Three weeks later.
Noah woke to weight shifting on the mattress. Then fur. Everywhere.
Coughed. Couldn't breathe. Golden hair in his mouth.
Sunny had wedged herself between them like she belonged there. Head on Noah's chest. Tail whacking Atlas's face with enthusiasm.
"What—" Atlas's voice came out wrecked. Sleep-thick. He squinted against the morning light. "Why is she—ow."
Tail to the eye.
Sunny's tongue found his cheek. Then his chin. Then tried for his mouth.
"Get her—" He turned his face away. She followed. "Noah. Help."
Noah propped himself up. Watched the disaster unfold.
Atlas. Hair destroyed. Face wet. One eye squeezed shut. Losing a battle against seventy pounds of golden retriever love.
A laugh escaped before Noah could stop it.
"Don't." Atlas looked at him through Sunny's assault. "Don't you dare."
Noah laughed harder. The ugly kind. Snorting.
"I'm being attacked and you're—stop laughing—"
Sunny stepped on something sensitive. Atlas wheezed.
Noah finally intervened. Grabbed her collar. Hauled her off.
"Come on, girl. Leave him alone."
Sunny went reluctantly. Looked back at Atlas like she'd been denied something vital.
Atlas wiped his face with the sheet. Dramatic about it.
"She's getting fat."
But he reached out anyway. Scratched behind her ears. His voice going soft without him noticing. "Aren't you? Big fat baby."
Sunny's tail went faster.
Noah watched him. This contradiction. Complaining and tender at the same time.
Atlas caught him looking. Tried to rearrange his face into something stern.
"Stop laughing. I'm mad."
"You're not mad."
"I'm furious."
He wasn't. His mouth kept twitching.
Noah shifted closer. Let Sunny jump off the bed to investigate something on the floor.
Put his hand flat on Atlas's chest. Right over his heart. Felt it beating. Slow still. Sleepy.
Leaned in.
Kissed the corner of his mouth first. Not his lips. Just the edge. Where his almost-smile lived.
Pulled back half an inch. "Still mad?"
Atlas's eyes dropped to his mouth. "Yeah."
Noah kissed him for real this time. Soft. Unhurried. Morning-slow.
Atlas tasted like sleep. Like the two of them. Like home.
When Noah pulled back, Atlas followed. Chasing. Didn't get far.
"Needs more than that." His voice had gone rough.
Noah's teeth caught his own bottom lip. Held it. Let it drag free slow.
Watched Atlas track the movement.
"What can I do for you?"
He made his voice drop. That register that always worked.
Sunny chose that moment to ram her head into Noah's back. Demanding attention.
"First—" Atlas grabbed her collar before she could climb back up. "Out. Now."
Noah took over. Wrestled her across the room. Through the door. Closed it.
Locked it.
Her paws immediately scratched the wood. Whining. Betrayed.
Noah turned around. Leaned against the door.
Looked at Atlas.
Morning sun cutting across the bed in stripes. Across his chest. The sheets tangled at his waist. Hair wrecked beyond saving.
He was watching Noah the same way. Taking inventory.
Noah walked back. Not slow on purpose—actually slow. Letting the moment stretch.
Climbed onto the bed. Didn't go to his side.
Swung his leg over. Settled on Atlas's hips. Let his weight sink down.
"Better?"
Atlas's hands found him immediately. Both on his hips. But different.
His left hand barely there. Thumb tracing the bone through thin fabric. Gentle.
His right hand gripping. Fingers pressing hard enough that Noah would feel it later. Possessive.
Noah didn't know which hand to lean into.
Both. He wanted both.
"Getting there." Atlas's voice had dropped lower.
Noah planted his hands on Atlas's chest. Felt his heartbeat quicken under his palms.
Leaned down slow. Stopped before their mouths touched.
Just hovered there. Letting their breath mix. Sharing air.
"Kiss me." Atlas. Not asking.
Noah didn't.
Stayed right there. Their mouths so close he could almost taste him. Almost.
"Noah."
"Say please."
Atlas's right hand tightened. His hips shifted up. Impatient.
"Please." He didn't sound sorry about it.
Noah still didn't kiss him. Just breathed. Let the anticipation build until Atlas made a sound—frustrated, needy, not quite a word.
Then Noah closed the gap.
