Chapter 590: Friends with benefit

The interior of Angel’s house was surprisingly cozy. Not minimalist or sterile like Noah might have expected from someone with military background. Actual furniture that looked comfortable rather than just functional. Artwork on the walls—nothing fancy, just pieces that suggested someone actually lived here rather than just sleeping between deployments.

The dining table was set for two. Candles provided ambient lighting that was definitely intentional, creating atmosphere that made Noah acutely aware this wasn’t just casual dinner between colleagues.

Angel gestured toward one of the chairs. "Sit. I’ll bring everything out."

Noah sat, placing the flowers on the table, watching as Angel disappeared into the kitchen. She returned moments later carrying plates that actually looked professionally prepared—mashed potatoes with visible butter melting into them, steak cooked to what looked like perfect medium-rare, vegetables that had been roasted with seasonings that made his mouth water just from the smell.

"You cooked all this?" Noah asked, genuinely impressed.

"Don’t sound so surprised." Angel set his plate down, her fingers brushing his shoulder briefly before she moved to her own seat. "I’ve got skills beyond just beating people up."

They started eating, and Noah found his attention divided between the genuinely excellent food and the woman sitting across from him. The candlelight caught the red of her gown, made it seem to shift with every movement. The way she held her fork, the casual grace in how she moved—everything felt deliberately designed to remind him that Angel wasn’t just a combat specialist.

"I know this must be awkward for you," Angel said after several minutes of comfortable silence. She set her fork down, met his eyes directly. "So I’m just going to be honest about everything, alright?"

"Alright."

"I finished military academy at seventeen. Early awakening at fourteen gave me advantages others didn’t have, let me accelerate through training faster than normal." She took a sip of water, her expression carrying memories. "Got called up to the Ark immediately after graduation. Spent five years in space fighting threats that would make most ground-based soldiers quit on the spot."

Noah listened, his food temporarily forgotten.

"I’m not trying to brag," Angel continued. "Just explaining that I understand how life moves fast for people like us. How responsibilities pile up because we have power others don’t. How relationships become complicated when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed."

She paused, her fingers tracing patterns on the table. "Because of my outward appearance, because of how I carry myself, I don’t get many evenings like this. Dates with attractive males who see past the soldier to whatever else might be underneath."

Noah felt heat creeping up his neck at the implication that she found him attractive.

"I know I’m older than you," Angel said, addressing it directly. "You’re nineteen, I’m twenty-three. But Sophie’s older too, isn’t she? And Seraleth’s definitely older. Lila’s around your age from what I understand."

She knew. Of course she knew. Probably had done background research the moment Noah became relevant to her professionally.

"So yeah, I know you have a–harem. That’s what the internet community calls it," Angel stated matter-of-factly. Also proving Noah right. She’d done her background checks.

She continued however, "Three incredible women who trust you enough to share that kind of relationship. And honestly? I respect it. Takes something special to make that work without everyone killing each other."

Noah set his own fork down, giving her his full attention.

"What I’m saying is..." Angel took a breath, her confidence wavering slightly for the first time. "I’m shooting my shot here. Being completely transparent because there’s no reason to hide it anymore. For all I know, the world could burn tomorrow if Kruel returns. And I’d live with regret knowing I never tried."

She leaned forward slightly, the candlelight making her eyes seem to glow. "I know you have a lot on your plate. I’m not trying to push this on you or demand anything you can’t give. I’m also not sure I could handle a serious relationship myself—my life’s too chaotic, too unpredictable. But if there’s something worth exploring between us, something that works for both of us, I’m open to it."

The vulnerability in her voice made Noah’s chest tighten.

"I’m attracted to you, Noah." Angel’s words came out clear, deliberate. "Not just physically, though obviously that’s part of it. But everything about you. How you fight, how you lead, how you care about people despite having power that would let you not care. Even down to how your blood smells."

Noah blinked. "Huh?"

Angel laughed, the sound slightly embarrassed. "I know it’s weird. Blood manipulation gives me sensitivity to it that normal people don’t have. I can tell people by the scent of their blood, identify health, emotional state, intent sometimes. And ever since we crash-landed on that strange planet a month ago, since we fought that Harbinger mothership together, I knew you were a good person."

She met his eyes again. "The right person."

"Right person for what?" Noah asked carefully.

"For this. For me. For whatever this could be." Angel’s hands fidgeted slightly, betraying nervousness her voice didn’t show. "So I guess my question is... is there space for me? Not necessarily joining the list of amazing women you already have—I know Sophie and Lila don’t like me, could tell from the moment we met. And I get it. Their relationship with you works because they have history, trust, shared experiences. I’m an outsider who can’t offer that same foundation."

She laughed again, self-deprecating. "I’m yapping too much, aren’t I? Exposing myself for clearly keeping tabs on your life and personal business. I’ve been a fan since Eclipse formed months ago, since you and your group boldly walked away from military service to do things your way. So yeah, I’m invested beyond what’s probably appropriate for someone who just met you."

Angel took another breath. "So am I going to be turned down?"

