Chapter Text
Noah couldn’t stop thinking about Cody.
Things had shifted between them, ever since Noah had bandaged the wound on Cody's knee the other day. He wasn’t sure why, but something about that small moment stuck with him, lingering in his thoughts. He found himself unexpectedly drawn to Cody, attached to him in a way that made no sense.
Noah had never been the sentimental type. Vulnerability wasn’t something he allowed himself to feel, not even with people back home. But Cody? Cody had broken through that. Somehow, in the span of a few days, Noah found himself caring about the gap-toothed boy in a way that was entirely new and confusing.
He couldn’t pinpoint when it started or why it happened. Cody, who others dismissed as scrawny, clingy, and childish, seemed to shine in Noah’s eyes. Where others saw quirks or flaws, Noah saw something different—something brighter. Cody was like a ray of sunshine cutting through the permanent cloud that seemed to hang over Noah’s life.
The sun to his moon.
It was odd, sure, but Noah couldn’t deny it. After cleaning and bandaging Cody’s wound, Cody had ended up staying the night in his hotel room. They had fallen asleep together in Noah's bed, with Cody holding onto Noah’s hand. And when Noah woke up, Cody was still holding it.
Noah wasn’t a touchy person—never had been. Physical contact usually made him uncomfortable. But with Cody? It felt… right. He didn’t regret it, but he was undeniably confused. What did it all mean? Why was he so comfortable with Cody when anyone else trying to hold his hand or brush back his hair would’ve been met with immediate rejection?
Cody was different.
Noah had never met someone who understood him so effortlessly, who saw past the sarcastic front and the cold exterior. Cody didn’t just look at him—he saw him. He saw the person hidden beneath the layers of cynicism and self-protection Noah had built over the years.
And that terrified Noah as much as it comforted him.
Cody was the first person to break through those walls, and Noah wasn’t sure how to handle it. But maybe, just maybe, that was okay.
Something new, and strange, stirred in Noah as he noticed how easily Cody became flustered around him. The Cody who used to be so brash and confident—especially when he embarrassed himself in front of Gwen on national television—now seemed shy, almost vulnerable, when it came to Noah.
Noah had never seen this side of Cody before. That confident, cool kid persona Cody often put on for others seemed to melt away whenever they were together. And while Noah would normally find something like that awkward, there was something undeniably endearing about watching Cody’s cheeks redden, or how he fumbled with his words.
Noah wasn’t sure what to make of the fact that a small part of him wanted to see Cody flustered again. He hoped it wasn’t weird, but there was a warm comfort in seeing Cody let his guard down like that, even if Noah couldn’t entirely explain why.
Right now, though, Noah was hardly paying attention to the episode of the season playing in front of them. He knew, vaguely, that Dakota and B were at risk of elimination if their team lost. He figured the Mutant Maggots had a better chance of winning invincibility again, given how dysfunctional the Toxic Rats were. But none of that held his interest.
Noah’s attention was on Cody.
The smaller teen sat beside him, clearly lost in thought. Cody's gaze was distant, unfocused, as if he, too, was somewhere else entirely. Whether he was bored with the episode or preoccupied with something on his mind, Noah couldn’t tell.
“Falling asleep over there?” Noah asked, his voice low but teasing.
“Huh, what?” Cody snapped out of his daze, responding a little too loudly. A few of the others nearby shot them quick glances. Cody, looking a bit embarrassed, glanced away, avoiding eye contact with Noah as he processed the question. After a brief pause, he added more quietly, “These episodes are like background noise. It’s… easy to get lost in your own thoughts.”
“Hm,” Noah murmured in acknowledgment, tempted to ask Cody what he had been thinking about. He was curious, but something told him not to pry. It wasn’t his style to push, and maybe Cody wasn’t ready to share. Instead, he decided to shift the conversation to something lighter. “How’s your knee?”
