The morning sun filtered through the curtains of their luxury hotel suite, casting a warm glow over the quiet room. Liam sat at the small dining table, meticulously going over emails, while Noah leaned against the counter, sipping tea and staring out at the city below.

Their schedule for the rest of the day was blissfully light—no more meetings, just a business dinner in the evening. Noah stretched lazily, a sly grin forming as an idea popped into his head.

"Alright, Mr. Spreadsheet," Noah said, setting his cup down. "Since we've got nothing to do for a couple of hours, I'm taking you sightseeing."

Liam looked up from his laptop, skeptical. "Sightseeing? We're here for work, not a holiday."

"Oh, come on," Noah coaxed, walking over to pluck Liam's phone out of his hand. "You're in my city. You can't leave without me showing you the best parts of London."

Liam sighed, reluctantly standing. "Fine. But if this turns into some clichéd tourist trap nonsense, I'm holding you accountable."

"Trust me, Liam," Noah replied with a wink. "I'll show you the London only locals know."

The first stop was a cozy café tucked away in a narrow alley near Covent Garden. Noah ordered them each a flat white and a plate of fresh pastries, chatting easily with the barista as if they were old friends.

"You really do know everyone," Liam remarked, raising an eyebrow as they sat down.

"Not everyone," Noah said with a shrug. "Just the people worth knowing."

They moved on to Borough Market, where Noah led Liam through the maze of food stalls, pointing out the best spots for everything from fresh-baked bread to artisanal cheeses. At one stand, Noah insisted on buying them both sausage rolls.

"This is...better than I expected," Liam admitted begrudgingly after his first bite.

"High praise coming from Mr. Gourmet over here," Noah teased, flashing a triumphant grin. "Told you London's food scene would win you over."

Liam gave a small nod of approval. "Alright, you've got me there."

Noah took Liam across Tower Bridge, pointing out landmarks with a blend of personal anecdotes and dry humor.

"And over there," Noah said, gesturing to the Shard, "is the overpriced glass toothpick we all pretend is charming."

Liam smirked. "You've got a way with words, I'll give you that."

They wandered across Tower Bridge next, the cold breeze making Noah's cheeks flush and causing Liam to pull his coat tighter. As they walked, Noah began pointing out landmarks, his voice carrying a subtle warmth as he shared childhood memories associated with each one.

"This is where my mum used to bring me when I had a bad day at school," Noah said, stopping in front of St. Paul's Cathedral. His tone turned soft, reflective. "We'd just sit on the steps and watch people pass by. She said it made our problems feel smaller."

Liam glanced at him, surprised by the sudden vulnerability. "It sounds like she knew how to keep you grounded."

"She did," Noah replied, smiling faintly. "Still does, when I actually take her calls."

As the sun began to set, they found themselves standing on the banks of the Thames, the lights of the city shimmering on the water. The playful teasing from earlier in the day had softened into a comfortable silence.

"I didn't think I'd enjoy this," Liam said, breaking the quiet. "But you're good at this...showing people sides of the city they wouldn't see on their own."

Noah tilted his head, studying him. "You know, you're full of surprises, Liam."

"Am I?"

"Yeah." Noah's gaze lingered for a moment, his usual playful demeanor giving way to something more thoughtful. "I mean, you're still annoyingly meticulous, but you're also..."

"Also what?"

"Insightful," Noah said, his voice quieter. "You notice things. People. You don't just go through the motions. It's refreshing."

Liam hesitated, caught off guard by the sincerity. "I could say the same about you. For all your charm, you're not as surface-level as you pretend to be."

Noah laughed softly, though there was a flicker of something vulnerable in his eyes. "Don't go exposing my secrets now. I've got a reputation to uphold."

As the moment stretched between them, Noah realized he was noticing things about Liam he hadn't before—the way his features softened when he let his guard down, the steadiness in his presence, the quiet intelligence behind his sharp gaze. It intrigued him, in a way he couldn't quite put into words.