But not the way Atlas expected. He kissed his jaw instead. The rough edge of it. Felt stubble against his lips.
Atlas turned his head. Trying to catch Noah's mouth.
Noah moved. Kissed his neck. Right below his ear.
"You're—" Atlas's breath caught. "—being difficult."
"Mmhm."
Noah kissed down. Found his pulse point. Felt it hammering.
Bit down.
Atlas's whole body jerked. "Fuck—"
Noah didn't let up. Sucked hard. Hard enough to leave something behind. Something visible.
When he pulled back, there it was. Dark red against Atlas's skin. Obvious. His.
"There." Noah's voice came out rougher than expected. "Now people will know."
Atlas's hand shot to his neck. Touched the spot. Felt the heat of it.
His eyes went black.
"You're going to pay for that."
"Counting on it."
Atlas moved fast. Flipped them. Noah's back hit the mattress hard enough to knock breath out of him.
Atlas above him now. Blocking out the light. Both hands pinning Noah's wrists above his head.
"My turn."
He didn't wait for an answer. His mouth found Noah's neck. The same spot. Mirrored.
Bit down. Not gentle.
Noah's spine arched off the bed. His wrists twisted in Atlas's grip—not trying to escape. Just needing something to fight against.
"Atlas—"
"Stay still."
Noah tried. Couldn't. His hips moved on their own.
Atlas released one wrist. His free hand found Noah's hip. Pressed down. Pinning him to the mattress.
"I said still."
His mouth went back to Noah's neck. Kissing. Biting. Marking. Taking his time about it.
Noah's free hand found Atlas's hair. Gripped hard. Pulled.
Atlas groaned against his skin. The vibration traveling through Noah's whole body.
"You're—" Noah tried to form a sentence. Failed. "I can't—"
"Can't what?"
Atlas lifted his head. Looked down at him.
Noah was wrecked already. Flushed. Panting. Eyes barely focused.
Atlas smiled. Dark. Satisfied.
"Breathe."
Noah tried. His chest heaved. Unsteady.
Atlas kissed him then. Finally. Deep and filthy and exactly what Noah needed.
Noah kissed back desperate. His free hand pulling Atlas closer. His legs wrapping around Atlas's waist.
They stopped keeping track of time.
----
They lay in a tangle of sheets and limbs. Sweat cooling on skin. Hearts still racing but starting to slow.
Atlas had ended up on his back. Noah half on top of him. Head on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat find its normal rhythm.
Atlas's hand moved through Noah's hair. Lazy. No purpose to it. Just touching.
"Shower?" His voice came out destroyed.
Noah laughed against his skin. The sound vibrating between them. "Isn't this excessive?"
"We've been up for—" Atlas squinted at the clock. "—two hours. That's not excessive."
"Most of that was spent—"
"Productively."
Noah lifted his head. Looked at him.
Atlas's hair was beyond saving. Lips swollen. That mark on his neck already darkening.
Noah touched it. Pressed lightly.
Atlas's breath caught. "Careful."
"Does it hurt?"
"Yes." He caught Noah's hand. Kissed his fingertips. "Don't care."
Noah smiled. Ducked his head. Kissed the mark he'd left. Gentle now. Apologetic.
Then not apologetic. His teeth scraped over it.
Atlas hissed. His hand fisted in Noah's hair.
"Shower." Not a question anymore. "Now."
He sat up. Pulled Noah with him. Didn't let go.
---
The bathroom. Steam everywhere. Water too hot.
Noah had Atlas against the tile wall. For once.
His hands exploring. Relearning. Like it had been months instead of hours.
Atlas let him. Hands loose at his sides. Watching Noah through the spray.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking at you."
"We'll run out of hot water."
"Don't care."
Noah kissed his collarbone. His chest. The dip below his ribs where he was ticklish but would never admit it.
Atlas's stomach twitched. He fought a smile.
"Found it." Noah pressed his mouth there. Felt Atlas trying not to squirm.
"I'm not ticklish."
"Sure you're not." Did it again.
Atlas's composure cracked. A laugh escaped—surprised, unguarded.
Noah looked up at him. Water streaming down his face.
This. This was better than anything. Atlas laughing. Undefended. Real.
"I love you." It came out without Noah planning it.
Atlas's laugh faded into something softer. His hands came up. Cradled Noah's face. Water running over both of them.
"I love you too."
