Chapter 1: A Quiet Storm

Noah wasn’t the kind of boy who hated God. He just didn’t speak to Him. He existed peacefully, in his own little world. No piercings, no rage, no rebellion. Just calm silence. He didn’t even believe he was an atheist. He just... didn’t care much. That itself was a sin to some, but Noah had long made peace with himself.

The city of Amsterdam, with its beautiful canals and cloudy skies, always gave him more comfort than scripture. But sometimes, the rain became too much. That night, it wasn’t a gentle drizzle. It was a thunderous storm. Rain lashed at the windows like it wanted to break through, soak everything, destroy peace. Noah had been walking aimlessly with his hoodie pulled low over his eyes. By the time he found shelter, his clothes clung to him like second skin.

A heavy wooden door creaked open. The church was dim inside, lit only by a few scattered candles. It smelled like old books, incense, and stories not yet confessed. He stepped in, teeth chattering.

“Hey,” a voice called out softly.

Noah looked up. There he was—Aurelio. Older. Broader. A man with lines of thought across his forehead and eyes that held stories. Not yet a priest, but he was wearing black. His hair had streaks of silver though he wasn’t that old. It suited him, made him look more serious than he was.

“You’ll get sick if you stay like that,” Aurelio said, approaching with a thick towel.

Noah blinked. “It’s just rain.”

“You’re soaked. Sit here.”

He guided Noah to a pew, handing him the towel.

Noah accepted it but said, “You’re not a priest, are you?”

Aurelio smiled, sitting beside him. “No. Just a man thinking about becoming one.”

Noah chuckled quietly. “Strange ambition.”

“Is it?”

“You want to wear that collar and tell people how to live?”

“No. I want to learn how to listen. That’s what priests should do. But they rarely do.”

Their eyes met. The thunder outside made the stained glass windows tremble.

“What’s your name?” Aurelio asked.

“Noah.”

“That’s biblical.”

“Is it?” he said dryly, pulling the towel tighter.

“You know it is.”

Silence fell again.

Aurelio stood. “Come to the back. It’s warmer.”

Noah followed, walking slowly, his wet boots squeaking slightly. The room behind the altar was cozier—small bed, shelves of books, a heater humming quietly.

“You live here?” Noah asked.

“For now.”

Aurelio handed him dry clothes. “These will be big on you.”

“I look like a blanket already,” Noah muttered, stepping into the bathroom.

He changed and returned, holding his wet clothes in a bundle. Aurelio took them, tossing them over a chair.

“You okay?”

Noah hesitated. Then nodded.

Aurelio poured two cups of tea. They sat by the window, the storm playing music against the glass.

Noah sipped quietly. “I don’t pray. I don’t hate churches either. I just... exist.”

Aurelio looked at him with something unreadable. “That’s more honest than most believers.”

Noah looked down. “You’re nice. For someone thinking of being a priest.”

Aurelio smirked. “You’re soft. For someone who acts like they don’t feel.”

They drank in silence.

Outside, the storm grew worse.

Inside, something quiet began.

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Noah is 21 - and innocent college boy like he is just too innocent for the world and yeah he knows about sex and all but he is pure in sense he will never ever even think of hurting anyone and he will never do any evil or even think of it because for him world is a beautiful place eventhough he has been hurt millions of times

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