The first light of dawn filtered through the Jenner mansion's grand windows, casting soft golden hues across the living room. Noah stirred on the couch, his crimson eyes blinking open as he woke from the most restful sleep he had experienced in years.
Sitting up, he ran a hand through his jet-black hair, his sharp jaw tightening as he gathered his thoughts. He hadn't intended to fall asleep in the middle of the family gathering, but something about being home—despite his reservations—had brought him a fleeting sense of peace.
The house was quiet as he stood, stretching his broad shoulders. His body felt tight, the result of years of grueling military training and battles. Without much thought, he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it onto the couch.
The sound of soft gasps made him turn.
Standing near the staircase were Kris, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie, their eyes wide with shock. Even Rob, who had been trailing behind them, froze in place, his jaw dropping.
Noah's body was a masterpiece of sheer strength and discipline. His shredded physique was unlike anything they had ever seen, each muscle carved with precision. His chest was broad and powerful, his abs defined into a perfect eight-pack that looked like it had been sculpted by a master artist. His shoulders were massive yet proportionate, leading to thick, corded arms that could crush steel.
But it wasn't just the muscles—they'd seen athletes and models before. It was the sheer aura of dominance and control his body exuded. Every inch of him screamed power and danger, yet there was an elegance to the way he moved, like a predator in its prime.
"Noah…" Kris was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Holy…," Khloé started, her eyes scanning his torso. "You look like you stepped out of a freaking action movie."
Kim blinked rapidly, momentarily at a loss for words. "Is this… Is this what the military does to you?"
Noah furrowed his brows, slightly uncomfortable with the attention. "This is just… me," he said simply, his deep voice cutting through the awkward silence.
Kylie tilted her head, still gawking. "Just you? Noah, you're built like a superhero."
"Or a god," Kendall added, her voice laced with awe.
Rob finally broke his silence, stepping closer. "Bro, you've been holding out on us. What the hell? You could bench-press a car!"
Noah sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've trained hard. That's all."
Kris approached him slowly, her eyes filled with concern and admiration. "Noah, I had no idea… You've been through so much, haven't you?"
He met her gaze, his crimson eyes softening slightly. "I've done what I needed to do, Ma. That's all that matters."
"Noah," she said firmly, placing a hand on his arm, "you don't have to carry this all by yourself anymore. We're here for you, no matter what."
The sincerity in her voice made Noah pause. He wasn't used to opening up, but something about the way his family was looking at him—with a mix of pride, concern, and love—chipped away at the walls he had built around himself.
Khloé stepped forward, breaking the tension with her trademark humor. "Alright, but seriously, we need to take a picture of this. The world deserves to know we've got an Avenger in the family."
Kendall rolled her eyes. "Khloé, stop objectifying him."
Kylie smirked. "I mean, she's not wrong."
Noah couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at his lips. Despite the teasing, he could feel their genuine care shining through.
Kris patted his arm, her expression soft. "Go get dressed, Noah. Breakfast is waiting, and we've got a lot to talk about."
He nodded, his stoic demeanor returning as he picked up his shirt. As he walked away, Rob shook his head in disbelief.
"Man, I feel like I need to hit the gym just to stand next to him," Rob muttered.
Kim chuckled. "You and me both."
As Noah ascended the stairs, he felt a strange sense of warmth he hadn't felt in years. For the first time, he wondered if maybe—just maybe—coming home was the right decision after all.