When the meeting ended, Noah checked his phone.
Marcus: Sullivan's. 4:30 PM. Get your ass here.
An address followed.
Nothing from Atlas.
Noah grabbed his bag. Left.
---
The whole drive, he thought about Atlas. The meeting. What Richard and Thomas had said to him.
He picked up his phone twice. Almost called. Set it back down both times.
Give him space. He needs space.
---
Sullivan's was a dive bar three blocks from Marcus's apartment. Dim lighting. Sticky floors. Cheap beer.
Marcus, Jared, and Alex were already halfway through their first round when Noah walked in.
Alex spotted him first. Jumped up. "Finally!"
Pulled him into a hug.
Marcus leaned in as Noah sat down. "Dude, you look like shit."
Noah said nothing. Flagged down the bartender. "Beer. Whatever's on tap."
Jared reached over, tugged on a strand of Noah's hair. "I'm obsessed with this length. Don't cut it."
"Wasn't planning to."
The beer arrived. Noah took a long drink.
"So," Marcus started. "Work good?"
"Yeah. Fine."
Jared squinted at him. "You never leave work early. What's going on?"
"Not work stuff."
"Then what stuff?" Marcus asked.
Noah drained half his beer. "Family."
"Oh fuck." Alex grimaced. "Your dad again?"
"Can we not—" Noah set his glass down. "Let's just not."
They all exchanged looks.
"Okay," Marcus said slowly. "Cool. Different topic."
Alex launched into a story about some email disaster at his job. Something about a reply-all that went to the entire company. Noah tried to smile. Managed something close.
He finished his first beer. Ordered another immediately.
Marcus and Jared noticed. Didn't say anything yet.
Jared started complaining about his sister's wedding planning. "She wants the bridesmaids in mint green. Mint. Who even looks good in mint?"
Everyone laughed.
Sam showed up twenty minutes later. "Sorry, subway was fucked." Slid into the booth. "What'd I miss?"
"Nothing," Marcus said. "We're talking about Jared's sister's terrible taste."
"Hey, she's stressed—"
"She's insane," Marcus corrected.
More beers. More stories. Noah mostly listened. Drank. Checked his phone.
Still nothing.
"Alright." Marcus set his beer down. Looked at Noah directly. "You've had enough to drink. Start talking."
Noah looked at him. Then the others.
"It's just—" He rubbed his face. "It's messy."
"We do messy," Jared said.
Noah took a breath. "My dad came to my office yesterday."
"Shit." Sam leaned forward.
"He wants me to—" Noah paused. "Basically live a double life. Public relationship with someone acceptable. Keep Atlas hidden."
"Fuck that," Alex said immediately.
"And if I don't, he'll destroy everything I've built." Noah's voice went flat. "So. Yeah."
Silence.
"Jesus," Marcus muttered.
"Atlas is dealing with the same thing from his dad," Noah continued. "They met today. His father and mine. Together."
"That's—" Jared shook his head. "That's fucked."
"And this morning—" Noah stopped. Picked at the label on his beer bottle. "I told Atlas I'd support whatever decision he makes. About all of it."
Sam's eyes widened. "Dude."
"What?" Noah looked up.
"That sounds like you're giving him permission to choose them," Sam said carefully. "Like you're ready to walk away."
"That's not what I meant—"
"But that's what it sounds like," Marcus said.
Noah dropped his head into his hands. "Fuck."
"What did Atlas say?" Jared asked.
"Asked if I was giving up on us. Then got pissed. Left early." Noah's voice was muffled through his hands. "Haven't heard from him since."
"You need to talk to him," Marcus said.
"I know—"
"No, like—" Jared leaned forward. "This is why I don't talk in the morning. I'm not a person until like 10 AM. I say stupid shit."
Alex smacked his arm. "You say stupid shit all day."
"Fair." Jared grinned. Then got serious again. "But for real. Just talk to him. Tell him what you actually meant."
Noah nodded. "Yeah. I will."
"Tonight," Marcus pushed. "Don't wait."
"Tonight," Noah agreed.
He checked his phone again. 7:10 PM.
"I should go," he said.
"You good to drive?" Alex asked.
