CONFRONTATION - chp 16

Alright, I'm back for another chapter.

I've had to take some time for myself due to a major decline in my mental health. I've really been struggling, so my motivation has been poop. ♥️

Slightly shorter chapter but a lot happens, so enjoy!

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

Hope you enjoy!

Q : how's school going ?

A : it's been ups and downs for me , but i've been doing okay .

LIAM POV

He hunched his shoulders as he sat in the comfortable, plush chair. His hands were wringing together, eyebrows pinched into an uncomfortable and stressed expression.

The modern decor of whites and greys was like a blinding flash to his eyes, and he was not at all enjoying it. Some people loved this kind of decor, and that was fine. But he hated it, which only added to the anxiety and dread he was feeling.

This time, there was no kind lady with a stress ball to help him out, only a mean looking receptionist in a tight pencil skirt and blouse.

He looked up as he heard his name being called.

"Liam Greenlee? Mr. Ashford is ready for you."

He stood up and smoothed out his dress shirt, wriggling his legs to try and dissipate the heaviness he felt. Slowly, he made his way to the imposing dark oak doors, letting his hand linger on the handle before he took a big breath. Exhaling, he opened the door only to be smacked in the face with anxiety.

There he was, Donovan Ashford. His eyes were laser-focused on him as he rested his head atop his folded hands, his elbows anchored on the desk.

The desk itself was very simple; no carvings or any descriptive elements, nothing to make it personal. It was the same wood used with the door, and rested heavily in the middle of the room. On it were a bunch of papers, pens, and most importantly, an expensive looking laptop was left open on Donovan's left side.

"Hello, Mr. Ashford." Liam was met with complete silence. They remained in this silence until Liam's temper got the better of him. "You could at least say "Hi, it's lovely to see you", or "Hello". Like a normal human being."

Donovan snorted and gestured towards the chairs resting in front of his desk, his gaze never leaving Liam's.

"No thank you. I can stand right here." Liam was feeling very tough all of a sudden. Seeing his face again left him with renewed aggression.

"I'm allowing you into my office for a chat. The least you could do is be cordial." Donovan's voice was low, and the baritone sound resonated throughout the otherwise empty office. Liam took this as a sign to sit down. Perhaps that was a good idea.

They regarded each other for what felt like minutes, assessing each other's features, non-verbal signals, and judging the other. There was a lot of judging.

"Look okay-" Liam ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for getting all up in your face. You touched my boyfriend, and he doesn't like being touched by strangers. You know what- it's not only that. You're trying to tear down an establishment known throughout the Square, all so you can add to your arsenal of stupid chain restaurants. Stop thinking about yourself, and see that you're destroying a livelihood; me and my family's livelihood. My mother and her co-owner put their all into making that restaurant." Liam's eyes were fierce, but one hard look from Donovan was enough to make him hunch his shoulders and wring his fingers together, just like he does when he's nervous.

"Is that really what this is all about? A restaurant? And about your boyfriend: I was not aware he was adverse to touch, and leaving a little alone like that in a public domain is not a good look on you." Donovan's words were harsh, but in them held a certain softness. Liam latched onto that softness, knowing there was something dear Donovan Ashford was hiding.

"Whenever you talk about my boyfriend, Charlie, you get this look in your eyes. What's that about?"

Once more, Donovan regarded Liam with thoughtful eyes. "I'm not sure that's any of your concern."

"Uh, actually, it kinda is. He's my boyfriend, and if you're gonna try to steal him, then damn straight it's my biz."

"I'm not going to 'steal'" - he signed quotation marks - "your boyfriend. I was just.. trying to take care of a little is all." Once again, he had this faraway look in his eyes, one that was filled with pain and yearning. Liam softened and smiled a little.

"He's really awesome, isn't he? He makes everyone just coo and laugh at how adorable he is. He's so innocent." Liam smiled fondly at the thought of Charlie. He was surprised when Donovan hesitantly and briskly nodded. "You're a caretaker, aren't you?"

Any walls that Donovan had allowed to be crossed built right back up as his eyes hardened. He cleared his throat and leaned back into his chair. "Once more, that is none of your concern."

"Charlie really brought the caretaker out in you."

"I don't see how-"

"You really want someone to take care of. It hurts to not have that, doesn't it? To be so lonely without someone to care for, someone to give you hugs and kisses." Liam carried a thoughtful expression. "You're lonely."

"As much as this talk was enlightening, I don't see your point. If you could make yourself clear and concise, then we can end this meeting and get back to our regular lives."

Of course, Liam didn't listen. "I can sense it too, you know? Your vibe. You're caring and you're kind." Donovan seemed to falter at this, his mouth opening as if he were to say something, though he failed to word out his thoughts. His eyes finally showed anguish, then understanding.

