Isaac paced restlessly back and forth in his apartment. His body ached from the attack by Nico and his damn lackeys. The abrasions burned unpleasantly, and yet it was nothing more than a dull throbbing at the edge of his awareness.
He was tired. He wanted to sleep and rest.
Hadn't he only just sworn yesterday to do everything to show the Boss what he was capable of?
But every time he closed his eyes, he saw that scene again. It wouldn't work. He couldn't. It had been so long ago—so why was he thinking about it again now? Isaac had moved on from it long ago. At least, that was what he had always believed. He lived, and he was always ready to die.
So why was he so agitated?
Because he usually kept the scar hidden? Because his choker was a shield for him—and that very shield was now broken? He hadn't even taken it with him. It was still with the cop.
The man who had suddenly kissed him. For whatever reason he had done it.
Isaac's stomach tightened.
Isaac was confused; he didn't understand how it had happened, and he didn't want to understand it either. He wanted to forget everything. He wanted to sleep and not wake again for a long time. And yet, at the same time, he wanted nothing more than to regain the Boss's recognition.
The guilt gnawed at his thoughts. Benedict's shocked expression had burned itself into his retina like an afterimage that simply refused to fade.
He had openly presented his weak spot, and now he felt as if his torso had been torn open and everyone could look at his wounded heart. Why did this have to happen? There was nothing he hid more carefully than this scar. Even his thief persona ranked beneath it.
When he wore his thief outfit, he always wore a high-collared turtleneck so the scar couldn't be seen.
He halted in his restless pacing. Isaac had many traits that made him unique among other people. One could recognize him by his red eyes and white hair—but he could make sure his eyes and hair appeared a different color.
A scar like that couldn't be hidden so easily.
It was like his personal signature. His fingerprint.
And just because he had been so careless and had let the cop get so close to him, he now knew about this feature.
"Idiot…," he scolded himself. "You're such a damn idiot…"
"Who's an idiot?"
The voice came from behind him.
Isaac spun around the moment Noctis spoke.
"Noctis…?" he breathed in disbelief.
It was already late in the evening, and up until now he hadn't heard anything from Noctis. He hadn't received a message or any sign of life from him. Noctis wasn't smiling; he still looked angry.
Guilt threatened to suffocate Isaac.
You really came when I texted you, and yet I kissed someone else who wasn't you.
The thought tightened his throat.
Noctis crossed his arms. He stood at the other end of the room and made no move to approach Isaac. He wasn't smiling like usual, and he radiated a coldness he had never shown toward him before.
But Isaac didn't care.
Noctis could have pierced him with that look, and it wouldn't have changed anything.
He was here. That alone mattered.
Isaac pressed his lips tightly together.
"You really came…"
"I waited for your thick head to cool down." Noctis snorted quietly, annoyed. "Took you long enough. I thought you wouldn't contact me at—"
But he got no further, because Isaac rushed at him and threw his arms around him. Noctis couldn't keep his balance, and the two of them fell to the floor. Isaac landed on top of Noctis. He breathed in the familiar scent, and tears immediately sprang to his eyes. His hand clenched in Noctis's shirt.
"Ow…" Noctis groaned.
"I'm sorry…" Isaac murmured hoarsely.
I'm sorry I threw those words at you.
I'm sorry I kissed the cop.
I'm sorry it took me so long to write to you…
Noctis's arms slowly wrapped around him. Hesitant at first—then tighter.
"So you admit it?" he asked quietly.
His hand slid into Isaac's hair and gently stroked it.
Isaac nodded fiercely against his shoulder. "I messed everything up…"
A sob broke out of him, raw and uncontrolled. The next moment he raised his fist and hit Noctis in the chest — not hard, more a desperate shove.
"And you just left!"
Noctis froze briefly beneath him.
"Wait a second…" His voice suddenly sounded different. Confused. "Are you… crying?"
Isaac jerked upright. He had to see his face. Had to look into his eyes. But instead of reproach, he found only surprise there. And something softer that made Isaac's breath catch.
"Don't ever leave me alone again!" he snapped at him.
By now he was crying openly. Every sob ran through his entire body. His tears fell directly onto Noctis's beautiful face. The look in his golden eyes softened. He gently brushed Isaac's cheek.
"Who would've thought you'd ever shed tears because of me," he whispered.