"Three beers over three hours? I'm fine."
They all stood. Hugs all around—the kind guys did, with backslaps and half-commitments to hang out soon.
"Text us," Marcus said. "Let us know it's okay."
"I will."
---
Noah parked next to Atlas's car.
"He's here," he whispered. Stared at the Mercedes for a moment.
Took a breath. Got out.
Sunny came running. Noah crouched down, scratched behind his ears. "Hey, buddy."
Inside, he went straight to the bedroom. Empty.
Changed into sweats and a t-shirt. Went to the bathroom. Splashed cold water on his face. Met his own eyes in the mirror. Looked away.
He was cold. Grabbed a cardigan, pulled it on.
Sunny followed him out.
Kitchen—empty. Living room—no one.
Is he even here?
Then Noah noticed. Luna wasn't around either.
The study. Door closed.
Noah hesitated. Hand on the doorknob. His pulse jumped in his throat.
Do I knock? Just go in?
He opened it.
Atlas sat in the armchair. Whiskey glass in hand. Luna asleep by the fireplace, flames casting orange light across the room.
Atlas looked up.
"Can I—" Noah's voice came out rough. "Can I come in?"
Atlas nodded slightly. Looked at his glass. Drained it in one swallow. His throat worked, jaw tight.
Noah entered. Sat on the couch nearby.
Looked at Atlas. Atlas stared at the fireplace. His knuckles were white around the empty glass.
Say something. Anything.
Atlas stood. Poured more whiskey. Lit a cigarette—hands steady but his shoulders were rigid.
"I'm sorry," Noah said suddenly. "About this morning. What I said."
Atlas looked at him. Eyes sharp. Angry. Crossed to the other armchair. Sat facing him.
"You said you'd support me." Atlas glanced at him briefly. Back to the fire. "Whatever I decided. Even if I decided to leave?"
His voice was cold.
"That's not—" Noah struggled. Pulled at his sleeve. "That's not what I meant. I was trying to protect you."
"I don't need your protection."
"You've dealt with so much because of me." Noah leaned forward. His foot tapped against the floor once, twice. "Richard. Thomas. All of it. I don't want you getting hurt—"
"This isn't about Richard and Thomas." Atlas stood. Poured another drink. "Not right now."
Noah tried to find the right words. His throat felt tight. He bit the corner of his thumbnail. "I didn't mean leaving. I swear—"
Atlas turned. Stared at him. "Then why did it sound like goodbye?"
Noah looked away. At the fire. Heat prickled across his face. Then back. "Because I'm terrified," he said, voice breaking. "That you'll lose everything because of me. Your company. Your position. Everything you've worked for." His voice cracked completely. "And I—I can't be the reason you lose it all."
Atlas stared at him. His jaw clenched. Released. "I'm scared too."
Pause.
"But I'm not doing what they want."
"What did they want?" Noah asked quietly.
Atlas looked at the floor. "Keep the relationship hidden. Have public relationships with people they approve of."
Noah stood abruptly. Moved to the desk. Leaned against it, gripping the edge. Looked at Atlas. "What do you want?"
Atlas stared at him. Stood. "You think I'd accept that?" His voice was hard.
"I don't know. I'm asking what you think."
"I won't accept it. I can't." Atlas's jaw was tight.
Noah gripped the edge of the desk harder. Tried to keep his voice steady. "If I wasn't in your life, you wouldn't be dealing with any of this."
"When are you going to stop blaming yourself?" Atlas crossed toward him.
"But if I wasn't—"
"You're not the reason." Atlas's voice was rough. Intense. He gripped his glass so tight Noah thought it might shatter. "They are. Richard. Your father. This fucked-up world they live in. Not you."
He drained the whiskey in one motion. Set the glass down hard.
"If you weren't in my life, I'd have nothing worth keeping. Do you understand that?"
Noah's throat tightened. He blinked rapidly but tears came anyway.
"I don't care what they threaten." Atlas's voice dropped lower. "I don't care what they take away. I'm not losing you. I'm not pretending. I'm not living their lie."
Noah shoved his hands in his cardigan pockets. Turned toward the window. His shoulders hunched. "But what if—"
Atlas moved. Fast. Arm around Noah's waist, pulling him close. Kissed him hard. Desperate. Cut off the words.