Cody looked back up at Noah, their eyes meeting. A soft smile crossed Cody’s face, genuine and appreciative. “It’s… a lot better, actually. Thanks again, man.”
Noah felt a smile tug at his own lips, one that wasn’t laced with sarcasm or his usual dry humor. It was an honest, unguarded smile—the kind he rarely gave. Cody seemed to have that effect on him, somehow. “No problem,” Noah replied, his smile lingering.
The two fell into a comfortable silence again. Noah scanned the room, half-listening to the background noise of the show, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Cody. It was odd how natural it felt, just sitting here with him, sharing quiet moments like this.
After a while, Noah broke the silence, curiosity getting the better of him. “Where’s Sierra?”
Cody shifted his gaze from the screen to Noah. “I think she’s laying low right now. Something about her hair, I guess. She’s also ecstatic to have internet access again, so she’s probably holed up online. Not really sure, though.”
"Ah." Noah nodded, absorbing the information. It was strange not seeing Sierra glued to Cody's side like usual, but he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, a new thought crossed his mind. "...Did you wanna ditch then?"
Cody’s brow furrowed, a bit caught off guard. “Ditch?”
“Yep.”
“Do you... Do you think we’ll get in trouble?” Cody asked, his voice a little hesitant.
Noah shrugged, his tone as flat and unaffected as always. “No clue. You just said Sierra’s skipping these things. Why not us?”
“Well...”
“C’mon,” Noah coaxed, a playful yet gentle smile tugging at his lips. “It’ll be way more fun to hang out than sit through this. Don’t you think?”
Cody’s face brightened at that, his earlier hesitation fading. Noah had a way of getting him to agree to things without much convincing, but Cody didn’t mind. “Okay!” he responded enthusiastically, a grin spreading across his face. Noah couldn’t help but feel a small surge of pride seeing Cody so happy just at the thought of spending time with him.
The two of them discreetly slipped out of the studio, leaving behind the dull episode that neither of them had been invested in anyway. They made their way back to Noah’s hotel room, which seemed to have an almost magnetic pull. It was a safe space for them—a quiet haven away from the chaos of everything else.
As they walked, Noah’s thoughts drifted back to the first night Cody had joined him in the room. Chris had dragged the original cast of Total Drama Island back into the fold for ratings, leaving Noah annoyed at the intrusion. He had taken refuge in a book, his usual go-to for peace. But Cody had shown up, interrupting his quiet time, much to Noah’s initial irritation.
Back then, he had been confused as to why Cody had sought him out, and more than a little annoyed that his personal space had been invaded. Yet, now looking back, Noah realized how grateful he was for that night. Cody had wanted to hang out with him, and even though Noah might have been a little harsh at first, he didn’t regret a thing.
That night had changed something. After falling asleep together, with Cody holding his hand, Noah had begun to understand just how much Cody meant to him. Cody wasn’t like the others—he wasn’t trying to manipulate or use him like Alejandro. Cody just wanted to be around him, and Noah hadn’t realized how much he needed that kind of connection until it happened.
It had taught Noah a valuable lesson: not to judge so quickly, not to be so guarded. Cody had shown him that not everyone was out to hurt him, that friendships could be genuine and safe. And now, walking back to the hotel room together, Noah felt a sense of calm—a kind of security he hadn’t known before.
For once, he wasn’t overthinking things. He was just glad to have Cody by his side.
As they entered the room, Cody made a beeline for Noah's bed, immediately sitting down on the edge. Noah followed, sliding onto the bed beside him, the two of them falling into the same comfortable, familiar silence that had become routine. Neither of them spoke at first, simply absorbing the quiet of the room, the unspoken bond between them hanging in the air. Noah was starting to feel the weight of the silence when Cody finally broke it.
"Hey... Noah... I have to tell you something," Cody’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant. He wasn’t looking at Noah, his gaze fixed somewhere on the floor. The uneasiness in Cody's tone hit Noah like a punch to the gut, a tight knot forming in his chest. Whatever Cody was about to say was weighing heavily on him, and it made Noah's heart ache.
