.
Their eyes met.
"I want a home," Atlas said. Voice soft. Vulnerable. "Ours. Together. Not mine. Not yours. Ours."
Noah's heart was racing now. That feeling. Hope and fear mixed together.
"You sure?"
"Let's decide everything together. Make it completely ours." Atlas's hand found Noah's. Laced their fingers. "Everything. From the paint color to the furniture. Ours."
"You won't regret it?" Noah's voice small. Scared to hope.
"Wanted this since we started dating." Atlas kissed his head. Soft. Real. "Before that even. I've wanted this—you—home—since the beginning."
Noah smiled. Small. Shaky. "Me too. But—can we do this? Make it work?"
"Wherever you are, I am." Atlas pulled him closer. Both hands now. Holding tight. "This time—a place that's just ours. That we build together."
Noah kissed him. Hard. Deep. Pouring everything into it.
All his hope. His fear. His love.
Atlas kissed back. Just as hard. Just as deep.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard.
"Is that a yes?" Atlas asked.
"Yes."
Noah's voice firm now. Sure.
"Yes. Let's get our house."
Atlas's breath came out in a rush. Relief. Joy. Disbelief.
He pulled Noah closer. Crushed him against his chest. Held him so tight Noah could barely breathe.
Didn't care. Held on just as tight.
Noah kissed his neck. His jaw. His mouth.
They held each other. Both smiling. Both terrified. Both hopeful.
Our house. Our home. Ours.
"What kind of place do you want?" Atlas asked after a while. His hand moving through Noah's hair. Gentle. Constant.
"Something big enough. With a yard. Pool."
"Like Alice's?"
"God, no." Noah laughed. "But yeah, yard and pool. Somewhere Sunny and Luna can run."
"What about you?" Noah looked up at him. "Still want a penthouse?"
Atlas's expression changed. Something shuttering. Closing.
"No." His voice went quiet. "I don't want that place anymore."
"Why not?"
"Made too many mistakes there. With you." Atlas's jaw clenched. Unclenched. "Can't remember the good parts. Just—" He stopped. Swallowed. "Just the times I fucked up. The times I hurt you."
Noah's chest squeezed. He shifted. Cupped Atlas's face. Made him look.
"Hey. That's done. We're here now. Starting over."
He kissed his cheek. Soft. Real.
"We'll find something. Yard. Pool. Ours."
"You're sure? Really sure you want this?"
"I've been saying this since day one." Atlas's hand found Noah's hip. Squeezed. "But I guess you weren't listening."
Noah smiled. Small. Honest. "Thought you were just—saying it. You know. Sweet talk."
"I don't say things I don't mean." Atlas's voice firm. Sure. "Not about you. Never about you."
Noah's eyes burned. "Our home then."
"Our home."
Atlas's hand went to Noah's neck. Pulled him in.
They kissed. Slow. Deep. Pouring everything into it.
Both hands on each other now. Atlas's one gentle on Noah's face. One gripping his hip.
Tender and possessive. Love and claim. Both at once.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard. Hearts racing.
"Thank you," Atlas whispered. His forehead pressed to Noah's.
"For what?"
"Saying yes." He held Noah tighter. "For choosing this. Choosing us. Choosing me."
"Always," Noah said against his mouth.
Meant it completely.
Atlas pulled out his phone. Started typing.
"What are you doing?"
"Texting the realtor. They'll start looking. Find options for us."
Noah stared. "Right now?"
"Why wait?" Atlas looked up. Smiled. That real one. The one that made Noah's heart flip. "I don't want to waste time. Not anymore."
Noah laughed. Shook his head. "You're impossible."
"You love it."
He did. He really did.
They held each other. Just breathing. Being together.
Then moved to the TV. Turned on the PlayStation.
Started actually playing. Some racing game. Both competitive.
But then.
Atlas's hand on Noah's thigh. Squeezing. Distracting.
Noah retaliating. Leaning over. Kissing Atlas's neck. His jaw.
Both getting distracted. Doing things. Looking at each other that way.
The game forgotten. Their characters crashing. Spinning out.
Ended in a tie. Neither finished.
"You learned to cheat," Noah said.
"Just adapting to your methods." Atlas grinned. That dark one.
Noah kissed him. Hungry. Couldn't wait.
Atlas responded immediately. His hands in Noah's hair. On his back. Everywhere.
They ended up on the floor. Noah on top. His hand sliding under Atlas's shirt. Feeling warm skin. Feeling his heartbeat.