"You're a little too?" Liam nodded. This seemed to relax Donovan's posture, allowing for his shoulders to untense, and his gaze to soften. "You're really good at reading people."

"Yeah. It's a gift, I guess. Sometimes, there's more to someone than the persona they show the world." This seemed to finally break through to Donovan as he heaved a huge sigh, letting his head hang low as his forearms rested against the desk. "Charlie talked about you a little. He was scared, but he also seemed inquisitive. There aren't a lot of people who can make him feel safe, but you're one of them"

Again, Donovan couldn't muster up a response, defaulting to staring at him with an open expression of hope.

"Tell you what, Mr. Ashford. How about you come to our house? My mom can cook us some dinner."

"I don't think that's professional at all, Mr. Greenlee."

"Who says feelings have to be professional? Plus, you're really gonna dig my mom's food. She's awesome at it. Maybe you'll see that it's worth dropping the pursuit for her restaurant." Liam shrugged, but seemed completely honest. There wasn't an ounce of hesitation in his voice.

This made Donovan hesitate for a moment. Liam could see him thinking, it was so painfully clear: he was at war with his own mind.

"Alright." Liam beamed and eagerly got out of the chair, then searched around on Donovan's desk for a pen and paper, quickly grabbing a post-it note and writing down his number. Only after he did that did he realize that he had completely invaded his space.

"Sorry.. I got kinda carried away." To Liam's surprise, Donovan laughed. It was a soft laugh, warm even, but a happy one nonetheless. The sound made Liam crack a smile, his tense posture now relaxed as he felt the slight pull of his headspace. "That's my number. You don't have to, but it's there if you want."

"Thank you, Mr. Greenlee."

"Oh please, call me Liam!" He grinned, his usual goofy grin before walking out of the office, waving back at Donovan. He smiled to himself once he saw the look of calm happiness on his face.

I did some good today, he thought.

—

He wasn't even in the door 5 seconds before a bundle of blue and brown came jumping at him. Charlie hugged him like his life depended on it, and Liam couldn't do anything but melt at this adorable ball of well- adorable. He hugged Charlie back with equal strength, taking time to kiss his head and whisper sweet words.

"I missed you too Char Char."

"How it went?" His eyes looked up at him, wide and innocent. Liam took a long second to admire his boyfriend, the very person that made it possible for him to go see Donovan with such confidence.

"Yeah it uh- it went okay." Charlie's eyesbrows furrowed.

"Liar," Killian snorted from the living room. "What did you do this time?" His head was angled to look at him, his long curls suspended as his head was tilted back. His arm was draped across the couch, his posture relaxed. He held a teasing and curious expression to his face.

"What makes you say I did anything?" Charlie nodded along with Liam's statement, then narrowed his eyes at Killian, still holding onto Liam for dear life.

"Because you have that look on your face. The look that says 'uh oh, maybe I did something wrong'."

"No I don't."

"Yeah, you kinda do." Killian seemed extremely amused by this while Liam held an unimpressed expression. "Just look at you."

"What wrong wif Lili?" Charlie squeaked from his position, looking between the two while desperately trying to understand what Killian was talking about. This whole ordeal was both annoying but also the most adorable thing Liam had ever seen.

"Okay so- so maybe I did kinda invite Mr. Ashford to dinner with us because I thought it would be a great idea to settle the rivalry between his restaurant chain and mama's restaurant," Liam rambled. His cheeks colored more and more as he told Killian his absolutely foolproof plan.

However, Killian was very far from impressed. "What?"

"No don't do that- it's scary."

"Do what?"

"Look at me like that." Liam's voice held a childish whine to it as he pouted, hugging Charlie even closer to him and hiding in his hair. He giggled to himself, rubbing his hand up and down Charlie's back. "Bbaaabbyyyy."

Charlie looked up at him before squealing and taking his hand, running over to Killian, taking his hand as well, then sitting the three of them on the couch. "No sad!"

"I agree, Charlie. No sad, and no upset." Killian chuckled and brought Liam into his embrace, hugging him from the side and kissing his head. After a bit of whining from Charlie, he did the same to him. "Are you boys comfortable?"

Charlie answered with a very enthusiastic 'yes!' while Liam mumbled under his breath and cuddled closer.

He felt at peace again. His head was quiet, and his eyes were droopy. Though his head was very fuzzy, it felt natural; it felt nice.

"So Mister Ashford coming?" Charlie nuzzled his way out of his mess of blankets and his hoodie, looking at Liam with excited apprehension.

"Mhhmmm." Though Liam had much to say on the matter, his eyes were just barely open.

"I think we have a sleepy Liam on our hands, Charlie. How about you and I watch a movie while he sleeps? Studio Ghibli?"

The last thing that Liam heard was an excited squeal from Charlie, then his thoughts fizzed out and he went into a peaceful slumber.

WC : 1883