WEDNESDAY
Noah woke up first. Watched Atlas sleep for a moment. Then kissed his shoulder. His neck. The spot behind his ear.
Atlas stirred. Smiled before opening his eyes.
"Morning," Noah whispered against his skin.
Atlas pulled him closer. Kissed him slow. Deep.
They were almost late to work.
That night, Noah cooked. Badly. Atlas fixed it. They laughed. Noah kept touching him—hands on his waist while Atlas stirred pasta, arms around him from behind, fingers tracing his jaw when they sat down to eat.
Atlas responded. Always. Pulled Noah into his lap. Kissed him until they forgot about dinner.
But when Noah mentioned checking out apartments on Saturday, Atlas went quiet. Just nodded. Kissed Noah's temple.
His hands tightened on Noah's hips. Just for a second.
Noah felt it. Didn't say anything.
---
THURSDAY
Morning shower. Noah joined Atlas without asking. Water hot. Steam thick.
Noah's hands everywhere. Atlas pressed him against the tile.
They were definitely late.
Work. Meetings. Texts throughout the day:
Noah:miss you already
Atlas: focus on your work
Noah: can't. thinking about this morning
Atlas: Noah.
Noah:what? 😏
No response for an hour. Then:
Atlas:finish your reports. I'll see you tonight.
That evening, Atlas came home with takeout. Chinese. Noah's favorite.
They ate on the couch. Noah's legs across Atlas's lap. Atlas's hand on his thigh. Possessive.
"You packed yet?" Atlas asked. Casual. Too casual.
"Not yet. Tomorrow morning."
Atlas nodded. Took a drink of his beer.
His thumb traced circles on Noah's knee. Over and over. The same spot.
"You okay?" Noah asked.
"Yeah." Atlas pulled him closer. "Come here."
Noah climbed into his lap. Straddled him. Kissed him soft.
Atlas's hands slid up his back. Under his shirt. Warm. Steady.
"I'm only gone two days," Noah whispered.
Atlas's grip tightened. "I know."
He kissed Noah harder. Like he was trying to say something he couldn't put into words.
That night in bed, Atlas held him tighter than usual. Face buried in Noah's neck. Breathing him in.
Noah felt it. The tension. The holding on.
"Hey," he whispered. "I'm right here."
"I know."
But Atlas didn't let go.
---
FRIDAY
Noah woke up wrapped around Atlas.
He smiled. Pressed a kiss to Atlas's jaw. His cheek. The corner of his mouth.
Atlas's eyes opened. Slow. Heavy with sleep.
"Morning," they said at the same time.
Noah grinned.
Atlas pulled him in. Hard. One hand in his hair. The other sliding down to his hip. Gripping.
Possessive. Claiming.
Noah leaned in. Kissed him.
Soft at first. Then deeper.
When they broke apart, Noah was smiling. Playful. "Two days. You're gonna miss me."
Atlas took a breath. Deep. Controlled.
"When are you leaving?"
"After work. Marcus and Jared are picking me up around five."
Atlas stared at him for a moment.
Then pulled Noah's face to his. Kissed him.
Hard. Desperate. Tongue and teeth and hands everywhere.
Noah made a sound. Melted into it.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavy, Noah whispered: "I need to get ready."
"Okay."
Just that. Nothing else.
---
Noah got up. Started gathering clothes. His bag from the closet.
He packed quickly. Efficient. Folded shirts. Rolled jeans. Threw in his toothbrush.
The bag went by the door.
He heard the shower start.
Kept moving. Made coffee. Checked his phone.
Marcus:ready for this weekend?
Noah: yeah. see you at 5
He set the phone down.
The shower turned off.
Thirty seconds later, Atlas walked out. Towel slung low on his hips. Water still dripping down his chest. Hair dark and wet.
Noah stopped moving.
God.
He couldn't think for a second.
Atlas looked up. Caught him staring.
Noah crossed the space. Grabbed Atlas's face. Kissed him.
Desperate. Hungry.
His hand slid down—from Atlas's jaw to his throat, across his chest, down his stomach. Slow. Deliberate.
Atlas caught his wrist. "You keep doing that, you're not making it out the door."
His voice was rough. Dark. Eyes darker.
Noah smiled. Wicked. "That's the plan."
"Noah."
"What?" Innocent. Playing.
Atlas pulled him flush against him. "Last chance to leave."
Noah kissed him once more. Quick. "I'm going."
He stepped back. Grabbed his jacket.
"I'll call you tonight."
Atlas leaned against the doorframe. Watched him. Jaw tight.
"Drive safe."
"I will."
Noah grabbed his bag. Opened the door.
Looked back.
Atlas was still watching. Arms crossed. Face unreadable.
But something flickered in his expression. Just for a second.
"Two days," Noah said quietly. "I'll be back."
Atlas nodded once.
The door closed.
He didn't move.
For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at the door. The calm in his face shifted — edges hardening, jaw tight. Whatever softness had been there a second ago was gone.
The apartment felt too quiet. The kind of quiet that made you hear your own heartbeat.
Atlas turned away.
Silence followed him