Fallen General's Omega (BL)
Chapter 96: In love

Chapter 96: In love

The soft morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Noelle stirred, feeling the gentle heat on his skin, the familiar softness of the luxurious bed beneath him. His body ached in a way that reminded him of the night before—a lingering soreness that held no complaint, only a deep satisfaction. The traces of their passion clung to him, like a delicate memory etched into his muscles. But the thought nagged at the back of his mind. Honestly, was it safe to sleep with each other as much as they did?

A looming shadow disturbed his half-awake state. Noelle cracked open an eye, casting a bleary but pointed glare at Thorne, who stood beside the bed with a smug grin, having dared to interrupt his morning slumber.

"Good morning, my star," Thorne greeted softly, his voice a soothing balm to Noelle’s mildly irritated expression.

"Good morning," Noelle mumbled, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite himself. He sat up slowly, running a hand through his disheveled hair, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

Thorne leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to Noelle’s forehead. The gesture, simple yet full of warmth, made Noelle’s heart flutter. "Get dressed, my beloved star. I have a surprise for you."

Noelle’s curiosity flickered awake. Thorne wasn’t often one for surprises, but when he did go through the effort, it was usually worth it. He glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "A surprise?"

Thorne’s eyes glinted with amusement as he nodded. "Yes, we’re leaving the capital for the day. I’ve arranged something special."

Leaving the capital? On a whim? That wasn’t like Thorne at all, and it only piqued Noelle’s interest further. "Where are we going?"

"You’ll see," Thorne replied, his tone intentionally mysterious, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

Excitement buzzed through Noelle as he hurriedly dressed, selecting a light, comfortable outfit. Thorne waited by the door, his gaze soft but playful as he watched Noelle prepare. When he was finally ready, they left hand in hand, the thrill of an unspoken adventure hanging in the air between them.

The ride out of the capital was peaceful, the bustle and chaos of city life gradually fading as they ventured further into the countryside. Noelle gazed out of the carriage window, watching as the scenery transformed before his eyes—vast green fields replaced the towering structures of the city, forests thick with ancient trees appeared as if they were leading them into some hidden world.

After nearly an hour of travel, the carriage slowed as they arrived at a secluded riverbank. The sound of the flowing river greeted them, its clear waters sparkling under the bright sunlight. Towering trees provided shade, and the entire setting felt like something out of a dream, a secret corner of the world known only to them.

Thorne helped Noelle out of the carriage, his touch lingering as their hands remained clasped. Noelle took in the beauty of the scene, a sense of calm washing over him. The peacefulness here was a stark contrast to the intensity of their lives in the capital, and it filled him with a quiet joy.

"I thought we could spend the day here," Thorne said, his voice gentle, watching Noelle with quiet anticipation.

Noelle turned to him, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "That’s interesting."

Without warning, he wrapped his arms around Thorne’s waist, pulling him close. Noelle looked up, meeting Thorne’s gaze with a soft but mischievous expression. "And what exactly do you have planned for us?"

Thorne chuckled, kissing Noelle’s forehead before pulling away just slightly. "You’ll find out soon enough. But first, I brought food. We’re going to spend the entire day here—just us."

As he leaned in for another kiss, a loud coo interrupted them. They both turned, and flying out of the carriage came the unmistakable sight of Grape, the fat, plump bird who had somehow wedged himself into their lives.

"Looks like we’ve got company," Noelle said, laughing as the bird settled itself nearby.

Thorne groaned, his tone exasperated. "Seems so."

Noelle giggled, unable to help himself. "He’s looking fatter than usual, don’t you think?"

Thorne shot the bird a withering glare. "That’s because someone decided he needed a personal maid."

Noelle laughed, pulling away from Thorne to coax the bird closer. Despite Thorne’s annoyance, Grape was a source of amusement for them both, his antics providing endless entertainment—though Thorne would never admit it.

They spent the morning by the river, splashing in the cool water, laughing together as Grape flitted around them. The day was filled with the warmth of shared moments, the kind that made Noelle’s heart swell with contentment. It was perfect—simple, peaceful, and full of love.

As the afternoon sun began to dip in the sky, they lay together on a picnic blanket beneath the shade of a large tree. Noelle closed his eyes, letting the serenity of the moment wash over him. The steady rhythm of the river and the soft rustling of the trees lulled him into a peaceful state.

Thorne leaned on his elbow, gazing down at Noelle with an expression that was both tender and serious. "You’re so beautiful," he said, his voice low but earnest.

Noelle opened his eyes, laughter bubbling in his chest. "What?"

"I mean it," Thorne continued, his tone more serious now. "It’s not just your appearance, though that’s part of it. It’s you—your essence. Your laugh, the way you look at me... Sometimes I’m scared that all of this, all of you, is just a beautiful dream I’ll wake up from. I cherish every moment we spend together because I’m terrified that one day, I might wake up."

Noelle’s smile softened as he placed his hand over Thorne’s. "When you say things like that, I’m afraid I can’t live without you."

Thorne leans in for a kiss, slow and gentle at first, then deepening with every second, as if he’s pouring every bit of his affection into it. Noelle melts into the embrace, the warmth of Thorne’s lips grounding him in the moment. But just as the air between them becomes thick with intimacy, a sudden weight on Thorne’s head breaks the mood.

Grape, in all his feathered audacity, has decided this is the perfect time to perch atop Thorne’s head. The General’s eyes flash with anger for just a second, his jaw tightening, but Noelle can’t contain himself. Laughter bubbles up uncontrollably, and within seconds, he’s doubled over, clutching his stomach as tears brim in his eyes. Thorne looks up, exasperated, watching Noelle’s face glow with pure amusement.

"I swear, it’s like we’re back on our hill," Thorne mutters, surrendering to the absurdity of it all, falling back onto the blanket beneath them with a heavy sigh.

"It does feel like that, doesn’t it?" Noelle replies, his laughter slowly fading into a smile. There’s a softness in his gaze as he watches Thorne, who now lies sprawled on the blanket with Grape still arrogantly perched on his head. The moment feels surreal—a blend of past and present, memories overlapping like brushstrokes on a canvas.

A few minutes pass in comfortable silence, the sun setting low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the garden. Noelle’s laughter subsides, leaving him with a lingering warmth in his chest. He glances at Thorne, a sense of peace washing over him. "Thank you," Noelle says, his voice quiet but full of emotion. "This is the first time I’ve laughed on this day in years."

Thorne turns his head to look at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I know. I’ve never met your mother, but from everything you’ve told me, she sounds like she was an amazing woman."

Noelle’s expression softens further as he nods. "She was."

Thorne shifts onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he speaks, his tone gentle yet thoughtful.

"I spent a lot of time thinking about what gift to offer her—something that would honor her memory. And then it hit me: the best gift would be the smile of the person she loved most in this world." His eyes search Noelle’s face, sincere and unwavering.

"I think she’d love to see that you’re no longer alone, that you’re happy now."

Noelle’s breath catches as he meets Thorne’s gaze, his heart swelling with an overwhelming mix of emotions. He’s struck by the sincerity in Thorne’s words, by the quiet yet profound understanding this man seems to have of him. In that moment, beneath the fading sunlight with Grape perched like a ridiculous crown on Thorne’s head, Noelle feels something shift deep within him.

He’s fallen in love with this man. Again.

Thorne’s blonde hair gleams in the setting sun, and his blue eyes reflect the fading light with an intensity that takes Noelle’s breath away.