The young man sat relaxed with a huge grin glued on his face so much that it looked as if he was born that way. The cool air coming from the car air conditioning mingled with his steady breathing and calmed heartbeats, even the beautiful dog that laid beside him seemed at peace with its head resting on the young man's legs.

The day had turned out much better than he had actually hoped it would and now he felt like he cheated the other boy. A quick glance at the masterpiece right in front of him had his thoughts running wild. He may have indeed cheated the boy but then again, Noah made it so easy.

His heartbeats skipped at the thoughts of his name.

His gorgeousness, his kindness, his gentle voice and those sets of pearly whites that seem to twinkle whenever he gave that killer smile.

How was it possible that he has never actually acknowledged all those good qualities in him before?

Noah didn't give him the chance to acknowledge anything. He had shut him out from his life completely and for years they lived as enemies which were one of the many reasons he had refused when the boy had asked that he got naked.

His breath hitched as he remembered how fast his heart had skipped on hearing that one request.

*********

"Want to see the painting now?" Noah asked and Adrian leaped out of the chair. He had fed Billy some of the cake and the dog had enjoyed it as much as he did. When he went into Noah's room for the first time, he wasn't surprised at what he saw. Noah wasn't the cleanest of person and his clothes were lying all over the place, the boy had quickly gathered a few bunches and shoved them into his closet and then he came back to offer Adrian a seat but Adrian had already made himself comfortable on the red loveseat close to the TV. The room was big and Adrian looked around in search of the painting.

"Where is it?" He asked.

"Get naked!" Noah whispered so low that Adrian almost fell out of the loveseat.

"What?" Adrian was shocked, his mouth hung open. All of a sudden and he was self-conscious of his body and he felt the need to protect it. He hasn't gotten naked for anyone before and he suddenly didn't feel very comfortable anymore. "I-I can't." He whispered with a shaky voice that was barely audible but Noah heard him. Slowly Adrian sat up and his knuckles tightened into a fist. He was ready for anything and if the boy made as little as one false move he was going to forget his fist on Noah's face.

"Why not?" Noah asked concerned. He didn't fail to notice the balled fist or the tightened jaw of the other boy's and his steady glares as if he was waiting for him to launch at him. He thought about a way to avert Adrian's anger and he soon realized he knew just what to do. Gently but very slowly, he went on his knees before Adrian. He saw the shocked expression that took over the boy's face but he still hasn't let his guard down, cautiously, Noah dared to reach for one of the balled fists and when he touched Adrian he felt the boy flinch but soon relaxed and let him grab the hand, he ran a soothing circle on the fist until Adrian unclenched his knuckles and Noah kissed the hand.

"I've got you, baby. Relax, breathe." His tranquil gaze rests on Adrian as he slowly shut his eyes, he tried to even his breathing. His anxiety almost consuming him, he was terrified.

He has never thought of this possibility ever, one of the many reasons he feared relationships was because of this very reason.

This moment.

Noah didn't ask that they have sex, just that he gets naked and he was almost dying out of the Panic attack.

"I love you, Adrian. You're beautiful inside and out and I would love to paint you as you are, my Adonis." Adrian opened his eyes and they lingered on Noah as the boy let go of his hand and went on his feet, with a smirk gracing his perfect face, Noah turned and headed for the closet.

Adrian stood motionless as he waited. He didn't know if he should take this opportunity to make a run for it seeing that he has absolutely no idea what Noah had in mind for him. There has to be a motive for this sudden love proclamation, right? Still deep in his confused thoughts, he soon saw Noah emerge from the closet and right in front of him on both hands held the most beautiful painting he has ever seen.

He was sitting in the living room wearing his favorite blue faded hoodie he had a smile on his face with his eyes focused on the television show he was so engrossed in.

A tear ran down his face as he vividly remembered that day. He had worn his hoodie in the living room countless times but he remembered that day because that was the day he had let Alison draw a heart shape on his left cheek with her lipstick and Noah had included that heart in the painting. He also remembered Noah coming into the living room briefly to check on something he claimed he left on the table and he had caught the boy stealing glances his way, once too many times and each time Adrian would catch him starting, he averted eye contact and disappears into his bedroom. So all those weird glances and numerous excuses were done because the boy was on a mission, one that had left Adrian breathless.

