Trauma is such a bitch!

"You’re really testing my patience, Noel."

Vincenzo exhaled sharply, fingers tightening around the steering wheel of his black Aston Martin parked outside Noel’s dorm. The soft glow of the streetlights barely reached the darkness inside the car, but his eyes were sharp, locked on the entrance.

It had been weeks. Weeks of relentless gifts, money, extravagant gestures…he had even fucking bought Noel a penthouse, and the damn brat refused it. Not even a "thank you." Just silence.

It was driving him insane.

And yet... this defiance. This ridiculous, stubborn rejection... it turned him on more than it should.

"What the fuck are you doing to me, pretty boy?" he muttered to himself.

He leaned back, rubbing his jaw. Tonight would be no different. He’d sent for Noel multiple times, and every night, the same answer: Noel Laurent will not be coming downstairs.

His patience was wearing thin.

Then, movement.

His eyes snapped to the entrance.

Noel.

Vincenzo sat up immediately. The petite, gorgeous boy was hurrying out of the building, arms hugging his body, walking quickly. He looked anxious, like he was running from something.

Vincenzo’s gaze darkened. From who?

Then he saw him.

A tall, lean figure following Noel from behind.

His heart rate spiked.

Noel sped up. The guy did too.

Then, just as Noel reached the sidewalk, a hand shot out…grabbing his wrist.

Noel flinched violently. "Let go!"

"Come on, baby, don’t be like that," the man crooned, tightening his grip.

Vincenzo stepped out of the car.

Noel was struggling, panic flashing in his eyes. "Let me go!"

The guy’s other hand reached for Noel’s waist. "You’re still mine, Noel. Don’t fight me…"

Noel shoved at him. "Get off me!"

Enough.

Vincenzo moved.

In one stride, he closed the distance. His fingers curled around the man’s wrist, prying him off Noel with brutal force.

The guy yelped. "What the…"

A punch to the gut cut off his words.

He doubled over, gasping.

Noel stumbled back, eyes wide, breath shaky.

Vincenzo took one look at him…and that was all it took.

His control snapped.

Another punch.

The guy hit the ground with a pained grunt. "Who the fuck…"

Vincenzo crouched, gripping his hair, yanking his head up to meet his gaze. Cold. Merciless.

"You don’t get to touch him," Vincenzo growled, voice low and lethal.

Noel took one step back…then another. Then he turned…

And ran.

Vincenzo’s head snapped up. "Noel!"

But he was gone, disappearing into the dorm building.

Vincenzo swore under his breath, shoving the guy back down.

"This isn’t over," the man coughed, sneering.

Vincenzo didn’t even bother looking at him. He was already on his feet, heading straight for the building.

Noel was fast. But Vincenzo was determined.

Inside, Noel barely made it to his room before locking the door behind him.

His breathing was uneven. His hands shook.

"No, no, no, no…."

His mind spun back…flashes of the past hitting him all at once.

"Come on, baby, I know you like it."

"No…please…"

"Shhh, just relax."

His body curled up, knees pressing against his chest. His breath hitched, coming in sharp gasps.

He was back there. Back in that room. Back in that nightmare.

The walls felt too small. The room too dark.

A strangled whimper escaped his throat.

"I can’t breathe."

His body trembled violently.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ground himself…but the memories wouldn’t stop.

"No, no, no…"

Then…

A hand on his shoulder.

Noel gasped sharply, flinching, his entire body recoiling from the touch.

"Noel," a deep voice murmured.

His eyes flew open…

Vincenzo.

He was kneeling in front of him, brows furrowed in concern, his warm hand still on Noel’s shoulder.

Noel stared at him, chest rising and falling erratically.

Vincenzo exhaled. "It’s okay," he whispered. "You’re okay."

Noel shook his head, eyes glossy, lips quivering. "I…I can’t…"

Vincenzo didn’t wait.

He pulled Noel into his arms.

Noel stiffened. But the warmth. The firm, steady hold. It was grounding.

Vincenzo’s voice was low against his ear. "Breathe with me."

Noel squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his face against Vincenzo’s chest, gripping onto his shirt like a lifeline.

Seconds passed. Minutes.

Finally, his breathing steadied.

Vincenzo pulled back slightly, tilting Noel’s chin up, eyes searching his.

A pause.

Then…

"Who the hell was that guy?"

Noel’s body tensed all over again.

And then…

Knock. Knock.

Both their heads snapped toward the door.

A voice on the other side.

"Noel... let me in."

Vincenzo’s entire body went rigid.

Noel’s breath hitched.

A slow smirk crept onto Vincenzo’s lips.

"Oh, you just made the worst mistake of your life, asshole."

"If it’s that bastard, I’m breaking his fucking face."

