Isaac stared at the display of his phone.
Two days had passed since Noctis had kissed him. Two days since the other had not left his side for an entire day and had turned his previously somewhat orderly emotional world into chaos. And it had also been two days since Noctis had simply disappeared after a short phone call.
He had neither said who had been on the phone nor truly said goodbye. He had simply waved into the room with his typical grin, said farewell to everyone, and vanished.
Since then, Isaac had heard nothing from him.
Of course, it was perfectly normal for Noctis to disappear for days and then suddenly reappear as if nothing had happened, and yet Isaac was worried about him.
And not only that.
He missed him too.
That idiot, he thought irritably. Gropes me whenever he feels like it, drives me completely crazy, and then just takes off! And doesn't even get in touch!
As usual, his display showed only the background he had deemed acceptable and the time and date. He had installed only the most necessary apps on his phone and used it only for essential things. He didn't take photos, and occasionally he only received pictures from Noah that filled his nearly empty storage.
He had never texted with Noctis even once. Maybe it was time to start — even if only to find out whether he was okay or not. He briefly considered writing to him. However, he couldn't think of a good opening for the message; he would have to think a little longer before typing and sending it, after all it would be the first message he had ever sent Noctis.
His gaze fell on the time. It was already half past nine in the morning, and the cop still hadn't been in the café. Unfortunately, Isaac had no idea how he should face the cop. Not after what had happened on Friday. Noctis had told him everything, but he still couldn't believe how he had behaved!
Just the thought that he had supposedly straddled the cop made his face flush. He was so ashamed of his behavior that he would have liked nothing more than to sink into the ground over and over again.
How could he have lost control like that? Why had he chosen that damn cocktail?! He hadn't even really looked at the menu and had picked what didn't seem too sweet at first glance! He should have read the menu more carefully. He should have taken something without alcohol. He knew he couldn't tolerate much alcohol. So why had he been so stupid?
He hadn't even tasted the alcohol in the cocktail.
Sure, he had been stressed because of the cop and worried whether he would manage to get closer to him. But that close?
Damn it — according to Noctis's account, he had come on to the cop like he was a prostitute!
That was probably why he hadn't come to the café either. He surely found him repulsive. What kind of guy sat directly on someone else's lap the first time they met? Isaac would never have done that if he had been sober. He had never even sat on Noctis's lap!
Besides, anyone would probably pull back if some freak like Isaac started groping them and talking about statues, aesthetics, and beautiful eyes — and that after the cop had told him about his loss. Isaac didn't even want to imagine what the cop thought of him now.
You're such a damn idiot, he thought silently. You ruined everything.
He would most likely no longer get the notebook this way, so he needed another plan. He urgently had to find out where the cop lived. He had to watch and follow him, and once he knew what they were planning, he would be able to prepare accordingly.
But while his thoughts tried to form a new plan, he heard someone clear their throat behind him. He hadn't even noticed that a customer had entered the café.
Pull yourself together, Isaac. Everything is still under control. There are still enough ways to get the notebook, even if they aren't as clean as the first option.
He forced himself to calm down internally and greeted his customer.
"Good morning, what can I…?" But the words stuck in his throat when he saw who his customer was. "…get…for you?"
Because his customer was none other than the very cop Isaac had been racking his brain over since Friday. The cop rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Hey Isaac," he said. "How, uh… how are you?"
"Good!" he answered far too quickly. "You'll have the same as always?"
"Oh… yes, of course. Though I'd also like another coffee and a caramel macchiato."
"Sure… of course," Isaac said quickly. He turned to the coffee machine and began preparing the cop's order.
He had answered too quickly. Shouldn't he have asked how he was first? He spoke with other people far too rarely, and right now that lack of skill showed. Internally he cursed himself for never having learned how to hold proper small talk with others.
Damn, what did people normally do in a situation like this?
In any case, he should avoid anything that would make it worse.
"Are you doing well too?"
He tried for a neutral, polite tone. Better to ask a little late than not at all. Thankfully his hands had something to do; he was far too nervous.
Did he still have a chance?
"Yes," the cop said with a smile.
Maybe he should apologize for his behavior, though he had little desire to hear the events of Friday night from the cop's perspective.