Noah considered his response carefully. This wasn’t a conversation he’d expected when agreeing to dinner, but Angel’s honesty deserved equal honesty in return.

"First," Noah said, "your cooking is excellent. Genuinely impressive."

Angel smiled despite the tension.

"Second, I appreciate your honesty. The fact that you’ve thought this through rather than just acting on impulse tells me you’re serious." Noah leaned back slightly. "And you’re smart to recognize that a traditional relationship probably isn’t on the cards for us. You’re right about Sophie and Lila—they don’t trust you yet, and forcing that would create problems nobody needs."

"So that’s a no?" Angel’s voice stayed level but her eyes showed disappointment.

"I didn’t say that." Noah met her gaze directly. "Maybe something else could work. Something different from what I have with the others."

"Like what?"

Noah smiled. "Friends with benefits. Clear boundaries, honest communication, no expectations beyond what we explicitly agree to."

Angel’s face lit up immediately. "Yes. Absolutely yes. I—"

"Hey." Noah raised a hand, cutting off her enthusiasm. "Don’t accept so thoughtlessly. There are rules if we do this."

Angel composed herself, nodding. "Okay. What rules?"

"First, exclusivity. You can’t see anyone else because that would be cheating in my book. If you’re with me in any capacity, you’re mine. That’s non-negotiable."

"I can do that."

"Second, availability goes both ways. I’ll be there when you need me, and you’ll be there when I need you. No games, no making each other wait to prove points."

"Agreed."

"Third, I treat you equally to my other girlfriends when we’re together. No hierarchy, no making you feel secondary just because the relationship structure is different."

Angel was nodding along, her expression serious now.

"Fourth, complete honesty. If something’s not working, we talk about it immediately. If feelings change, we address it. If boundaries need adjustment, we communicate. No letting issues fester."

"That sounds... actually really healthy," Angel said.

"I’ve learned some things about making complicated relationships work." Noah’s smile turned slightly self-deprecating. "Mostly through trial and error and nearly getting killed by jealous girlfriends."

Angel laughed, genuine this time. "I can imagine."

They spent the next hour just talking. Angel shared stories from her time in Ark Division—missions that had gone sideways, teammates she’d lost, the moment she’d realized she was stronger than most people around her and how that isolation felt. Noah reciprocated with his own experiences, the weight of being SSS-rank at nineteen, the responsibility of leading Eclipse, the constant awareness that people were counting on him.

"It’s strange," Angel said at one point, her plate long since empty. "How we both got thrust into these positions because we had power others didn’t. And how we both chose to step up rather than step back."

"Someone has to be the shield," Noah replied. "Might as well be us."

Eventually the candles burned low, and Noah checked the time on his phone. Nearly midnight. He’d been here for three hours without noticing.

"I should probably head back," Noah said, standing. "Before my faction thinks I got assassinated."

Angel stood as well, walking him to the door. They paused at the threshold, the evening air cool against Noah’s skin after the warmth of her house.

"This was nice," Angel said, her voice soft. "Can we do it again soon?"

"Yeah. I’d like that."

"Goodnight then." Angel started to close the door, that small smile still on her face.

"Hey." Noah caught the door, stopping it. "Hold on a second."

Angel’s eyes widened slightly as Noah stepped closer. His hand found the back of her neck, gentle but firm. His other hand settled on her waist, feeling the fabric of her gown beneath his palm and the curve of her waist leading to her supple ass.

He kissed her.

Not tentative, not questioning. Just kissed her with the kind of confidence that said he knew exactly what he was doing and wasn’t apologizing for it.

Angel made a small sound of surprise that melted into something else entirely. Her hands came up to his chest, not pushing away but gripping his shirt like she needed the anchor. When Noah finally pulled back, she stayed on her tiptoes, eyes closed, cheeks burning red enough to match her gown.

Her breathing was unsteady, her lips slightly parted, her entire body language screaming that whatever composure she’d maintained throughout dinner had just been completely shattered.

"Bye, Angel," Noah said, his voice carrying satisfaction.

"Bye," she managed, barely above a whisper.

Noah walked away from her house, a devious smile spreading across his face as he heard the door finally close behind him. He didn’t look back, but he could picture her perfectly—standing there in her doorway, one hand probably pressed against her lips, trying to process what had just happened.

Behind him, Angel leaned against her closed door, biting her lip hard enough to hurt. Her heart was hammering, her face felt like it was on fire, and she couldn’t stop the smile that kept trying to break through despite her attempts at composure.

’What the hell just happened?’ Angel thought, her fingers touching her lips where Noah’s had been moments ago. ’And why do I want it to happen again immediately?’

She pushed off from the door, walked back through her house in a daze, the evening replaying in her mind on loop. The dinner, the conversation, the kiss that had turned her brain to static.

Her reflection in the hallway mirror showed her exactly how wrecked she looked—flushed cheeks, disheveled hair from where Noah’s hand had been, eyes that were definitely too bright.

Angel laughed, the sound slightly unhinged, and decided she didn’t care.

Noah Eclipse had just become the most interesting complication in her life, and she was absolutely here for it.