Noah was talented, he got every detail right, so right that Adrian felt as if he were looking into a mirrored reflection of himself.

"If I had a twin, this is what they would look like." Adrian joked and heard the soft laughter from Noah. "This is really good." He breathed out. His heart has long stopped racing since he saw that painting, his guards completely let down. "Can I keep it?" He begged with his eyes.

"Only if you let me paint another one." Noah let him hold the painting and as Adrian looked down on it, he quickly stole a kiss.

"Cheater," Adrian called out in feign annoyance while the other laughed. "I will sit down and you can knock yourself out with another one if you want." He offered but his walls were starting to climb back up when he saw the boy shook his head.

"I want to paint you, naked?" Noah pleaded.

As quickly as he had let his guard down, they were back up again. He has always admired himself since he wasn't one with big breast that they might be too hard to conceal without binding or surgery, once he had started on transitioning and his daily workouts sessions, his chest had gone completely flat and he didn't need to bind and if anyone was to see him shirtless they wouldn't discover anything unless they came too close and maybe even feel it up with their hands before they would notice. His one major cause of dysphoria right now, was what he has below. Adrian loves his body, his proud of his body but is he proud enough to show it to someone else, most importantly, someone who has claimed to have hated him for four years?

The answer, big fat, 'No!'

Noah studied the boy, he saw the conflict in his eyes, he saw those walls claimed back up and he most certainly didn't miss the rapid breathing that seemed forced from somewhere deep down his stomach. "Yes, you can keep it." Noah finally let out and he saw the boy heaved a sigh of relief. He cared about Adrian too much to make the boy uncomfortable with his demands besides he's only just told the boy how much he meant to him about a few hours ago.

Adrian felt like a huge weight has been lifted from his chest and he could finally breathe again.

"But," Noah continued and saw Adrian's brow furrowed suspiciously as he watched him like a hawk. "You will need to let go. I promise to be here to catch you, always." Noah wrapped his arms around Adrian and kissed him but the kiss ended rather too quickly as his working phone beeped angrily.

And only one person calls that number.

Adrian quickly pulled the phone out and tapped on it.

"Hello?" He called out, his voice cool and rather calm.

He was impressed.

Seeing the name flash on the phone screen, he thought he was going to lose his cool.

"Where are you?" Adrian rolled his eyes at the demanding tone of the man.

Always your problem.

Where are you?

Why not just ask, where is Billy?

Adrian felt his heart sting, he has no idea why.

"Visiting my friends." He replied nonchalantly as his eyes caught Noah playing with Billy on the floor.

"I need Billy." He sounded irritated. Well, Adrian wasn't surprised as he was used to hearing him sound like that.

"On our way," Adrian replied and hung up.

"Is everything alright?" Noah noticed the sudden change in his countenance.

"Yeah, but we really should go. Elijah needs his dog." On the mention of the name, Billy whimpered and his ears standstill like antenna poles.

"And the dog is ready!" Noah laughed, he grabbed Billy's leash and led them out of the bedroom.

"Alright, guys, time for us to go and you all should come over to my place sometime!" Adrian invited as soon as they made their appearance in the living room.

"Really?" Oliver yelled as he rushed out of his bedroom.

"Really." Adrian gave him a quick hug and Noah a kiss but Famous who sat on the sofa in the living room seems to have crawled back into his shell and Adrian didn't bother with the boy he just waved him a bye and they left.

"I love you," Noah had whispered into his ears before shutting the car door.

*********

"We are home!" John's cheerful voice boomed and Adrian opened his eyes to find Billy barking and clawing at the window.

Adrian looked and found none other than Elijah standing at the gate.

Is he always like this? Adrian wondered as he shook his head before pulling the car door open for Billy to scurry out. By the time he came down from the car Billy and Elijah were already wrestling on the soft grass right outside. He just grabbed his painting and whispered a quick "hello" before walking away. He has no idea if the man heard as his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away.

Hurriedly he walked into the worker's lodge and to the elevator and soon he was in the comfort of his room.

