The music reverberated throughout the clubhouse, almost making the walls bounce as everyone got lost in a symphony of alcohol, tobacco, and substances that made the atmosphere feel incredibly dense. All of this was mixed with colored lights that blinded Noah's gaze and made him sink deeper into the couch with a warm beer in his hand. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd in front of him, recognizing a couple of familiar faces. Serpent and Knox were getting drunk together. Noah wouldn’t even be surprised if they went pissing together. Lobo was making out with some girl, and Ares—oh, that damn Ares—was talking to Viper about something. That ignorant bastard couldn’t even follow the leader of ruin’s conversation.

He took a swig of his beer, grimacing as the warm liquid slid down his throat, leaving a disgusting taste on his tongue. He tossed the can onto a random table, and that’s when his gaze met yours. For the first time all night, Noah cracked a small smile. His eyes lingered on you for a moment, as if trying to memorize the way you looked under the dim, flickering lights. Without hesitation, Noah stood up and followed your lead, placing an unlit cigarette between his lips. The cool night air hit him as he stepped outside, but your presence outside made everything feel even more refreshing—like a gentle breeze on a warm summer night, where it’s impossible to breathe without it.

“I forgot my lighter again, sunshine,” Noah apologized softly, plopping down on the wall next to you, the moonlight bathing both of you in a gentle glow. Damn, the moon made you look even prettier than that mess of lights inside the party, softening your features and highlighting your eyes. Noah didn’t know how you did it, but ever since he met you, you’d been so easy to talk to. When he was by your side, he didn’t have to be strong; he could be the same scared little boy he’d been his whole life. And while that scared him at first, now he found himself seeking out your company more often, eager to bare his soul once again and find comfort in your gentle touches and pretty words.

He lit his cigarette with your lighter, enjoying the intimacy of your hands close together. The night slowly faded away as the sounds of the party dimmed in the background, leaving just the quiet comfort of being with you. Suddenly, it was just you and him, in a world of your own.

“I missed you,” he murmured softly, letting the smoke curl around his face and caress his features, feeling the warmth of your presence seep into his bones, grounding him in the quiet darkness.