"I should apologize for my behavior," he said politely, voicing his thought.
The cop looked at him questioningly, then looked away. Was he… blushing? But why? Suddenly Isaac remembered how he had been sitting over the cop. How close he had been to his face, and the words he had whispered echoed within him as if he had only just spoken them. It wasn't Noctis's account, but his own vivid memory.
All weekend he hadn't really been able to remember what he had done while drunk, so why were the memories returning now? How could he have behaved like that? He would never touch a single drop of alcohol again!
Though he couldn't deny that the cop really had interesting features. The blue of his eyes was truly one of the most beautiful he had ever seen, and that he inspired him wasn't a lie either.
"No, you… didn't do anything wrong. You were just drunk," the cop replied, cheeks flushed.
Isaac sighed quietly. "That's exactly the problem," he finally said. He felt his face burning with shame. "I wanted to get to know you and not… well…"
Maybe he should simply use the cop as a model for his next painting to reduce some of the stress. Then at least that part wouldn't be quite as awkward. How would the cop react to that? After all, Isaac would really only paint him.
That was all he had wanted even in his drunken state.
Promptly the memory surged up of how he had slid his hand under the cop's shirt. How could he have been so shameless?
"I had fun that evening with you," the cop suddenly said.
"What?" slipped out of Isaac.
You enjoyed that I groped you?!
He would never be able to say those words aloud. But this was going quite well. Maybe Plan A hadn't failed yet — maybe he really still had a chance.
"Well, we had a good time and the evening was very relaxing," the cop continued.
Relaxing? Why is he choosing that word?
The evening had definitely gone well despite all the alcohol. Isaac nodded slowly. No matter how stressful it had been, it seemed to have been worth it.
"I also found the evening very pleasant," he agreed.
"Would you meet me again?" the cop finally asked. "But this time maybe with less alcohol."
"Excuse me?" Isaac asked in surprise.
"Of course only if it's okay for you!" the cop said quickly.
Isaac thought for a moment. The cop was behaving completely differently from what he had imagined. The situation was developing better than expected.
He placed the cop's order on the counter. He would get his hands on that notebook no matter what it took. A smile played on his lips.
"It is. I'd be happy if we met again," Isaac said. "However, I still have a lot to do with my current commission, the deadline is getting closer and I'm not as far along as I'd like to be."
Besides, I still have a heist to carry out where you shouldn't bother me.
The cop looked at him understandingly.
"Of course, you have my number. Just write to me when you have a bit more time again," the cop said with a smile.
"I will," Isaac promised.
He could consider himself more than lucky how well this had gone. From now on he would try to leave the embarrassing things behind and befriend the cop without strange incidents on his part. Thanks to the notebook he would always stay up to date and keep an eye on the cop.
If he behaved as usual, nothing could go wrong and the cop wouldn't misunderstand his words either.
Isaac said goodbye to the cop and began cleaning his workspace before the next customer arrived. He had to hurry, because that very evening the next announcement was supposed to go out and then the countdown would truly begin.
There was still so much he had to take care of. He grabbed his phone and decided to send the message to Noctis. He thought for a brief moment and then typed it in.
Once he was home, he urgently had to work on the second painting.
___
Isaac rubbed his aching shoulders. A glance at the clock told him he had been working on the second painting for nearly ten hours without interruption. Time was breathing down his neck, and only the announcement of the next heist had torn him out of his concentration around 7 p.m.
He had forced down some food and taken a bottle of water with him to the painting — which was still standing unopened beside him. Once he worked in concentration, he forgot everything around him until he was finished.
He looked at the picture.
He wasn't finished yet, but he had made considerable progress.
That should put me back on schedule.
At this point he could stop. A few details were still missing, but that was fine. The next heist would take place in four days, so he still had until Thursday evening to finish everything and rest beforehand.
Normally he was done at least two to three days earlier, but this would have to be enough. After all, he hadn't been in his best condition in recent weeks — even if it irritated him immensely.
He drank half the bottle in one go and grabbed his phone. He turned off the music and checked whether he had received a reply from Noctis by now. However, there was nothing.
He must be quite busy. Maybe he can't get to his phone right now, or it broke.
