No One Else But You

Safe Spaces

Later that night, the dorm was quieter.

David had left to meet up with his boyfriend. Sage and Cyenna had crashed on Edward's floor, deep into an intense discussion about which reality dating show was the most chaotic.

And Noah was next to Edward on the bed, their backs against the wall, the soft glow of Edward's desk lamp casting shadows across the room.

Edward sighed, tipping his head back. "That could've gone worse."

Noah smirked. "That could've gone way worse."

Edward huffed out a laugh. "Cyenna was ready to throw me out the window for not telling her sooner."

"To be fair," Noah said, stretching his legs out, "I did ruin your life for a brief period of time."

Edward shot him a flat look. "Oh, great. So reassuring."

Noah grinned. "I like them, though."

Edward's chest warmed. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Noah glanced toward the floor, where Cyenna was now animatedly explaining something to Sage, who nodded along with the patience of someone used to these rants. "They're good for you."

Edward's fingers curled against the blanket. "They are."

Noah was still looking at him, gaze steady, thoughtful. "You seem... lighter."

Edward frowned. "Lighter?"

"Yeah." Noah's voice softened. "Like you can breathe here."

Edward swallowed. He hadn't thought about it like that.

But now that Noah had said it—he realized it was true.

For the first time in years, he didn't feel like he was constantly bracing for impact. Didn't feel like he had to shrink himself down, like he had to fit into some version of himself that made other people comfortable.

He could just be.

Edward exhaled slowly, pressing his knee against Noah's.

"...Yeah," he murmured. "I think I can."

Noah didn't say anything, but his lips quirked up just slightly.

And in the quiet warmth of the room, surrounded by the people who knew him—Edward felt something settle inside him.

Like, for the first time, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.