Isaac rubbed his cold, stiff fingers together, shivering. He couldn't see a thing. Before they had even left the private jet, Noctis had blindfolded him with a meaningful smile and answered every question about their destination with mysterious silence.
Even though Noctis hadn't said a single word about where they were going, the freezing temperatures revealed at least part of the truth. The air bit unpleasantly at his skin, every breath made his lungs tingle, and fresh snow crunched beneath his shoes. The wind brushed across his face, carrying with it the crisp, clean scent of a winter forest.
Isaac had no idea where they were.
But he already liked the atmosphere.
He cautiously put one foot in front of the other and tried to rely entirely on Noctis' guidance. Still, he suddenly lost his footing on an icy patch. Before he could properly stumble, a strong arm wrapped around his waist and held him effortlessly in place.
"Careful, darling," Noctis said, amused.
Isaac let out a quiet huff.
"This would be a lot easier if I could actually see something."
"Then where would the surprise be?"
Isaac rolled his eyes behind the blindfold.
"I'm pretty sure I could enjoy the surprise with a functioning sense of balance, too."
Noctis laughed softly.
By now, Isaac's hands had clenched tightly around the fabric of his jacket while Noctis kept him close at his side. His arm rested protectively around Isaac's hip, guiding him with such ease as though nothing could possibly happen to him while he was nearby.
"You're shivering."
"Because it's fucking freezing."
Shortly afterward, Isaac felt them climb several steps. Wood creaked beneath their feet. A set of keys jingled softly, then he heard the lock click and a heavy door open.
"I'll warm you up in a moment. I promise," Noctis said quietly. His voice sounded closer now. "Your face has turned all pink from the cold."
Isaac smiled.
"How else am I supposed to look with my fair skin?"
Noctis laughed again.
"Maybe a little less cute."
The next moment, his hand slid higher along Isaac's back while his other arm slipped beneath his knees.
"Noctis—"
Isaac gasped in surprise as the ground suddenly disappeared beneath his feet, drawing an amused smile from his lover. Still shaking his head, he nestled closer against him. It was remarkable how effortlessly Noctis carried him, as though he weighed nothing at all.
"Idiot, at least warn me first."
With Isaac in his arms, Noctis continued walking. He kicked the door shut behind them, and suddenly there was only a more pleasant kind of cold. At last, Noctis came to a stop.
"You can take off the blindfold now."
Isaac raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you want to put me down first?"
"Oh, you're right." Carefully, Noctis set him back on his feet, his hand briefly brushing over Isaac's hip. "Go on, take it off. I want to see your reaction."
Isaac slowly untied the knot behind his head. For a brief moment, the warm light blinded him. Then he opened his eyes.
He fell silent.
Before him stretched a spacious chalet, its walls made of dark, meticulously crafted wood. The high ceilings gave the room an airy feel, while exposed wooden beams radiated rustic elegance. A large panoramic window offered a view of an almost untouched snowy landscape that seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon. Dense fir trees stood heavy beneath their white burden, and in the distance, jagged mountain peaks stood out against the pale blue sky.
A fire was already crackling in the fireplace, its golden flames bathing the room in warm light. In front of it lay a large white bearskin rug, while beside it, a wide couch with soft blankets and cushions invited them to settle down with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. The furnishings combined the charm of a luxurious mountain lodge with modern comfort. High-quality furniture, subtle lighting, and carefully chosen decorations created an atmosphere that felt both elegant and incredibly cozy.
Isaac didn't know what to say.
Contrary to what he had expected, there was neither a counter nor any other guests, and beyond the window stretched a seemingly endless snowy landscape.
"Do you like it?" Noctis asked quietly behind him.
Isaac could barely tear his gaze away from the view.
"What… is this place?" Isaac asked in amazement. His voice was little more than a whisper. He let his eyes wander around the room. "It's beautiful."
Noctis stepped beside him.
"It could become our new home."
Isaac turned toward him in surprise. Noctis smiled gently.
"Or our retreat. A vacation home. A place we can fly to whenever we need some distance from the rest of the world." He gave a slight shrug. "Whatever you want."
Isaac stared at him, speechless.
"Either way, it belongs to us now."
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Isaac opened his mouth, but no words came out. He truly had not expected this. His heart was beating so hard that he could feel it all the way to his fingertips.
"B-but… when did you buy it?" he asked, astonished.
Noctis only smiled mysteriously. He said nothing for a moment, and as Isaac looked at him, his lover's gaze rested on him with affection.