He kissed him. Not heated this time. Not leading anywhere.
Just a kiss. Soft. Honest.
Noah smiled against his mouth. Couldn't help it.
Their teeth bumped. Awkward.
Atlas laughed into the kiss. "You're useless."
"Your fault. Stop being—" Noah was grinning too hard to finish.
They gave up. Pressed their foreheads together. Stood under the water. Smiling like idiots.
The hot water lasted longer than expected.
----
They emerged. Skin pink. Pruned fingers. Still too relaxed to care.
Noah wiped condensation from the mirror. Caught Atlas's reflection behind him.
Watching.
"You look relaxed."
Atlas moved closer. Wrapped his arms around Noah from behind. Chin on his shoulder.
Their eyes met in the foggy mirror.
"You're incredible."
The way he said it—simple, certain, like stating a fact—made Noah's chest tight.
He tried to deflect. "Let's get dressed."
Tried to move. Atlas didn't let him.
Turned him around instead. Backed him against the counter. Cold marble against Noah's spine.
His hand came up. Tilted Noah's chin. Made him look.
"You're a tease."
"You like it."
"I love it." Different emphasis. Different meaning.
Noah's face warmed. He looked away. Then back.
Leaned forward. Found that spot on Atlas's neck—his mark—and kissed it again.
"Now let's get ready. We have jobs."
Atlas groaned. "Don't want a job."
"Too bad."
Noah slipped past him. Grabbed a towel. Left the bathroom.
Felt Atlas's eyes on him the whole way.
----
They dressed in comfortable chaos. Trading spaces in the closet. Stealing items.
"That's my shirt."
"It's comfortable."
"It's a board meeting shirt."
"It's comfortable."
Atlas gave up. Found another one.
Noah's hand touched his back when passing. Atlas's hip checked him reaching for socks.
Couldn't seem to exist in the same space without contact.
Finally ready. They headed downstairs.
Lydia at the kitchen island. Coffee clutched like a lifeline. Hair disaster.
"Morning."
"Morning." They said it together.
Lydia's eyebrow rose. She looked at Atlas's neck. Then Noah's neck. Back to Atlas.
Her mouth curved.
"Heard you this morning."
Noah's whole face went hot. "What exactly—"
"Sunny whining at your door. Sounded pathetic."
Atlas leaned close to Noah's ear. Voice low. Only for him. "That's all she heard."
His breath warm. His tone implying otherwise.
Noah's elbow found his ribs. Hard.
Atlas grinned. Didn't move away.
They made breakfast. Eggs. Toast. Coffee. Normal routine.
Lydia talked about her vacation plans. Some beach. Some friends Noah had never met.
"You've been here two days." Noah cracked eggs one-handed. Showing off. "When are you leaving?"
"Can I stay longer? Please?"
Noah caught Atlas's eye across the island. Shook his head. Small but clear.
No. Absolutely not.
Atlas looked at Noah. Then Lydia. That smile spreading.
"Stay as long as you want."
Noah's hand found Atlas's thigh under the counter. Squeezed. Hard. Warning.
You're dead.
Atlas covered his hand. Squeezed back gently.
Worth it.
Lydia threw herself at them. Arms around both. Squeezing like she wanted to merge them into one person.
"Love you guys."
"Can't breathe." Noah tried to escape. Failed. "Lydia—"
She kissed both their cheeks. Loud. Wet. Finally released them.
Returned to her breakfast like nothing happened.
Noah shot Atlas a look across the island.
You're sleeping on the couch.
Atlas just smiled.
No I'm not.
He wasn't wrong.
----
They left together. Said goodbye to Lydia. Drove to work in separate cars.
Noah's mind wandered on the highway.
Meetings. That investor call. The contracts waiting for signatures.
Then Atlas's hands this morning. That sound he'd made when Noah bit his neck. The way he'd—
That smile appeared. The stupid one he couldn't control.
He caught it in the rearview mirror. Flushed face. Bright eyes. Obvious.
Get it together.
Parked. Went to the bathroom. Splashed cold water on his face.
Checked his reflection. Mostly normal. The mark on his neck just visible above his collar.
He adjusted his shirt. Covered it. Mostly.
Good enough.
----
The office. His team already working.
"Morning."
Heads nodded. Greetings returned. Jenna looked at him longer than necessary.
He ignored it.
Meetings. Calls. Reviews. The day blurred past.
