It took Noah a moment to catch his breath, his heart still pounding from the rush of embarrassment. He walked the streets with his collar pulled high against the cold, taking a shortcut through a quiet alleyway — the place he always went when he needed to hide from the eyes of the world.

  But tonight, he wasn’t alone.

  Snowflakes drifted down, settling on the ground and clinging to his lashes, making him look almost ethereal in the dim light. He might have found peace in the silence, if not for the figure sprawled across the frozen pavement. Someone was lying there, motionless, half-buried in snow.

  Noah’s pulse quickened. He rushed forward, dropping to his knees. He pressed two fingers against the stranger’s neck. A pulse — faint, but there. Relief washed over him.

  He wasn’t strong, not really, but adrenaline carried him. With one arm he hauled the boy upright, draping his own jacket over him, clutching his groceries in the other hand.

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  Home isn’t far… I can make it.

  The walk felt endless, but when he finally reached his apartment, Noah exhaled in relief. He had never been happier to step inside. He guided the boy to the couch, lowering him gently, then checked for wounds. The pulse was still weak. Hypothermia. That explained everything.

  Noah studied him more closely. He couldn’t call him a man — he didn’t look much older than himself. Maybe a year or two at most.

  He tucked the coat tighter around him, then hurried to the kitchen. Warm stew. That would help, if he woke up.

  I don’t even know his name…

  Noah glanced back. Dark hair fell across the boy’s forehead, lashes long against pale skin. He was tall — taller than Noah, which sparked a pang of jealousy. Strong too, muscular even in stillness. Noah’s gaze lingered longer than it should have, finally catching on the boy’s lips. Soft. Too soft.

  I wonder how they would feel aga—

  Noah cursed under his breath, shaking his head. What the hell am I thinking?

  The boy stirred. Noah froze. His eyes fluttered open, blinking against the dim light, confusion etched across his face.

  “Who the fuck are you?"