Noah's POV
Warmth.
That was the first thing he felt when he opened his eyes the next morning - a soft, comforting warmth wrapped around his hand.
He blinked slowly.
Diamant was still sitting beside him, leaning slightly forward, his long silver hair falling loose over his shoulders. He had fallen asleep in the chair, still holding Noah's hand as if it was the most important thing in the world.
Noah's chest tightened.
He really stayed... all night.
Noah studied his face quietly - the strong brows softened, the expression unguarded, breaths steady. Even asleep he looked protective, like he was watching over Noah in his dreams too.
A tiny ache pulsed somewhere deep inside Noah.
Not from injury - but from emotion.
He remembered the night before.
Diamant's confession.
The quiet words: I think I'm in love with you.
Noah's cheeks warmed.
No one had ever said something like that to him... not with sincerity.
Not with gentleness.
His hand tightened slightly around Diamant's without thinking.
Diamant stirred, eyelashes fluttering, before he slowly woke.
His silver eyes softened immediately.
"Noah...?" His voice was quiet, warm. "Are you hurting anywhere?"
Noah shook his head.
"I'm okay," he whispered.
Diamant leaned forward, brushing a stray strand of hair from Noah's cheek with remarkable tenderness.
"You scared me yesterday," he murmured.
Noah lowered his gaze.
"...I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Diamant said immediately. "None of this was your fault. Not even a little."
Noah's eyes began to sting again.
Diamant noticed immediately and gently touched his chin, lifting his face.
"No tears," he whispered. "You're safe now."
Noah's voice broke softly.
"I... I thought you might be angry at me... or disappointed..."
Diamant froze.
"...disappointed?" His voice was soft but firm. "Noah, I could never be disappointed in you."
Noah swallowed, eyes glossy.
"I just... I've never met an Alpha who didn't blame me for... everything."
Diamant's eyes dimmed, a flicker of anger for the world that had hurt him - then softened again when they fell back on Noah.
"Then let me be the first who never will."
Noah's breath trembled.
A moment of silence lingered - warm, delicate.
Then Noah whispered the question that weighed on his heart:
"...Do you still... feel the same? About... what you said last night?"
Diamant reached out, his large hand cupping Noah's cheek, thumb brushing lightly over his skin.
"Yes," he said without hesitation.
"I meant every word."
Noah's lips parted in a small, shaky breath.
Diamant leaned a little closer - not touching further, not pushing - just close enough for Noah to feel the warmth of his presence.
"You matter to me," Diamant said softly.
"You've mattered to me for a long time. I was only too stubborn to admit it."
Noah's heart fluttered painfully.
His voice was faint, shy.
"...I've never seen an Alpha this caring and calm before," he whispered.
"Not to mention... a dominant one."
Diamant exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing Noah's cheekbone.
"And you've never deserved anything less than someone who treats you gently."
Noah bit his lip, overwhelmed.
The room was still - quiet except for the soft hum of monitors.
Diamant finally spoke again, voice low.
"You should rest more," he murmured. "Your body's been through too much."
Noah nodded, relaxing into the pillow.
"...Will you stay?" he whispered.
Diamant didn't even blink.
"I'm not leaving your side," he answered. "Not today. Not tomorrow. Not until you tell me to."
For the first time in days, Noah's breathing steadied - safe, calm, wrapped in someone's warmth instead of fear.
He squeezed Diamant's hand gently.
"Then... stay until I fall asleep."
Diamant smiled softly - a rare, warm smile he only ever showed Noah.
"Always."
Noah drifted off again with that voice in his ears.
And Diamant watched over him, as if guarding something fragile and precious.
As if realizing - truly realizing -
that his heart didn't just beat differently for Noah.
It beat because of Noah.