章 19: Scare

Noelle glanced at Thorne, their eyes meeting for a brief, electrifying moment before he quickly averted his gaze, feeling the heat rush to his cheeks. He's so handsome, he thought, his heart skipping a beat. Thorne had been improving rapidly, his recovery nothing short of miraculous since that dark day when Noelle had almost lost him. With better food and proper care, Thorne's once-gaunt features had sharpened into a striking handsomeness that left Noelle feeling flustered and overwhelmed.

It had been easier to deal with Thorne when he was sick, when Noelle's primary focus was on nursing him back to health. But now, with Thorne regaining his strength and his commanding presence returning in full force, Noelle found it increasingly difficult to keep his composure. His hands shook slightly as he moved to the next plant, watering it with more care than necessary, trying to ignore the fluttering in his chest.

Noelle sighed softly, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. He had grown so accustomed to tending to the weakened, vulnerable man, that he wasn't prepared for the intensity of feelings that arose now that Thorne was nearly back to his full, formidable self.

Noelle had intended to linger in the garden for a while longer, hiding from the inevitable chaos that awaited him inside. He knew Ben would be back soon with the firewood, preparing for the rapidly approaching winter. Every day, Ben ventured into the forest, chopping and stacking wood to keep their small home warm during the harsh season. Noelle glanced at his plants, a worried frown creasing his brow. He needed to build something around them soon, or his precious babies would freeze to death in the cold.

He was lost in thought, his mind already planning out the steps he needed to take, when a voice broke through his concentration, startling him.

"I don't think it's possible for plants to drown, but you might just find out today," a familiar voice teased from behind him.

Noelle jumped, nearly dropping the watering can in his hands. He turned around, heart racing, to find Thorne sitting in his wheelchair, a small smirk playing on his lips. Noelle felt a flush of embarrassment and something else—something warmer—creep up his neck.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Thorne said, his voice gentler now as he reached for the watering can. Noelle moved to do the same, but their fingertips brushed, sending a jolt of electricity through him. His breath caught as he met Thorne's gaze, those striking blue eyes watching him intently.

"It's fine," Noelle mumbled, trying to pull his hand away, but Thorne's grip was surprisingly strong. Before Noelle could react, he was pulled down onto Thorne's lap, trapped against the man's solid frame.

Panic and something dangerously close to excitement flared within him as he tried to stand. "Let me go, I'll hurt you," Noelle warned, his voice shaky with the effort to sound stern.

But Thorne only chuckled, the sound deep and rich in Noelle's ear. "I'm not that fragile," he murmured, his breath warm against Noelle's skin. "I mean, I was. But wasn't the goal to have me feeling better? And you succeeded, my beloved brightest star."

The endearment, whispered so close to his ear, sent Noelle's heart into a wild, uncontrollable rhythm. It had been doing that often lately, betraying him whenever Thorne was near. Noelle could feel the heat radiating from Thorne's body, the solid warmth of him so different from the frail man he had once been.

Noelle tried to stand, but Thorne's arm wrapped around him, holding him firmly in place.

"I'm heavy, let me go," Noelle protested, his voice strained as he struggled weakly against Thorne's grip. He was careful not to exert too much force, afraid he might hurt Thorne.

But Thorne only tightened his hold slightly, his lips brushing against Noelle's ear as he spoke. "But you're not, my beloved star," he murmured, his voice laced with a teasing warmth. "It sounds like you're trying to get away from me."

Guilt pricked at Noelle, and with a soft sigh, he stopped struggling, allowing himself to lean back against Thorne's chest. The warmth of Thorne's body seeped into him, and for a moment, he let himself relax into the embrace.

"I don't think you're as fine as you think you are," Noelle grumbled, his words tinged with concern. He could feel Thorne's heartbeat against his back, steady and strong, but he couldn't shake the worry that had become second nature since Thorne's illness.

Thorne chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through Noelle. "I think I'm fine enough," he replied, his voice filled with a quiet confidence that made Noelle's heart flutter.

As if on cue, a gentle breeze stirred the air, and a few strands of Noelle's hair were blown across his face. Thorne reached up, his fingers brushing against Noelle's cheek as he tucked the stray strands behind his ear with a tenderness that took Noelle by surprise.

Noelle's breath hitched at the simple, intimate gesture. His pulse quickened, and for a moment, he was acutely aware of just how close they were, how deeply he had come to care

for Thorne. It scares him sometimes.