"When you said you wanted to go somewhere with me where no one else lived. Somewhere we could enjoy our first vacation in complete seclusion. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything that offered us much privacy, so I bought this place and had it prepared," Noctis explained. A smile played on his lips. "I hope I got your taste right when it comes to the interior design. Though I only took care of the basics—there are still plenty of things we can fill it with to make it personal."
Isaac didn't answer.
Instead, he took a step toward Noctis and kissed him. Their lips were both still cool from the icy air outside. The kiss felt unfamiliar at first, but the moment their lips touched, Noctis returned it with longing.
Isaac closed his eyes.
His heart was beating so hard it nearly took his breath away. All he wanted now was to leave the cold behind with Noctis. To drink something hot, listen to the fire crackling in the fireplace, and finally warm up. The icy air was still lodged deep in his bones.
Ideally, they would warm each other up, of course. Wrapped tightly in each other's arms. The cold had settled deep in his bones, though he would probably always prefer snow and freezing weather to sunshine.
"I love it," he murmured breathlessly between two kisses.
A satisfied smile appeared on Noctis' face.
"Should I show you everything?" Noctis asked, pleased. "How about we start by lighting the fireplace?"
"Sounds good," Isaac said with a smile.
Only reluctantly did Noctis pull away from him, though he did not let go of his hand. Together, they walked over to the fireplace. The firewood had already been carefully stacked. Fine kindling lay between larger logs, everything neatly prepared. Noctis picked up a box of matches, lit one, and held the flame to the dry wood.
After only a few moments, the fire caught.
Golden flames licked over the logs as the soft crackling slowly spread through the room. With every second, the air grew a little warmer.
Isaac opened his jacket with relief.
He did not get any further, however. Noctis gently pulled him back into his arms. One hand slid over his back and came to rest on his hip as he drew Isaac close. There was barely any distance left between their faces.
"Who gave you permission to just start undressing?" Noctis asked, his voice carrying a quiet, amused undertone.
His deep voice sent an involuntary shiver through Isaac. He wrapped his arms around Noctis' neck and kissed him again.
"You're not doing it," he murmured against his lips. "So I suppose I'll have to help myself."
Noctis smiled.
"Maybe I wanted you to warm up a little before we begin."
Isaac looked at him with a soft smile.
"I want your warmth," Isaac said, kissing him again. "Nothing else. Just you, Noctis."
This time, Noctis let go of all restraint.
He returned the kiss with the same longing Isaac had carried within him for days. His cold hands slipped beneath Isaac's coat, slowly moving over his back and pulling him even closer. The contrast between the winter chill on their skin and the growing warmth between them made Isaac almost forget the freezing temperatures outside.
Gradually, Noctis freed himself of his coat first, then Isaac of his. Both garments landed carelessly beside the sofa, far enough away from the fireplace.
His hands moved slowly over Isaac's torso. One kept him close, while the other slipped beneath the fabric of his sweater. Isaac flinched slightly as cool fingertips touched his warm skin. With every tender touch, it became clearer to him just how much Noctis had held himself back over the past few days. Since Isaac's abduction, he had given him all the time he needed, never pressured him, and instead showed patience and consideration.
That was precisely why each of those careful gestures meant so much more to him now.
As Noctis' lips slowly traveled lower and finally reached Isaac's neck, a soft sigh escaped him.
Finally.
Finally, they could be close again without interruption.
"Noc?" he asked quietly.
He closed his eyes and gave himself entirely over to his lover's touch. His fingers slid into Noctis' hair and gently tangled there.
"Yes, darling?"
Although Noctis asked, he did not pause in his tender caresses. His hand rested on Isaac's hip while his lips slowly moved lower. He kissed him through the fabric of his sweater, taking his time as though he wanted to savor every second.
Isaac let out a shaky breath.
"Why did you wait until now? You're usually impossible to stop when it comes to sleeping with me," Isaac breathed.
It felt far too good. After all the stress of the past few weeks, he could finally let go again. His body reacted sensitively to everything Noctis did to him. It did not take long before Isaac's body pulsed and tingled with anticipation. Everywhere Noctis touched him seemed to leave a trail of fire behind.
Noctis gently bit Isaac's nipple, drawing a quiet moan from him.
"You were hurt, and you were abducted by the man who has terrorized you since childhood. You were tortured, and you pushed yourself so hard that that damned blood poisoning nearly took you from me," he replied quietly. "I wanted to give you the time you needed to heal properly."
