No one can save you.

"Noel, open the door."

Vincenzo’s voice was firm, laced with something raw…something that made Noel’s fingers tremble against the wood. His forehead rested against the cool surface, his breath uneven.

“Go away,” Noel whispered.

A heavy silence settled between them before Vincenzo’s fist slammed against the door again. “Are you really going to let him touch you again?”

Noel’s stomach twisted violently. He squeezed his eyes shut, his nails digging into his palms.

“Yes.” His voice shook, but he forced the words out. “Just go away, Vincenzo.”

“Bullshit.”

Noel heard the frustration in Vincenzo’s tone, the quiet desperation simmering beneath it. “You don’t want this, Noel. I can save you. Just open the door and leave the rest to me.”

Noel’s chest ached. He wanted to believe that. God, he wanted to.

But Julian had the video. And if it got out…if his father saw…

He sucked in a breath. “No. I don’t need your amazing grace. I don’t need your saving. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

The words tasted like acid on his tongue.

“Because I love you.”

The confession shattered the air like glass.

Noel’s entire body locked up. He pressed a hand over his mouth, his breath ragged.

Vincenzo’s voice was hoarse, thick with emotion. “I love you, Noel. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I won’t just fucking walk away.”

Noel’s heart twisted painfully. He wished he didn’t care. Wished his chest didn’t clench at the sound of Vincenzo’s voice.

But it did.

And that terrified him.

He forced out a bitter laugh. “You’re not different from Julian, you know. You may even be worse.”

A sharp inhale from the other side.

“I don’t love you,” Noel continued, even as his heart cracked. “I never will. So just let it rest.”

Silence.

Then…

“You’re just weak.”

Noel’s breath hitched.

“So weak and breakable.” Vincenzo’s voice was sharp, laced with frustration. “I’m doing you a favor by loving you.”

The words cut through Noel like a blade.

The air left his lungs.

Vincenzo must have realized what he said a second too late. “Noel…baby, I didn’t mean that. I swear, I didn’t mean it like that.”

But it was too late.

Julian chuckled behind him. “Tsk. Tsk. Even your knight in shining armor thinks you’re pathetic.”

Noel barely registered the words before Julian’s lips ghosted over his neck, soft, teasing.

He flinched.

“See?” Julian murmured, pressing another kiss to the sensitive skin behind his ear. “Only I can love you the way you need to be loved.”

Noel’s throat closed up.

His body felt detached from his mind, floating somewhere between numbness and despair.

Vincenzo’s voice broke through the haze. “Noel…baby, please. Don’t listen to him.”

But Noel wasn’t sure he could listen to anyone anymore.

“You’re right,” he whispered.

Julian’s fingers curled around his wrist, pulling him gently toward the bed. Noel didn’t resist.

Didn’t fight.

His body moved on its own, his mind sinking into nothingness as Julian guided him onto the mattress.

Tears slipped down his cheeks.

The sounds of Julian’s pleasure filled the room, each moan and groan twisting inside Noel’s chest like a knife.

Vincenzo’s hands clenched into fists outside the door, his jaw tight with fury.

He could hear everything.

Every breath. Every rustle of sheets.

It made his blood boil.

“Fuck this.”

Vincenzo turned on his heel, rage coursing through his veins.

He wasn’t walking away.

Not for good.

But he needed to make Julian regret every fucking second of this.

"Tell me you want this." Julian’s voice was low, coaxing, his fingers grazing over Noel’s skin.

Noel lay stiff beneath him, staring at the ceiling. His hands clenched into the sheets, the fabric bunched tightly in his grip. His breathing was uneven, shallow. Every touch sent ice down his spine rather than warmth.

"You’re so tense," Julian murmured against his jaw, pressing soft kisses that felt more like burning shackles. "Relax, baby."

Noel swallowed hard, his throat aching. The video. It was always the video. He closed his eyes, willing himself to feel nothing. To disappear into the numbness.

Julian kissed down his neck, his hands roaming, claiming, as if Noel was something to be owned rather than someone to be loved. His fingers dug in possessively, and Noel bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep from making a sound.

"See? You’re already melting for me," Julian said smugly, shifting closer.

Noel turned his head to the side. He didn’t want to see Julian’s face. Didn’t want to see the satisfaction in his eyes. This isn’t real. This isn’t happening. Just get through it.

Julian’s lips ghosted over his collarbone, down his chest, his fingers pressing against his ribs.

"Say my name," Julian urged, his breath warm against Noel’s skin.

Noel bit his lip. His whole body trembled…not with desire, but with the force of keeping himself together. He felt like he was drowning in the weight of Julian’s presence.

"Say it, Noel." Julian’s hand grabbed his chin, forcing Noel’s face towards him.

Noel’s eyes snapped open. He could see the obsession in Julian’s gaze, the desperate need to control, to own. His stomach twisted.

"J-Julian," he finally choked out, barely above a whisper.

Julian smirked, triumphant. He leaned down, capturing Noel’s lips in a deep kiss.

Noel didn’t move. He didn’t kiss back.

Julian didn’t care.

The room was filled with the sound of their uneven breathing. Noel kept his hands curled at his sides, refusing to touch him. Julian’s fingers pressed into his skin, his grip tightening, his body moving against Noel’s in a way that made his stomach churn.

"You’re mine," Julian whispered between kisses, his tone possessive, hungry. "You’ll always be mine."

Noel squeezed his eyes shut.

Just let it be over. Please.

Then…

A loud BANG at the door.

Noel’s entire body flinched. Julian froze, his grip tightening for a second before he turned toward the sound, irritation flashing in his eyes.

Another knock. Louder this time.

"Noel!"

Vincenzo. He had returned..

Julian’s head snapped towards the door, his jaw tightening. "Stay here." His voice was sharp, warning, as he slid off Noel’s body and grabbed a pair of sweatpants.

Noel barely moved. His breath was shallow, his arms wrapped around himself as Julian marched to the door.

"What the fuck do you want?" Julian spat as he cracked the door open, keeping his body partially blocking the entrance.

Vincenzo stood outside, his expression dark with fury. His chest was rising and falling heavily, his eyes locked onto Julian like a predator about to strike.

But then…his gaze flickered past Julian.

For a split second, he saw Noel.

And Noel saw him.

Noel was lying there, curled up, his arms wrapped protectively around himself. His face was pale, his eyes glassy, his lips trembling.

Vincenzo’s entire body went rigid.

Julian smirked. "Nothing for you to see here, De Luca."

Before Vincenzo could react, Julian slammed the door shut.

Noel felt his stomach drop.

Outside, the sound of fists pounding against the door filled the room.

"Noel!" Vincenzo’s voice was furious, desperate. "Open this fucking door!"

Noel curled in on himself, his breath hitching.

Julian chuckled, walking back towards him. He reached out, brushing Noel’s hair from his face.

"See? He can’t save you."

Noel squeezed his eyes shut.

“No one can.”