Noah froze for half a second. Then kissed back. Hands fisting in Atlas's shirt.
When they broke apart, Atlas pressed his forehead to Noah's. Both gasping for air.
"We'll figure it out." Pause. "Together."
Noah wrapped his arms around him. Held on tight. "I'm sorry. About this morning. I didn't mean it like that—"
Tears slipped down his face. Soaked into Atlas's sweatshirt.
Atlas held him tighter. Kissed his hair. His own breath hitched. Tears slid down his face too, silent.
"I'm scared," Noah whispered.
Atlas's voice came out rough. "Me too."
They stood like that. Fire crackling. Luna shifting in her sleep.
Noah started to say something—about seeing Atlas with someone else, about not being able to stand it—
Atlas kissed him again. Desperate. His teeth caught Noah's bottom lip. Noah gasped into his mouth.
When they pulled apart, both panting, Noah managed: "I don't want to see you with anyone else."
"I don't want to see you with anyone else either." Atlas's arms tightened around him. His pulse was visible in his throat.
"What do we do?"
"I don't know." Atlas's hand moved up Noah's spine—slow, deliberate. "But we'll figure it out."
"Okay." Noah's fingers traced the knobs of Atlas's spine through his sweatshirt.
Atlas pulled back to look at him. Their noses brushed. "I love you."
Kissed him—starting soft at the corner of his mouth, then full and deep.
Noah kissed his neck, just under his jaw. "I love you." Voice rough.
---
They moved to the couch. Sat close. Atlas's arm around Noah's shoulders. Noah's head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat—still fast.
"I wanted to call you today," Noah said, looking up at him. Slightly embarrassed. "But I didn't know what to say."
"I was waiting for you to call. Or text." Atlas looked down at him. "But nothing came."
Small smiles.
Atlas pulled him closer. Kissed him—lips barely touching at first, then pressing harder.
"Should we go to bed?" Noah asked against his mouth.
Atlas smiled slightly. "Yeah."
---
They walked down the hallway. Atlas's hand dropped to Noah's ass, squeezed.
"How many beers did you have?"
"Three." Noah glanced at him. "How long were you drinking whiskey?"
Atlas's thumb traced circles on Noah's hip. "While I waited for you."
In the bedroom, they ushered Sunny out. Locked the door—the click loud in the quiet.
Climbed into bed.
Atlas pulled Noah against him. "How was your day?"
"Meetings. Work stuff." Noah's fingertips traced the hem of Atlas's sweatshirt. "But I was thinking about you the whole time."
Atlas's hand moved through Noah's hair—gathering strands, letting them fall. He kissed him, tongue sliding slow against Noah's.
Noah moaned softly, kissing back harder. His hands moved to Atlas's jaw, angling his head slightly to the left.
They broke apart. Breathing heavily.
"I missed you," Noah whispered. "All day. It was—"
Atlas kissed him again—tilting his head the other direction this time. Slower but no less intense. Noah arched into him, a shiver running down his spine.
His hand slipped under Noah's sweatpants. Palmed his ass. Squeezed.
Noah's hands tangled in Atlas's hair. Moved down to grip his ass, pulling him closer. Their hips pressed together.
Atlas groaned against his mouth. "Noah—"
Noah pulled back just enough to yank his shirt over his head. Tossed it. It hit the lamp, knocked it crooked.
Atlas huffed a quiet laugh. His pupils were blown wide, almost black. He rolled them—Noah on his back, Atlas above him. Settled his weight carefully.
"Hi," Noah said. Breathless. Smiling.
"Hi." Atlas kissed the corner of his mouth. Then full on. His hand traced up Noah's side—ribs, chest, collarbone.
Noah pulled at Atlas's sweatshirt. "Off."
Atlas sat back. Pulled it over his head. Noah's hands immediately went to his chest—traced the old marks still fading there, the new ones from a few nights ago, darker.
"Mine," Noah said. Barely audible.
"Yours." Atlas's voice was rough. He leaned down, kissed Noah's chest. His stomach. Beard scratching slightly.