The past week had been a single carousel of emotions. Isaac had long since reached his limit, and this day had finished him off. But seeing the satisfied look on Noctis's face seemed to tear down every last wall inside him.
They needed to talk. Isaac had to tell him what had happened.
…later.
But instead of talking, he leaned forward and kissed Noctis on the lips.
It took barely the blink of an eye for Noctis to return the kiss. His arms wrapped tightly around Isaac, pulling him closer as if he had no intention of ever letting him go again. One hand slowly stroked over Isaac's back, soothing and yet demanding, while the other tangled in his hair.
The kiss was hungry.
Isaac could clearly feel how much Noctis wanted him — the impatience in the movement of his lips, the firm grip of his hands. But he didn't stop him. He didn't want to stop either.
His to-do list seemed endlessly long, but in this moment nothing was more important than the man with the golden eyes beneath him. He still couldn't believe that Noctis was really here with him. It was as if he needed to convince himself that he wasn't just imagining all of this.
He wanted this.
He needed Noctis's closeness.
Without breaking the kiss, Noctis sat up and pulled Isaac with him. His tongue slid insistently over Isaac's lips, and Isaac let him in without hesitation. A soft sound vibrated in his throat as their tongues met.
He savored every single touch.
He loved the way Noctis tasted. The hands on his body felt right, as if they had always belonged there. Isaac deepened the kiss further, losing himself in the slow, heated play of their tongues until the boundaries between them began to blur.
Until Isaac could no longer tell where he ended and Noctis began.
Unconsciously, he pressed against him, at the same time rubbing his now equally hard erection against the stomach of the man he loved. The clothing was irritating, and again and again the fabric reminded him how far his movements were allowed to go.
With every motion the clothes became more bothersome, restraining him, reminding him with every brush how limited their closeness still was. The pulling sensation grew unpleasant, almost painful.
"Isaac…," Noctis murmured against his lips.
His breath was hot.
Could they masturbate together again? The last time had felt so good…
By now his mind was pleasantly blank. He was more relaxed than he had been in a long time. Isaac didn't think about what he was doing. He simply let the moment guide him. His hand slid into Noctis's soft black hair, then wandered to the back of his neck and pulled him even closer.
With the other, he explored his body freely. His fingers traced along Noctis's jaw, slid over his ear, then wandered down his neck, the hollow of his throat, his collarbone, his chest muscles. He brushed over his hard nipple while Noctis's hand slipped beneath his shirt.
Isaac moaned as the hand slid into his pants and kneaded his ass.
All at once there was far too much fabric between them. He wanted to feel the warmth of his skin. So Isaac grabbed the hem of Noctis's shirt and pulled it over his head. Noctis broke the kiss only reluctantly, but allowed it without protest.
Isaac was breathless, and yet he wanted nothing more than to keep kissing Noctis. But before he could lean in again, Noctis grabbed Isaac's sweater and just as decisively pulled it over his head.
The cool air was almost icy—if Noctis hadn't been so wonderfully warm. Isaac shivered, but Noctis simply stared at Isaac's torso for a moment.
Isaac's breath caught.
"What happened?" Noctis asked, just as breathless as Isaac.
Isaac's stomach tightened.
"It's nothing… kiss me, Noctis…," Isaac pleaded softly.
He examined every single abrasion; Isaac flinched when he touched the fresh bruises. As his gaze moved upward, it caught on Isaac's neck. His eyes darkened.
"Who did this?!" he hissed.
The anger in his voice was unmistakable.
Isaac leaned his forehead against Noctis's, seeking closeness before the situation could tip over.
"Later…" His voice was rough. "I want to feel you…"
It was more a demand than a plea.
He couldn't allow his mind to start thinking again. This felt far too good for that. Isaac's hand wandered over Noctis's bare abs; with effortless ease he popped open the button of his pants and let his hand drift to the hardness pressing impatiently against the fabric of his jeans.
Isaac could crack complicated locks in seconds—so a pants button was hardly an obstacle.
Noctis blinked in brief surprise. "Do you even realize what you just said?" he murmured.
A nod was all Isaac managed. He was more than aware of what he had just said and demanded. Their lips found each other again, but before they could touch, Noctis paused.
His expression turned serious.
"I want to hear everything later," he said calmly, leaving no room for argument. "And don't you dare leave anything out."
