"Do you have everything you need, darling?" Noctis asked from behind him.
Isaac let out a deep sigh and glanced over the half-open suitcase, which so far contained nothing but two T-shirts and a pair of jeans carelessly tossed inside.
"If I at least knew what I needed, I would've finished packing ages ago."
He turned to face Noctis, meeting the unmistakably mischievous grin on his face. Beside him stood Noctis's own suitcase—neatly packed, carefully zipped shut, and obviously ready for the trip.
Isaac folded his arms across his chest.
"So you're really still not going to tell me where we're flying?"
It was far from the first time he'd asked Noctis that question. The moment he'd opened his eyes, Noctis had been at his side. Even before telling Isaac everything that had happened while he was unconscious, Noctis had told him he'd already booked their vacation and that they would leave as soon as Isaac was feeling better.
Ever since then, every attempt to pry the destination out of him had ended with the same answer.
"Nope," Noctis replied. He seemed to think for a moment. "Maybe just pack your backpack with some snacks and whatever you absolutely need. I'll finish packing your suitcase in the meantime."
Isaac got to his feet, his eyes fixed on Noctis.
"You'd better not pack any weird stuff," he warned.
Noctis's grin only widened.
"Weird stuff? I don't even know what that would be."
Isaac suppressed a smile and raised a warning finger.
"I swear to you, Noctis, if you so much as pack a single thing from that damn box... mmh!"
He got no further. Faster than he'd expected, Noctis had closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against Isaac's. Isaac let out a quiet moan into the kiss, his arms slipping around Noctis's shoulders almost automatically, and in that moment he wanted nothing more than to lose himself in him.
But just as suddenly, Noctis pulled away.
With a warm smile, he brushed a loose strand of hair from Isaac's forehead before placing a gentle kiss there.
"We should get going," he murmured softly. "I'd rather not miss our flight."
Isaac let out a frustrated groan.
"You're doing this on purpose."
"Maybe."
With a smug wink, Noctis took a step back.
Isaac merely shook his head, grabbed his backpack, and headed for the kitchen.
If he wasn't going to find out where they were flying, he could at least make sure they had decent coffee for the journey. Who knew what Noctis had planned? Maybe he was dragging him to the other side of the world. Maybe all they'd have there was weak drip coffee—or worse, none at all.
The thought alone made him shudder.
He had only been back on his feet for a few days.
The past few weeks had taken their toll. After his abduction, his body had needed a long time to recover. Vincent had eventually managed to heal all of his injuries completely, but the stubborn blood infection had left him weakened until the very end. The fact that Isaac had kept fighting despite the fever and pain, pushing his body to its absolute limit, certainly hadn't made his recovery any easier.
So they had simply spent their time lying together, cuddling. Even that had been wonderful after all the stressful weeks they'd been forced to endure.
Even so, the atmosphere between them had often been so charged that Isaac had barely been able to restrain himself. He wanted it—he wanted Noctis. It didn't matter how weak he still was or what else was happening around them. His libido seemed to have reached a new peak over the past few days, stronger than it had ever been before.
Noctis, on the other hand, had been as abstinent as a monk.
Despite his very obvious erection, he had been content with nothing more than kissing Isaac. He had never touched him any lower than his stomach, even though his fingers had lingered only inches away from the place where Isaac needed him most.
By now, all that pent-up desire had turned into frustration, and once they reached the first stop on their trip, Isaac definitely wasn't going to let Noctis get away with it any longer. He might not know where they were going, but wherever it was, they'd need a bed to sleep in—and no matter how tired Noctis was by then... Isaac intended to take what he wanted.
He simply couldn't understand why Noctis suddenly didn't want to have sex anymore. Was he afraid because of Isaac's injuries? Or because of what Levi had said to him? Because contrary to Levi's claims, he hadn't raped Isaac. Aside from several punches to the face and kicks to the stomach, the only other thing he'd done to him had been shoving his disgusting thumb into Isaac's gunshot wound.
Thankfully, that was as far as it had gone.
Isaac let out a quiet sigh.
He switched on the coffee maker and, while it brewed, searched through his kitchen cupboards for anything that hadn't gone bad. After all, he hadn't been back to his apartment in several weeks, and only now—after finally being free—had he been given permission to return.