Isaac couldn't really say what exactly was going on. He stood up, grabbed his materials, and began cleaning everything properly. It was after midnight and he had to sleep soon. Fortunately, he had the next day off and could return to the painting right after getting up. Maybe he would even finish by evening.
He put away the brushes and washed his hands. Afterwards he carefully returned everything to its proper place. He cast one last glance at the painting — but to his surprise someone very familiar was standing in front of it.
So he's alright, he thought with relief.
Which didn't mean he wasn't still angry with him.
"Noctis," Isaac said.
Noctis hugged him a little tighter.
"Did you miss me, darling?"
"Did I miss you?" Isaac scoffed. "Why would I? After all, you just disappeared like always."
"Are you mad?" Noctis asked, amused.
"No."
"Sure?"
With smooth steps Noctis walked toward him. Isaac's first reflex was to step back, but this time he remained standing.
"Why should I be mad?"
"Because it's written all over your face," Noctis said as he stopped in front of him. He raised his hand and gently brushed Isaac's cheek. A cheeky grin crossed his lips. "Besides, your message scared me."
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "That was a completely normal message."
Noctis chuckled. "If you consider 'Make sure nobody kills you' without any further context normal, then maybe I really should teach you a few things. The sentence sounds like a threat and a warning at the same time."
A flush instantly rose to Isaac's face. "T-that…! I just wanted you to take care of yourself!" he snapped.
"So you were worried?" Noctis grinned in satisfaction.
Isaac avoided his gaze. "Don't exaggerate," he snorted, embarrassed. "You just disappeared so suddenly that I didn't even understand what the boss wanted from you so urgently."
"Oh, the usual. Someone was bothering him again," Noctis waved it off.
He leaned forward until his lips were close to Isaac's ear.
"Should I have said goodbye with a kiss from you?" Noctis murmured. His voice sent a pleasant shiver through Isaac. "I actually considered doing it, but it didn't seem like you wanted Noah and Ashe to find out about us."
Noctis put his arm around Isaac and pulled him close. Isaac allowed it.
"It's none of their business."
"I completely agree with you," Noctis said. He nibbled on Isaac's earlobe. "Did you miss me?"
"You were only gone for two days," Isaac breathed.
As always, his mind stopped working when Noctis touched him. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, and somehow he wanted Noctis to touch him more. At the same time he felt ashamed about the kiss and his inexperience.
"Unfortunately. I tried to come earlier, but things haven't been going the way I plan lately," Noctis said.
His hand wandered to Isaac's backside and gently stroked it.
"Noctis! Wait!" Isaac suddenly said. With a bright red face he pushed Noctis away.
"What's wrong?" Noctis asked in surprise.
Isaac glanced aside briefly. "C-can we take it slow? I have to focus on the job. If I'm not finished by the day after tomorrow, I'll get into trouble I'd rather avoid."
"But we are taking it slow. I'm restraining myself quite a lot not to just undress you right here and now," he grinned.
He said it as if expecting praise. But at his words Isaac felt his face turn as red as a tomato. He hadn't even properly informed himself about all this yet. Sure, he knew what kissing and sex were — but only between a man and a woman. He didn't even know how it worked between men. Besides, it was always Noctis who managed to touch him in a way that made him want more. But could he even do the same for Noctis?
He couldn't start thinking about it now, or he would only think about it constantly.
So close to the heist he absolutely could not allow himself to be distracted!
Noctis tilted his head. "Are you afraid of doing something wrong just because you're a virgin?"
At least he had hit the nail on the head. How did he always manage to see right through him immediately? But that didn't mean he had to admit it.
"No," Isaac replied stubbornly. "Besides, you have to leave again soon anyway, don't you?"
Noctis smirked again. "You don't have to worry about that," he said, raising his left arm. He pulled his sweater down a little, revealing a snow-white bandage. "I got a few days off."
He looked visibly satisfied. Isaac, on the other hand, stared at the bandage in shock. Carefully, he took Noctis's hand in his.
"What happened? Why are you hurt?"
Noctis shrugged. "I've been working nonstop lately — I was inattentive for a moment. Don't worry, it's just a cut and nothing important was damaged."