He straightened up and looked deeply into Isaac's eyes. His gaze was full of tenderness. For a moment, everything fell silent.
"After all, the past few months have been anything but easy, and you should finally be able to breathe again."
Isaac blinked at him in surprise.
"Even though you knew how badly I wanted you?" Isaac asked in disbelief. "You're the personification of impatience! How did you manage to hold yourself back for so long?"
But as he spoke, something tightened in his chest. Noctis had not held himself back because he wanted to. He had done it for Isaac. A quiet laugh lifted the weight of the moment.
"You should see your face," Noctis said with a smile. "Of course I knew how much you sought my closeness. You took every opportunity to be near me, even though your body was far from fully recovered."
He gently brushed a strand of hair from Isaac's forehead.
"I knew how much you wanted me. How could I not, when you kept seeking my closeness even though your body had barely begun to heal? It was damn hard to restrain myself. Don't I deserve a reward for that?"
He said it so innocently that Isaac laughed. Slowly, he let his hand glide over Noctis' chest.
"And what did you have in mind?"
"Nothing special," Noctis replied. "It was hard to keep myself under control, and there is nothing I would rather do than devour you completely."
"Sounds good," Isaac breathed.
Noctis smiled before leaning forward and kissing Isaac's lips intensely. Isaac parted his lips slightly and extended his tongue just enough to deepen the kiss. It felt heavenly, and he had the sense that he could lose himself completely in the passionate meeting of their tongues and lips. Isaac wrapped both arms around Noctis' neck and pulled him a little closer.
For a moment, everything else seemed to lose its meaning.
However, Noctis had other plans. Before Isaac realized it, he was sitting on Noctis' lap. Pressed so close to his lover that, despite the lingering chill in the room, he found their clothes irritating.
More than anything, Isaac wanted to take everything off. But he did not yet dare to part with his sweater. Partly because of all the scars that now marked his torso, and partly because of the cold. Only the fire in the fireplace offered any warmth at the moment, and while his back could feel it, the front of his body seemed to cool down far too quickly.
Noctis probably was not getting any warmth at all at that moment, since Isaac was shielding him from the fire.
But the thought vanished when Noctis undid his belt and opened his trousers. His hands moved skillfully, and as quickly as Isaac normally picked locks, he had not only opened his trousers but also freed the part of his body that had been pressing impatiently against the waistband.
Isaac shuddered as Noctis' cool hand touched his penis.
"Are you cold, darling?" he murmured against Isaac's lips.
Isaac nodded.
Despite the fireplace, the room was still cool. The fire created a pleasant warmth, but there was still a clear contrast between the icy air and the first warm touches. It would probably become more comfortable soon, once the fireplace had warmed the room further. Though Isaac was certain it would get warmer if they moved more.
"Warm me up, Noc," Isaac murmured, gently running his fingers through his black hair. "You must be just as cold."
Noctis smiled.
"You're probably right."
He looked at him intensely as he freed Isaac from his trousers and underwear, then pulled off his own shirt.
"Is this better?" he asked.
Now one side of their bodies was warm, while the other was still exposed to the cold. But they were both receiving the same amount of warmth, and that was what mattered most in that moment. If they made love, they would warm each other further.
That was how it had to be.
"Don't stop touching me," Isaac breathed.
"If only you knew how damn erotic you look right now," Noctis murmured.
Isaac's heart beat faster.
He reached into his waistband and pulled out a small bottle of lubricant that he had definitely not just put there. He squeezed some onto his fingers, rubbed it between them briefly, and then applied it to Isaac's anus. Thanks to his body heat, the gel was wonderfully warm. His fingers patiently massaged the muscle, and although he had just said it was difficult for him to restrain himself, he took his time preparing Isaac.
Apparently, he wanted to loosen the muscle first before penetrating him in whatever form.
"Kiss me, Noc," Isaac demanded.
Noctis leaned forward, but instead of kissing him, he pressed a tender kiss to his chin. Then his lips traveled over Isaac's neck again, leaving many small kisses until he reached his right collarbone. His hand moved over Isaac's side and pushed up his sweater.
Noctis took his time with every single scar, kissing each one with a gentleness that nearly took Isaac's breath away. It was as though he wanted to show him without words that nothing about him needed to be hidden.
Then his lips moved lower until they finally reached Isaac's lower abdomen. Noctis gently kissed the tip, then softly licked along the slit before taking Isaac's penis into his warm mouth. At the same time, he slid a finger inside him. Isaac moaned as Noctis settled into a slow rhythm, taking more and more of him into his mouth while his finger explored carefully, slowly but surely opening him up.
