MALL - chp 15

I wanted to apologize for my absence. Life has been really hard lately, and I strive to publish good content for you all. This is gonna be some Charlie Liam fluff since I think that's very much needed. Next chapter is gonna be a doozy. 👀

I cannot recall if I stated that they were on a break in a previous chapter, but they are. After the Classification Test, they get a week off to get to know themselves.

Thank you for all the support on my story, it really helps motivate me to write. Thank you so much! We're currently at 30k words! 🤭

So many updates, but I'm also writing two other stories! Or at least- they're planned out and have their first chapters done. Would you guys be interested if I released them? Let me know!

You can continue to support me reach by commenting, voting, and sharing!

Hope you enjoy!

Q : do you celebrate Christmas ?

A : my family does , but not for religious reasons !

LIAM POV

He held his perfect boy's hand, still looking a bit conflicted but much more relaxed than he was in the shop. That Donovan Ashford really does get on his nerves! Not only is he trying to shut down his mum's thriving business, but he also dared to touch Charlie!

Liam shook his head in an attempt to get rid of the angry thoughts and looked down at his beautiful boy, smiling when he saw Charlie looking around at everything in awe.

This area was a well known place for tourists to come and enjoy the happy atmosphere of their town. It was bustling with souvenir shops, beautiful restaurants, and a mall. The mall, albeit small, was beautiful, and held many things inside.

"Charlie baby, I really wanna take you to the mall. It's gonna be a bit noisy. Are you okay with that?"

Charlie looked up at him, his thumb nearing his mouth before nodding hesitantly. Liam stopped for a second and kneeled in front of him, gently draping Charlie's hood on his head to muffle some of the sound. "I promise I'll be right there with you, and if it's too much, we can always take a break."

"Okie!" Charlie giggled and launched himself into a hug, snuggling into Liam's warm chest and giggling to himself. "'S so comfy. Like a big teddy bear." He gasped and looked up at Liam in bewilderment. "Are you a big teddy bear?!"

Liam laughed and patted his boyfriend's head, then nodded. "I'll be anything you want me to be, Char." Charlie seemed content with this answer as he pointed towards the mall, silently indicating that he was ready. Liam stood back up and held his hand, heading into the mall.

Once they got into the mall, Charlie shrunk in on himself, unsure how to react to all the noise. Liam sensed this and brought Charlie into his arms, letting him take in all the noise before his breathing evened out and he nodded.

"I'll be honest, Charlie. There's a reason I wanted to bring you here." Liam smiled lovingly down at Charlie, squeezing his hand before making his way over to a tech shop.

He could see Charlie tilting his head adorably, looking around in confusion. "What are we doin' here, Lili? This so expensive!" Charlie looked up at him slightly fearfully, afraid that Liam would spend a lot of money on him.

"Let me spoil you, silly boy." Liam chuckled and went over to the headphones section, looking over all the models before picking up the Soundcore Q20. "I heard that these are really good for noise cancelling, but can also play for up to 60 hours." Liam smiled down at Charlie, who was still slightly confused.

When he saw the price, Charlie shook his head and tried to take the headphones from Liam. "Nuh uh! That's too 'xpensive!"

Liam shook his head and laughed, bringing Charlie in for a tight hug. "It's never too expensive for you, Char. Never. Plus, I have a bunch of money saved up, and I really want to get you this."

"But.. you wanna spend money on me?" Charlie looked close to tears, unsure if this was another tactic to buy his love.

"Of course I do. I love buying things for you and seeing that gorgeous smile of yours." He gently ruffled Charlie's head, then kissed his forehead and held out the box for the headphones. "All the specs are on the box, if you want to look at it. And these are pretty cheap compared to the others."

Charlie eyed the box for a second before taking it, looking over all the text on the box with a couple heavy blinks. "This makes no sense. How-" He grumbled and turned over the box, trying to look for an easy guide to all the headphone specs. "What even is a frequency? What does this mean-" He looked up at Liam unsurely.

"From what I read, that's just about the bass, mids, and treble. Basically how the music sounds."

"Oooh, you're good at this." Charlie puffed up his cheeks. "Fine, you can buy these for me." Liam smiled. "But! I'll get you ice cream."

"Done deal, Mr. Charlie the Wise." Charlie giggled and latched on to Liam's hand, nuzzling it with his cheek before reaching up and kissing his cheek.

"I love you, Lili. A lot lot!"

"I love you too, beautiful boy. My silly boy in blue." He ruffled Charlie's hair, holding his hand as he made his way to the cashier. He greeted the employee in a kind fashion, quickly paying for the headphones.

Bringing Charlie out of the store, he settled near the wall and sat down, motioning for Charlie to do the same. "I think it's time for an unboxing." Liam wiggled his eyebrows with a laugh. "Go on, open it."

Charlie sat down beside Liam and took the box in his hands, taking a deep breath before opening the box. In it were the headphones, looking glorious. Charlie gasped and thrusted them into Liam's face, much too excited to worry about that. "I can decorate them with stickers! Stickers, stickers! And they'll be so cute!"

Liam chuckled and gently pushed Charlie's hands away, not wanting to get smacked in the face with them. "That's very true, Char. I'm sure we can find some very pretty stickers for you. What kinda stickers do you want on there?"