Despite his usual instinct to cover up his nerves with sarcasm, Noah felt a pang of protectiveness. But that didn’t stop him from teasing a little. "We sneak off to hang out, and that's the first thing you say to me?" he quipped, his usual smartass tone not fully masking the flicker of worry growing inside him.
Cody still wouldn’t look at him. Noah noticed the flush creeping up Cody’s cheeks, and though the smaller boy stayed silent, his body language screamed discomfort. His shoulders were tense, and Noah could feel Cody’s internal struggle radiating off of him. There was a heaviness to Cody’s silence that made Noah's heart squeeze. He could see that Cody was battling something, and it hurt to watch him in this state.
"Yeah, everything is fine," Cody said after a moment, though his voice was shaky, contradicting his words. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately... but..." He trailed off, not finishing the sentence, and that small pause made Noah’s pulse quicken with unease.
"But...?" Noah echoed softly, trying not to push too hard but desperate to know what was eating at Cody.
Cody took a deep breath, the sound of it heavy and labored, as if he were steeling himself for something. He still refused to meet Noah's eyes, and it was almost painful for Noah to witness how anxious he was. All Noah wanted to do was tell Cody that it was okay, that whatever it was, they could figure it out together. But he stayed quiet, letting Cody take his time.
"Y'know how I said I was over Gwen... right?" Cody began, his voice still shaky, the tension in the air almost palpable.
Noah nodded slowly, his brows furrowing. He wasn’t sure where this was going, but it wasn’t the direction he had expected. The nervousness in Cody’s voice sent a ripple of anxiety through Noah, who suddenly found himself bracing for something heavier than he initially thought.
"Yeah..." Noah said, his voice cautious, his own heart now starting to race as he waited for Cody to continue. “...Are you… are you not?”
"I am! I definitely am," Cody interjected quickly, the urgency in his voice making it clear he didn’t want Noah to misunderstand. Noah had felt a wave of foolishness wash over him for assuming the worst, but that feeling faded as soon as he heard Cody’s reassurance. Still, something lingered, a hesitation in Cody's tone.
"It's just..." Cody began again but trailed off, pausing to collect his thoughts. The silence stretched between them, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
Noah waited, his patience quiet and steady, though his curiosity was piqued. He had learned not to push Cody—if Cody needed time, Noah would give it to him. “And... what was that?” he asked gently, coaxing but not demanding.
Cody opened his mouth to speak, then shut it just as quickly. There was a visible struggle, a war behind his eyes that made Noah’s chest tighten in empathy. Before Cody could trip over his own silence again, Noah intervened.
"Look, Cody," Noah said softly but firmly. "You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready." His tone was measured, reassuring. He wasn’t Sierra—he knew when to step back, to respect boundaries. "I don’t want to put you in a position where you feel like you have to say anything.”
The tension in Cody’s shoulders didn’t ease. Instead, he seemed to brace himself, taking a breath before blurting out, “I like boys.”
The confession hung in the air between them, fragile and heavy all at once. Noah blinked, processing. His head tilted slightly as he tried to absorb what Cody had just admitted. “You… do?” he asked, not in judgment, but in surprise.
Cody still wouldn’t meet his eyes. His hands fidgeted in his lap, and Noah could see the unmistakable signs of someone who was trying desperately to shrink under the weight of their own anxiety. “Yeah,” Cody murmured, his voice shrinking, as if he was trying to hide within it. “I’d understand if you’re uncomfortable with me liking boys.”
The words hit Noah hard—not because of Cody’s admission, but because of the fear Cody seemed to carry, as if he expected Noah to reject him for it. Cody's shoulders hunched, his face flushed with shame. He wiped at his eyes, which had started to brim with tears. His voice, barely audible, was laced with guilt. “If… you don’t want to hang out anymore, that’s completely okay. And… I’m so sorry for making you uncomfortable, Noah.”
