Page 34 of Just a Footnote

Aiden scoffs. “I just study hard. Iapplymyself. There’s a difference.”

Archer laughs, shaking his head. “I apply myself and barely pass my classes for my general studies degree. Youapplyyourself and maintain a 4.0 GPA at one of the toughest universities in their pre-med program.”

“Ew.” Aiden pretends to gag, and ignores the warmth flooding into his chest at the praise. “Don’t say nice things to me.”

“I forgot.” Archer climbs out of the bed, ruffling Aiden’s hair on his way out. “Pizza tonight?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Later that night, he and Archer share pizza while watching a movie. A knock echoes through the dorm, but Aiden ignores it assuming it’s just Miles coming to steal some of their pizza.

Moments later, a pleased looking Liam strolls into the dorm living area. Liam heavily flops down beside Aiden on the couch. Sighing, Aiden grabs the pizza box and holds it out for Liam to grab a slice. Liam grins broadly, grabbing a slice of his own. The three of them eat the pizza in companionable silence while finishing the movie. A few times Liam and Archer start talking about the Frozen Four but Aiden tunes them out.

“I’m out. I’m training with Miles early. Are you coming with us, Liam?” Archer stretches, pauses halfway towards his room, waiting for Liam’s answer.

“Nope, rest day.”

Archer nods in understanding before disappearing into his room.

“Rest day?” Aiden asks, smiling despite himself.

“Feeling lazy.” Liam blinks at him, trying to play coy, but Aiden isn’t stupid. Liam would spend every day in the gym if he could. It’s evident in how he has the body of a god that Aiden wishes he could spend every day worshiping.

“I’m guessing you want me to do all the work then?” Aiden goes into the kitchen to put away the leftover pizza. Once he’s done, he turns to find Liam standing with a hip cocked against the counter, arms crossed against his chest, biceps bulging in a way that makes Aiden’s mouth water. He hates Liam so much for the effect he has on him.

He silently heads towards his room with Liam following behind him. Nothing about Liam annoys him, despite all of the reasons he’s made in his head for why he should find Liam annoying.

The glow of the lamp in Aiden’s bedroom casts shadows on the wall and on Liam’s curious face. Liam walks around Aiden’s room like he belongs there, like he’s always been there, and Aiden tosses himself on his bed to watch him. He puts his handsbehind his head, hoping to look cool, but mostly to hide his trembling hands.

“You really do love Bigfoot huh?” Liam asks, pointing at the little shelf Aiden has in his room dedicated to Bigfoot paraphernalia. It’s like Liam’s room except instead of hockey trophies it’s miniature statues of Bigfoot.

“How’s that any different than you worshiping Gretzky?”

Liam balks as if he’s been slapped. “It’s very different. Gretzky is a human being that accomplished feats greater than most of mankind.”

Aiden snorts loudly. “Do you hear yourself?”

“Do you hearyourself?” Liam mocks.

“If Bigfoot is real, which is highly likely, they have spent most of their lives hiding so well that they’ve not been caught. That’s one of the greatest feats ever if you ask me.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“If you say so,” Aiden says with a shrug.

Liam gives up his perusal of Aiden’s room. Standing at the edge of Aiden’s bed, Liam takes off his shoes, then climbs onto the bed to straddle Aiden before he even has a second to process it. Placing his hands on Liam, he gently rubs Liam’s thighs, enjoying the firm muscle underneath the palms of his hands. It’s nice to touch Liam, feel the warmth of Liam’s body under his hands.

“Hi,” Liam says, smiling, pleased with himself.

“Hi,” Aiden echoes. He curls his hands around Liam’s biceps and tugs him down so that they’re face to face. Liam lifts one eyebrow in question, slowly leaning down until their lips are just barely brushing. Their eyes meet, and Aiden can’t make himself look away, instead he lets himself get lost in the softness of Liam’s gaze.

As if unable to wait a moment longer, Liam closes the gap to softly brush their lips together. The first touch of Liam’s lips iselectrifying. The kiss is soft and slow, almost tender, it relaxes Aiden’s body until he feels like a puddle of want. Slow doesn’t do it for him though. He licks the seam of Liam’s mouth, until Liam opens up, letting Aiden in to taste him.

He’s been kind of anxious all week. Unsettled in his own bones. Nervous about the rest of the semester, about graduation, about what lays beyond graduation for him and Archer. But with Liam looming over him, Liam’s mouth on his, all of that melts away.

He flips them over, pleased when Liam lets out a surprised huff of breath against his mouth. Aiden grins, happy that he was able to surprise Liam, then fumbles for the lube in his nightstand.

“Pants off,” Aiden orders while clamoring out of his own pants.

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