Chapter 26

Chapter 26 — Not His Nanny

"Oh, Liam. You're already here," Chloe says once she sees him maybe with a tinge of surprise.

"Yes. Good morning," he smiles at her, and nods at the boss' office, "I don't think Aaron's in yet though," which is weird — the man is never late, except of course, during his first day of work. Oh, maybe he managed to hit another poor unassuming today and is proving his asshole-ness.

"Ah, yes," she grimaces, "I was about to call you regarding that, but you're here already,"

Liam is early today. Not that he intended to be. He stayed over at Jason's and he was too lazy to go back to his sister's to freshen up and so he borrowed one of his boyfriend's smaller shirt and left for work with him. Jason said that he had to be in early today to finish some of his leftover work and Liam tagged along with him.

He's not that early either, just maybe about half an hour early. He was half-expecting to see Aaron already in, but was secretly pleased to see his office empty. Now, he's just waiting for him to come in just so he can smile at him smugly.

But it's getting late and he's still not in yet. Better too, he can rub it in his face since he's always on about tardiness and whatnot.

"Actually, Aaron won't be in today," Chloe informs him, "He just called,"

"What? Why?"

Chloe shrugs, "Didn't say. But he sounded all snotty — he's probably down with flu or something,"

"Oh," it looks like Liam won't be able to annoy him after all.

"So, you can have an off day today,"

He clicks his tongue, "If only I knew about this a little bit earlier,"

"I know," she grimaces, "But Aaron's like that; he won't admit he's sick no matter what, and it's a miracle at all that he's even staying in today,"

"Is he really not feeling that well?"

"I don't know. I should probably go check up on him later on,"

Liam doesn't know what got into him but before he's even aware of it the words are already out of his mouth, "Or I can go,"

He doesn't know who's more surprised by his offer, him or Chloe.

"Are you sure?" and there's a chance for him to back off, but his ego won't allow him to do that.

"Yes, I'm sure. Can you just text me his address?"

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"Did I hit my head somewhere last night?"

Liam heads straight towards Jason after that interaction with Chloe. He needs to keep his head in the best possible state before literally walking into the devil's lair. He doesn't even why he would voluntarily sign up for it.

"No?" Jason chuckles, abandoning his work momentarily and turning his attention towards his boyfriend, "Why would you ask that?"

"Because I just offered to go check up none other than dickface," he has to whisper the last bit so that none of their other co-workers overhear their conversation.

Jason's eyebrows rise an inch, obviously interested and he pulls a chair and gesturing at Liam to sit down and recount what has happened so far. Liam rolls his eyes but does so anyway.

"Aww, how sweet of you," Jason practically coos after hearing Liam's story.

"No! I don't even know why I said that. There's something wrong with my head... and my mouth,"

Jason laughs, shaking his head, "You just care about him,"

"No, I don't," his face scrunches up in disgust and he pulls back.

"It's not that bad of a thing,"

"God, I feel like I might throw up,"

"You're very dramatic, you know,"

"Yeah, I've been told," he shrugs and then sighs, "Wh- Ho- What am I supposed to do now?"

"Go to his house?"

"And do what?"

"Just check up on him. See how he's doing, if he's okay, if he needs anything,"

"I'm not his nanny,"

"No one said you are. Just as a friend,"

"He's not my friend," Liam doesn't waste a second in asserting that — no matter how amicable their relationship has been these past few days, it doesn't make them friends.

"Okay," Jason rolls his eyes, shaking his head, "Then, as your boss, as someone who pays you, just out of pure duty,"

Liam slowly starts nodding, "Okay, yeah, that sounds more like something I can and would do. But what should I say if he asks me what I'm doing there?"

His boyfriend lets out an exasperated sigh, "I don't know, just say Chloe sent you," and before he can come up with another question, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Yes, that would be great," it is what Liam has been hoping for after all but, "Don't you have work to do though?"

Jason scratches the back of his neck, "I do. It's okay I can work overti-,"

"No. No, no," he's not going to let him abandon his work for his childlike behaviour — he's sure he can handle this alone, "I can go by myself," he leans forward and kisses him, "See you later. Wish me luck,"

"You're fine. Stop being dramatic. Just go,"

"Just the support I need," Liam rolls his eyes before leaving.

