Page 83 of Just a Footnote

I know. I’m with Liam.

A few secondslater a bubble appears because Skye is also an early riser.

That’s good. Let him take care of you.

I don’t need anyone to take care of me.

Maybe not but sometimes the people that love you want to take care of you.

Tell Ollie I say hey

Nice subject change

Have a good day!

I get it. You’re fine. Just… let me know?

*thumbs up emoji*

That familiar itchstarts under his skin again. He finds Liam in the loft area, tugging on his shoes while he sits on the bed. Liam looks up at him, unleashing that familiar smile that makes Aiden feel too many things at once. Aiden falls to his knees between Liam’s spread thighs and tenderly cups his face. He kisses him, startling a surprised gasp out of Liam, but pulls away before it can go beyond soft and reassuring.

“What was that for?” Liam brushes some hair from Aiden’s face with a sweet smile.

“Just felt like kissing you.”

“How do you feel about a day trip?”

Aiden grins devilishly, running his hands up Liam’s thighs. “We could stay here.”

Liam rests his hands on Aiden’s hands to stop them. “No, I want to take you somewhere.”

“Alright…” All his worry disappears when Liam swoops down to kiss him softly.

“You’ll like it. Then we can spend the next few days hiking and looking for Bigfoot.”

“You don’tlookfor Bigfoot, you ignorant fool. YouhuntBigfoot.”

Liam laughs, the corners of his eyes crinkling, then kisses Aiden once more. This kiss lingers. Liam tastes like coffee and home and still just the barest hint of toothpaste. When they break apart, Aiden can still taste him on his tongue. He gets dressed in a pair of jeans, Converse, and tugs on Liam’s spare hoodie.

“That’s not fair,” Liam complains. “I can’t wear your leather jacket. My biceps would rip it.”

“You brought multiple hoodies. Also, keep complaining about all your muscles and we won’t be going anywhere.”

They bicker the rest of the way down to the car. He likes arguing with Liam because there’s never an edge to it. It’s just teasing. Still, he pushes Liam against the car and kisses him senseless just to make sure Liam knows he’s been teasing. Liam smiles bashfully before lightly kissing him on the corner of the mouth. The car warms up fast as they make their way toward the highway that leads out of the mountains.

“What will you do if we find Bigfoot?”

“I dunno.” Liam feigns contemplating the question. “I assume you’d want to stay with him? We need a signal. Give me a mock salute if you just want to be left alone. Tug on your ear if you want me to stay.”

“That’s pretty smart, Liam.”

Liam smiles and shrugs, faking shyness. “I can be smart.”

“I guess we’ll play it by ear,” Aiden defers.

“How’s Archer doing?” Liam asks. His eyes flit over to Aiden before returning to the road. Aiden squirms in the seat a little.

“Okay, I haven’t heard any different. Oh…that reminds me that I haven’t checked in with Miles. I should probably do that.”

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