*******

Adrian blew out air from his mouth, the action caused his lips to quiver and then his eyes searched the walls for the perfect position to hang his painting. He soon found a spot near the TV.

He has just hung the portrait when a knock on his door had him almost jumping out of his body.

He was surprised as to who it was that was knocking on his door but he soon remembered it could be Jess.

"Coming!" He yelled out and rushed over to unlock the door. His breath stuck in his throat when he saw who it was that stood at his door.

He was speechless not to mention breathless.

How does he do this to him?

He just could not understand, you have Noah, you kissed Noah. Adrian tried to think different thoughts in other to stay calm and not make a fool of himself.

Elijah didn't wait for an invitation, he soon pushed the boy into the room and shut the door behind them. While he stepped into the room, Adrian stepped back.

"You look, different," Elijah observed and then he grabbed the boy before he could take another step.

Adrian bit the inside of his lips and waited until he felt Elijah's breath on his neck.

The crazy man was taking a sniff of his neck.

"You smell different too." Elijah glared at him. Something flashed in his eyes and Adrian didn't know what to think of it.

Did he know?

But how?

It's not as if he did anything bad, it was just a kiss.

His head was starting to spin as his heart thundered in his chest.

"That is beautiful," Elijah said and Adrian soon noticed what the man was reaching for next.

The painting.

He was going for a heart attack this time.

Why didn't he just send it to his bedroom?

"Who had this done for you? It's amazing!" The man admired the painting.

"Noah," Adrian replied and to his relief, his voice came out alright.

"What?" Elijah asked. He didn't understand.

"His name is Noah and he's a friend." Adrian pierced silver grays into those possessive hazels.

"A friend?" Elijah spat the word as if it was venom. Adrian didn't back down, his eyes still fixed on Elijah's even as the man dropped the painting and walked towards him, he didn't look away.

When Elijah grabbed his hands and his face twisted into something like pain and anger mixed together turning the once handsome face into something nameless, Adrian didn't look away.

"Yes, A friend and I like him-"

"No!" His voice quavered with rage.

That one word shook the house and Adrian stumbled backward in shock.

Tears streamed down Elijah's eyes, he wasn't stable as his legs shook as if they couldn't keep him up for much longer, he staggered, swaying a little as he tried to take a few steps and then fell into the couch his palm covering his face.

Adrian was confused with this man but he wasn't going to let his crying keep him from saying what he wanted to say.

"No?" He asked Elijah and the man quickly pulled his face up to meet his.

"You can't like him." He rasped.

"Really? What is it to you? As far as I am concerned, you are just my Boss and I don't see how my personal life should concern you." Adrian met his stare head-on.

Elijah bolted on his feet and had the boy pinned to the wall in no time.

The house tensed up at the coldness that was their breathing and the thumping of their hearts.

Adrian acted without thinking, he shoved the man over and had him pinned to the wall instead, his hands gripping unto Elijah's tightly and eyes locked in a battle of glare.

Adrian slammed their lips together and Elijah groaned so loudly that Adrian was certain if anyone was at his door that they would hear him.

The kiss sent a shock-like wave of electricity down their spins and both men shivered from the impact.

Now, that was what never happened when Noah had kissed him.

Elijah has his hands wrapped around his back and Adrian cupped the small of his neck with one hand while the other pulled at the man's hair exposing his neck for his teeth to assault.

Adrian bit his marks into his neck and when he was satisfied, he was back to that sexy mouth and this time without warning he slowly pushed his tongue into Elijah's warm mouth and the man had his tongue in wait as they both met halfway erupting another groan from both men.

Adrian stopped kissing him suddenly and instead, he walked away from the breathless man. "You treated me like shit the past couple of days and now you're all over me. What is your deal?" He turns to meet Elijah's apologetic eyes.

"I-" his words were cut short when his phone started ringing.

Adrian walked over to his door and pulled it open for the man.

"Go." He whispered.

Elijah glared at his phone and back at Adrian and then he walked out of the room, his phone in his ear.

"Hey, baby!"

Adrian heard the man speak into the phone as he shut the door and slid on his knees.

Got your chapter out my beauties. Sorry for the delay.

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