"Mmm, blue dinos! And clouds! Oh oh- and I want a smiley face. And stars!" Charlie babbled on about what he wanted to do with the headphones, and all Liam could do was a grin widely as he listened to his beautiful boyfriend.

Once Charlie calmed down, Liam carefully brought the headphones over his ears, and he saw the immediate difference. Charlie slouched and looked around in wonder, clearly feeling more comfortable now that the sound was filtered.

"Do you like them, Char?" He nodded and looked up at Liam with a special sparkle in his eyes that made this all worth it.

"Love its! So much! Thank you Lili!" Charlie jumped into Liam's arms, snuggling close and huffing. "Cuddles. Gimme cuddles." As soon as Liam encircled Charlie with his arms, Charlie giggled and looked up at him, his chin resting on his chest. "You're the best boyfriend ever!"

"Oh, am I now? I think that would actually be you."

Charlie puffed up his cheeks. "Nuh, that's you."

"Nope."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yuh huh!"

Liam puffed out a laugh at Charlie's cute pouting face, caressing his face gently with a soft smile. "I think you're the cutest, and that's final."

—

CHARLIE'S POV

He dragged Liam behind him. Having spotted the ice cream stand, he made it his mission to bring Liam there. Although he only had a few bucks, he knew it was enough to finally get ice cream.

Liam looked hesitant, probably because Charlie had a very small sum of money. "Are you sure, Char? I can pay for it, I promise."

"Let me pay!" He swatted his arm playfully, then brought him up to the counter. "Hello! I'd like- strawberry!" As an afterthought, "please!"

"Hi hun," the worker cooed. "Comin' right up!" She scooped a generous amount of strawberry ice cream for Charlie, then put it on the counter. "Would you like anything, sir?"

Liam looked at all the choices, making a pensive thinking face, looking very serious, which made Charlie giggle. "Is my silly boy laughing at this very tough decision? Hmph!" Liam chuckled and ruffled Charlie's hair, then pointed to the Chocolate Hazlenut.

After being served both of the ice creams, Liam - out of instinct - went to pay, but Charlie beat him to it by smacking down a 10 dollar bill. "I said I would pay!"

"I'm sorry Char Char." Liam looked up at the worker apologetically for Charlie's slight aggression, then put his wallet away to show him that he wasn't going to pay.

Charlie nodded approvingly, then counted his change, giving the employee one dollar in tips. "Thank you for the help, miss!" Charlie took both cups, struggling to hold them trying to drag Liam along.

"Hold on, hun. Let me help you." Liam took his own cup and then let Charlie hold his own, which allowed them to hold hands comfortably. They settled down at a table and started talking animatedly. There was constant back and forth banter making for a comfortable and happy atmosphere.

The situation with Donovan was completely forgotten as the two lovebirds continued to enjoy their ice cream.

Once they were done, Liam threw both of the cups away and held out his hand for Charlie. "I have a special little place I want to bring you to, sweet boy."

Charlie looked up in confusion, still holding on to the spoon from his ice cream and biting on it with his hand around the small handle. "Okay!" His sound was muffled from the spoon, but it was loud and clear for Liam.

They slowly made their way through the mall, pointing out certain shops that peeked their interests. However, it wasn't until Liam stopped in front of Little Co. that Charlie gasped and widening his eyes.

"Lili! The stuff in here is 'xpensive!"

"Shush, I wanna show you something." Liam chuckled and ruffled Charlie's hair - out of habit - while bringing him into the store. Around them were pacis, comfortable onesies, dens and toys; everything a little could ever want and need. "I saw something on their website and I thought of you because it looked so cute."

They made their way to the clothing section filled with onesies, hoodies, shirts, and pants. It was a one-stop-shop for all the little needs and desires.

"Here we go!" Liam stopped in front of a hoodie, and Charlie couldn't stop the excited squeal that left his mouth.

The hoodie was blue - his favorite color - and in the shape of a shark. It was nice and oversized, with a big hood covered in silly little shark teeth.

"Lili! Lili! Look look! It's a shark! It goes rawr rawr!" Charlie quickly picked it up and jumped up and down, giggling and squealing as he looked over it.

"I know! It's so cute!" Liam shared his enthusiasm with happy claps and a big, goofy grin. Charlie was about to look at the price tag before Liam patted his head, looking down with a loving smile. "It's not too expensive, I promise. And you deserve it."

Charlie stopped and looked up at him, his eyes watering. In the short amount of time he'd been with this family, they'd been nothing but accepting and loving, buying him gifts left and right and respecting his needs. He threw himself in Liam's arms, sniffling but making sure not to dirty Liam's shirt. "Okay.. I really want it." He looked up with a little pout.

"Of course, Char Char. Anything for you." Liam leaned down and kissed his mop of hair, then took his hand and led him to the cashier. However, this was not so easy as Charlie stopped in his tracks and gasped, looking over at a pristine and fluffy teddy bear. He shook his head as he dismissed the thought, not having enough money for it and not wanting Liam to spend another dime.

He looked up at Liam happily and held his hand as he payed. Once it was payed for, he quickly slipped on the hoodie and squealed some more, doing a 360 twirl for Liam to see.

"You look so adorable! Come 'ere." Charlie came over to Liam and was met with a warm embrace.

He could stay here for hours, cuddled up with Liam. He was content, all cuddled up in his boyfriend's arms, uncaring of the sound, and comfy in his new hoodie.

This is the life, he thought.

WC : 2090