Page 84 of Just a Footnote

Liam’s face flushes red. “I’ve been talking with Miles.”

“Okay…”

“Yeah, it’s just different for us.”

Aiden turns in the passenger seat so he can better look at Liam. “What do you mean?”

“Well… he’s with Archer and I’m…”

Anxiety spikes through Aiden. “You’re what?”

“I’m with you.”

“You mean…that I’m with you physically. That’s what you mean right?”

Liam swallows, hands flexing on the steering wheel. Tension creeps into the car. Aiden kind of feels like he could throw up a little bit. What’s Liam implying? If he’s implying that Aiden is with him in the same way Archer is with Miles…that’s insanity. It’s different. Miles and Archer are in love. They’re basically one person. It’s disgusting.

Liam’s gaze flicks to him. “Aiden, it’s okay.”

“Don’tdothat. Stop,” Aiden hisses. “I hate when you do that. When you treat me like I’m going to hulk out or something.”

“I’ll stop. I just know that sometimes how close we are upsets you. I try not to mention it but it’s kind of hard when the first person Archer calls after your mom shows up isme. He didn’t call Skye. He didn’t call any of your other friends. He calledme, Aiden. What do you think that means? I’m not going to spend the entire time you’re here skirting around the issue afraid that it’s going to send you running.”

Aiden feels like he might cry so instead he whispers, “Fuck you.”

“While you’re here, you’rewithme. You came here to be with me. Because I can take care of you. Because…we’re friends. So, stop getting jumpy when it’s mentioned. Miles and I are talking because only we understand what it’s like to take care of you both. Okay?”

How can Aiden even argue with that? Liam isn’t wrong. He bristles at every mention of them being together. Not because hedoesn’t want that but because he doesn’t understand. Liam doesn’t want that. Doesn’t want them to be together. So why is Liam pretending to give him something that’s not real? It’s all just pretend. Aiden doesn’t respond. He just turns his head, staring out the window as they drive. An hour later they pull up to a town called Leavenworth. A small, quaint German-styled village with a large mountain in the distance with snowy peaks. Liam parks the car with a blank face. They sit in heavy silence for a few moments.

“I’m sorry,” Aiden finally says, unable to bear the tension. “I don’t know how to do this.”

Liam takes his hand in his own, rubbing his thumb along the lifelines on his palm. “I know. You don’t like to let people take care of you. You think it makes you weak, but it doesn’t. When people care about you, they want to take careofyou. If I was injured, wouldn’t you want to take care of me?”

Aiden bites down hard on his bottom lip. “Yes.”

“See? It’s not that different. Now, I planned a really fun day so let’s not let it go to shit.”

Liam hops out of the car with a grin. A moment later, Liam opens the passenger door for Aiden. He sits there, looking at Liam, unable to move because he’s just so overwhelmed again. Looping his arms around Liam’s neck, he tugs him down for a tight hug. Liam lets out a startled sound before wrapping his arms around Aiden too, holding him tightly to his chest, pressing kisses to Aiden’s neck.

They spend the day walking around Leavenworth, their hands intertwined between them. It feels nice to be tethered to Liam while they walk around. No one recognizes Liam, if they do they stay quiet. No one comments on them holding hands. The entire day feels like the most lucid dream. They grab lunch at a German restaurant where they share a warm pretzel and a flight of German beers. Liam only likes one of them, the rest hescrunches his nose up at the flavor. Aiden doesn’t mind though, he drinks the ones that Liam doesn’t like as much.

At the end of lunch they share a slice of German chocolate cake that’s so sweet it makes Aiden’s mouth go dry. With a restaurant of people around them, Liam sweetly kisses him before paying the bill. Aiden’s cheeks heat although he’ll lie and say it’s from the beer if Liam ever asks.

“You’ll have to come back in the spring so we can explore the hiking around here when the snow is gone,” Liam says, swinging their hands between them. “I want to bring you back here for every season.”

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

“Nah.” Liam shakes his head, dark hair falling to obscure his eyes. “Just you.”

They make their way through most of the shops as the afternoon turns into early evening. The lights on the buildings turn on, turning the village into a scenic winter wonderland. Liam buys them coffee that they share back and forth while walking through the village that feels like a Christmas village frozen in time.

Aiden comes to a stop in front of a particularly cute building with lights. He tugs Liam behind him, so that Liam has to hook his chin over Aiden’s shoulder, then takes a selfie of them together. Aiden snaps a second one when Liam kisses his cheek. A little bakery is just about to close when they walk in. They hastily grab desserts to last them the rest of their stay at the cabin.

The ride back to the cabin is better than the ride to Leavenworth. Liam puts on an old standard’s playlist from his phone because he’s actually an old man at heart. Aiden likes it though. He holds Liam’s hand in his for the majority of the ride. Feeling the heat of Liam’s hand bleed into his until it feels like their hands are joined together.

Liam cooks them dinner in the small kitchen later that evening – pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It’s so good. He understands why people love home-cooked meals so much now. Something is inherently different about a meal cooked by someone that cares about you. He feels warm, happy, and relaxed.

Liam turns the playlist up on his phone so that Frank Sinatra echoes around them. They wash dishes together like they had the previous night, making clean up go even faster. Once they’re done, Liam tugs him into the living room by the hand.The Way You Look Tonightcomes on as Liam pulls him tight against his body and starts to sway.

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