Noah’s stomach twisted at how deeply Cody seemed to believe he had done something wrong, and a new firmness entered his voice. “Cody, stop.”
The tone was different, not sarcastic or apathetic, but resolute. Cody noticed the shift instantly, his body tensing, waiting for whatever might come next. “Why would that make me uncomfortable?” Noah asked, more serious now than Cody had probably ever heard him.
Cody hesitated, a small shrug barely lifting his shoulders. “I... don’t know,” he said quietly, still struggling to put his thoughts into words. He scratched his arm nervously, eyes darting away from Noah’s. “I just figured it would. There’s a lot of ignorant and hateful people out there. Not everyone understands... you know, bisexuality. A lot of people find it weird or gross, and I just thought... maybe you would too.”
Noah could feel the weight of Cody’s anxiety in every shaky word, the tension between them palpable. He hated that Cody had to carry that fear, especially when it came to him. It stung to think Cody felt the need to tread so carefully around him. So, Noah softened his voice, aiming for reassurance.
“Cody,” Noah began, more gently this time, “I’m not like everyone else. You would never make me uncomfortable. You should know that by now.”
Cody hesitated for a beat, his voice small and filled with uncertainty. “...Never?”
“Never,” Noah confirmed, the word leaving no room for doubt.
Cody finally looked at him, his eyes lighting up with relief and something that looked like hope. His smile was soft, almost tentative, but it was the first real smile Noah had seen from him since the conversation had started. “Thank you,” Cody murmured, his voice full of quiet gratitude.
Noah could see the color in Cody’s cheeks deepen slightly, a faint blush spreading across his face. Cody seemed to gather his thoughts, glancing down as he continued. “I wanted to tell you... I got over Gwen a while ago. But, I guess I kept telling myself I still liked her to... avoid thinking about being bisexual. Does that make sense?”
Noah nodded without hesitation, his gaze steady and patient as Cody opened up. “Yeah, it makes sense,” he responded softly.
Cody let out a small breath, his hands fidgeting in his lap. “I thought if I kept focusing on Gwen, convincing myself I was in love with her... then maybe I wouldn’t have to think about how I actually felt about guys.”
There was a vulnerability in Cody’s words that tugged at something deep inside Noah. He watched Cody, really watched him, as he tried to put years of confusion and fear into words. “I see,” Noah said quietly, his head slowly bobbing as he took in Cody’s explanation. His tone was gentle, careful not to rush him, but his curiosity still got the better of him. “And... what made you realize that you’re bi?”
Noah hoped his question wasn’t overstepping, but something told him Cody wanted to share. Cody’s face turned an even darker shade of red, his nervousness becoming more apparent as he nervously twiddled his thumbs, struggling to find the right words.
“Well, um...” Cody began, his voice faltering. He hesitated for a moment, clearly embarrassed. “I’ve had small crushes on a couple of guys since I’ve been on the show... Trent, Alejandro, and, uh... you.”
His voice grew quieter as he listed the names, but when he said Noah’s, it was barely more than a whisper. Cody’s gaze stayed glued to the floor, too nervous to see Noah’s reaction.
For a moment, Noah was stunned into silence. Him? He hadn't expected that.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Noah's eyes widened in genuine surprise. “Me?”
Cody laughed nervously, his blush deepening as he scratched the back of his neck. “Ha-ha! Um, yeah! It was during the first season, after you kissed my ear and we hung out at Playa Des Losers,” Cody rambled on, looking increasingly flustered. He was practically sweating now. “But! It was nothing! Just a little crush! I’m definitely over it now, so don’t worry about it, okay?”
Oh.
Noah felt something inside him shift at Cody’s words—over it? A strange, unwelcome feeling settled in his chest, the same sinking sensation he’d felt when he thought Cody was still hung up on Gwen. It was ridiculous, irrational even, but hearing that Cody was "over it" left a hollow ache that Noah couldn’t quite shake.