He forgot lunch. Realized at two when his stomach growled loud enough to hear on a Zoom call.
Muted himself. Found a protein bar. Ate it in three bites.
Texted Atlas.
Forgot to eat again.
Reply came fast.
Sending food. Don't argue.
I wasn't going to.
Liar.
Twenty minutes later—Thai food. His exact order. The delivery guy knew to bring it straight up by now.
Noah smiled at his phone.
Thank you.
Eat everything or I'll know.
How?
I always know.
He did. Somehow.
---
Afternoon. Meeting with the new team. Code reviews. Endless discussion.
Movement caught his eye. Through the glass.
Sienna. Standing outside. Arms crossed. Face wrong.
Noah excused himself. Crossed to the door.
"What?"
"Terrace. Now."
She didn't wait for him to agree. Just walked.
Noah followed.
----
The terrace. Wind whipping through. City noise far below.
Sienna sat on the concrete bench. Patted the space beside her.
Noah sat. "What's going on?"
"I need to show you something." She pulled out her phone. Unlocked it. "Try not to panic."
That was never a good start.
She opened Instagram. A video.
Noah watched.
Everything went cold.
"Fuck."
The marina. Last week. He and Atlas walking down the dock. Fingers intertwined. Then Noah turning. Hugging him. Atlas kissing the top of his head.
Intimate. Obvious. Unmistakably them.
"Posted on TikTok first." Sienna's voice gentle. "Live. Someone recognized you this morning. Then it spread."
"That's from—we didn't even know anyone was—"
"I know."
The view count: 2.7 million. Rising as he watched.
"You're trending." She took his hand. "Both of you."
Noah's free hand went to his pocket. Empty.
"My phone—"
"Your office. I know."
He stared at the screen. Watched himself walk with Atlas. Watched how obvious they were. How happy.
How public.
"What do I do?"
His voice came out strange. Someone else's voice.
"I don't know." Honest. "But I'm here."
----
They went back down. Fast.
Noah grabbed his phone from his desk. The screen was chaos.
Fourteen missed calls from Atlas. Twelve from Marcus. Eight from numbers he didn't recognize.
He called Atlas. Hands not quite steady.
One ring. That's all.
"I'm coming to your office. Stay there."
"Did you—"
"I saw. Twenty minutes ago."
"What do we—"
"We'll talk when I get there. I'm almost there."
The line went dead.
Noah stared at his phone.
Sienna appeared in the doorway. "You okay?"
"Not sure."
He sat at his desk. Pulled up the video again.
"What are people saying?"
"Mostly good." She came closer. Perched on the edge of his desk. "Really. I've been reading. Mostly good."
"But there are bad ones."
"There are always bad ones."
Noah's phone buzzed. Message from Marcus.
DUDE. You're FAMOUS. Why didn't you tell me you guys were this cute???
Then Jared.
Bro. That video. Heart eyes emoji times a million.
Then Emma.
Just saw. You okay? Call if you need.
"Why today?" Noah looked up at Sienna. "It was a week ago."
"Someone posted asking who you were. Said they saw you at the marina. Then someone recognized you. Sterlins-Wellin CEO's son. That became the headline."
"And then it spread."
"Fast."
----
Atlas walked in seventeen minutes later.
Noah watched him cross the office. Watched every head turn. Watched people pretend not to stare while absolutely staring.
He looked calm. Of course he did. Small smile. Steady walk.
How is he always so fucking calm?
The glass door opened.
Atlas came in. Sat in the chair next to Noah's. Close. Their knees touching.
"You okay?"
Sienna slipped out. Door clicking behind her.
"Did you watch it?"
"Four times now." Atlas's mouth curved. "We look good."
"Atlas."
"We do. Very photogenic couple."
Noah stared at him. "What happens now? Millions of people—"
"Are watching two people in love." Atlas shrugged. "That's all they're seeing."
"That's not—you can't just—"
Atlas took his hand. Both of his hands wrapped around Noah's one. Warm. Solid.
"Nothing happens. People talk. Then they talk about something else."
"But—"
Atlas pulled him forward. Hugged him.
Noah froze for a second. Then his arms came up. Grabbed on. Face buried in Atlas's shoulder.
He smelled like himself. Like safety.
Then Noah remembered. Pulled back.
"They can see us. Glass walls."
