Page 43 of Just a Footnote

“It’s fine.” Liam lifts a hand to touch his nose. Aiden wishes he could kiss it gently.

Aiden glances over his shoulder to make sure no one from the table is looking. They’re all distracted with their celebration and their drinks so Aiden takes a risk he knows he shouldn’t. He raises his hand slowly, gently touches Liam’s nose, then pulls it away. Liam watches with glossy eyes the entire time.

“I’ll take care of you when we’re back in Georgia.”

Liam’s shoulders slump just enough for Aiden to know the words comforted him. That’s enough for Aiden, for now.

7

An itchiness Aiden cannot explain crawls under his skin as they return to school. The itch is there on the plane, on the ride back to campus, even as they return to the dorm. He’s abnormally quiet, but if Archer notices he doesn’t bring it up. Now that hockey is over all there is to focus on is graduating and their next steps.

Which will leave them two months to sort their lives out. They’ll have to find a place to live in New York City. They’ll have to settle in. Aiden will have to prepare to start medical school which will consume the next four years of his life at a minimum. After that he’ll have to do three to seven years of residency. Aiden won’t be a full on doctor until he’s close to thirty. The whole thing feels oddly out of reach, but it’s been the one goal getting him through the majority of his life.

Archer is always an anxious ball of energy without hockey. Restless, up Aiden’s ass more than usual, and it’s going to drive Aiden crazy.

“Archer,” Aiden says gravely.

“What?” Archer hops up on the kitchen counter as Aidenmakes himself a sandwich. Aiden suppresses a wince when Archer shoves a handful of Lucky Charms into his mouth.

“Don’t you have school work to do? Or maybe you could go to the gym with Miles? Or maybe you could just go to Miles' room…” He trails off, his tone heavy implying that Archer should just go anywhere but there.

“He’s got a big project due that he was putting off because of playoffs,” Archer says through a mouthful of half eaten cereal. “He’s off limits for the next week.”

Oh, great. There is no chance of sneaking Liam into his dorm room with Archer constantly under foot. Archer is going to notice if Liam is here more than usual and he’s going to notice if Aiden sneaks off. But he has to figure it out because otherwise he’s going to go crazy. Either from Archer annoying him or because he hasn’t had the chance to fuck Liam yet. Time is slipping away from them. Aiden needs to make the most of the time they still have remaining.

Aiden finishes making his sandwich under Archer’s watchful eye. Afterwards, they move to the living room to play some video games. When Archer goes to the bathroom a few hours later, Aiden slips out his phone.

I need you to distract Archer

Why?

I have something I need to do. I need the entire night.

... something or someone?

Can you distract him or not?

I’ll get Ollie to do it

I owe you

Okay, tell me why you need your brother distracted

No

Fine. I’ll find out one day. And then you’ll tell me everything

No

Ollie is going to text him now.

A few minutes later, Archer wanders out of the bathroom looking down at his phone.

“Ollie wants to go see the new Marvel movie that came out. Apparently Skye isn’t into Marvel? I always knew there was something wrong with her. Want to join us?”

“Nah,” Aiden says, biting back a grin. “I have some schoolwork to catch up on.”

“Alright. I’m going to get ready and head out. Text me if you change your mind?”

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