"But you're still in pain, you idiot!"
Noctis lifted Isaac's chin. "It got better when I saw you, darling."
"Don't talk nonsense. Do you need something for the pain?" Isaac sighed. Noctis's gaze made him far too warm. "What if your wound gets infected?"
"Right now I only need you," Noctis grinned. He brushed Isaac's hair out of his face. "May I kiss you? Or is that too much?"
He looked at Noctis uncertainly.
"I'd prefer it if you took it easy."
"Come on, Isaac. Just one kiss," Noctis said in an almost purring tone. "I hurried so I could see you again."
Kissing should be okay, Isaac thought to himself. He looked around the studio. But the studio is definitely not the place for that.
"But not here," he finally decided. "Let's go to the living room."
He wanted to sit down — in case his legs decided to stop functioning reliably again.
"We could also go to your bed," Noctis suggested.
Reflexively Isaac hit him on the chest. He still remembered very well the last time they had lain in his bed. Even if almost nothing had happened, thanks to Isaac's hangover.
However, this time he had no nausea he could use as an excuse.
"Forget it!" he snapped, embarrassed.
Noctis just laughed. "Afraid you might like it? I'll take it veeeery slow, promise."
"Can't you just go home again?"
Isaac pushed past Noctis and stomped toward the living room.
"Why do you suddenly want to get rid of me?" Noctis called after him.
"Because you definitely can't control yourself?" Isaac snorted, embarrassed.
Noctis grabbed Isaac's hand and turned him toward himself. "It's difficult for me, but I've waited so long for you to become mine — I can wait a little longer." His grin turned mischievous. "Even if it's veeeery hard for me to hold back. After all, you're everything I ever wanted."
He brushed his thumb over the back of Isaac's hand.
"You really are everything I ever wanted."
Isaac didn't answer immediately. His fingers moved almost imperceptibly — yet held on to the touch.
"Idiot," Isaac murmured, embarrassed.
"I'll only go as far as you let me," Noctis replied calmly.
"Okay…" Isaac muttered. "But only one kiss."
Noctis looked at him with a wide grin. "Only one."
Their lips met, and it felt even better than their first kiss. Noctis's lips were soft, he wore that pleasant perfume again, and he held Isaac in a comfortable embrace. He wasn't pushy or demanding.
Only then did Isaac feel the couch against the backs of his knees. Noctis had maneuvered him there unnoticed. But before Isaac fell onto the couch, his arms wrapped around Noctis's neck, his fingers buried in his hair — and even though Isaac himself had said he would allow only one kiss, he didn't want it to end.
Noctis followed smoothly. He bent over Isaac and ran his tongue across Isaac's lips. Isaac closed his eyes and simply followed what Noctis guided him to do. He parted his lips slightly, paying attention to everything he did. When their tongues touched, he tried to match the rhythm. It took a moment until it felt right and he let out a soft moan into the kiss.
Why does this feel so good?
He felt his mind drifting away and his body fully giving in to the newly discovered sensations.
His body tingled, he felt hot, and everywhere Noctis touched seemed to set his skin on fire. He opened his eyes, only to see that Noctis had his closed as well. His long black eyelashes were unbelievably beautiful — once again making Isaac envious of not having been born a normal person without a genetic defect.
However, Noctis trembled slightly, and only then did Isaac notice that he was supporting himself with his injured arm. Quickly, he pushed Noctis back.
"Y-your arm," he said breathlessly. How long had they been kissing, and why the hell was it so exhausting?
"Doesn't hurt," Noctis murmured just as quietly. His golden eyes looked darker than usual. "Too bad it's already over. I would've liked to kiss you longer."
However, he had to admit that he hadn't had enough either.
He pushed Noctis back so he had to sit down while Isaac's thoughts nearly tumbled over each other. He wanted to kiss him again — but how could they sit so it would be comfortable for both of them?
Without thinking further, he sat down on Noctis's lap. Noctis had hated it when Isaac had done that to the cop while drunk. Would he like it now?
"Isaac?" Noctis asked.
But Isaac kissed him again.
"Shut up and kiss me," Isaac demanded, embarrassed.