He found a packet of cookies and stuffed it into his bag. Then his gaze wandered across the dusty apartment.
Once they got back, he would definitely have to clean.
Levi was dead.
After several days of torture at Vincent's hands, there had been very little left of the man who had terrorized Isaac for his entire life. Levi had become not only a shadow of his former self, but little more than a pitiful, trembling bundle of nerves. The moment Isaac stepped into the torture chamber accompanied by Noctis and Vincent, Levi had broken down into desperate tears.
___
"N-not you again...!" Levi whimpered.
Noctis rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"As I can see, even now you still haven't learned to take responsibility for your actions," he said with cold contempt. "Pathetic."
Isaac's gaze rested silently on Levi.
He was still suffering from his injuries. Even so, he had forced himself out of bed and followed Noctis despite the pain. Because Levi's final hour was not something he intended to miss—not after everything this man had put him through.
Still, it was... disheartening to see his nemesis sitting there, terrified in the chair, practically begging for his life.
Levi's eyes found Isaac's.
"Isaac!" he cried in relief the moment he saw him.
But no matter how disappointing the situation was, Isaac still flinched inwardly every time Levi spoke his name. Simply hearing his own name in Levi's voice made his stomach tighten.
"Levi," he replied flatly.
The bound man strained against his restraints.
"Tell them I didn't do anything to you! I only threatened you a little so you'd create the portal for me, nothing more!"
Vincent let out a derisive snort. Straightening to his full height, he cracked his knuckles.
"It's truly unfortunate that after all these days, you still haven't learned a thing," he said coldly. "Threatened him a little? Do you have any idea what condition Isaac was in because of you?"
Silently patting his brother on the shoulder, Noctis walked over to Levi. He stepped behind him, leaned down, grabbed his chin, and forced his gaze toward Isaac.
Isaac simply stared back.
It wouldn't be much longer now. Soon, it would finally be over.
"Any last words, Levi?" Noctis hissed. "Isaac isn't going to forgive you, so you can spare us the apology."
Levi's eyes pleaded desperately.
"Isaac, please...! I really was going to treat you well once you'd settled in! All of this was only because the Boss—!"
Noctis clamped a hand over his mouth, reducing his words to muffled, unintelligible babbling. With an irritated sigh, he drew his knife and held it out to Isaac.
"Darling, do you want to do it?" he asked, fixing him with such an intense look that Isaac shivered.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still.
Should he do it?
He could simply take the knife and kill Levi himself.
Isaac raised his eyes and looked back at Noctis.
Or he could let Noctis do it.
His gaze returned to Levi. He was pleading. Whimpering.
The sight filled Isaac with anger.
He had been afraid of this pathetic coward all these years?
Isaac walked over to Noctis, accepted the knife, and stared down at the blade.
His only goal had ever been to escape Levi. To never see him again. Or, at the very least, to see his lifeless body after Noctis was finished with him.
He looked at Noctis, a faint smile touching his lips.
This was his nightmare.
So he would be the one to end it.
His hand trembled slightly. This was no longer self-defense. This was deliberate murder.
He tightened his grip around the knife's handle.
But if he was ever going to commit murder with full intent, then Levi would be the one.
He seized Levi by the hair and jerked his head back. Then he pressed the blade against Levi's throat and drew it across his neck with all the force he could muster—at the very spot where Levi had once slit his own throat.
It hadn't been his intention to give him the exact same wound.
But he couldn't deny that it felt fitting for it to end this way.
Isaac didn't say a single word.
No words could have described what he was feeling. Nor could he have found anything worth saying to Levi.
Only one thought remained in his mind as he watched Levi die.
It's finally over. I'm finally free.
He looked at Noctis, who was watching him with unmistakable pride.
At last... I get to live the life I choose.
___
He didn't regret killing Levi. Against all expectations, it had been the most liberating thing he had ever done. Vincent had kept him under his care only for as long as he needed medical attention. At last, he'd been allowed to go outside again.
And Noctis hadn't wasted the opportunity, dragging him straight back to his apartment to pack his suitcase.
Isaac poured the freshly brewed coffee into two travel mugs and carefully sealed them.
Of course Noctis hadn't wasted any time.
