Noah sat on the sofa, his heart beating a little faster than usual. His eyes were fixed on the empty wall, but his thoughts were all on Caryn. There was something he had kept to himself for a long time, a feeling he had never dared to say out loud. This time, it felt like the moment had finally come.
Caryn walked into the living room, her steps firm and confident. She sat across from Noah, a faint smile on her lips, though her presence still carried a quiet authority that made him pause.
"Why are you so quiet?" she asked, her voice gentle but steady.
Noah chuckled awkwardly, his cheeks warming. "It's… nothing. I was just thinking," he said, stumbling slightly over his words. Caryn raised an eyebrow, waiting without pushing, her gaze alone enough to make him nervous.
He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "I think… I should tell you how I feel." He hesitated, his face heating up. Caryn leaned forward just a little, giving him space while maintaining her composed aura.
"Yeah?" Caryn whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.
Noah swallowed. "I like you. Actually… I've felt this way for a long time."
Caryn's smile widened. "Huh… you finally said it."
Noah's heart nearly jumped out of his chest. "I didn't know how to say it. I was scared you might—" He trailed off, flustered and embarrassed.
Caryn laughed softly, her voice warm. "Relax, Noah. I like you too."
Relief washed over him instantly. His face turned red, but his chest felt light for the first time in ages.
Caryn shifted slightly, and without thinking, Noah reached out. Caryn looked at his hand, smiled, and gently took it.
"Are you… holding my hand?" she teased.
Noah couldn't answer. He just smiled, his cheeks burning even more.
They sat there in silence, their hands intertwined, the simple touch tying their hearts together. Noah slowly turned his head. Their eyes met, and that alone was enough to dissolve all the tension. Caryn leaned in and, without saying a word, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
Noah froze, his heart bursting with sweetness. His face felt hot, words completely failing him.
"Hey… you—" he stammered, shy but happy.
Caryn only smiled and pulled back slightly, still close. Their eyes met again, and Noah smiled back. For the first time, it felt like all the feelings he had kept inside were finally free. Quiet, gentle, and romantic, the moment marked the beginning of something special.
---
Jay staggered slightly in the kitchen, one hand covering his mouth, his face pale. Liam moved quickly, placing a hand behind Jay to steady him before he could slip.
"If you need to throw up, just do it here. Don't rush to the bathroom, it's dangerous. I can clean it," Liam whispered, guiding him carefully to a safer spot on the floor.
Jay nodded, eyes watering a little, a faint smile still forming. "Thanks…" he breathed, weak but sincere.
They sat on the floor together, Liam holding Jay's hand, making sure every movement was steady.
"This is weird… I've never felt like this before," Jay admitted, looking down.
Liam smiled softly, his thumb brushing the back of Jay's hand. "I know."
Jay tried to take a deep breath, but his stomach churned and he coughed lightly. Liam immediately grabbed a glass of water and guided it into Jay's hands.
"Slowly. Just a little. You're okay," Liam said calmly.
Jay smiled faintly as he drank. Liam then pulled him gently into his arms. Liam's pheromone scent wrapped around Jay, calming him, making him feel safe despite the weakness in his body.
Jay shook his head with a small laugh. "You know… it's kind of funny. I feel like I could throw up any second, but you're still so calm."
Liam chuckled and pulled him closer. "Funny? I call this bonding time. Besides, I'm the father of this kid. That means I'm responsible."
Jay laughed softly, his eyes growing a little misty. "I'm just worried this is going to be a burden for everyone."
"It's not," Liam said, patting his back gently.
Jay rested his head on Liam's shoulder, the warmth and security easing the tension in his body.
Liam reached for a small plate with crackers and fruit. "Try a bit. See if you can handle it."
Jay tried, but his stomach protested immediately. Liam laughed lightly. "Looks like timing is the key. It's okay, we'll try again later."
Jay smiled and leaned back against Liam's shoulder.
They stayed like that for a while. Jay rested as Liam watched over him with a soft smile. Sometimes Jay laughed quietly when Liam put on a serious face, like a teacher explaining how to eat properly.
"You're ridiculous. Even when you're serious, you're funny," Jay said.
Liam smiled and held Jay's hand again. "I am serious. And I like seeing you smile. This feeling of safety? It's because you're here with me."
Jay looked down, smiling.
Time passed slowly. Jay eventually drifted off with his head on Liam's shoulder. Liam held him carefully, cherishing every moment. To him, these moments mattered deeply. The nausea, the exhaustion, the emotions. They faced it all together.
Jay stirred slightly, his cheek brushing Liam's hand, smiling weakly.
"Thanks… for being patient with me."
Liam chuckled softly. "Patient? This is just the beginning. And I'm not letting you go through this alone."
Jay closed his eyes, warmth and calm washing over him, the love between them growing stronger even in the midst of early pregnancy challenges.
---
Eric stepped into Carl's house with his usual calm stride.
Carl was lounging on the sofa, game controller in hand. "Finally. I was getting bored playing alone," he said with a wide grin.
Eric sighed and shook his head.
They started playing. What began as a casual match quickly turned intense for Eric. His eyes sharpened, hands moving fast, like he was on a real mission.
"Relax, Eric. I'm just playing for fun," Carl laughed.
Five minutes later, Eric lost. His controller slipped from his hands and disappeared under the sofa. Carl burst out laughing, nearly falling off his seat.
"Seriously? You were trying that hard and still dropped the controller?"
Eric rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Alright. Next round, I'm not holding back."
After gaming, they switched to movie night. Eric chose a horror movie, knowing Carl supposedly couldn't handle scary stuff.
"Don't distract me while I'm watching," Eric warned seriously.
Carl just gave him an innocent look, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Ironically, Eric jumped at every jump scare, gripping the sofa, heart racing. Carl laughed quietly.
"You're scared, aren't you?"
"I'm not scared," Eric insisted, face slightly red. "I'm just… alert."
Carl laughed harder.
At one point, Eric tried making a weird noise to scare Carl. Carl only stared at him, unimpressed.
"Nice try. Didn't work."
Eric laughed and pulled a cushion over his own head instead. Both of them cracked up.
When the movie ended, they sat quietly, relaxed and comfortable. Eric glanced around Carl's place, feeling an unexpected sense of peace.