Why did it bother him so much?
His brain immediately tried to dismiss the feeling, scrambling for some logical explanation. It's nothing, he told himself. You’re being ridiculous. But the dull ache lingered, and no amount of internal rationalizing seemed to make it go away.
Him being stupid.
Foolish… asinine.
Absurd, even.
Maybe it was just his ego, bruised from the idea that someone had liked him and then moved on. That had to be it. His pride taking a hit. Yeah, that’s what it was, Noah reasoned with himself. His ego. Definitely.
But despite telling himself that over and over, something about Cody’s casual dismissal of his crush continued to nag at him.
And Noah hated that it did.
"...Okay," Noah finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse. He was trying to process everything Cody had just admitted, and though his usual sarcastic shield was still there, something deeper was stirring inside him. "...Uh, I’m a bit flattered that I was your bi-awakening though,” he added with a light smile, trying to keep the mood from getting too serious. Cody returned the smile, though the silence that followed felt heavier than either of them wanted to acknowledge.
Noah shifted slightly, his eyes darting away before he finally asked, “So… what made you decide to come out to me?”
Cody looked at him, visibly caught off guard by the question. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if trying to figure out how to explain something that even he didn’t fully understand. His gaze dropped to the floor, where he stared at the carpet beneath their feet. “Dunno,” Cody shrugged. “It probably sounds lame. But, I guess, that I just trust you.” His eyes slowly lifted, the uncertainty fading as he gave Noah a small, playful grin. “Maybe you're the only person in this hotel I can remotely trust."
Noah was taken aback, not expecting such a blunt but heartfelt response. Cody had a way of being disarmingly genuine in moments like this, and it made something in Noah’s chest flutter in the most unfamiliar way. A warm, fuzzy feeling settled in his stomach, a feeling that made him uncomfortable, not because it was bad, but because it was… new. He didn’t like new. It was unpredictable.
Noah hated it.
“Huh. Well, I’d say I feel honored, but honestly, it kind of sucks that I’m the only one you can ‘remotely’ trust. But hey, that’s just my opinion,” Noah replied, his usual sarcasm returning, though this time it was softer, almost teasing.
Cody grinned back, rolling his eyes in that familiar, playful way that Noah had come to expect. “And I’d say it sucks that your sarcasm is one of the only things I even have to look forward to in this hotel,” Cody shot back, his voice dripping with mock exasperation.
Noah smirked at that, a flicker of warmth rising in his chest again. Cody always had this way of cutting through his defenses, of making Noah feel lighter, even when the world seemed heavy. “Besides,” Cody added, his tone softening just a little, “Even if you aren't the only person I can 'remotely trust', you're the only person I can stand."
Noah chuckled sarcastically, crossing his arms as a smirk spread across his face. "Wow, how touching. I'm honored that, out of everyone else in this entire hotel, I have the 'privilege' of being your favorite person to annoy."
"Oh, shut up. You know you secretly love that you're my favorite person to annoy." He raised an eyebrow, giving Noah a cheeky, teasing look. "And hey, being the only person I can stand? That’s a pretty high compliment, coming from me."
Noah’s smirk deepened as he shrugged, casually trying to mask the fact that his heart had just started to beat a little bit faster.
"Hey, I never said I didn’t love being your favorite person to annoy. The more you talk, the bigger my ego gets." He chuckled, tossing in his signature sarcasm to keep things light. "But, yeah, I guess it is a high compliment coming from you. But let’s be honest, it’s not much of a high bar, considering your very low standards."
Cody chuckled, rolling his eyes again. "Oh, please. At least I have standards, unlike some people I know." He nudged Noah with his elbow, a smirk playing at his lips. "And as for your ego? It doesn’t need inflating. It’s already the size of the Titanic and just as fragile."
Noah playfully shoved Cody back, rolling his eyes at the exaggerated insult. "Oh, and you act like your standards are so much better? You're so desperate for a relationship, you'd probably accept an offer from Sierra."