The thought made Isaac smile. It still felt strange to have left the Websters' hideout behind. The Boss was dead. Levi was dead. There was no one left hunting him.
At last, he could do whatever he wanted.
And the longer he enjoyed his freedom, the more ideas came to him. Who would have thought Isaac would ever make a bucket list for himself?
He opened another cupboard where he kept small bottles of water and stuffed two of them into his backpack. Then he screwed the lids onto the travel mugs and headed into the living room, where Noctis was waiting.
"You made coffee for us?" he asked, sounding pleased.
Isaac handed him one of the mugs.
"Since I have no idea whether I'll be able to get decent coffee wherever we're going, I figured I should enjoy my last cup exactly the way I like it."
Noctis chuckled.
"You're talking as if you're never coming back."
"It's my first trip. Who knows if I'll survive it?" Isaac replied with an amused smile.
Noctis walked over and gave him a brief kiss on the lips.
"It's far too early for jokes like that," he said quietly.
Then he smiled again.
"We can continue this conversation later. Our taxi is already waiting outside."
Isaac picked up his suitcase and followed him.
"You've got my documents?" he asked.
"Everything's in the suitcase," Noctis replied.
"And... is it warm there?"
Noctis paused for a moment.
"Where?"
Isaac rolled his eyes.
"You know, where we're going."
Noctis tilted his head ever so slightly.
"At three of our destinations, yes."
Isaac stopped dead in his tracks.
"Three?"
Noctis merely laughed and kept walking.
"Noctis!"
Isaac hurried after him.
"What have you planned? Just tell me already!"
At the front door, Noctis turned around. His mysterious grin revealed everything and absolutely nothing at the same time. His golden eyes sparkled with anticipation.
He was enjoying this far too much.
Damn sadist.
"Just wait and see, darling. This is going to be the best year you've ever had. Besides, Vincent's paying for everything, so we might as well enjoy ourselves properly," he said with a grin. Holding out his hand, he added, "What do you say to blowing off a little steam at his expense?"
It wasn't as though either of them was short on money. Still, Isaac rather liked the idea of lightening Vincent's wallet.
Grinning, he slipped his hand into Noctis's.
"Sounds tempting," he said.
Noctis lifted their joined hands and gently kissed his knuckles.
"Then I'm sure you'll like what I've planned first."
Together, they climbed into the taxi.
As the lights of their city faded behind them and Isaac gazed out the window, it finally sank in that everything was truly over—that he was leaving Magnolia behind.
So many things had nearly killed him. So much had gone wrong. Too many lies had made his life miserable, and far too often he'd run into obstacles that stubbornness alone could never overcome.
The taxi pulled up directly in front of the airport.
To Isaac's surprise, however, Noctis didn't head toward the main terminals. Instead, he led him through a restricted area toward a part of the airport where neither travelers nor airport staff seemed to be.
Isaac followed in silence.
He had no idea where they were going, and not a single sign offered any clue about their destination.
Only when they rounded one final corner did Isaac come to an abrupt halt.
Standing before them was an elegant, snow-white private jet. Its polished fuselage reflected the runway lights while several staff members were already waiting beside it.
Isaac instinctively grabbed Noctis's sleeve.
"Noc," he hissed. "You've gotten us lost."
The dark-haired man let out a quiet laugh.
"We're in the right place."
Isaac blinked at him.
"As if I'd willingly make you spend hours surrounded by the smell of hundreds of people," Noctis explained as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I know how much you hate crowds."
"T-That's true, but..."
"Come on already, darling. We haven't even started our tour yet."
Isaac was about to protest.
Instead, someone politely took his suitcase from his hand.
"Good evening, sir. May I take that for you?"
Their luggage was whisked away. Rows of staff members stood waiting for them, each greeting them with impeccable professionalism. It didn't take long before Isaac felt embarrassed to be boarding this aircraft at all.
He wasn't some damn celebrity.
Neither was Noctis.
They might have accumulated a similar fortune, but this...
This was simply too much.
The moment they stepped inside the jet, Isaac was left completely speechless.
The interior looked more like a luxurious private lounge than an airplane. White leather armchairs faced one another across polished wooden tables. Soft indirect lighting bathed the cabin in a warm glow, and there wasn't a single speck of dust to be found. Everything was so immaculately clean that Isaac was convinced you could eat off the floor without a second thought.
