They moved around each other like they'd been doing this for years.
Atlas at the stove—cracking eggs, flipping something that smelled amazing. Noah at the counter—slicing fruit, brewing coffee, stealing glances every thirty seconds.
Their shoulders brushed when they passed. Atlas's hand found the small of Noah's back every single time.
"You're touchy this morning," Noah said. Trying not to smile.
"Problem?"
"Nope."
Atlas caught his wrist. Pulled him close. Kissed him quick. "Good."
The kitchen smelled like coffee and butter and something sweet Noah couldn't place. Morning light poured through the windows. Made everything look soft and gold.
Noah couldn't stop smiling. It hurt his face. He didn't care.
"GOOD MORNING!"
They both turned.
Lydia bounced into the kitchen—hair in a messy bun, wearing one of Noah's old Yale shirts that was way too big for her. Her face lit up when she saw them.
"Hey, Lyds." Noah opened his arms.
She crashed into him. Kissed his cheek. Then bounced over to Atlas and did the same.
Atlas went still. Surprised. Like he didn't know what to do with teenage girl affection.
But then his expression softened. His hand patted her back awkwardly. "Morning."
Lydia wedged herself between them at the counter. Her arms went around both their waists.
"I love you guys," she announced.
Noah rolled his eyes. "You're extra cuddly this morning."
"Because you're extra cute." She squeezed tighter. "Also I'm hungry."
Atlas laughed. Actually laughed. The sound warm and genuine in a way Noah rarely heard.
"What do you want?" Atlas asked.
Lydia looked up at him. Batted her eyelashes. "Omelet?"
"Coming up."
Noah watched Atlas move back to the stove. The easy way he cracked eggs one-handed. The competence of every movement.
"Your boyfriend can cook," Lydia said. Loud enough for Atlas to hear.
Noah's face burned. "Lydia—"
"What? It's hot. Cooking is hot."
Atlas's shoulders shook. Trying not to laugh.
"Can you not?" Noah buried his face in his hands.
"I'm just saying! He's standing there all—" She gestured vaguely at Atlas. "And you're looking at him like he hung the moon. It's adorable."
"I'm leaving," Noah announced.
"No you're not." Lydia grabbed his arm. Then turned to Atlas. "What're you doing today?"
"Work. Then picking you up if you want."
Lydia's eyes went huge. "Wait. For real?"
Atlas nodded.
"Oh my god." She was already pulling out her phone. "My friends are gonna die. Like literally die."
Noah groaned. "You're about to make his life very difficult."
"Good." Lydia grinned. Evil. "He can handle it."
"Can I?" Atlas asked. Amused.
"Definitely." Lydia hopped up on the counter. "I mean, you deal with Noah. That's basically training for anything."
"Hey!" Noah threw a dish towel at her.
She caught it. Laughing. "I'm kidding! Mostly."
They ate at the island. Noah and Atlas side by side. Knees touching under the counter. Atlas's hand finding Noah's thigh. Thumb brushing back and forth in that absent way that made Noah's stomach flip.
Lydia talked nonstop. About her plans. Her friends. Some drama Noah couldn't follow.
But he wasn't really listening. Too focused on the way Atlas's fingers felt against his leg. The way their shoulders kept bumping. The way Atlas kept glancing at him with this soft expression that made Noah's chest ache.
"You two realize I'm literally right here, right?" Lydia said.
They both looked at her.
"You're doing that thing where you stare at each other and forget the rest of the world exists." She pointed her fork at them. "It's cute but also kind of rude."
"Sorry," Noah said. Not sorry at all.
"Don't be." She grabbed her phone. "Just let me get a picture first."
Click.
"Lydia—" Noah reached for the phone.
Too late. She was already typing.
"I will send it to both of you. And probably posting it. And definitely showing my friends."
Noah's face burned. "You can't—"
"I'm kidding." She showed them the screen.
Morning light. The kitchen island. Noah leaning slightly into Atlas. Atlas's hand visible on Noah's knee. Both of them looking at each other instead of the camera.
They looked... happy. Stupidly, obviously happy.
"Oh god," Noah muttered.
"I want it," Atlas said.
Noah stared at him. "You're not helping."
Atlas pulled out his phone. "Lydia, what's your number?"
She took his phone. Put her number in. Sent herself the photo. Then sent it to Atlas.
Atlas looked at it for a long moment. His thumb traced the edge of the screen. Then he smiled—small and genuine and aimed at the photo.
Something in Noah's chest went soft.
Lydia hopped down from her stool. "Okay I'm gonna go get ready. You two try not to be too adorable while I'm gone."
"No promises," Atlas said.
She grinned. Then bounded down the hall.
The second she was gone, Atlas pulled Noah closer. Kissed him properly.
"She's growing on you," Noah murmured against his mouth.
"She's funny."
"She's a nightmare."
"A funny nightmare." Atlas kissed him again. "Besides. She's your sister. That makes her important."
Noah's throat went tight. He buried his face in Atlas's shoulder. "You're gonna spoil her."
"Probably." Atlas's hand rubbed slow circles on his back. "That okay?"
