The city below shimmered in the twilight, drenched in fading gold and shadowed steel. Lights blinked to life one by one across the skyline, while the gentle hum of engines and music floated up like echoes from another life.
Sam stood near the edge of the rooftop garden, arms folded over the railing, the breeze teasing through his dark hair. A pale hoodie—Noah's, too big on him—hung over his frame like a blanket of protection.
Behind him, Noah's footsteps were soft, slow.
He stopped just behind Sam, not touching him—just standing close.
For a while, they didn't speak.
The silence wasn't heavy. It was… safe.
"Word's out," Noah said at last, eyes scanning the skyline. "They know what we did. The underworld is in panic. Xander's family's running. Their docks are ash. Their soldiers are scattering."
Sam let out a soft sound that might've been a laugh. "You sound disappointed.""I am," Noah said. "They got off easy."
A long pause.
Then, quieter: "But you didn't."
Sam stiffened.
Noah stepped beside him, his hand brushing against Sam's gently. "I've been thinking about that night. Not just the heat. The moment your secret came out. The moment you thought I'd leave."
"I didn't think it," Sam whispered. "I knew it. Or… I thought I knew."
His voice wavered.
"I've lived every day believing that if anyone saw me for what I really was… they'd leave. Because I'm not a perfect alpha. I'm not even a perfect omega. I'm both and neither."
Noah didn't speak. He just reached over and gently intertwined their fingers.
Sam looked down at their hands.
"I thought you'd pull away when you touched me," he said. "But you didn't."
Noah looked at him, voice steady.
"I felt you. All of you. And you were everything I never knew I needed."
Sam's breath caught.
"I'm not like Max or Silas," he said. "They're strong. Loud. Proud of who they are. I've always felt like the quiet shadow. Hiding behind armor that wasn't even mine."
Noah turned, pulling Sam closer, arms sliding around his waist, holding him tightly against his chest.
"You're not a shadow," he whispered. "You're the moon that made all of us move. You changed everything—without ever needing to raise your voice."
Sam finally allowed himself to rest his head on Noah's shoulder, melting into the warmth.
"I'm still scared."
"Then be scared," Noah murmured. "I'll be scared with you. Just don't hide anymore. Don't run anymore."
A tear slid down Sam's cheek.
"I don't want to."
"Then don't."
Another pause. Wind brushed past them, cool and clean.
Noah smiled faintly.
"Also… you look way too cute in my hoodie."
Sam huffed a soft laugh into his chest. "You just had to ruin the moment."
"Not ruin. Claim. You're mine, remember?"
Sam tilted his head up and kissed him—slow, meaningful, trembling only a little.
When they broke apart, he whispered, "Yours."
And in the shadows of the city that feared their names, two broken boys stood under the stars, finally whole.