Chapter 28

Chapter 28 — Keeping Company

Liam doesn't have to go in for another day too. He should be delighted about this and he is, but... this means that Aaron is still not feeling too well, is he? He picks up his phone, and fiddles with it, wondering if he should call the man, or maybe at least text him.

He is still in his bed and very much sleep riddled. He was still sleeping when he got a call from Chloe saying he doesn't have to come in today. And when he tried to go back to sleep after, his alarm rang right on time, and he can't go back to sleep now. His brain is still foggy though.

He gets up and stretches his arms over his head. Maybe brushing his teeth and splashing some water on his face would help him clear his head and decide better.

He goes to do just that and when he returns later, and picks up his phone, still no, he can't decide. Groaning to himself, he calls his boyfriend instead — maybe he can help him see reason. Why the fuck is he even worrying about a total dickface right now?

"Good morning, sunshine," Jason chirps cheerily upon picking up.

Liam visibly cringes at that — he has never been a fan of nicknames after all, "Ugh, no. Please do not call me that ever again,"

"As you wish, sunshine," and Jason likes to annoy him with a new nickname every day — he doesn't get why he puts up with him.

"Fine. I'm gonna end the call,"

"Okay, okay. I'll stop," he clears his throat, "Did you want to tell me something?"

"Obviously," he rolls his eyes even though he knows Jason can't technically see him, "I won't be coming in for work today,"

"Are you okay? Are you sick? Do you nee–,"

"Not me," he interrupts him with a small chuckle, "Dickface. I think he's still sick. He's not going to be in today so I get today off too,"

"He's not feeling well?"

Liam shakes his head before he remembers he can't see him and then says, "No. Chloe called me just now. She told me,"

"Oh,"

And he doesn't say any more than that.

"What are you thinking?" Liam has to ask, because well, he really wants to know.

"Nothing. Just... Well, what are you going to do today?"

"I don't know, I thought I coul–"

"Actually, can I ask you for something?" Jason cuts him off suddenly.

"Um, sure,"

"Do you think maybe you could check up on Aaron? If that's not too much for you? I know he's not exactly your favourite person but–,"

"I was actually going to ask you about that," Liam lets out an awkward laugh, admitting the truth, fisting his hand and knocking lightly on his forehead.

"You were?"

He nods, "Yes. That's I even I called you to be honest. I didn't know if it would be weird,"

"No, no. It's not weird,"

"You don't think so?"

"No," he says again, but this time his voice is a bit higher, "No, I mean why would it be?"

"Because... like you said he's not exactly my favourite person. And it's not like I care about him, you know?"

"Uh huh, sure,"

"What?" he is suspicious of his tone right then.

"Nothing. Just go see how he's doing. It's not weird. He's not feeling well, and you're checking up on him. Plus, his house is not that far away from yours,"

"Right. You're right," he nods, feeling much convinced than he was before the call, "You're sure it won't be weird though, right?"

"No. Just go, okay. And tell him I asked about him too?"

"Okay. Will do. Talk to you later. Bye,"

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Liam does not wait any more second to mull over if what he is doing bizarre and just rings the doorbell. It takes a couple of minutes but he hears the door knob slowly turn and he holds his breath in as he stands before Aaron, plastering on a smile and raising his hand a small wave.

Aaron's eyes widen a little seeing him and before Liam can even say something, he has closed the door again. Right in his face.

"What the–" Liam throws his hands in the air in frustration. This is how he get treated for his care, really? He might just pick up a rock and throw at his house. Maybe he will do it.

However, fortunate for the dickface, before Liam can proceed to do so, the door opens again, presenting none other than dickface, looking sheepishly at Liam, "Hey," he says casually as if he didn't just shut the door in his face.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Liam glares at him.

"I just... wasn't expecting you," he claims very pathetically.

"So, you shut the door?"

He shrugs, and then a split second later, his expression hardens and he crosses his arms, "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Why do you think I'm here?"

"I don't know, you tell me," a rough cough escapes his throat, and he has to lean against the door for support; he looks very exhausted.

Liam rolls his eyes, "You. Have you looked at yourself at all?"

"I'm–," his voice comes out funny and he harrumphs before continuing, "–fine,"

"Sure you are," Liam scoffs, "Why didn't you go to work today then?"

"Felt like taking a break,"

"Sure," he nods ironically, "Let me in,"

"What for?" he stands a little straighter now, crossing his arms again, "I told you I'm fine,"

"Okay, and I obviously believe you. Just thought you could use some company,"

Aaron squints his eyes at him, "And you're the best person for that?"