"Yeah." Noah pressed closer. "More than okay."
They stayed like that. Just holding each other. The kitchen warm and bright around them.
For the first time in two days, Noah felt like he could breathe.
---
WELLIN TOWER
Atlas pulled up to the curb. His hand hadn't left Noah's since they got in the car.
"So." Atlas's thumb traced Noah's knuckles. "Tonight?"
"Lydia's probably making dinner plans."
"Good." Atlas lifted Noah's hand. Kissed his palm. "I like her."
"She likes you too." Noah's face heated. "A lot. Too much, probably. She's gonna be texting you constantly."
"Looking forward to it."
"You say that now."
Atlas tugged him closer. Kissed him soft. "See you tonight."
Noah kissed him back. Deeper. "Tonight."
He grabbed his bag. Got out of the car.
Walked toward the building.
Looked back.
Atlas was still there. Watching.
Noah smiled. Couldn't help it.
Turned back. Kept walking.
---
His office felt different. The same desk. Same view. But everything had shifted somehow.
Noah dropped into his chair. Tried to make his face cooperate. Stop smiling like an idiot.
Didn't work.
His phone buzzed.
Atlas: Miss you already.
Then: ❤️
Noah stared at the heart emoji. Atlas didn't do emojis. Ever.
He sent one back.
❤️
Then stared at his phone like a complete moron.
Another buzz.
Lydia: btw Atlas is definitely in love with you
Lydia: like SO in love
Lydia: its actually disgusting how cute you are
Lydia: but also im happy for you
Lydia: love you!!
Noah's chest felt too full.
He put his phone down. Tried to focus on work.
Lasted about thirty seconds before checking his messages again.
---
AFTERNOON
Noah worked through lunch. Emails piling up. His father had sent three increasingly terse messages about Denver projections.
He handled them. Sent reports. Made calls.
But his mind kept wandering. To this morning. The shower. Atlas's hands. The way he'd looked at Noah in the mirror like he was something precious.
His phone rang.
Lydia's face filled the screen.
"Hey—"
"WE'RE MAKING DINNER!" She was shouting. Happy shouting. "Atlas picked me up and we went shopping and now we're at your place and—"
"Our place," Noah heard Atlas say in the background.
"—OUR place and we're cooking and you need to come home right now."
Noah's brain snagged on 'home.' When had he started thinking of it that way?
"I'll be there in twenty."
"HURRY!"
She hung up.
Noah grabbed his jacket. Left.
---
THE APARTMENT
Noah heard them before he opened the door.
Lydia's laugh. Atlas's lower voice. The sound of something sizzling.
He stepped inside.
Lydia was at the counter—talking a mile a minute, gesturing wildly with a wooden spoon. Atlas was at the stove—actually cooking, nodding along to whatever she was saying.
They looked... comfortable. As if they had been close for years, not days.
Something in Noah's chest went warm.
"Hey." He set his bag down.
Atlas looked up. His whole face changed—expression softening, eyes lighting up, mouth curving into that smile he only gave Noah.
"Hey yourself."
Lydia crashed into Noah. Kissed his cheek. "Finally! We're making dinner!"
"I see that."
"Atlas taught me how to make actual alfredo sauce. Like from scratch. Did you know he can do that?"
"I did, yeah."
"It's so hot." She stage-whispered it. Loud enough for Atlas to hear.
"Lydia—" Noah's face burned.
"OKAY!" Lydia's voice. "I'm leaving! You have five minutes!"
She bounced out of the kitchen.
The second she was gone, Noah pressed his face into Atlas's chest. Breathed him in.
Atlas crossed the kitchen. Pulled Noah in. Kissed him properly.
"Missed you," Atlas murmured against his mouth.
"Yeah?" Noah's hands fisted in Atlas's shirt. "Show me how much."
Atlas kissed him harder.
"You okay?" Atlas's hand rubbed slow circles on his back.
"Yeah. Just—" Noah pulled back. Looked up at him. "Lydia didn't drive you crazy?"
"Not even close." Atlas's expression was soft. Open. "Met all her friends. Took about a hundred photos. Got invited to someone's birthday party."
Noah laughed. "Told you."
"She tried to get me to buy her shoes."
"Did you?"
"Obviously."
Noah shook his head. "You're hopeless."
"For you? Yeah." Atlas kissed his forehead. "How was work?"
"Fine. Boring. Missed you."
"Good."
They stood there. Just holding each other. The kitchen warm and bright. Sauce bubbling on the stove. Lydia's music playing softly from the other room.
It felt like home.
---
DINNER
They ate at the table. Lydia between them. Talking non-stop about her day.
"—and then Atlas showed up and you should've SEEN their faces—" She was grinning. "Mia literally grabbed my arm and was like 'that's ATLAS STERLINS' and I was like 'yeah I know—"
"Lydia—" Noah's voice held a warning.
"What? I showed them the photo from this morning!" She turned to Atlas. "They think you're hot. Like really hot. The group chat exploded."
Atlas squeezed Noah's thigh under the table. "That so?"
"Oh my god." Noah covered his face.