The flight attendants were impeccably dressed, their movements graceful and composed.
And Noctis...
He looked as though he belonged here.
As though he'd been born to fly aboard aircraft like this and have every whim attended to.
Noctis settled comfortably into one of the seats.
Isaac took the one opposite him.
Suddenly, his jeans felt painfully ordinary.
So did his shoes.
He sat stiffly in his seat, staring determinedly out the window.
The aircraft began to move, and soon they were airborne. Everything beneath them rapidly shrank away. The city lights became tiny specks before disappearing altogether, leaving only the stars surrounding them.
Isaac could barely tear his eyes away from the window.
Never before had the night sky seemed so breathtaking.
Almost unconsciously, he tried to figure out which direction they were heading. Maybe he could still guess where Noctis was abducting him.
His thoughts were interrupted when something cool brushed against his cheek.
He flinched.
Smiling, Noctis held out a glass toward him.
"Shall we make a toast, darling?"
Isaac accepted the glass. Embarrassed, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
Carefully, he glanced around the cabin.
The staff had disappeared.
It felt as though the two of them were completely alone aboard the aircraft.
Noctis noticed where he was looking and smiled.
"I sent them away until we call for them again," he said.
Isaac sighed and rubbed a hand over his face in disbelief. A nervous laugh escaped him.
"A private jet? Seriously?"
Noctis moved to the seat beside him and kissed his cheek.
"It was the most expensive solution I could think of," he said. "Besides, I know you don't like being trapped in a confined space with so many strangers."
He paused, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"And this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I wanted you all to myself."
He casually draped an arm around Isaac's shoulders.
Isaac raised a skeptical eyebrow, unable to suppress a laugh.
"That sounds like a complete lie."
Noctis grinned without the slightest trace of remorse.
"It is."
He rested his forehead against Isaac's temple.
"As if I'd willingly share you with anyone."
Isaac felt heat rising to his cheeks. He cleared his throat softly before finally lifting his glass.
"So... what would you like to drink to?"
Noctis gently brushed a stubborn strand of hair out of Isaac's face. His fingers glided softly across his temple, tender enough to steal Isaac's breath away. They were sitting so close together that only a few inches separated them from a kiss. All he would have had to do was lean forward ever so slightly.
He still felt uncomfortable in his own skin. After all, he wasn't used to this kind of luxury, and he still felt inadequately dressed.
But Noctis had arranged all of this for him, and not a single member of the staff had given him so much as a disparaging glance. Shouldn't he simply enjoy the moment?
He was just about to lean in and give him at least a small kiss when he noticed the melancholy expression on his lover's face. Isaac paused. He was about to ask what was wrong when Noctis gently stroked his cheek and answered the question before he could ask it.
"I want to drink to your recovery," he said quietly. "To the fact that no one and nothing will ever hurt you again. To Levi's death—and Ashe's as well. It's a shame we lost our genius, but we don't trust anyone twice."
Isaac could only agree.
Noctis tilted his chin upward, his golden eyes seeming to look straight into his soul. He smiled at him with quiet satisfaction.
"And I also want to drink to finally going on vacation. To the fact that no one will disturb us, that we'll be free to do whatever we want... and most of all, to the fact that you'll never put yourself in danger again."
Isaac placed his hand over his lover's and nestled his cheek into the warmth of his palm. That touch alone helped him relax a little more.
"Then I'd like to make a toast as well," Isaac said with a gentle smile.
He raised his glass.
"To the fact that you came through this without a scratch. To keeping your promise to finally get rid of Levi. To saving me... and most of all, to finally being able to enjoy our life together." Isaac smiled warmly. "It's only because of all your hard work and everything you've done over the years that we're flying toward our first vacation together right now."
At last, Isaac leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads remained resting together for another brief moment.
"And I'd like to drink to having the one person by my side who drives me crazy on a regular basis... who loves me exactly as I am... and who wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who tried to hurt me."
Noctis smiled.
Their glasses clinked together with a bright, crystalline sound. Isaac drained his glass in one swallow, holding Noctis's gaze as Noctis did the same.