Off to the devil's lair then.

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Liam tries his doorbell once again before knocking on the door. Jason wasn't lying; his house not too far from his sister's just about three streets away. When there is still no response, he begrudgingly takes out his phone and calls him. No answer.

Maybe he should just leave. Who cares what he's up to anyways, but still he finds himself calling Chloe. She picks up in a few rings.

"Hey. Did you see him?"

"I'm actually outside his house right now, but he's not answering the door or his phone. Maybe he's not in?"

"Hmm. Is his car there?"

"Yeah,"

"He has to be in then. Third pot to your right; one of the rocks has his spare key in it,"

Liam rummages around the pot and it doesn't take him long to find the keys; what an original place to hide the spare keys, "Got it. I'll call you later, okay. Bye," with that he ends the call.

Taking in a deep breath, unsure what is waiting for him inside, he puts in the key and unlocks the door. Although it is a bright day, it is dark inside the house, and quiet.

"Hello?" Liam calls out, "Aaron? It's Liam here,"

Still no answer.

Shrugging to himself, he steps inside the house and closes the door behind him. The layout of the house is almost the same as his sister's. He goes to the windows and pulls open the curtains first, letting in some brightness, calling out for Aaron once again. He checks around the kitchen, the living room, at the corner room, but he's nowhere. That means he must be upstairs, unless he's actually out.

He starts checking the rooms and bingo, he finally finds Aaron. He's in the master bedroom, still in his bed, buried under layers of blanket, his eyes tightly shut. Liam waits for a moment, seeing if he's only pretending to be sleeping but it doesn't seem so and he calls out once more.

"Aaron?"

He doesn't even stir.

He steps closer and tries again. Again no answer.

Okay, this is starting to be worrying. He goes to his bed and stands next to him and lightly taps his shoulder. "Aaron," then, "Hey, dickface," if he was aware that would have definitely awoken him, but he's perfectly still and that means– shit.

Gingerly and very carefully, he places his hand against his forehead and holy fuck, he is burning up. Aaron adjusts a little from the contact and a small mumble escapes his lips but nothing intelligible.

Aaron scratches his head, what the fuck is he supposed to do now.

There's an empty tablet strip on the tabletop next to the bed which means he probably took some tablets before going to sleep but it doesn't look it's helping him at all. And who knows when was the last time he drank any water. But before that, a doctor; he needs a doctor.

He picks up his phone and then prying the blankets Aaron's rolled up in, he grabs his hand and places his finger on the screen to unlock it. He must have saved his doctor's number on the phone. Okay, wow, how many doctor's does this guy even know? Fortunately, he remembers the doctor's name from the previous time he called him from his prank gone wrong and calls him, and reports his regarding his boss' state.

The doctor says he won't be long. Good.

Now, water. Liam goes back downstairs and grabs a glass, fills it up with water, before bringing it back to his room.

So much for not being his nanny, Liam thinks to himself as he places the water on the bedside table and gets on the bed. Slowly, he tries to lift the man into an upright position, but it's actually harder than it looks. Liam has to struggle, hauling him up and holding him upright against him. He's started mumbling again but he can barely open his eyes.

"Aaron. Open your mouth, c'mon. Drink some water," he lifts the glass to his lips, "Dickface, C'mon, wake up. You're not a baby anymore,"

Maybe he is conscious enough to take in the words, since he takes a few gulps before slowly shaking his head. Liam puts him down again and stands up. The doctor should be here any minute now. He looks at Aaron and shakes his head.

It is weird seeing such a formidable man, curled up on his head, barely able to stay awake. Before he can think much of it, he snaps a picture of him and sends it to Jason. His reply is almost instantaneous.

JASON :–

Is he okay??

LIAM :–

Super sick

JASON :–

Oh no

LIAM :–

Yeah, I called the doctor.

He should be here in a few.

JASON :–

Ok, I'm almost done with my work.

I'll be there too

LIAM :–

No, Jason. It's fine

JASON :–

I'm still coming

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