Page 91 of Just a Footnote

Aiden hums absentmindedly before lifting up to kiss Liam. Their lips slide together soft, slow, on the right side of decadent even. Kissing Liam is always nice. It never feels methodical, never like a chore. Sometimes it’s nice just to kiss him. He’s never felt that urge before, just to kiss someone, not until Liam Walsh.

Liam easily flips them so he can rest between Aiden’s spread legs as they kiss. He sighs softly into the kiss, feeling relaxed, and a little on the side of too warm. Running his hands up Liam’s back slowly, he makes Liam laugh, before Liam grabs his wrists and holds them over his head against the headboard.

“Aiden.”

“Hmm?”

“What’s this?” Liam asks, tapping a finger against the tattoo.

Aiden stills and slams his eyes tightly closed. He tries to pull free from Liam’s grip but he’s too strong. Panic momentarily overtakes him until Liam gentles his grip so he’s only lightly holding Aiden’s wrists.

“Aiden, tell me.”

“Well, to me it looks like a tattoo. I’m not sure though. Hard to tell.”

“Aiden,” Liam warns, tone low and firm.

“Hmm?” Aiden shifts up, well he tries to, but Liam pulls away so his lips are out of reach. “Are you serious?”

“Use your words. You’re smart. You can do it.”

Aiden narrows his eyes, clenching his jaw tightly. “It’s a fucking tattoo, Liam. What do you want me to say?”

Liam’s eyes search his for a few long moments. Satisfied with whatever he finds there, he dips down to kiss Aiden again. This kiss is different. His chest grows warm at the gentle glide of Liam’s lips against his own. He can’t help but relax into the bed underneath Liam. The weight of Liam adds to Aiden’s bonelessness. He feels weightless, like he’s floating on a cloud, like he’s drifting through a sea in the sky. It’s safe. Liam’s fingers tighten around his wrists as he flexes his hips so their cocks slide together. It’s almost oversensitive, considering they got off not long ago, but Aiden doesn’t mind.

“You like it,” Aiden says breathlessly when he drags his lips away from Liam’s. “You like when I’m a little shit.”

“Fuck you,” Liam growls against his mouth. “I do.”

Aiden starts to laugh but then Liam moves against him again, making their cocks rub more insistently together. God. He wants to pull Liam close, touch his back, feel his warm skin under the palm of his hands.

“Liam, I —”

Liam’s chuckle vibrates his entire chest. “Yeah, I know.”

Aiden bucks against him just to feel in control, but Liam pushes him down, holding his wrists tighter in the firm grip of his fingers. Liam’s other hand runs down his side, over his thigh, then along his crease. A finger teases him before gently rubbing at his entrance.

“Ah,” Aiden breathes roughly.

“I was just there. Inside you. Just yesterday. I want inside you again.” Liam rests his forehead against Aiden’s collarbone as he slips a finger inside. “What do you want, baby? What do you want?”

Want. What does Aiden want? The list is too long. What he wants the most is Liam inside him without any barriers. He wants Liam to come inside him, mark him as his, so he’s tattooed on the inside.

“No condom,” Aiden whispers.

Liam rears back, eyes wild and heated. “What?”

“No condom.” Aiden clears his throat, looking anywhere but at Liam. “I haven’t been with anyone but you for years. I got tested at my physical last year. If you want. Unless…no, I don’t want to know. You know what, forget it. It’s stupid. Hey, can you let me go?”

Liam doesn’t let go. He just stares at Aiden like he’s just seen him for the first time. A rush of shame overwhelms him. He looks away, thrashes against Liam’s hold. Still Liam doesn’t let go.

“You haven’t been with anyone else? This entire time?” Liam asks, a sort of raw quality coloring his voice.

Aiden snorts. “Of course that’s your takeaway.”

A gentle hand comes up to pinch his chin, turning his face back so that he has to look into Liam’s eyes. Liam’s eyes soften, gentle too much, even turning a little watery. And then,something that’ll break his heart even twenty years from now happens. Liam starts to cry. Fat tears slide down his cheeks, his eyes glow an almost wild vivid green, and his chin wobbles dangerously. Oh god. It’s the most heartbreaking and simultaneously cutest thing Aiden has ever seen.

“Nooooo…Liam, I’m sorry. No it’s okay. Don’t…don’t do that. Hey.” Liam lets go of Aiden’s wrists, collapsing onto him, shaking, and sniffling. Unsure of what to do, Aiden settles on carding his fingers through Liam’s hair. He always likes it when Liam does that for him. Maybe it will comfort him now too.

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