Vincenzo yanked the door open, muscles coiled, fist already clenched…

Only to pause.

It wasn’t him.

Instead, two people rushed past him without a second glance.

"Noel!"

Noel barely had time to react before Nico and Aria were on him.

Nico grabbed his shoulders, eyes scanning him like he was searching for bruises. "Oh my God, are you okay? I just saw that bastard Julian downstairs."

Noel flinched at the name.

Aria didn’t wait…she pulled him into a tight hug, her voice sharp with concern. "What the fuck is with that guy? Why the hell won’t he leave you alone?"

Noel didn’t answer. He was stiff, his fingers clenching onto Aria’s sweater like he needed to hold onto something solid.

Vincenzo shut the door behind them, jaw tight. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.

"Julian."

The name rolled in his mind. He had never heard it before.

Who the fuck was he?

Vincenzo’s gaze landed on Noel again.

He looked... smaller. Curled up between his friends, like he was trying to make himself disappear.

Like the weight of whatever just happened was crushing him.

Vincenzo didn’t like that.

His patience snapped. "Who the hell is that guy even?"

Silence.

Nico and Aria exchanged glances.

Noel stiffened.

The pain in his eyes was sharp, raw. He wasn’t just scared…he was haunted.

Vincenzo’s stomach clenched.

"...Noel?" His voice was lower this time, quieter. He wasn’t sure why, but the way Noel was avoiding his gaze made something uneasy settle in his chest.

Noel swallowed hard. His lips parted…then closed again.

Like he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

The room felt heavier.

Aria was the one who finally spoke.

"He’s... someone who should be rotting in a fucking grave."

Nico ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Someone who’s done enough damage to last a lifetime."

Vincenzo’s fists curled. "What kind of damage?"

Noel flinched again.

Nico shot him a glare. "Why do you even care?"

Vincenzo’s eyes snapped to him. "Because I just saw that asshole force himself on Noel tonight." His voice was ice. "So if any of you think I’m just gonna walk away and let that happen again, you’re dead fucking wrong."

Aria tensed.

Nico bit his lip, looking away.

Vincenzo turned his attention back to Noel.

"You can tell me to fuck off. You can hate me. But you don’t get to shut me out when I just saw you terrified out of your goddamn mind."

Noel’s fingers clenched into fists in his lap. He was trembling.

Vincenzo’s voice softened just a fraction. "...I just want to know if you’re safe."

Another silence.

Noel exhaled shakily. "...I don’t know."

The admission was so quiet, so fragile, that something sharp twisted in Vincenzo’s chest.

His grip on his arms tightened.

Nico sighed, running a hand down his face. "We should call the cops."

Noel’s reaction was immediate…he shook his head quickly, his breathing turning shallow. "No."

Aria frowned. "Noel…"

"I said no." His voice was tight, panicked.

Vincenzo narrowed his eyes.

Aria hesitated before nodding. "...Okay. We won’t."

But that reaction? That wasn’t normal.

Vincenzo could feel it in his gut.

Something was wrong.

He sat on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice was firm but controlled. "Fine. No cops. But tell me something, Noel…"

Noel lifted his gaze to meet his.

Vincenzo leaned in slightly.

"Is he gonna come back?"

Noel didn’t answer.

But the way his throat bobbed? The way his lashes fluttered, how his entire body stiffened at the question?

That told Vincenzo everything he needed to know.

His jaw clenched.

Aria reached out, squeezing Noel’s hand. "We’ll stay over tonight," she said softly. "Okay?"

Noel nodded, eyes still distant.

Nico sighed, sitting on the floor beside the bed. "I need a drink."

Aria smacked his arm. "You need a brain."

Noel let out a small, shaky laugh.

Vincenzo watched the way Aria brushed a strand of Noel’s hair behind his ear. The way Nico subtly positioned himself between Noel and the door, like he was ready to throw hands if anything happened.

They cared.

A lot.

But none of them looked at Noel the way Vincenzo did.

None of them had the same raging, protective storm brewing inside them.

Vincenzo didn’t just care.

He was ready to destroy whoever put that haunted look in Noel’s eyes.

And then…

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Noel’s phone vibrated on the bedside table.

A new message.

Noel reached for it, but Vincenzo was faster. He grabbed the phone and turned the screen toward himself.

And his blood ran cold.

Unknown Number: You can’t avoid me forever, baby.

Noel’s breath hitched.

Vincenzo’s grip tightened so hard the phone nearly cracked in his palm.

He stood up slowly. His voice was eerily calm.

"...What the fuck did he do to you, Noel?"

Noel's lips parted…but no words came out.

And for the first time that night…

He looked afraid of Vincenzo.