His hands trembled slightly. So much closeness was almost overwhelming for him. He had always avoided physical contact — but with Noctis different rules applied. He was the only person whose closeness Isaac not only tolerated but actively sought. If not him, then no one.
Besides, they had long crossed a boundary that could no longer be dismissed as an accident.
Noctis straightened a little and pulled Isaac closer. One hand rested firmly on his lower back, the other lay at the side of his thigh.
"And that after I just boldly claimed I'd match your pace," Noctis murmured with a quiet curse.
Isaac had to laugh involuntarily.
"Then stick to it," he replied challengingly. "It wasn't a lie that I still have quite a lot to do. So stop wasting more time and finally kiss me."
"I like it when you take control," Noctis said softly — and their lips met again.
It felt strange, and yet more intense than anything before. Every touch seemed to pass more directly through his skin, every movement triggered a new wave of sensation. His already heated body wanted more. He pressed himself closer to Noctis, hesitantly playing with his soft hair while the other hand rested uncertainly on his shoulder.
He didn't dare let it wander further and instead focused on Noctis's hands touching him and on the hardness forming beneath him. This man wanted him — and judging by Isaac's own erection, he only had to say yes. He could no longer tell what he wanted; with every passing minute his head seemed to fill more and more with cotton.
Noctis's hand moved from Isaac's thigh to his backside. Isaac didn't stop him — it felt far too good.
Suddenly Noctis broke the kiss.
"Damn it, Isaac, if we don't stop now I'll devour you whole," he whispered breathlessly.
Isaac swallowed. His breathing was heavy.
He was so aroused that he simply wanted to give in. Those golden eyes looked at him so full of desire. Noctis had never looked at him with disgust or made stupid remarks about his appearance.
Isaac moved almost imperceptibly — yet a soft moan escaped Noctis as his body brushed against his arousal.
He didn't like the thought that they would take care of this problem separately, and besides, his curiosity was awakened. He had seen Noctis naked once as a child and had also seen his upper body after training, but this was something he had never seen before.
He didn't even notice that his gaze drifted downward.
"We can do it together," Noctis suggested.
Had he read his thoughts again?
"Do what?" Isaac asked hoarsely, even though he knew exactly what Noctis meant.
Embarrassed, he looked away. No, his heart wouldn't survive that. He would die of shame. And yet he would pleasure himself in the bathroom once he had separated from Noctis. His hands felt good — how would they feel there?
He couldn't get a word out; it was far too embarrassing. So he only nodded.
"Sure?" Noctis's voice grew darker. "That button is the only thing keeping me from just taking what I want."
Isaac exhaled shakily.
He was in love with him — and had already gotten more than he had ever allowed himself to hope for.
"If I didn't want it, I wouldn't let you," he finally said.
Noctis briefly closed his eyes. "You're driving me crazy."
A moment later his lips were on Isaac's again. At the same time he opened their pants. Cool air met overheated skin, making Isaac inhale sharply.
He began to move his hand slowly up and down. It didn't take long until Isaac's pre-cum flowed drop by drop, making everything slick, so Noctis tightened his grip slightly and rubbed their members together until Isaac felt like he was completely losing his mind.
A moan escaped his lips and he broke the kiss.
His eyes were half-closed, and he bit his lower lip. It felt damn good — better than anything he had ever felt before. He arched his back, pressed further into Noctis's hand, and moved his hips to increase the friction between them. He didn't know what to do with his hands, he was so close to climax. Without thinking, he grabbed Noctis's shirt and kissed him again.
"Fuck, Isaac," Noctis breathed between kisses.
Noctis moved his hand faster; white spots appeared at the edge of Isaac's vision. The heat exploded in his lower abdomen, and he climaxed more intensely than ever before in his life. In strong waves he spilled onto Noctis's stomach. Noctis climaxed as well — quieter than Isaac had expected.
Noctis breathed heavily, his hair slightly disheveled, his cheeks somewhat flushed, and he looked at Isaac with nothing but honest, satisfied affection. Isaac liked that look more than he would ever admit. Noctis was probably the only person who would ever look at him that way.
"I think I could get addicted to this," Noctis murmured softly.
Not just you, Isaac thought silently.