Atlas laughed. Gestured around them. "Whose genius idea was this office?"
"You're enjoying this."
"I'm being very serious." His face said otherwise.
"Millions of people, Atlas. Watching us. Talking about us right now."
"We're famous." He said it like it was fun. Like it wasn't terrifying.
"What will people say?"
"Things. They'll say things." Atlas squeezed his hands. "And tomorrow they'll find something new."
Noah shook his head. "I can't believe you right now."
Atlas brought Noah's hand to his mouth. Kissed his knuckles. Then his palm.
"Nothing bad will happen." His voice softer now. Certain. "I promise."
Noah looked at him. Searched for cracks in that calm.
Found none.
A laugh escaped. Small. Disbelieving.
"You're actually happy about this."
"Yeah." Atlas didn't deny it. "I'm with you. In public. And I don't have to hide it anymore."
He said it simply. Like it was obvious. Like this was a gift, not a disaster.
Something in Noah's chest loosened.
"You're insane."
"Probably." Atlas stood. Held out his hand. "Come on. Let's go home."
Noah looked at the hand. Then at his team beyond the glass. Watching. Not even pretending otherwise.
Took it.
"See you tomorrow, Sienna."
She nodded. Gave him a thumbs up.
They walked out hand in hand.
Everyone watched them go.
---
The elevator. Empty.
Atlas pulled him close the second the doors closed. Arms around his waist.
"You okay? Really?"
Noah leaned into him. Let himself be held.
"Getting there."
Atlas kissed the top of his head. Held tighter.
The doors opened. They walked to the car. Still connected.
Drove home. Atlas's hand on Noah's thigh the whole way. Grounding.
Neither spoke.
The silence wasn't bad. Just processing.
----
"Your video went viral!" Lydia announced before they were fully through the door. "Instagram and TikTok!"
She was on the couch. Phone in hand. Bouncing with excitement.
Noah looked at her. Expression flat.
Atlas smiled. "Did you see the one with the romantic music?"
"Yes! It's so good!"
He took her phone. "Let's watch together."
Sat on the couch. Pulled Noah down next to him.
"You're joking."
"Never." Atlas hit play.
Someone had added a slow piano track. Rose petals floating in the corners. Heart emojis appearing and disappearing.
It was objectively ridiculous.
"You guys look so romantic," Lydia sighed.
"You're both impossible." Noah looked between them. "Exactly the same."
"There's nothing wrong with it." Atlas was still smiling. "We look happy."
"Mom saw it too," Lydia added.
Noah's stomach dropped. "What did she say?"
"Bunch of heart emojis. And 'finally.'"
Somehow that was worse than anything else would have been.
----
Noah made coffee. Strong. Sat at the kitchen island.
Started scrolling through comments. Against his better judgment.
Atlas came up behind him. Leaned against his back. Chin on his shoulder. Reading along.
They're so cute together
Who are they???
Old money gays we have no choice but to stan
This is goals honestly
"Most are positive." Atlas's breath warm against Noah's ear.
"You're not reading the other ones."
This is disgusting
Rich people being rich
Who cares about two random guys
"I don't care about those." Atlas turned Noah's face. Kissed him. Slow. Deliberate.
Noah kissed back. Surprised into it.
When they broke apart, he set his phone down. Screen away.
Leaned against Atlas's chest. Let himself breathe.
"How will this actually affect us?"
"If it does, we figure it out together." Atlas's arms tightened. "Don't spiral about it tonight."
Noah turned his head. Kissed Atlas's neck. Right over the mark he'd left this morning.
Atlas shivered slightly.
"You seem happy we got caught."
"Not caught. Documented." Atlas smiled against his hair. "Big difference."
Noah's elbow found his ribs.
"I should call my mom."
"Want me to leave?"
"No. Stay."
He dialed. Put it on speaker.
"Mom. Did you see?"
"I saw." Her voice came through warm. Amused. "Lydia sent it three times."
"What do you think?"
"Very romantic." A small laugh. "You looked happy. Both of you."
Atlas laughed quietly.
"Hi, Atlas."
"Hi, Mrs. Wellin. I'm sorry you saw the video."
"Sweetheart, I've known about you two for months. This just confirmed it for everyone else."
Noah's face heated.
They talked for a while. Light things. When they'd visit. How work was going.
After they hung up, Atlas pulled Noah closer.