Atlas looked up at him. Something in his eyes. Vulnerable. Open.
"I've loved you for so long."
Noah stopped. Met his eyes. "How long?"
"Way before we got together."
"University?"
"Maybe even before that." Atlas's hand cupped Noah's face. Thumb tracing his cheek. "Maybe always."
Noah's breath caught. He kissed him softly. "I had a crush on you in high school. Thought you were—" He stopped. "You scared me though."
"Why?"
"You were so confident. Kind of aggressive. I didn't know how to—" Noah smiled. Small. "I didn't know what to do with how I felt."
Atlas laughed. "I can be aggressive."
"In university—when you dated Emma. I was surprised."
"Emma's great."
Atlas's eyes narrowed. That possessive look. The one Noah loved.
"You're not jealous of Emma," Noah said.
"At the gala. She hugged you. Kissed your cheek. You kissed back."
"You saw that?"
"Yeah." Atlas's jaw clenched. "Saw everything."
"We dated three years. She's a good person. Never pressured me. Never judged. I respect her."
Atlas tensed. His hands on Noah's hips gripping harder.
Noah kissed him. Soft. Real. "No reason to be jealous. You know that."
"I'll always be jealous of anyone who touches you." Atlas pulled him closer. Both hands gripping now. Possessive. Claiming. "And that tennis match. She said 'my boyfriend, he's mine.' Still haven't forgotten."
Noah stared at him. "You remember that?"
"Every word."
"I remember that day too. But I thought—what happened on the court. With you. That's what I remember." Noah smiled. Knowing. "That's the day I knew."
Atlas's expression shifted. "You knew even then?"
"Figured it out later. Why you were like that. Why you were so—"
"Jealous," Atlas finished.
"Yeah."
"Julian on one side. Emma on the other. Both touching you constantly. Talking to you. Making you laugh." Atlas's jaw clenched. "Wanted to—" He stopped. "Had to control myself."
"You were mean to me back then."
"Was trying to control myself."
Noah leaned on his shoulder. Pressed a kiss there. "Don't control yourself with me. Not anymore."
"I won't." Atlas's voice rough. His hand sliding to Noah's neck. Firm. Sure. "But don't make me jealous."
"I get jealous too."
"When?"
"At the gala. Someone came up to you. That guy. You walked away with him. Talked for like twenty minutes. I watched."
"You're exaggerating."
"It's normal to be jealous." Noah looked at him. Serious now. "It's how you react that matters."
Atlas pulled Noah into his arms. Kissed him. Deep. Possessive. Claiming.
His hands everywhere. One tender on Noah's face. One gripping his hip hard enough to bruise.
When they broke apart, both gasping.
"Bedroom?" Noah asked. Voice rough. Wanting.
Atlas looked at him. Eyes dark. Pupils blown. "If you want."
Noah pulled his shirt. "Come on."
Atlas lifted him. Easy. Strong. Noah's legs wrapped around his waist automatically.
They kissed their way to the bedroom. Stumbling. Not caring.
Locked the door behind them.
----
Atlas pulled off Noah's shirt. Fast. Desperate.
Sat him on the dresser. The wood cool against Noah's skin.
Kept kissing. Deep. Consuming. Like he couldn't get enough.
Noah's hands went to Atlas's shirt. Pulled it off. Threw it somewhere.
Then his mouth to Atlas's neck. Kissing. Licking. Biting.
Finding that spot that made Atlas make sounds. Those sounds. Soft. Needy. Vulnerable.
His hands on Atlas's ass. Squeezing. Pulling him closer.
Atlas groaned. His hands gripping Noah's thighs. Hard enough to leave marks.
Noah wrapped his legs around Atlas's waist. Let Atlas carry him to the bed.
Atlas laid him down. Gentle. Reverent.
Pulled off Noah's sweats. Slow. Deliberate. Maintaining eye contact the whole time.
Then climbed over him. Covered him completely. Skin on skin. Heat everywhere.
Their mouths found each other again.
Tongues. Heat. Desperation mixed with something softer.
This time not just physical.
This time not just need.
This time—home.
Atlas's hand gentle on Noah's face. The other gripping his hip. Always.
They moved together. Slow. Building. Learning each other again.
Their breathing synchronized. In. Out. In. Out.
Together.
This. This was everything.
Not just the physical. Though that was good. Perfect. Overwhelming.
But this. Being together. Choosing each other. Building something.
Our house. Our home. Our life.
Ours.