After they had finished their drinks, Noctis leaned in closer once more. He carelessly let his empty glass fall to the floor while Isaac still held on to his own.
"I'd even kill anyone who dared to look at you for more than five seconds," he said in a low, dark voice.
Isaac couldn't help but laugh.
"That would be a problem. People are always staring at me like I'm some kind of walking freak show."
"They're not," Noctis replied before kissing him again. "They look at you because the moment they see you, they start having fantasies. Trust me—I know from experience."
He let his lips trail slowly down Isaac's neck.
Isaac shivered.
Suddenly, there seemed to be hardly any space left between them. Isaac's heart beat faster as Noctis pressed a few more fleeting kisses against his neck. He had to force himself not to let go of his glass.
Everything else faded into insignificance whenever Noctis was this close.
"You have fantasies when you look at me?" Isaac whispered.
He wished Noctis would just touch him a little more.
"Every single second you're with me," Noctis murmured.
His words instantly ignited a fire inside Isaac that he could neither control nor wanted to. He wanted them to do more than just kiss again. He wanted to feel Noctis everywhere, around him and inside him.
"Control yourself, darling," Noctis murmured with an amused smile before playfully nibbling at his neck.
Isaac let out a quiet huff.
"Then stop turning me on every chance you get, only to stop right afterward," he muttered in frustration. "I'm barely managing to keep myself from jumping you right here and now."
Noctis grinned, clearly pleased with himself.
At last, he pulled away from Isaac, gently took the glass from his hand, and set both glasses down on the small table. Then he kissed Isaac lovingly on the forehead before leaning back again.
"Just be a little more patient," he said, visibly amused.
Isaac crossed his arms.
"And that's coming from the man for whom patience is usually a completely foreign concept?"
"Are you mad?" Noctis asked with a grin.
"I'm not mad. I'm frustrated."
"Hm..." Noctis tilted his head slightly. "So... what should we do about that?"
Isaac met his gaze with quiet defiance.
"I probably wouldn't be nearly this frustrated anymore if you'd finally touch me," Isaac murmured with a meaningful smile. "Besides, my doctor explicitly told me that stress is bad for me and that I should get as much exercise as possible."
Noctis chuckled softly. "That doctor really does have some excellent advice."
"Yes," Isaac replied without the slightest hint of embarrassment. "And that's exactly why I know I should follow his instructions. He specifically told me to do only the things that make me feel good."
"Oh, did he?" Noctis smirked with amusement. "Well, one certainly shouldn't ignore a doctor's advice."
He leaned a little closer to Isaac until their foreheads touched. His voice dropped to a low, seductive murmur.
"Then I suppose we should make sure you're feeling better again as soon as possible."
Isaac swallowed. That tone of voice alone sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.
"Can you hold out until we arrive, darling?"
Isaac let out a soft, tortured sigh.
"How much longer is it?"
"Just under an hour."
Noctis slowly ran his fingers through Isaac's soft hair, brushing a stubborn strand away from his face. The gentle touch stood in stark contrast to the hungry look with which he regarded him.
"I'd prefer it if no one could hear your screams."
Isaac's heart skipped a beat.
"What are you planning?" he asked quietly. By now, his curiosity was almost as great as his impatience.
Noctis didn't answer right away. Instead, his gaze lingered on Isaac's face for a moment, as though he were committing every single expression to memory. At last, a mysterious smile played across his lips.
"A surprise."
He offered nothing more. Instead, he drew Isaac close again and kissed him slowly, with excruciating tenderness. Every kiss seemed to carry the promise of more without ever fulfilling it. His hands remained remarkably disciplined, as though he were deliberately prolonging Isaac's anticipation.
Isaac was more than happy to return the kisses, but with every passing moment his anticipation grew. Whatever Noctis had planned—the way he spoke about it alone sent Isaac's imagination racing in every direction.
When they finally pulled apart, Isaac let out an audible breath.
"You're a sadist."
"Occupational hazard," Noctis replied with a self-satisfied smile. "I love watching you squirm."
Isaac rolled his eyes theatrically, though he couldn't suppress a grin. Suddenly, just under an hour felt unbearably long. He wanted to land already—and find out what surprise Noctis had in store for him.