Page 38 of In the Middle of No(ah)where
A stream of gentle sunlight filters through the blinds, painting stripes across the rumpled sheets. My eyelids flutter open, and a grin splashes across my face at the feel of Noah's breath on my shoulder.It wasn't a dream. I turn to look at him, and his face is soft. Peaceful. The memory of the previous night, the culmination of a playful evening and a hesitant but ultimately triumphant plunge into intimacy plays through my mind as I watch Noah's chest rise and fall with each breath.
Noah begins to stir slightly, his eyelids fluttering open, meeting my gaze. A sleepy smile graced his lips. The moment is filled with unspoken understanding and the warmth of lingering affection.
"Morning," Noah murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.
I lean over, pressing a soft kiss to Noah's forehead. "Morning,"
Noah burrows himself into me, and I wrap my arms around him. Letting him take what he needs.
We lie entwined in comfortable silence.
"Sorry I fell asleep so quickly," he finally says, breaking the silence in the room.
"No need to be sorry; I fell asleep right after you," I tell him, rubbing my hand up his back mindlessly. "Would you like breakfast?"
Noah's stomach grumbles at the mention of food, and we both laugh.
"My stomach says yes. But…can I get a shower first? I feel…sticky."
"Of course," I let out a laugh. "Do you want some privacy, or would you like some help?"
"Tempting." He kisses my nose. "Would you mind if I had some privacy just this once so I can wrap my head around last night?"
Shit. Does he regret what we did? Is he having second thoughts? My chest has a different fluttery feeling, and before I can spiral too much, Noah reaches up and rubs his thumb between my eyes.
"You get this wrinkle right here when you think too hard. It's nothing bad; I just want some time to process everything. And trust me…I want to do it again," Noah reassures me with a wink.
"No worries. How about you stay here and rest? I'm going to take a quick shower, and then while I'm making breakfast, you can take all the time you need."
I kiss his forehead and make my escape after he agrees.
While we enjoy the pancakes I made, the conversation between us flows effortlessly—a gentle reminder of who we could be as a couple. A shared vision for our future.
"What's on your agenda this week?" I ask Noah as he pours a moat of syrup around his pancakes. I make a mental note to monitor this boy's sugar intake and ensure he's eating a healthy diet.
His cheeks blush. Taking a calming breath, he sets the bottle of syrup down. "Next Sunday, the local community college is having an open house for prospective students." He takes a bite of pancake, syrup coating his lips.
"And…are you a prospective student?" I know Noah has been wanting to take classes. After our talks about the additional support he can receive, he seems a bit more motivated to try. I want to support him in any way that I can without being too pushy.
"I'll be honest about it." He sets his fork down. "I'm scared."
"That's understandable." I turn my chair to face him fully and hold my hand out on the table. He takes it in his. "I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here for whatever you need. Always."
He looks like he wants to say something but refocuses on his pancakes.I follow suit.
While cleaning the dishes in the sink, Noah sidles up next to me and wraps an arm around my waist for a side hug. "Thanks for breakfast." I feel the tension radiating off him.
"You're welcome, Puppy. Everything okay?"
"I think so." He lays his head on my shoulder and kisses my neck. "Did you mean what you said about always being there for me?" He asks quietly.
I remove my hands from the dishwater and dry them on the towel next to me before facing him. "Noah. You stole a piece of my heart over two years ago. I knew back then that you belonged to me. Now that I have the chance at a real relationship with you, I'm all in. In whatever capacity you need or want."
Noah swallows. His eyes long before he confesses, "Marcus, I want you to be my boyfriend and my Daddy. But…I don't like to share."
Ever since our reunion, we've discussed his age regression frequently. Typically, he hangs out with his roommate, Carlos, playing video games or drawing. Practical jokes seem to be another common thing they like to get up to and a tell-tale sign that Noah is in middle space. I know that with this boy in my life, he will keep me on my toes for sure.
I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him to me. "I didn't want to push you, but I would love nothing more than to be both for you." Sealing the deal with a lingering kiss, I swat him on his butt. "And I don't like to share either. You're mine. Completely."
