CONFESSION - chp 10

Here finally comes the chapter we have all been waiting for. Liam's and Charlie's first time actually acting upon their feelings. I hope to do this chapter justice!

This chapter marks the 19k words mark! Thank you so much for the 1.6k views!

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I apologize, but for the next couple weeks, posting will be slow. I'm going through a rather tough time, but I'll do my best to write for all of you!

Hope you enjoy!

Q : what's your favourite season ?

A : autumn or winter . love me some cold .

3RD PERSON POV

Charlie came in to school after a couple days of being out in the streets, fighting to stay alive and not give in to the dark thoughts. It was getting a bit warmer. The trees were slowly growing back their leaves, the grass wasn't covered in frost, and the alleyways didn't hold a holler of wind in them.

That's what Charlie had been used to for the last couple days, trying to settle into a mostly abandoned alleyway. It was rather far from school, which was not optimal, but after he realized his semester was already paid for, he decided to go ahead and get ready to go to school. He had showered thanks to the old lady in the apartment complex he was close to. He had given her a couple bucks and she allowed him to shower. It was a relief, though his hair was slightly matted and had grown a bit longer. He was used to cutting it weekly in order to keep it short.

He sighed as he hoisted his bag on his shoulder, keeping his head down and his hoodie over his head to avoid any attention as he stepped into the school yard. He, once again, waited out the crowds, hugging his bag to his chest as he sat on a vacant wall.

This was something he could happily get away from. The bustling crowds, the sweat, the tears, the screaming, the perfume.

Sigh.

As he lifted his head up, he prayed he would see that familiar tussle of black hair, and those mesmerizing brown eyes that held so much care and love. He hoped he could see them at least once today. Even if it was just a glance in his direction, or a look out of the corner of his eyes; he prayed it would happen. He had missed Liam way too much.

His heart skipped a beat thinking about Liam. It always did that.

As the halls cleared, he got up and made his way to homeroom, stopping in front of the door as he took a shaky breath in. He opened the door and shrunk back when all eyes snapped to look at him.

"Charlie!" He heard the familiar voice and the abrupt movement of a chair, then he felt strong arms envelope him in a hug. He felt so safe in the hug, so calm. Charlie couldn't help the tiny sob that escaped him, not only because of the attention, but because of the comfort he was suddenly experiencing, here, in Liam's arms. "Hey hey, it's okay. I'm sorry I just- I was so worried!" He goes to remove himself from the hug, but Charlie keeps a firm hold on his shirt, dragging him back into a hug as he squeezes him tight.

"Liam.. I-I'm so scared.." His voice was strained and hoarse, no doubt from the lack of water he had over the last couple days.

"I know, I know." Charlie blocked out all sounds, only hearing the rumble of Liam's chest, and then the feeling of being moved back through the door. "Hey, Charlie? Can you look at me?"

He looks up at him, tear tracks smeared down his face, his eyes puffy and his face a pitiful pout.

"You poor baby, what happened? It's been 4 days!"

"I know, I know.. I'm just- I-" Charlie started to cry again, his fists still clenched around Liam's shirt, daring him to let go.

Liam excused the both of them and went out into the hallway, closing the classroom door as to give them some privacy. "It's okay, Charlie. Everything's gonna be okay." Liam soothed him gently, rubbing circles on his back and embracing him until Charlie felt calm enough. Charlie couldn't help the fuzziness he had tried to keep away. His sobs turned into hiccups, his eyes red and tear-stained. "Wanna tell me what happened?" Liam brought them over to a bench in the hallway, sitting him down and making sure Charlie was comfortable before giving him some space as to not overwhelm him.

"I uhm- uh- kicked out. 'Was kicked outs." Charlie looked down at his hands in embarrassment and shame. "Mum didn't like classification."

Liam stayed quietly for a long while, which prompted Charlie to lift his head up. Liam seemed deep in thought, but as soon as Charlie lifted his head, Liam smiled gently and pet his hair, something he knew Charlie loved.

"That's terrible, Charlie. Where have you been staying."

Charlie mumbled under his breath, once again turning his head away from Liam.

"What was that, hun? I didn't quite catch it."

"Alleyway."

Liam was dumbfounded. His precious Charlie had been stuck in a filthy alleyway with no one to protect him, no one to cherish him the whole he ought to be loved. "Do you feel safe in that alleyway?"

