Chapter 41: Thirty-nine

Liam's parents haven't said anything. It's been two days without word from either of them. His dad has been gone, working with a newer lawyer on a case most of the time, while his mother just doesn't speak to him. She glares and tries to stay home Thursday afternoon to make sure Liam doesn't go anywhere. At dinner they don't speak.

Paige and Ember both apologize a lot when they hear about it. Liam doesn't care that much though. There's a little pain there but for the most part, he's okay with it. He doesn't need their acceptance.

He calls Mandy Thursday night and fills her in on everything. She cringes when she hears about Sara and then tries to reassure Liam that she accepts him. He feels okay with that, at least he has a sense of family with one person.

He assumes Friday is going to be the same. He left to school without a word to anyone. The day was quiet, Ember asking the first stupid question since she found out about what happened. It felt good that things were slowly reverting back to normal with them, they weren't talking about how it was wrong of his parents anymore.

When he steps in the doorway Friday, he plans on going to his room. Ian's coming over tonight, even though he won't be at his mom's. They both just agreed they wanted to see each other so he's staying the night.

"Will." His father's voice speaks after he steps up the third stair. He turns to look and the man is coming out of the living room. "Stay down a moment, I would like to speak to you."

Slowly, hesitantly, Liam steps down. He stands in the foyer and waits, his fingers hooked into the straps of his backpack. His father stands a few feet in front of him.

The man doesn't look mad. That's a good sign at least. Liam hasn't seen much of his dad lately so he wasn't sure if he was taking it the same way as his mother, glaring all the time.

"I just- I need you to know..." His father stutters a little, seeming to be searching for words. Liam stays quiet, waiting. Finally, he gets out. "I am not upset with you."

Liam wasn't expecting that. His hands fall to his sides. He isn't sure what to say, but his father seems to have more he wants to get out so Liam doesn't say anything.

"I... don't quite understand, this isn't something I'm used to, but I'll try to." He nods a little. "I don't think that it's er... wrong. I just want you to know that."

"Oh." Liam says, not being able to think of anything else. His father nods.

"Well, that's all I needed to say."

"Okay." Liam nods too. Then, without another word to each other they go their separate ways. His father walks back in the living room, probably going to his office, and Liam heads to his room.

It's strange but Liam feels a bit better. He walks up the stairs with an extra energy in his steps. He didn't care if his parents didn't support him, he expected that, yet he still feels good knowing one of them does.

His father isn't a bad man. He smiles because he's always known that. As a child he might have thought he was scary, but never bad.

The next six hours of his life feel as if they go in slow motion. He watches the clock intently, closely, waiting for it to be nine. He feels like he's going to explode with impatience when he finally hears Ian slipping through the window, he left it open while waiting.

"Hey baby." Ian closes the window behind him, slips off his shoes, and approaches the bed. He's wearing red shorts and a plain white T-shirt. Liam stands up to hug him. Ian chuckles while wrapping his arms around Liam's waist.

They only pull back enough to share a sweet kiss. After that, they fully release each other. Ian sits on the bed first and Liam follows after him.

They cuddle up in the bed, Liam fitting perfectly into Ian's side. Ian brushes his hand through Liam's hair and Liam traces shapes on Ian's chest. It all feels okay.

"My dad talked to me today." Liam's the first one to speak up.

"Oh yeah?" Ian's voice is soft, tender. His hand doesn't stop playing with Liam's hair and Liam feels like he's going to melt into a puddle.

"Mhm." Liam hums. "He wanted to tell me he's trying to understand and he isn't upset."

"Oh." Ian says in a surprised little whisper. "That's good isn't it?"

"Mhmm." Liam hums again, dragging it out a little further. "I didn't care if they didn't approve but it feels good. Knowing at least one of them is still okay with me feels good."

Ian hugs Liam to him, holding his waist. Liam buries his face in the crook of the other's neck. He breathes in and melts into Ian's embrace.

"I'm happy for you." Ian mumbles after a minute of quiet. Liam just hums. He feels like he could fall asleep like this, in Ian's arms.

"You tired?" He can't help but ask because he suddenly is.

"I can sleep." Ian says simply, his fingers trailing along Liam's waist. "Do you wanna move?"

"Not unless you're uncomfortable." Liam murmurs against Ian's skin.

"I'm good."

"Me too."

Liam drifts off like that. He doesn't know if Ian went to sleep the same time as him or stayed up later on his phone. He doesn't care either. He fell into an easy rest and slept comfortably the whole night.

The next morning they aren't quite in each other's arms anymore, but close enough. Liam is on his back while Ian is twisted on his side. Ian's head lays resting on Liam's stomach, using it as a pillow.

Liam blinks awake first. Slowly, he takes in his surroundings. He has to let out a chuckle when he sees Ian's sleeping face, resting on his stomach.

He doesn't move much, not wanting to wake Ian. He grabs his phone off the night stand and watches videos, keeping the volume low. Ian sleeps soundly, moving only a little bit while asleep, for the next hour.

Finally, Ian stirs awake. He shifts on Liam's stomach, arms moving to wrap around him. A groan is let out and then Ian's head is propped up and he's looking at Liam.

Liam chuckles while putting his phone down. "Good morning."

"Good morning baby." A little grin spreads across Ian's face. He moves up to kiss Liam on the nose. Liam feels himself smile wider.

"C'mon." Liam sits up and tugs on Ian's shirt. Ian groans and buries his head in the comforter.

"Where are we going?" Ian rolls his head over to peek out at Liam as the boy stands from the bed.

"To brush our teeth." Liam deadpans and tugs lightly on Ian's arm. Ian sits up then with a sigh, following Liam into the bathroom so they can brush their teeth.

They stand side by side in front of the bathroom mirror over the sink and brush. Ian's eyes droop with sleepiness while Liam looks wide awake. Once they're done brushing their teeth they walk back into the bedroom and Ian goes to flop down on the bed.

Liam crawls up to where he's lying on his back and leans over to connect their lips. Ian hums quietly and his hands go to hold Liam by the hips. Without breaking the kiss, Ian pulls the other over onto his lap which makes it so Liam is straddling him. His hands run up and down Liam's sides gently.

They break away for air and just stare at each other. Ian doesn't think there will ever be a prettier sight than the one he sees above him. Liam has similar thoughts while looking down.

"I'm so in love with you, Liam." Ian confesses, his voice quiet.

It stays quiet while Liam processes. When he realizes just what Ian said, he leans down and they kiss again. He doesn't even give himself time to grin before he's connecting their lips.

When they pull away he finally lets the smile take over. He beams and Ian smiles too.

"I love you." Liam says, and he feels like he means it. He does mean it. He means it with his entire being.

"Good." Ian hums approvingly. He leans up and pecks Liam on the lips, as he pulls away Liam traps him into a deeper kiss. He just hums and kisses the boy back.

Liam's happy. He's calm. The peace he feels is unreal, something he never thought he'd get to feel.

He has room to breath now. He's got a new understanding of himself, now. He's thankful for Ian giving him that, but he knows it wasn't just him. He's grateful for all of them. Ember, Paige, Chris, Lucas, Izzy, and Javi. They all played a part.

He smiles at the memories. The ones with all of them, the ones with Ian and him alone. He now has so many happy memories under the stars. He never thought there would be a time when he had such fond things to think of, all taking place after dark.

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Well, that's the end. There will be an epiologue chapter next!

Love you ♡

- Z