The apartment stayed quiet longer than Noel expected.
He drifted in and out, aware of Luca's fingers in his hair, the steady rise and fall of Luca's leg beneath his cheek.
At some point the cat jumped up, kneaded once, then settled between them like it had claimed the moment.
"You asleep?" Luca asked softly.
"No," Noel murmured. "Just… horizontal."
Luca snorted. "That defense took it out of you."
"Apparently my body was holding itself together with anxiety."
"Impressive structural integrity."
Noel smiled against Luca's thigh. "How long was I out?"
"Twenty minutes. I let you have it."
"Generous."
Luca's fingers paused. "You hungry?"
"Not really."
"That's not an answer."
Noel opened one eye, squinting up at him. "I could be convinced."
Luca shifted carefully, easing Noel upright. "I'll make something easy."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
They ended up in the kitchen again, late afternoon light slanting through the windows now, warmer and softer than the morning.
