Daniel listened with wide, terrified eyes as Micah and Noah explained everything — the existence of werewolves, the secrecy of the Devil’s Triangle, the danger of exposure, and the consequences if anyone found out. Noah spoke gently. Micah spoke firmly. Together, they painted the truth as clearly as they could.

  Daniel didn’t interrupt.

  Didn’t argue.

  Didn’t even breathe too loudly.

  When they finished, he nodded shakily.

  “I… I won’t tell anyone,” he whispered. “I swear. I’ll keep your secret.”

  Relief washed over Noah.

  Micah didn’t look relieved.

  Micah looked like he was evaluating whether Daniel was edible.

  “Can I… go home now?” Daniel asked weakly.

  Micah stepped behind him to untie the ropes — and leaned down so only Daniel could hear.

  “If you ever hurt Noah again,” Micah murmured, voice low and calm, “I’ll hurt you back. Worse. He’s mine. Understand?”

  Daniel nodded so fast he nearly dislocated something.

  Micah cut the ropes. Daniel stood, legs shaking, and practically sprinted for the door.

  “Come back tomorrow!” Noah called sweetly. “We need you for planning!”

  Daniel froze, nodded in a cold sweat, and fled.

  Micah shut the door behind him with a satisfied huff.

  ---

  Dinner was peaceful — mostly because Noah distracted the wolves with cartoons. They didn’t understand a single thing happening on the screen, but they stared at it like it was a documentary about the meaning of life.

  Afterward, Noah slipped into the shower. The hot water washed away the stress of the day, leaving him warm and content in a way he hadn’t felt in weeks.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  He stepped out, changed into his pajamas, and walked into his room—

  Where Micah sat on the bed holding… something.

  A costume.

  “Micah. What. Is. That.” Noah said through gritted teeth.

  “Oh! I found it in your closet,” Micah said proudly. “I thought you’d look cute in them.”

  “I—I… How did you even know they were in my closet?”

  Micah’s ears burned red. “Um… sometimes I go in your closet. For things that smell like you.”

  Noah considered running away or hugging him.

  He chose hugging him.

  Micah melted instantly, smiling shyly. He leaned in to kiss Noah’s forehead—

  —and accidentally licked him.

  Both froze.

  Noah squeaked.

  Micah looked like he wanted to dig a hole and die in it.

  “I—I didn’t— I wasn’t— I’m leaving,” Micah sputtered, scrambling to escape.

  Noah giggled and caught his hand. “It’s okay, love.”

  Micah died at the word love. His face went crimson as he buried himself in the crook of Noah’s neck.

  They lay on the bed for a few quiet minutes, warmth settling between them—

  Until Micah said the strangest sentence in existence.

  “I wonder how you taste.”

  “MICAH! I AM NOT FO—”

  Micah didn’t listen.

  He shifted, hovering over Noah, cheeks flushed crimson, looking unfairly adorable.

  Noah wanted to die.

  But he didn’t push him away.

  Micah leaned down and kissed Noah’s cheek — properly this time. Then he moved lower, placing soft kisses along the curve of Noah’s neck.

  Noah’s breath hitched. His face turned tomato?red.

  Micah’s tongue traced lightly over the same spot, and Noah bit his bottom lip, pupils dilating.

  “I?is this what taking care of me includes…?” Noah whispered, flustered beyond reason.

  Micah didn’t answer. He just smiled up at Noah — soft, shy, gentle.

  How is it that no matter what he does… there’s never a single trace of desire in his eyes?

  Just affection.

  Just curiosity.

  Just love.

  “Micah…” Noah whispered. “You… can bite me if you want.”

  Micah froze.

  “Noah… I don’t think this is the best time. Not while we’re like this.”

  Noah nodded softly.

  Micah returned to kissing his neck — gentle, slow — then lightly sucked on the sensitive skin.

  Noah squeaked. “Micah! What are you doing… That could leave a mark…”

  “I know,” Micah murmured. “If it does… Daniel won’t pursue you anymore.”

  “Huh?”

  “Daniel loves you. Don’t you realize? I can smell it on him.”

  “Oh.” Noah blinked. “I didn’t know… but you know… I love you. And you only. Okay?”

  He kissed Micah softly. Micah kissed him back, slow and sweet, before pulling away.

  Micah rested his head on Noah’s chest.

  “I’m sleepy.”

  Noah giggled softly. “You’re so cute.”

  “Mhm…” Micah mumbled, cheeks still pink.

  “I love you too,” Noah whispered.

  The world might be ending.

  They might be wanted.

  They might have just made a very nervous frenemy.

  But they still had each other.

  And for now, that was enough.