Isaac could have come from that alone.
With a sigh, he closed his eyes and enjoyed his lover's caresses. His hand still rested in Noctis' hair, while his hips moved slightly in time with him. He could not get enough of the wonderfully tingling sensation spreading through his loins.
At last, he was getting what he had looked forward to for so long. His mood had changed completely. Earlier, he had been frustrated and wanted nothing more than for them to finally be united again. His lover's touches were so gentle that Isaac felt as though they might break him apart.
He needed more.
As though Noctis had read his thoughts, he slid another finger inside him and devoted himself to the bundle of nerves that was crying out for attention more desperately than Isaac had experienced in a long time.
Even the smallest touch was enough to make him come. Isaac moaned loudly. His back arched as waves of orgasm caused him to spill directly into Noctis' mouth.
Satisfied, he sank back down.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and caught the intense look Noctis gave him as he pulled away. Isaac drew his leg a little closer to himself. Noctis, on the other hand, licked his lips, undid his belt, and pushed his trousers and underwear down over his hips.
His gaze seemed magnetically drawn to Noctis' perfect penis. Even in the warm fireplace light, he could see the pigmentation disorder that he loved looking at so much.
Noctis smiled.
"You're drooling."
Isaac gave an amused snort. "Really? I hadn't noticed."
"Oh, you are," Noctis grinned. "I'm starting to worry that you'll be the one devouring me, even though my plans for tonight were quite different."
He removed his trousers completely and carelessly tossed them onto the couch. His gaze remained fixed on Isaac.
"Do you want to find out?" Isaac asked in a velvety voice.
He drew his leg closer and spread it so that his lover had a perfect view of where Isaac wanted him most. Slowly, he pushed the hem of his sweater higher with one hand, absentmindedly brushing his fingertips over his chest and then across his nipple. His gaze remained fixed on Noctis, who followed every movement closely.
Provocatively, he let his other hand slide between his legs. He saw Noctis swallow silently as Isaac stroked his inner thigh, slowly but surely guiding his hand toward the place Noctis could no longer look away from. With two fingers, he spread himself open.
"Then don't make me wait any longer," Isaac said quietly.
A satisfied smile crossed Noctis' face.
"I love that you always say exactly what you want."
He leaned over Isaac and slipped one hand beneath his thigh to lift him slightly.
"Are you comfortable like this? The floor is rather hard. Should I get you a pillow?" he asked with a warm smile.
Isaac could not help smiling. He wrapped his arms around Noctis' neck while Noctis pressed a gentle kiss to his throat.
"The bearskin has become pleasantly warm from the fireplace," Isaac murmured. "Stop worrying and… ah!"
Noctis entered him, and for the first time since they had arrived, Noctis could no longer hide his impatience. Their lips found each other again in a long, intimate kiss. For a moment, the world outside the chalet seemed to cease to exist. There was only the soft crackle of the fire, the warmth slowly spreading through the room, and the familiar rhythm of their breathing.
Isaac pressed himself closer to Noctis and wrapped his legs around his hips. After the past few months, every touch felt more intense than ever before. He adjusted to the slow rhythm Noctis had set.
He was still far too sensitive from his earlier orgasm. Every time Noctis thrust into him, everything inside him tightened, signaling another climax. He pressed himself closer to his lover.
Isaac let out a shaky breath and buried his fingers in his dark hair again.
Noctis gripped Isaac's hip, lifted him slightly, and changed the angle at which he moved inside him.
Isaac could not suppress a moan.
"Harder, Noctis," Isaac pleaded against his lips.
"Later," his lover murmured.
He continued his movements at an agonizingly slow pace, but that very slowness was increasingly having its effect. Isaac's lower abdomen pulsed in steady waves, signaling another peak. Everything inside him tingled. The familiar numbness spread through him as every movement sent a pleasant tremor racing through his body.
They had been close so many times before, and yet it felt as though they were truly discovering each other for the first time.
Noctis lifted him so that Isaac was sitting on his lap. Isaac would have loved to increase the pace, but he was so close to orgasm by then that he could barely move any other way. He moaned uncontrollably. So he used the new position to slowly rub himself against Noctis' penis. He braced his hands on Noctis' thighs and searched for the perfect angle.
When he found it, a strangled sound escaped him.
Isaac let his head fall back. Noctis' lips found his neck, gently nibbling at the sensitive skin and leaving hot kisses there. His hips moved in small circles, meeting Isaac each time he lowered himself.