"Hey, you get what you get,"

Liam thinks he has to do some more convincing and bantering before his boss lets him in, but surprisingly, he opens the wider and gestures him in. He chooses not to question lest he shuts the door again and goes in.

"What's up with the robe anyway?" Liam asks regarding Aaron's choice of wardrobe as he takes of his shoes.

"It's comfy," he shrugs in reply, "You don't have to take off your shoes,"

"I don't mind. And the fuzzy slippers,"

"Like I said it's comfy. And the tiles feel cold for me to walk barefoot," he answers while walking to the living room.

He gets settled on the couch where there is a blanket and a couple of pillows. There is an empty bowl on the table; that's a good thing, looks like he ate something. The television is on the screen seemed to be paused on a scene. Liam inspects it for a moment; it looks very familiar the scene but he can't exactly guess from where he knows it from.

He turns back to Aaron, who is already looking up at him, "You still feeling feverish?"

He shakes his head, maybe a little too quickly and folds his arms a little too closely around himself. And even though the day is quite hot, the fan seems to be turned off. Rolling his eyes, Liam steps closer to him and raises his hand, but Aaron keeps moving further and further away from him.

"Can you stop behaving like a kid?" Liam huffs.

"I will when you stop treating me like one!"

"Stop behaving like one, then I'll stop treating you like one!"

Aaron has no retort to that and simply leans back against the couch with a sharp exhale. Liam feels his forehead with the back of his hand. It's not bad as yesterday, but he still feels a little bit warm.

"Not bad," he states.

"I told you I'm fine,"

Liam ignores that and continues, "Have you eaten anything?" Aaron silently gestures at the bowl, and he nods, "Tablets?"

"Yeah, just ate them,"

"Good,"

"Did you seriously come here just to check on me?"

Liam shrugs, "Why not?"

"Because you hate me,"

"Pfft," he scoffs, waving his hands dismissively, "I don't hate you,"

"Sure,"

"Okay, whatever. Um... do you want me to make you anything?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know," he exasperates, "I'm just asking if you need any help with anything,"

He purses his lips and it's obvious he's trying to keep himself from laughing, "No, I'm good,"

"Okay, good. Good," he nods to himself, clasping his hands together. Why did he think coming here was a good idea again? "So if you don't need anything I'm just gonna..." he heaves his thumbs over his shoulder and clicks his tongue, "... leave. Take care. Feel better. Oh, and yeah, Jason asked me to tell you that he asked about you too,"

"Jason knows that you came here?" suddenly he seems interested in what Liam has to say.

"Yeah,"

"Is he the one who sent you here?"

"It was both of our ideas — so what?" Liam crosses his arms defensive.

"No, no. I'm just... surprised,"

"Good surprise... or bad?" he asks even though it does not really matter to him what Aaron thinks.

It takes him a moment to reply, "Good," he says with a slight smile, "Yeah, good,"

"O-kay," Liam clears his throat — maybe it's just him, but this is getting weird, "So, I'm going to go,"

"Mhmm," Aaron nods, and just when Liam is about to take a step back, he starts speaking again, "Or... you can stay. For a while. If you want,"

That's something Liam did not expect for him to say, "You sure?"

He lifts his shoulder, "You did come here to give me some company, right?" he smiles up at him.

Maybe this is the first time Aaron has smiled at him genuinely, without any underlining evil intent behind it. It's nice, he notes, and doesn't dwell on it for too long because... that's weird.

A lot of things are weird when it comes to Aaron for Liam he's starting to notice as well.

However even though it's weird, he finds himself nodding, "Okay, yeah, sure," and going to sit on the armchair, "What were you doing?"

"Just watching a movie," Aaron picks up the remote, and presses play, "Just do not–,"

"Oh my god, it's Clueless," Liam snickers as soon as the movie starts playing — no wonder the scene looks so familiar. It's one of his sister's favourite movies.

"–judge me," Aaron finishes with a sigh, and then quietly adds, "I'm definitely going to regret this,"

Liam looks at Aaron with a newfound glee and curiosity, "Is this like your comfort movie?"

"Shut up,"

"I have to text Jason about this," Liam fishes out of his phone from his pockets.

"I'm going to put on a different movie,"

"No, no. Don't. I promise I'll shut up. I'll tease you later. Let's watch this movie for now,"

Aaron lets out another sigh, but presses play anyway. Yes, he is definitely going to regret this later.

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