She rolled her eyes but didn't argue, letting herself sink against him, safe and warm in the intimacy they'd built. Noelle lay curled against Ren's chest, her head tucked beneath his chin. His arm was draped over her, holding her close but gentle, letting her feel safe without pressure.
She traced small circles on his chest with her fingers, her breathing slow and uneven. "I… I didn't expect… that," she murmured softly, voice almost a whisper.
Ren pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Neither did I," he admitted, his tone low, tender. "But I'm glad it happened."
"You know," he said, brushing a hand through his hair, "I probably should have thank Han. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a chance to patch things up with you."
Noelle froze for a moment, the warmth of the morning suddenly mixed with a flicker of surprise. "Patch things up…" she repeated softly, realising just how much the night had meant to both of them.
Her gaze drifted toward her phone on the table, and she noticed it lit up with notifications. She picked it up, scrolling through the missed messages, and her heart skipped a beat. There it was — a message from Han. Hey… are you okay after last night's drinks?
Noelle's fingers hovered over the screen. She hadn't even checked her phone all day, wrapped up in the warmth of Ren and the slow, quiet intimacy they had shared. Her stomach twisted slightly at seeing Han's concern but as her eyes returned to Ren, sitting nearby with that faint, knowing smirk, she felt a strange clarity.
"I… I didn't check my phone all day," she admitted, voice soft, almost guilty. "Han… he messaged me. He asked if I was okay after last night."
Ren glanced at the phone casually, not needing to see the message to know what it said. "And?" he asked, his tone teasing but with an edge of seriousness.
"And…" Noelle trailed off, then shook her head, a small laugh escaping her. "I don't know. I guess…"
Ren's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'd say you're more than okay," he murmured, letting his hand brush along hers just a little lingeringly. "Although you were feverish last night, glistening with sweat, panting like you were completely undone… From the way you're still flushed and catching your breath, I'd say last night had… effects beyond just feeling fine."
Noelle's cheeks burned bright red and she swatted at his arm, half-laughing, half-protesting. "Ren! Stop teasing me!"
He leaned back, fingers still brushing hers, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm just saying… if Han thinks he has a chance, he might want to check his calculations. You're clearly more interested in me than he is."
Noelle bit her lip, glancing at the phone again. She'd been wrapped up with Ren all morning, teasing and laughing, and now Han's message stared back at her. Hey… are you okay after last night's drinks?
Taking a deep breath, she typed a reply: Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for checking.
A few moments later, a new message popped up. I'm sorry if I was too forward last night. I didn't mean to make things awkward.
Noelle's fingers froze over the phone. She read it again, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. She hadn't intended to encourage him, yet she wondered quietly to herself: Had she given Han any indications that she was okay with his advances? Was she unintentionally misleading him?
Her thoughts drifted to Ren, lounging casually beside her, that teasing smirk still lingering on his lips. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of warmth, a sense of clarity amidst the messy swirl of emotions.
Ren caught her gaze and leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "Thinking about someone else?"
"No!" she said quickly, cheeks burning. "Just… considering things, I guess."
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Considering… or overthinking?"
"No, I mean… he apologised," she admitted, voice soft. "I just… I don't know. I wondered if I'd led him on, even unintentionally."
Ren's fingers traced lightly over her hand, still holding hers. "You didn't," he said firmly, though his grin returned, teasing. "You're with me and I'm not going to let anything happen to you without my permission. And honestly? I think Han's apology proves he knows where the line is. Unlike me, who clearly had to invent my own reasons to steal kisses this morning."
Finally, he let out a low sigh. "You know," he began carefully, a hint of something sharper beneath his teasing tone, "maybe you should tell Han… that you've got a boyfriend."
Noelle froze, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?"
Ren leaned a little closer, smirk tugging at his lips but his voice low and serious. "I mean… it's only fair. So he doesn't get the wrong idea. You know… boundaries and all that."
Noelle blinked, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief. "Boundaries? Ren, that's… a little presumptuous, isn't it? I mean, I know he's apologised, and yes, I'm with you… but asking me to tell him?" She shook her head, trying not to laugh. "It's… awkward."
Ren's grin faltered for a heartbeat, just enough to let a flicker of vulnerability show. "Maybe… but I just don't like the idea of him thinking he still has a chance. You're mine, Noelle."
Noelle's cheeks warmed, a mixture of embarrassment and affection flooding her. She reached out and nudged him lightly. "I know, you big show-off," she said softly. "But I can handle Han myself. You don't have to step in… at least not yet."
He leaned back, crossing his arms but still smirking. "Fine," he said, mock-reluctantly. "But if he tries anything… I won't be so polite next time."
Noelle laughed, shaking her head, and leaned against him. "I'll keep that in mind," she said.
Ren draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Good. Now let's get back to studying before I start getting jealous again," he teased, though his thumb brushed her hand, possessive yet gentle.
Noelle rolled her eyes but stayed nestled against him, a small, private smile curling her lips. Despite the awkwardness, the jealousy, and the lingering tension with Han, she felt a thrill in the messy intimacy of it all.
Noelle picked up her phone again, fingers hovering over the keyboard. She took a deep breath and typed slowly, carefully choosing her words.
Hi Han, thanks for checking in last night. I appreciate it.
She hit send and immediately felt a mix of relief and awkwardness. The phone vibrated almost instantly with a reply.
I'm really sorry, Noelle.
Noelle exhaled, her shoulders relaxing for the first time. She glanced at Ren, who had been watching her with that faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Handled," she said softly, a small laugh escaping. "He apologised."
Ren leaned closer, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Good. You didn't even need me to step in," he teased, though there was a hint of pride in his tone. "But I'm glad you set it straight."
Noelle turned slightly in his arms, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Honestly… I wasn't sure if I had given him any signals. I just didn't want to be rude."
Ren pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "You didn't."
Noelle let out a small laugh, snuggling closer. "I guess I'm glad I didn't have to make it weird in person."
"Definitely," Ren said, grinning, fingers tracing idle patterns along her arm. "But I'll admit… part of me liked waking up with you first thing this morning."
Noelle was perched on the edge of the couch, trying to focus on a formula in her notebook, when Ren's hand brushed hers again. His gaze lingered, dark and intense, and her breath hitched despite herself.
"You know," he murmured, leaning closer, "I don't think I've heard it enough this morning."
She blinked at him, confused. "Heard what?"
"That you're mine," he said softly, letting his fingers trace the curve of her hand. "I need to know… can you be mine? Again. And again."
Her heart skipped. The heat in his eyes, the low timbre of his voice, sent a shiver down her spine. "Ren… possessive much?" she breathed, unsure whether to laugh or melt against him.