Charlie felt tears brimming his eyes as he slowly shook his head. It was true, of course. He had always been terrified of the dark; anything could jump out at you, and could hurt you, not to mention the bugs and rats that ran around without a care in the world. "'S scary.."

"I can assume." Liam took a minute to ponder, the hair petting coming to a stop as he mulled over his thoughts, trying to come up with ways to help Charlie. "Have you tried going to a Pets & Little's shelter?"

Charlie's eyes widened as he quickly shook his head, a look of horror crossing his face. "Don't wanna. Dey treat like lil' baby."

"Well that's the point of being in a safe place for regressors, isn't it?"

Charlie pushed himself away from Liam, afraid that he would force Charlie to be put into a shelter, which was the last thing that he wanted. To be stuck in a building, unsure of your fate. To be babied constantly, to have zero autonomy.

"Hey hey, it's okay. I'm not gonna force you, okay? You just need to get out of the streets, it's not safe for my lil' Charlie."

Charlie's heart skipped a beat. 'His little Charlie'. He smiled and immediately shoved himself into Liam's open arms, balling his shirt up in his fist and nuzzling his chest.

"I mean- you could come live with me, if you want? We have a spare bedroom, and I'm sure no one would mind having a cutie like you with us."

"Is you mom gonna be der?"

"Mhm, but she's a really kind lady. So kind! I promise you'll love her. Do you want me to give her a call and ask?"

Charlie nodded his head but didn't move from his position in Liam's embrace, which made it a bit hard for Liam to access his phone in his pocket.

"Mind scootching over so I can grab my phone, love?" Charlie's heart skipped a beat once more, this time accompanied by a blush. He reluctantly let go of Liam's shirt and looked at him through his eyelashes, head tucked to his chest with a shy smile on his face. "Thank you." Liam chuckled and pet his head before picking up his phone, dialing his mother's number and putting the phone up to his ear.

As Liam talked to his mom, Charlie started playing with Liam's hand. Feeling the calluses on his palm, tracing the designs of his palm lines, and gently intertwining their hands together. Charlie felt the blush spread farther across his cheeks.

He saw the same in Liam. A cute, rosy pink on his cheeks, a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and a pleased expression as he turned to Charlie and winked.

Taken aback, Charlie giggled, and without thinking, gave him a kiss on the cheek. Liam's mouth opened a little as he turned wide-eyed to Charlie.

Liam beamed even more than usual, giggling himself before finishing his conversation with his mom, who was pestering him with questions. He put his phone down and kept his eye contact with Charlie, whom could not stare at him any longer. Eye contact was very difficult for Charlie, but Liam didn't mind.

"Do you like me, Charlie?" Liam's voice wavered, an uncertainty filling his eyes as he gently pushed some of Charlie's loose hair behind his ear. Charlie mumbled something, and Liam tilted his head, hearting beating rapidly in his chest.

After realizing he hadn't said it loud enough, Charlie looked up at him and smiled. "Yes! I like you- a lot. Like- a lot lot. A lot. Super big!" His eyes gleamed as he looked up at Liam, the doubt in his voice now completely vanished.

Liam lit up equally before reaching over and hugging him tightly into his chest. He moved himself sideways on the bench so that Charlie was in his lap, and continued the cuddles. He kept the boy in his embrace for what seemed like forever, though it was a forever that Liam could endure.

"Well that's very good, 'cause I like you. A lot lot." Charlie blushed and giggled at Liam's words. They sat in silence for a few moments, letting the happy feeling sink in as they both shared happy looks. Even without looking at each other, these love birds knew they were thinking about each other. They were in a realm of their own; their own world filled with butterflies, love, and cute toys. That was what the both deserved. "So.." Liam started, finally looking back over at Charlie. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"

Charlie looked up from his spot on Liam's lap with his mouth slightly agape. He had been waiting for this question, of course, but hadn't expected it to be so soon. "Yes! I mean- of course! Why wouldn't I want to go with you?"

Liam blushed and ducked his head, a move that made Charlie tilt his head. "Remember when we were younger? I asked you out on an ice cream date, but your mom didn't allow you, so I snuck some out for you." Charlie nodded and regarded him questioningly. "Well.. I was really looking forward to that date 'cause even then, I knew I loved you more than I would love a normal friend."

Charlie giggled and pursed his lips in a smile. "I knew I loved you, too."

WD : 1780