"Anyway—" Lydia kept going. Completely unbothered. "Then we went to like four different stores and Atlas let me try on everything—"
"Because you asked so nicely," Atlas said. Amused.
"I was very polite!"
"You said please exactly once."
"That's more than Noah ever says."
"Hey!" Noah threw a piece of bread at her.
She caught it. Laughing. "It's true!"
They finished eating. Moved to the living room.
Lydia sprawled across the couch. Phone in hand. Texting rapidly.
Noah and Atlas sat together on the other couch. Close enough that their thighs pressed together. Atlas's arm along the back. His fingers playing with Noah's hair.
"So." Lydia looked up. "Atlas. Serious question."
"Okay?"
"Are you staying tonight?"
"Lydia—" Noah started.
"What? I'm just asking!" She grinned. "Besides, you want him here. Don't pretend you don't."
Noah's face burned. "Can we not—"
"He does," Atlas said. Calm. Matter-of-fact. "I'm staying."
Lydia squealed. "YAY! Okay good because I already told Mom you were here and she was really excited—"
"You WHAT?" Noah sat up straight.
"Relax. She's happy for you." Lydia rolled her eyes. "She literally said 'good, Noah deserves someone who makes him smile like that.'"
Noah's throat went tight. "You told her about—"
"No! I just said you had someone staying over. " Lydia's expression softened. " She's happy."
"But Dad—"
"Doesn't know. And won't until you're ready." She reached over. Squeezed his hand. "Mom's on your side. I'm on your side. We got you."
Noah couldn't speak. Just nodded.
Atlas's hand found his. Laced their fingers together. Squeezed.
---
Atlas's phone rang.
He looked at the screen. Sighed.
"Evelyn?"
"Yeah." He stood. "I should take this."
Atlas stopped. "I'll go in the bedroom."
He kissed Noah's temple. Then left.
Noah watched him go. That cold feeling settling in his stomach again.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Lydia asked quietly.
"Family stuff."
"You worried?"
"Yeah."
"Want me to distract you?"
Noah looked at her. "How?"
She pulled up her phone. "I have SO many embarrassing photos from today. Wanna see Atlas trying to figure out which shoes matched my outfit?"
Despite everything, Noah smiled. "Yes. Absolutely yes."
---
Atlas came back twenty minutes later.
His face was carefully blank. Shoulders tight. Jaw set.
Noah knew that look.
He stood. "We're going to bed."
Lydia caught the tone. Looked between them. "Oh. Yeah. Okay. Night!"
"Night, Lydia." Atlas's voice was warm. Genuine. Like he hadn't just spent twenty minutes on a call that clearly wrecked him.
Noah took his hand. Led him upstairs.
The bedroom door closed behind them.
"You wanna talk about it?" Noah asked.
"Not really."
"Okay."
They stripped down to boxer briefs. Got into bed.
Noah just pulled Atlas close. Let him settle against his chest. Wrapped his arms around him.
Atlas's face pressed into Noah's neck. His breath hot against Noah's skin.
"Thank you," Atlas whispered.
"For what?"
"Not pushing."
Noah's fingers found Atlas's hair. Played with it gently. "I'm here. Whenever you're ready."
They lay in the dark. City lights filtering through the windows. Just breathing together.
"Evelyn's worried," Atlas said finally. Voice muffled against Noah's shoulder.
"About?"
"Us. My family. What happens when they find out."
Noah's chest tightened. "What did she say?"
Atlas was quiet for too long.
"Atlas."
"She said I should prepare for the worst." His voice went flat. Empty. "That my father won't—"
He stopped. Couldn't finish.
Noah's arms tightened. "Hey. Look at me."
Atlas lifted his head.
"Whatever happens," Noah said quietly. "We deal with it together. Okay?"
Atlas's eyes were too bright. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't."
"But if I have to choose—"
"Then you choose." Noah cupped his face. "I'm not going anywhere. No matter what they say. No matter what happens. You're stuck with me."
Atlas made a sound—half laugh, half sob. He pulled Noah closer. Buried his face back in his neck.
"I love you," he whispered. Raw. Desperate. "God, Noah. I love you so much."
"I love you too." Noah pressed his lips to Atlas's temple. "We're gonna be okay."
They held each other in the dark. Both of them shaking slightly. Both holding on too tight.
Atlas's mouth found Noah's. Kissed him soft. Then harder. Then desperate—like he was trying to prove something. Like he needed this to be real.
Noah kissed back. Gave him everything.
When they finally broke apart, Atlas kept their foreheads pressed together. Both breathing hard.
"Don't leave," Atlas whispered.
"Never." Noah's hands found his face. "I'm not going anywhere."
Atlas kissed him again. Slow this time. Thorough. Like he had all the time in the world to memorize this.
They held each other. The apartment quiet around them. The city glittering beyond the windows.
But Noah couldn't shake the cold feeling in his gut.
What would happen if, in the end, Atlas's father found out?
And when men like that knew something—when they decided to act—they didn't just destroy. They annihilated.
Noah held Atlas tighter.
Please let us survive this.
But he wasn't sure they would.