The sun streamed softly through the wide windows of Diamant's penthouse, spilling golden light across the floor. The faint hum of the city below sounded distant, almost muted by the calm stillness that hung in the air.
Noah sat up on the bed, his blonde hair falling loosely over his eyes. The sheets around him were warm and smelled faintly of Diamant — clean, crisp, and a little like cedarwood. He stretched, rubbing his eyes, and blinked at the neat little note resting on the nightstand.
Rest well. Don't come in today. The butler will bring you to the house. – Diamant.
A soft smile tugged at Noah's lips. He traced the signature at the bottom with his thumb, reading the words again as if they were something precious.
He thought for a moment about doing something small — maybe baking muffins, the kind his grandmother used to make, the kind he always made to show gratitude. But then he frowned and shook his head. "That's silly," he murmured, brushing the thought away. Diamant was his boss, after all. Muffins would be too personal, too much.
Maybe a simple "thank you" would be enough.
Maybe.
---
At the office, Diamant was on his way to the conference room when a sudden image of a moaning Noah flashed in his memory, he smiled at the thought before coming back to his senses.
Diamant: what am I even thinking, I did that only to help him, not because I wanted to(he whispers under his breath). Right, Diamant says to affirm his words, after doubting himself.
At the conference room, Diamant tapped his pen against the desk, his mind only half on the conversation happening in the conference room. His silver hair was tied back low, neat and elegant as always, but his eyes betrayed distraction. He'd already gone over the day's schedule twice, making sure every meeting was trimmed, every report signed, every call handled early.
He wanted to go home.
He wanted to make sure Noah was okay.
By the time the afternoon light turned amber, Diamant was already in his car, a cup of untouched coffee cooling in the holder beside him. The city rolled past in glimmers of chrome and glass. He dialed a number on his phone.
"Noah," he said when the line picked up, his tone softening. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Noah replied quietly, his voice a little shy. "You really didn't have to send your butler. I could've managed."
"You're not managing anything today," Diamant said firmly. "You're resting. I'll be home soon — I'm bringing a doctor with me. Just to make sure you're fine."
There was a pause, a small breath on the other end of the line. "...Okay," Noah said at last, the word warm and almost sheepish. "Thank you, Mr. Reed."
Diamant smiled faintly. "You can call me Diamant when we're not at work."
He ended the call before Noah could answer, his expression unreadable as he leaned back into the seat.
Later that evening, the soft chime of the doorbell echoed through the quiet house. The doctor stepped inside, polite and brisk. Noah sat on the couch, a blanket draped over his legs, his hands nervously twisting at the hem. Diamant stood nearby, his expression calm but his eyes watchful.
After a quick examination, the doctor packed up his kit with a small smile.
"It's nothing serious, Mr. Reed," he said. "He's been taking too much of suppressants to hide his heat, causing him to look pale, and some kind of stimulant over-the-counter, it seems. To stay awake, perhaps for work. It's caused exhaustion and mild fever, but he just needs to stop taking them and rest properly."
Diamant's brows furrowed, the corner of his jaw tightening. He glanced toward Noah, who lowered his gaze immediately.
"I see," Diamant murmured. "Thank you, Doctor."
When the door closed and silence returned, Noah stood up quickly, flustered. His cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I.....I didn't mean to worry you. I was marked but my mate didn't care about me, and for the stimulant i just wanted to stay alert, with the new schedule and...."
Diamant raised a hand, silencing him gently.
Noah: "Diamant seems to be very angry at me right now, what should I do", he says in his mind.
Diamant was walking towards the study, then he turned back and glared at Noah once again. Noah startled at the cold gaze, not knowing what to do, he ran in front of Diamant to stop him from going into the study, without thinking what he was there for.
Diamant gave him a 'what the heck are you doing look' Noah realized his actions and started mumbling out."uh...um...uh... yeah I wanted to thank you for yesterday, so would you like some muffins, how about some brownies or cookies, or if you aren't hungry, I can just clean your study for you, or, you looked stressed want me to give you a head massage, anything, anything at all just tell me and I'll do anything".
Diamant's eyes darkened at Noah's words."Anything", he said with his alpha voice.
Noah: yeah anything.(Anything to keep you from looking at me like that) he said in his mind.
Diamant's eyes darkened even more."then give me your body". Noah froze before he let out a confused "huh". Diamant came back to his senses as and put his palm on his temple."Never say you'll do anything ever again". Noah still confused "huh....why". But Diamant cut the conversion,"Go rest, Noah."
The words were quiet, but they carried weight, firm, steady, the kind that left no room for argument.
Noah nodded quickly, turning away before the heat in his face could be seen. He slipped back into the guest room, pulling the blanket over his head like a child hiding from the world.
Diamant watched the closed door for a long moment before letting out a sigh — part exasperation, part something softer.
He looked toward the window where the city lights shimmered faintly against the dark sky.
"Foolish omega," he murmured under his breath, almost fondly.