A scoff escaped him, followed by an eye roll. "And my ego is only Titanic-sized? You’re underselling me. It’s more like the Statue of Liberty—big, iconic, and definitely not fragile."
"Hey now, don't insult me!" Cody shot back, feigning offense with a grin. "I might be desperate, but I still have some dignity."
Still smirking, Noah shrugged. "Oh, please. You’ve got about as much dignity as Gwen has relationship skills. And don’t even get me started on how much dignity you have compared to Alejandro."
Cody grinned, rolling his eyes right back. "Okay, fine. Maybe I’ve got as much dignity as Gwen’s dating history, but at least I’m not an expert at being perpetually single, like someone I know."
Noah scoffed, raising an eyebrow as his smirk grew. "Oh, please. I’m not, and never have been, perpetually single. I’m just waiting for the right person. Don’t lump me in with Harold or Trent."
"Wait... what do you mean by 'the right person'?" Cody asked, his teasing faltering just enough for Noah to notice.
For a second, silence fell between them, the playful banter suddenly taking on a different weight. Cody’s grin faded, replaced by a more curious, almost hesitant look. They’d been joking just a moment ago, but now the air between them felt heavier, like the subtext was creeping into their conversation, and neither was sure how to acknowledge it.
Cody bit his lip before speaking again, softer this time, more genuine. "So... the 'right person' you’re waiting for—what do you mean by that?" His tone was still light, but the curiosity in his eyes cut deeper, like he was asking something he really wanted to know.
Noah’s smirk wavered, his heart skipping a beat. The comfortable sarcasm between them suddenly felt fragile, like it wouldn’t hold if they kept going down this path. The way Cody asked again—this time with a hint of seriousness—made it clear this wasn’t just a joke anymore.
The room felt smaller, more intimate. Noah looked away for a moment, avoiding Cody’s gaze as he tried to gather his thoughts. His fingers tapped lightly on the bed, a nervous rhythm as he felt Cody’s question linger in the air. There was no way to dodge it this time.
"Come on, Noah," Cody pressed, his voice softer now, the usual playfulness gone. "What are you really waiting for?"
Noah swallowed hard, feeling Cody's eyes on him, waiting for something real. The usual wall of sarcasm felt flimsy in the face of Cody’s earnestness. He couldn’t deflect this time.
Noah chuckled nervously, trying to stall. "Uh... no, I'm not waiting for the right woman," he said slowly, the smirk he usually wore slipping away as nerves crept in.
Cody noticed the shift in Noah’s demeanor, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then who are you waiting for? A talking robot or something?"
Noah laughed weakly, more out of habit than anything. "Uh, no. That would be ridiculous."
His heart raced as the truth edged closer to the surface, and before he could overthink it any longer, the words slipped out. "If you really want to know... I'm waiting for..." He hesitated, the weight of what he was about to say pressing down on him. He swallowed again. "...the right... man."
Cody blinked, clearly taken aback. His eyes widened as he processed Noah’s confession. "Wait, what? You're... gay?"
Noah let out an awkward laugh, his nerves getting the best of him. "Yeah... I’m gay. I mean, it’s not that big of a deal, right?" His attempt at casualness fell flat, the vulnerability seeping into his voice.
Cody was quiet for a moment, the realization sinking in. Then, almost as if a lightbulb had gone off, he nodded. "Actually... now that I think about it, that does explain a lot."
Noah laughed again, still anxious but relieved that Cody wasn’t reacting negatively. "Yeah... guess it does," he muttered, trying to lighten the mood with sarcasm. "You must feel like a genius for piecing that together."
Cody’s expression softened, and he shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Nah, no big deal. I mean, I told you I’m bi myself, so… I get it.”
Noah felt a little of the tension in his chest release. Cody wasn’t just okay with it—he understood. Cody even chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “Besides,” he teased, “you’ve been dropping hints left and right. It was like watching a neon sign blink ‘I’m gay’ in giant rainbow letters.”