Isaac nodded again, breathless.
Noctis's thumb slowly brushed over Isaac's swollen lip.
"No backing out either," he murmured, and a dark, almost dangerous grin appeared on his lips. "So get ready to be devoured, body and soul."
You talk too much…, Isaac thought dazedly.
"Bedroom. Now," he said instead.
"With pleasure," Noctis murmured softly.
The next moment Isaac was pulled to his feet. Noctis's grip was firm, impatient. He dragged him along, pushing him backward through the room until Isaac's knees hit the edge of the bed.
A light shove—and Isaac landed on the mattress.
Noctis followed him immediately.
First he kissed him again—brief, hot—then he pulled back and let his lips wander down Isaac's neck. When he reached the scar, he paused for a moment.
The touch was surprisingly gentle.
A shiver ran down Isaac's spine, leaving behind a pleasant trail of goosebumps.
But Noctis didn't stop there. His lips traveled further until they reached Isaac's nipple. He circled the sensitive spot with his tongue. He kissed it, sucked on it, and gave it a soft bite when Isaac moaned.
Isaac's back tensed.
"What are you doing?" Isaac managed breathlessly.
Noctis's voice vibrated close against his skin. "Relax. This is just the beginning."
His other hand massaged Isaac's penis through the fabric of his sweatpants. The double wave of stimulation hit him unexpectedly hard. His breathing quickened, uneven. He hadn't expected this. He had never even considered that having his nipples stimulated could feel remotely good.
But then Noctis let go of them, leaving only the dampness of his tongue behind. He kissed his way down over Isaac's abdominal muscles. In one smooth motion, he pulled off both Isaac's sweatpants and his underwear.
His already damp erection was mercilessly struck by the cool room air—only to be enveloped moments later by a warm, pleasant wetness. Isaac moaned, his hands tangling in Noctis's hair. Noctis moved his head up and down; Isaac pressed his thighs against his face. But his legs were pushed apart again. Noctis playfully bit into his thigh before continuing undeterred, giving Isaac the first blowjob of his life.
Isaac enjoyed it to the fullest.
He didn't even question why it felt so unbelievably good. His body was already reacting faster than his mind. His hips began to move on their own in the same rhythm.
He wanted to feel more of the warmth of his mouth. He lost himself completely in the sensation—until something cool and slick touched his anus.
Isaac's body tensed immediately.
Noctis rubbed his fingers there, massaging the muscle Isaac reflexively clenched.
"Relax," Noctis said calmly.
His tongue slid along Isaac's length before he took him back into his mouth. His free hand wrapped around the shaft and followed the movements of Noctis's mouth. A finger pressed inside.
"Fuck…!" Isaac gasped sharply.
The sensation was anything but pleasant. It felt so foreign and wrong. His body didn't know whether to resist or give in.
"S-stop…!"
But Noctis kept going. Isaac hit his shoulder—not hard, but clearly telling him to stop.
"I said stop!"
And then—
his whole body jerked.
Like an electric shock, the sensation shot through him. Noctis's finger had touched something that suddenly made Isaac's lower body go numb and hypersensitive at the same time. A pulsing tingling spread through him, deep and overwhelming.
His breathing broke into ragged bursts.
What—
His mind went blank.
Isaac couldn't get another word out. Dazed, his gaze fell on Noctis, who was looking at him with a distinctly satisfied expression.
Slowly, Noctis pulled away from him and deliberately licked his lips.
"That was fast," he remarked quietly, almost cheekily.
Isaac's thoughts stumbled.
Did I seriously just come…?
Noctis kept moving his finger and slipped another one inside. It still felt strange, but not as unpleasant as at first. He continued massaging that one spot that had robbed Isaac of his senses moments ago. The stimulation was almost impossible to put into words. Another orgasm began to build; his penis was rock hard again.
Isaac's fingers clawed tighter into the bedsheets.
Everything felt far too intense.
"W-wait… I just came…!"
A third finger.
Noctis didn't stop. Isaac's hand shot forward and clenched into Noctis's shoulder.
"Shh… just let it happen, Isaac," he murmured. "Otherwise it won't fit."
The words sent another shiver racing down Isaac's spine.
Then Noctis pulled away from the sensitive spot—just long enough for Isaac to gasp for air. His fingers did not stay still, however. They continued to massage slowly, spreading carefully, stretching him with patient precision.
