Chapter 26: Embarrassed
As the morning light filters through the room, Noelle slowly awakens. He blinks against the brightness and turns his gaze to the side, where he spots Thorne asleep upright in a chair by the bedside. The soft morning light frames Thorne's features, casting a gentle glow on his face. His blonde hair, disheveled from sleep, spills around him like a halo, making him look like an angel.
Noelle tries to sit up, feeling a mix of relief and lingering discomfort from the heat of the previous night. As he shifts, Thorne stirs, his blue eyes opening to meet Noelle's gaze.
"You're awake," Thorne says softly, leaning closer to place his palm on Noelle's forehead. The touch is gentle, a familiar gesture that reminds him of last night's events. Noelle, feeling the weight of Thorne's concern and the remnants of embarrassment, turns away and pulls the bedding up to cover himself.
"Little star?" Thorne's voice carries a note of worry as he sits on the edge of the bed. He places his hand on the mound of blankets that is Noelle, his concern deepening. "Is something wrong?" he asks, his tone filled with genuine anxiety.
At Thorne's question, the bundle of blankets trembles slightly. "Noelle?" he asks again, his voice now thick with concern. "Please, look at me."
Slowly, Noelle peeks out from under the covers, his sigh soft but heavy with reluctance. His vibrant green eyes meet Thorne's, but there's a hint of hesitation, his face flushed a deep shade of red.
"I'm... embarrassed," Noelle mumbles, his voice so small that it's barely audible.
Thorne lets out a sigh of relief, his lips curling into a soft smile. "Oh, don't worry about it," he says, attempting to ease the tension. "You should see me in my rut. Now that's something to be embarrassed about. It's definitely not okay."
At that, Noelle's eyes narrow with suspicion, studying him as if weighing the truth behind his words.