Noah's breath hitched. His back arched just a little. "Wait—"
Atlas looked up. "Okay?"
"More than okay." Noah pulled him back up by his shoulders. "Just—come here."
They kissed again. Slower now but deeper. Atlas's weight settled fully on top of him. Noah's legs came up, wrapping around his waist.
The friction made them both groan.
"I love you," Noah whispered between kisses. His voice shook. "So much. I was so scared today—"
Atlas kissed his forehead. His temple. Back to his mouth—soft, then harder. "I was too."
"Promise me—" Noah's hands framed his face. "Promise me we're not hiding. Whatever happens."
Atlas held his gaze. "I promise. No hiding. No pretending."
"Okay."
"We face it together."
"Together," Noah repeated.
Atlas kissed him again—bit his bottom lip gently, released it. Noah's hands slid down his back. Under his waistband. Nails dragging lightly.
"Fuck—" Atlas's breath caught.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just—" He kissed him harder. "You."
Noah smiled against his mouth. Pushed at Atlas's sweats. "These need to go."
"Yours too."
They fumbled. Noah's elbow hit the headboard. "Ow—shit—"
Atlas laughed quietly. Helped him. Got tangled in the fabric. "Wait—hold on—"
"I am holding on—"
"Your leg—"
"I know—"
Finally—they got everything off. Kicked it all to the floor.
Skin against skin.
Atlas dropped his forehead to Noah's shoulder. Exhaled shakily. "Fuck."
"Yeah." Noah's hands traced his spine. Slow. "You okay?"
"Very okay." Atlas lifted his head. Looked at him. Swallowed hard. "You're—" He stopped. Started again. "I don't know what I'd do without this. Without you."
Noah's throat tightened. "You don't have to."
"Good."
They kissed—starting gentle, building slowly. Atlas shifted, settling between Noah's legs properly. Their hips aligned.
Noah gasped. His fingers dug into Atlas's shoulders.
"Like this?" Atlas murmured against his neck.
"Yes—yeah—"
They moved together. Slowly at first. Finding rhythm. The bed creaked softly beneath them.
Atlas's hand slid between them. Noah's breath stuttered. His head fell back against the pillow.
"Look at me," Atlas said quietly.
Noah did. Their gazes locked.
"Don't look away."
"I won't." Noah's voice came out breathy. Wrecked.
The rhythm built. Changed. Atlas's breath was hot against Noah's neck. Noah's nails scraped down his back—not hard enough to hurt but enough to feel.
"There—" Noah gasped. His back arched more. "Right there—"
Atlas kissed him—swallowed his sounds. "I've got you."
Faster now. More desperate. The headboard bumped the wall softly. Fabric rustled. Their breathing filled the room.
"Atlas—I'm—"
"Yeah. Me too."
Noah's legs tightened around him. His whole body tensed. Then released.
He cried out—muffled against Atlas's shoulder.
Atlas followed seconds later. Groaning against Noah's neck. His whole body shuddered.
They stayed like that. Breath ragged. Slowly coming down.
---
After, Atlas shifted carefully to his side. Pulled Noah with him. Noah's head on his chest. Atlas's arms wrapped around him.
"You okay?" Atlas asked. Pressed a kiss to his damp hair.
"Perfect." Noah's fingertips traced lazy circles on his chest—around his nipple, across to his ribs. "You?"
"Yeah."
They lay quiet. Heartbeats slowing gradually. Goosebumps rising as their skin cooled.
"Today was terrible," Noah said eventually.
"Worst day in a while." Atlas's hand moved through his hair—untangling gently.
"But this—" Noah lifted his head. Looked at him. "This makes it better."
Atlas smiled. Small. Real. "Yeah. It does."
Noah kissed him. Gentle. Sweet. Just lips touching, not moving for a moment. Then soft pressure.
"We're going to be okay," Atlas said. "Somehow."
"You think?"
"I have to." Atlas pulled him closer. "Because the alternative isn't an option."
Noah settled back against his chest. Let his eyes close. "Together."
"Together."
They drifted. Not quite asleep. Not quite awake. Just holding each other.
In Richard's study, miles away, a contract lay on the desk. Two signatures already inked at the bottom. Waiting for the third.