𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

fifty one

a/n: you soooo wanna read my new wlw book called 'lessons in love' .... you wanna read it so bad .... you wanna read it ik you wanna read the book called 'lessons in love' that already has four chapters

anyways...im off for summer so im gonna hopefully finish the book ... do yall deserve a happy ending tho ... idk ... only if you read my new story 'lessons in love' ...

* * *

With a gasp, Noah breathes in deeply, the familiar sound of Benjamin's voice pulling him back to reality. He blinks repeatedly as if trying to bring himself back to reality and brings a shaking hand up to swipe away the sweat trickling down his forehead. After a moment, he manages a confused, "Huh?"

"How long have you been working out?" Benjamin asks again, his tone laced with concern. He holds out a water bottle towards Noah.

Noah squints down at his Apple watch, the numbers blurring a little before coming into focus. He had gone to the apartment's gym at three o'clock, and now the tiny screen read six. He had promised Benjamin he would take just an hour, a promise he had apparently broken.

"Sorry. I got carried away," Noah confesses, his voice hoarse. He takes the water bottle from Benjamin, his grip trembling slightly as he uncaps it and begins to drink, the cool water providing some relief. "Just needed to clear my head," he adds as if that explains everything.

"May I?" Benjamin asks, his hand offered in a silent request for Noah to follow. "Let's go upstairs and shower."

Noah nods in agreement, pushing himself off the treadmill with a grunt and following Benjamin back through the apartment. A silence hangs in the air as Benjamin helps him out of his sweat-drenched clothes, the fabric sticking stubbornly to his skin.

Benjamin takes a moment to adjust the shower, ensuring the water is the perfect temperature before he strips himself. He then guides Noah into the shower; the tension in Noah's body starts to break away as the hot water falls over his aching muscles.

"Don't overwork yourself, baby," Benjamin says gently, his words carrying a note of worry. "I know your doctor cleared you for working out, but...you still need to be careful."

Noah blinks a few times, his eyes stinging. "I'm sorry," he mumbles, the words barely audible over the shower water.

"It's okay," Benjamin reassures him, his smile comforting. "I know you're going through a lot right now, but you need to remember to take care of yourself, too."

Noah nods several times, taking in a shaky breath. He presses his hands up to his eyes, the tremble in his shoulders the only warning before he lets out a long, heartbreaking sob.

"I know, baby," Benjamin murmurs, his tone soothing. He continues to work around Noah's body, scrubbing off the sweat. Once he was finished, he moved to turn the water off, stepping out onto the chilly tiles to grab a fluffy towel from the rack. "Come on."

Noah allows himself to be wrapped in the plush towel, the soft fabric providing a stark contrast to the cold air of the bathroom. He finds himself seated on the bed while Benjamin rummages through drawers, looking for some clothes for him. After a moment, Benjamin emerges with a pair of boxers and some comfortable sweatpants.

"Tell me," Benjamin begins as he gently towel dries Noah's damp hair. "Are you excited to be back in school?"

Noah lifts his gaze to meet Benjamin's, a glimmer of anticipation lighting up his eyes as he nods. "Yeah."

Benjamin's smile widens at the response. "What part are you most excited about?" He asks, handing Noah the boxers. "Stand, put these on."

Noah follows his instructions, shrugging his shoulders in uncertainty. "Maybe the... practical aspect. Or, what's it called? The physical part?"

"Ooh. Getting to apply what you learned?" Benjamin suggests as Noah sits back down, the bed dipping slightly under his weight. Noah nods in agreement, his eyes curiously watching Benjamin as he retrieves the lotion from the nightstand.

Benjamin dispenses a dollop of lotion onto his palm, the scent filling the room as he rubs it between his hands. He reaches out to massage it onto Noah's arms, his movements slow and deliberate. "That part is fun. I remember the thrill I felt when I was finally allowed to start coding."

Noah nods, a soft smile playing on his lips as he relaxes under Benjamin's touch. "Yeah," he sniffs, his eyes following the movement of Benjamin's hands.

Benjamin caps the lotion and smiles. "So, what are you thinking for dinner?"

Noah shrugs his shoulders as he watches Benjamin get dressed. "Not sure. Anything works," Noah hears his phone buzz from where Benjamin placed it on the nightstand. He smiles a little at the text from his mother.

From 'Mamá':

-I love you, son.

-I'm going to bed. Text me if you can come to see me tomorrow.

"It's my mom," Noah tells Benjamin. "She wants me to come see her tomorrow."

"That should be good," Benjamin smiles at him, taking a seat next to him on the bed. "Seeing her...getting to talk to her. It might help put your mind at ease."

"I guess," Noah sniffs and sets his phone down. "I think we still have leftovers from the other night. Does that work for dinner?"

"That's perfect."

* * *

"Hola, Mamá," Noah sets the bouquet of flowers down on her bedside table before taking a seat on the bed. He leans in and places a kiss on her forehead.

"Hola, baby. Hi, Benjamin." Selena reaches out to hold Noah's hand. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm doing fine," Noah smiles.

José makes eye contact with Benjamin to silently ask if Noah is telling the truth. Benjamin tilts his head and gives a small smile.

"I'm so glad, Papi," Selena squeezes his hand. "Papa is making lunch. Can you and Benjamin stay?"

Noah looks over to Benjamin, hopeful. "Are you okay to stay?"

Benjamin nods his head once. "Of course."

José smiles back before averting his attention to the kitchen. "Benny? Do you mind helping me out with lunch?" He asks.

"Sure!" Benjamin stands from where he was sitting on the chair in the Martinez's bedroom. Benjamin follows José into the kitchen. "What can I help with?"

"Mind chopping some veggies?" He asks. "Making Selena's favorite soup."

"Of course." Benjamin grabs the cutting board from the counter, beginning to chop up some of the already washed veggies and sitting on the counter, waiting to be chopped.

José busied himself and began to work on the broth. "How is Noah really doing?

"He's doing okay, I think." Benjamin smiles softly. "The best he can be, I guess. He's been showing up to work on time and not shutting down."

"The drinking?" José asks.

"It's been good," Benjamin reassures. "He hasn't picked up anything and...He calls instead of drinking. He's just been exercising like crazy, but other than that, he's doing okay."

José lets a smile overtake his face, letting a deep breath he didn't know he was holding exit his lungs. "I'm glad. I'm so so glad," José turns away from the stove to face Benjamin. "Thank you so much."

"For what?"

"Being here for him," José nods his head a few times. "I know it must be difficult to...try and be here for him but...I am so appreciative. I can't be on him all the time with taking care of Selena, but...Noah is my son, and I am glad he has someone to look out for him."

"It's not a problem, Mr.Maritnez. Seriously."

"Hm," José smiles again. "I always knew you were special. You and Noah."

  * * *