Until, finally, the orgasm practically exploded in his loins. Violent waves surged through his body, and he cried out loudly with pleasure. Noctis, meanwhile, rested his head against Isaac's chest while his hands grasped Isaac's hips and pulled him down a little harder.
"I love the way you feel," he murmured roughly against his skin.
Noctis moaned as well.
Trembling, Isaac wrapped his arms around Noctis' neck and pressed himself against him again. He closed his eyes and felt the fading waves until they kissed again and simply lay in each other's arms.
Noctis' golden eyes rested on him.
"Noc…" Isaac breathed.
"I love you, Isaac," Noctis murmured.
Isaac smiled faintly. "I love you too, Noctis."
Isaac was wonderfully warm by now. This was exactly what he had needed, but it was far from enough.
He kissed his lover's lips again.
"I want more," he breathed.
"In a moment, darling," Noctis said with a smile. "Give me a brief moment."
Reluctantly, he pulled away, leaned back, and drew his jacket toward him. His other hand kept Isaac in place—still sitting on his lap, with Noctis still deep inside him.
"What are you doing?" Isaac asked, puzzled.
"Actually, I had planned it very differently," Noctis began. "But you were so focused on sex that I wanted to give you exactly that."
He placed the jacket beside him, then took Isaac's hand in his and gently kissed his knuckles.
"We'll continue in a moment, but I would appreciate it if you listened to me for a moment." He smiled softly. "I hope I was able to take some of your frustration away."
Isaac smiled.
"Stop talking so strangely and finally say what you want to say."
Noctis laughed softly. "How naughty. You just want me to fuck your brains out."
"I like being naughty when I'm around you."
Noctis placed a finger against Isaac's lips. Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black box. He held it where Isaac could see it clearly, but did not open it.
"I don't think the place is particularly important for what I want to tell you anyway," he said. His thumb brushed over the back of Isaac's hand. "And if I'm honest, I can barely hold myself back any longer."
His golden eyes looked directly into Isaac's. He looked determined, and Isaac was slowly beginning to understand what was happening.
He wouldn't really… would he?
"I'll keep it short, because as I'm sure you can feel, I desperately want to continue what we were doing," he said, opening the small box. "I have loved you since the first day I met you. All these years, you were the only one I ever wanted. The only one I ever had, and you are the only one I want by my side in the future. Isaac Walker, you are the greatest happiness that has ever happened to me, and I would do anything to make sure that happiness lasts for a very long time."
With a confident grin, he presented him with a simple silver ring.
"Marry me, darling," Noctis said. "And by the way, no is not an acceptable answer. You'll never get rid of me."
Isaac was speechless.
He was still sweating from what they had done. They were still joined together, and this was probably the most unusual proposal he had ever heard of.
"What had you originally planned?" he finally asked.
"Breakfast with a view of this icy, lonely wilderness. I wanted to ask you before you had your first coffee."
Isaac had to laugh.
"So you wanted to catch me off guard, and now you're taking advantage of the fact that I feel damn good?"
"Sharp-minded," Noctis replied with a mischievous grin.
Isaac loved that smile.
He took Noctis' face in both hands and looked at him for a moment. Noctis was the only person Isaac could ever love this way. Every time he stood before him, it was as though Isaac became a teenager again. Only this time, he got butterflies in his stomach whenever he looked at the man he loved, instead of worrying about how best to avoid Noctis and bury all those strange feelings for him deep inside himself.
He had loved Noctis for so long.
For so long, he had wanted all of this. He had never thought about marrying Noctis, but he wanted to spend his life with him. This man loved him exactly as he was. He had never left even the slightest doubt that his love was sincere.
And just as Noctis loved him, Isaac loved him too.
A tear ran down his cheek.
He was no longer alone. And he could no longer imagine ever being alone again. The thought of being separated from Noctis suddenly felt unbearable. It was hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, he had still considered it.
Isaac wiped his face and smiled.
"I want to marry you, Noctis," he said quietly. "Stay by my side forever."
Noctis grinned as though he were the happiest person in the world. Carefully, he took Isaac's hand and slid the ring onto his finger. It fit perfectly.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Isaac pulled off his sweater and let it fall carelessly beside him. Now he wore only his earring and the ring Noctis had just given him.
Then they kissed again and continued exactly where they had stopped moments before. Isaac took off his sweater. Now he wore only the earring and the ring Noctis had given him.
Isaac was certain that his streak of bad luck was finally over. From now on, only good times awaited him, with Noctis by his side.