Noah huffed, rolling his eyes, but a smirk crept back onto his face. Cody’s lightheartedness made it easier, like this confession wasn’t such a huge, earth-shattering moment. "Yeah, yeah, I’m a real open book," Noah muttered, still hiding behind his sarcasm. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious."
Cody leaned back, grinning. "Well, you know me—always here to help."
Noah relaxed further, feeling like maybe, just maybe, things would be okay after all.
For a brief moment, silence fell between them, but it wasn’t awkward—it felt more like the quiet pause between two chapters, a subtle shift in the dynamic. Noah glanced at Cody, noticing the easy smile still lingering on his lips. That small exchange between them, the mutual revelations, had changed something in the air. It felt lighter now, more open.
Cody caught Noah’s gaze, his smile softening into something more thoughtful, more sincere. “I’m really grateful you felt like you could come out to me though, Noah,” he said quietly, his voice filled with genuine warmth.
Noah blinked, caught off guard, feeling an unexpected heat rise to his face. “You are?” His tone was softer than usual, unsure.
“Yeah,” Cody replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he shifted a little closer. His expression was gentle, full of affection. “You’re my best friend, Noah. And I mean that. These past few days we’ve spent together? Honestly, they’ve been the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”
Something in Cody’s words hit deeper than Noah had expected. The warmth that flooded his chest wasn’t just from embarrassment anymore—it was something more, something he wasn’t ready to name. His heart raced as Cody reached forward, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Noah’s ear. The touch was soft, lingering, and Noah could feel the heat in his face intensify as Cody’s fingers brushed his skin.
Cody’s face inched closer, the space between them shrinking, and Noah found himself frozen, unsure but unable to pull away. He could feel Cody’s breath against his cheek, the moment heavy with unspoken possibilities.
Noah’s voice came out quieter than he intended, almost hoarse. “...Me too,” he admitted, and for once, there wasn’t a trace of sarcasm. It was a rare moment of vulnerability, and he watched as Cody’s face went red at hearing it, a blush spreading across his cheeks.
Cody’s hand lingered on Noah’s face, his thumb brushing softly along Noah’s cheekbone, sending a shiver down his spine. “And… I don’t think I can imagine a future without you in it,” Cody whispered, his voice shaky but filled with earnestness, each word laced with meaning.
Feeling the intensity of the moment, Noah pulled back just slightly, trying to defuse some of the tension with humor. “You’re talking like we don’t live in the same province,” he scoffed lightly, though his voice lacked its usual edge.
Cody chuckled, but his eyes still held that quiet affection, not backing down. “Yeah, but—”
Before Cody could finish, Noah reached out and grabbed his hands, holding them tightly. “You’re not gonna lose me,” Noah said firmly, his tone more serious than before. “I hope you know that. And once all this is over, I promise I’ll find a way for us to hang out. As much as possible, okay?”
Cody’s eyes lit up, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. It was the kind of smile that made Noah’s heart stutter in his chest. “You promise?”
“I promise,” Noah said, his voice steady, a small but genuine smile forming on his lips.
Without warning, Cody leaned in and wrapped his arms around Noah in a tight hug, catching him off guard. For a second, Noah stiffened at the sudden contact, but then he let himself relax, his own arms coming up to hold Cody close. The warmth of Cody’s body against his was comforting, in a way that made Noah feel safe, like he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Cody rested his chin on Noah’s shoulder, his voice soft and sincere. “Thanks, Noah.”
Noah smiled to himself, pulling Cody just a little closer. “No problem,” he whispered back, his voice carrying the weight of everything he didn’t know how to say. There was something peaceful in the way they fit together, in the silence that followed, and for once, Noah didn’t feel the need to analyze it.
For now, he let himself just exist in the moment—comfortable, close, and content with Cody beside him. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but right now, this was enough.