"See? Nothing's wrong."
Noah still looked uncertain.
"If our bedroom videos ever leak," Atlas said thoughtfully. "Then we worry."
Noah's face went red. "That's not funny."
Atlas was already laughing. The real kind. Couldn't stop.
"I hate you."
"No you don't."
He didn't.
---
Lydia appeared in the doorway.
"Are you making dinner or just standing there being gross?"
"We forgot you existed." Noah looked at her. "Tragic."
"I'm starving."
Atlas released Noah reluctantly. "We're cooking now."
Pasta. Simple. Easy.
Lydia sat at the counter. Read positive comments aloud. Only positive ones.
"Someone said you look like a movie couple."
"Which movie?" Atlas asked.
"They didn't specify. Just 'movie vibes.'"
"I'll take it."
He kept finding excuses to touch Noah. Hip check when passing. Hand on his lower back. Stealing a piece of tomato from Noah's cutting board and kissing his cheek as thanks.
Obvious. Constant. Unapologetic.
Noah relaxed by degrees. Started responding to Lydia's readings. Rolling his eyes at the comments. At Atlas.
But never moving away from his touch.
----
Dinner. The three of them.
Lydia looked up from her phone. "Can I share your video?"
Noah's fork stopped. "What?"
"On my account. My followers would love it."
"Absolutely not."
"But everyone already knows who you are—"
"I don't care. No."
Lydia turned to Atlas. Pleading eyes.
Noah turned to him too. Hard stare.
Don't you dare.
Atlas looked between them. Enjoying himself too much.
"Noah doesn't want you to share it."
"But can I? Technically?"
His mouth twitched.
He winked at her.
"Okay then." Lydia was already on her phone. "Posting. Romantic music version."
"I'm not speaking to either of you." Noah looked between them. "For the rest of the night."
"We've been warned," Atlas said solemnly.
Lydia snickered.
---
After dinner. Kitchen clean. Lydia dispatched to her room.
They climbed the stairs. Entered the bedroom. Closed the door.
Changed in silence. Comfortable kind. Sweats. Old shirts.
Climbed into bed. Noah on his back. Atlas on his side.
The lamp casting soft shadows.
"Hey." Atlas. Quiet.
Noah turned his head. "Hey."
"You went quiet."
"Thinking."
"About?"
Noah rolled to face him. Close on the pillows. Breath mixing.
"Will this affect your work? Your family? The board?"
Atlas's hand found Noah's face. Thumb tracing his cheekbone. Slow.
"My work is fine. My family already knew. The board can fuck off."
"If something changes—"
"I'll tell you. Same day. No more secrets."
Noah searched his face. Looking for doubt. For fear.
Found something else.
Atlas's jaw was tight. That muscle jumping.
"What?" Noah asked.
"Nothing."
"Liar."
Silence. Atlas's hand stilled on Noah's face.
Then:
"What if it affects you?" His voice came out different. Smaller. "Your company. Your reputation. What if being with me makes things harder for you?"
Noah stared at him.
Atlas was always calm. Always certain. Always the one with answers.
This was something else. This was fear.
"Hey." Noah shifted closer. Cupped Atlas's face with both hands. Made him look. "We handle it together. That's what we said."
"I know. I just—" Atlas's breath shuddered. Almost imperceptible. "I don't want to be the reason your life gets complicated."
"You're the reason my life got better." Noah said it simply. True. "Everything else is just noise."
Atlas's eyes closed. His arms pulled Noah closer. Tight. Almost too tight.
"Okay." Quiet. Almost a whisper. "Okay."
They lay tangled together. Breathing. Settling.
"I love you." Noah said it into the dark.
"I love you too."
Atlas's hand moved through Noah's hair. Slow. Soothing.
Noah's eyes grew heavy.
Almost asleep, he murmured: "We're really trending?"
"Number two on Twitter last time I checked."
"That's insane."
"That's us."
Noah huffed a laugh. Pressed closer.
Fell asleep not caring what anyone thought.
Atlas stayed awake longer. Holding him. Listening to him breathe.
The video. The comments. The millions of people who now knew.
He found he didn't mind.
This—Noah in his arms, their life together, their future—was worth being seen.
Worth everything.
He closed his eyes.
Staying hidden was safe.
But being seen?
Being seen took courage.
And finally, they were both ready.