Through the Screen novel Chapter 11

abel 's stomach was churning as he fled out of chris' car, not bothering to say goodbye but giving him an urgent smile, before quickly climbing up the two flights of stairs that led to his and noah's apartment. it was fifteen minutes to eleven, and although it wasn't as late as abel usually was, it was definitely past dinner time.

his heart was pounding in his chest, and his breathing was heavy when he pushed open the apartment door, ready to be greeted by loud television or an already asleep noah but instead he could hear pots clinking and spoons rattling and he bit his lip, slowing down his pace as he shrugged off his jacket.

he made his way quietly to the kitchen, the sounds becoming clearer and now he could hear noah's soft singing, an adoring smile stretching on abel 's lips at the melody. he fidgeted with his fingers, his lip still caught between his teeth as he made his way over to noah, gently gripping his sides and noah let out a small squeak before relaxing into abel 's hold.

"you scared me," noah scolded him and abel just shook his head, smiling and burying his face in noah's shoulder, arms going around noah's waist as he breathed in deeply. noah didn't smell very different than what he did four years ago, although he did carry a musky scent with him now. there were still traces of cinnamon and faint caramel that defined noah, but he smelled..older? does that make sense?

"also, you're late," noah pointed, snapping abel out of his thoughts, as he stirred the spaghetti he was working on, lowering the flames as he set the spatula aside.

"i know, i'm sorry," abel mumbled, holding noah closer and placing a soft kiss on the back of his neck before letting go, running his fingers through his hair.

"i'm sorry too by the way," noah's cheeks flushed as he said the words and abel raised his eyebrows questionably, leaning against the counter and urging noah to continue.

"well um, i kinda forgot that we had plans tonight so i originally had some pizza with adrian, and i was hoping that you come a little later so i can finish dinner," noah admitted and abel just let out a soft giggle, pressing his finger against the bridge of noah's glasses and pushing them back.

"that's alright," his smile faltered slightly and he bit his lip. "i don't really blame you for forgetting, you know because of the other times?" he trailed off, staring down at his feet, and noah noticed the anxious look on abel 's face. it was true that many of their plans had been ruined before because abel got caught up in work or noah simply forgot about it, but he didn't want anything to ruin tonight.

"hey it's okay, we're both equally at fault today," noah rolled his eyes fondly as he reached forward to grab abel 's hand, pulling the younger boy to him and abel just smiled half heartedly, teeth still digging into his bottom lip.