Isaac's abdominal muscles tensed again and again by reflex before finally giving way.
Noctis took his time. Only when Isaac's body visibly softened did he slowly withdraw his fingers. The sudden emptiness hit Isaac unexpectedly hard. His body twitched slightly.
Breathless, he looked up at Noctis.
And the hungry look in those golden eyes left no doubt about what would come next.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"
A shaky, aroused huff escaped Isaac. Heat shot uncontrollably into his cheeks.
"About a hundred times?"
Grinning, Noctis opened his pants and pushed them down over his hips. He freed his erection, rolled a condom over it, and leaned over Isaac.
"Really?" he murmured softly. He brushed Isaac's cheek before kissing him. "You're even sweeter than I imagined in my wildest dreams."
Isaac's breath caught.
Noctis carefully lifted his legs and settled between them. The head of his penis rested heavily at Isaac's entrance. He rubbed against him as he kissed Isaac. His tongue found its way into Isaac's mouth—and while Isaac lost himself in the kiss once more, Noctis took his hand and pressed himself inside him.
Then the sensation changed. Isaac's body tensed abruptly.
This was different from before.
Too much. Too intense.
Instantly, Isaac pushed at his hand.
His other hand pressed reflexively against Noctis's shoulder. A quiet, strained sound escaped him. This was completely different from the fingers before. It felt like he was being torn apart. It hurt.
But he didn't complain. It wouldn't be long before they were fully joined—and Isaac had endured worse pain.
No matter how much this hurt, it felt right.
A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye and ran over his temple. Noctis noticed it immediately. He held Isaac's hand tightly and kissed him until he was fully buried inside him.
He broke the kiss and brushed the tear from Isaac's cheek. Isaac could see the beads of sweat on his forehead; he looked as if he were at his limit.
"Are you okay?" he asked so gently that Isaac almost felt like he might break apart.
He didn't trust his voice, so he nodded shakily. His hand drifted to his stomach.
You're so deep inside me…
"You're breathtaking," Noctis murmured into his ear.
He began to move. Isaac's toes curled and relaxed again when Noctis found that spot from before. His movements were careful; he seemed to be making a tremendous effort to hold himself back.
With every thrust, it felt better.
Another tear rolled down. Noctis was restraining himself for Isaac's sake, making sure it was pleasant for him. Without thinking further, Isaac brushed over his cheek and looked him in the eyes.
"Don't hold back," he whispered hoarsely.
"Are you sure?"
Isaac's lips curved faintly.
"I can see how hard you're trying not to hurt me," he breathed. "Besides, I'm pretty tough. As you know."
For a moment, Noctis said nothing.
Then a low, rough growl slipped from him. "You're going to be the death of me."
And this time, there was far less restraint in his gaze.
The next movement hit Isaac like an electric shock. Bright sparks flared briefly behind his eyes. His hand clenched tightly in Noctis's. They still hadn't let go of each other—and Isaac had no intention of doing so.
Noctis fell into a faster, harder rhythm. Isaac's breathing broke into uncontrolled gasps, and with every movement through his body, a soft, helpless sound escaped him. His entire lower body was nothing but a numb, tingling pleasure ready to burst at any moment. His breath came in ragged bursts.
This felt far too good. They were one, inseparably joined—at least for this moment. He was on the verge of completely losing his mind. Isaac could barely take it anymore.
"K-kiss me, Noctis…" he managed breathlessly.
Noctis didn't hesitate.
Their lips met again. Isaac moaned into the kiss as he finally came in pulsing waves. He clung to Noctis as if he were the only person in the world who could hold him together. Their hands never let go. Shortly afterward, a rough sound escaped Noctis close to Isaac's ear.
Then the movement slowed. Heavier.
Completely drenched in sweat, he pulled out of Isaac. He disposed of the condom while Isaac gasped for air. The sudden emptiness hit Isaac unexpectedly hard. He sucked in a sharp breath, his body still trembling in the aftermath. Sweat clung to his skin; his pulse hammered in his ears.
Exhausted.
And strangely light.
He felt sore and somehow freed. While Noctis took care of the necessities beside him, Isaac sank deeper into the mattress. His limbs felt heavy, pleasantly drained.
Before Noctis was even finished, Isaac's eyes slipped closed.
For the first time in hours, his mind was quiet.