They'd finished most of the project yesterday at Axel's place. It was supposed to be a boring school assignment, but neither of them was thinking about that now. Today, Noah showed up outside Axel's school just after the last bell. Axel spotted him leaning against the wall near the gate, arms folded, watching him with that patient, slightly amused look. Axel walked over, trying to sound casual even though his heart was racing. "You're early." Noah pushed off the wall, smirking ."Didn't want you sneaking away." They'd planned to hang out "just to finish up," but both knew it was an excuse. The project was basically done. It was Thursday, the day before it was due. "Where to?" Axel asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. Noah shrugged. "Arcade?" Axel grinned. "Yeah. Let's go." They took the bus into town. The ride was filled with gentle nudges, laughter, and comfortable silences. Noah sat by the window, one knee up on the seat, looking out but glancing at Axel often. Axel caught him staring once and felt a heat in his chest that made him swallow hard. The arcade was loud, neon, crowded. They got a bucket of tokens and started competing in everything. Noah was smugly good at basketball, beating Axel over and over. Axel got revenge at air hockey, shouting when he scored so hard it rattled the machine.
Between games they wandered the prize counter, joking about the worst possible gifts. "I'm getting you that glitter lip gloss," Noah teased. "Bet you'd look better in it," Axel shot back. Noah just raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "You'd like that, huh?" Axel flushed, nearly dropping his soda. They spilled out onto the street laughing. Sun was lowering, throwing gold over everything. "Food?" Noah asked. They found a cheap diner. Axel sprawled in the booth, muscles stretching in his tight black T-shirt. It clung to his chest and arms, leaving Noah zero room to pretend he wasn't noticing. Noah, meanwhile, wore a snug maroon turtleneck. Axel hadn't said anything about it yet, but he'd been staring since they met up. It made Noah's shoulders look broader somehow. They ordered burgers and fries, shared a giant milkshake even though Axel complained at first. Noah licked the whipped cream off his straw and raised a brow. "What?" "Gross," Axel muttered, eyes on his fries. Noah kicked him under the table. "You love it." "Shut up." They talked about dumb stuff. Movies. Music. Who was better at school. Axel admitted he used to get decent grades before he stopped caring. Noah didn't push, just nodded and let him move on. Noah told him about his little sister and how annoying she was. Axel listened, smiling in spite of himself. After the diner they walked a few blocks, just talking. "You're not as much of an asshole as you pretend to be," Noah observed. Axel snorted. "You're even bossier than you look."
They stopped outside a convenience store, leaning against the brick wall, closer than they needed to be. Axel felt Noah's heat, the way his fingers kept brushing his. "You want to keep going?" Noah asked, voice low. Axel swallowed. "Yeah." They didn't even pretend to go back to working on the project when they left. They went to the park next, sat on the swings for a while. Noah pushed Axel lightly, making fun of him for squeaking. Axel kicked him. They ended up lying on the grass, looking at the sky. Noah turned onto his side to face him. "Why do you act so tough all the time?" Axel didn't answer immediately. He turned his head away, blinking up at the leaves. Noah nudged his arm. "Hey." Axel exhaled. "Because people expect it. Because I'm tired of getting shit for being weak." Noah's gaze softened. He didn't say anything, just let Axel look away. But then he reached over and brushed his fingers through Axel's hair, tucking it behind his ear. Axel flinched at first, but then let him. Noah leaned in and kissed him, gentle at first. Axel pressed back, breathing uneven. They kissed again, longer this time, Noah's hand cupping the side of his face. When they finally pulled apart, Axel looked wrecked. Noah grinned lazily. "You good?" "Shut up." They stayed there until dusk. When they finally got up, they wandered back through town, shoulders bumping occasionally. At one point they passed a storefront window and Axel caught their reflection Noah, calm and watchful, Axel with that goofy half-smile he'd never admit to. He ducked his head and muttered, "Stop looking at me like that." Noah didn't stop. Eventually they reached Axel's neighborhood.
They slowed down when they saw the long driveway, the big stone pillars of Axel's gate. The house beyond looked cold in the twilight. Parked out front was his mother's sleek black car. Axel's whole body went stiff. Noah saw the way Axel's shoulders tensed, how his eyes darkened. They both paused on the sidewalk. Axel's mom got out of the car first. She didn't look their way at first, but his dad followed, keys jangling, and they both glanced over. There was no greeting. Just a brief, sharp look. Axel's hands balled in his pockets. Noah's voice was careful. "You okay?" Axel swallowed. "Yeah. Whatever." They stood there a second longer, awkwardly. Noah looked like he wanted to say something, but Axel turned away first. "Thanks," Axel muttered. "For today?" Noah asked softly. Axel nodded, still not looking at him. Noah didn't push. He just let his fingers brush Axel's arm before stepping back. "Text me," he said. Axel didn't answer. He just headed up the drive, shoulders tight, the glow from the house throwing long shadows. Noah watched him go, lips pressed together, eyes unreadable. The air felt different now. Noah turned away eventually, hands in his pockets, heading down the street alone as the night settled in.