Aiden blinked rapidly, adjusting to the light of the apartment. His brows drew together as he looked around, utterly confused. The place smelled new, a bit like fresh paint and lemon cleaner. It had a cozy beige couch tucked against the wall, big soft pillows, warm yellow lighting, and a small but modern open kitchen.
"…What is this?" Aiden turned to Hunter, eyes wide and mouth slightly parted. "Where are we?"
Hunter suddenly became nervous and rubbed the back of his neck. His ears flushed red. "Uh…it's just a place," he awkwardly rocked on his heels. "That I…um…rented."
"You rented it?"
Hunter nodded, still blushing, then dared to meet Aiden's eyes. "Yeah. I…I got this place. You know for…us. So you don't have to feel scared again or worry about the stuff at the old place. You can come and go anytime now."
Aiden's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, what?!"
Hunter smiled sheepishly, shifting awkwardly as he gestured around. "It's not that big, I know. But it's safe, warmer than the last place and close to school."
Aiden stared blankly at him for a good moment. He couldn't register Hunter's words for a while.
Hunter's heart dropped a little. Did he hate it? Was it too small? Too plain? I mean…he does live in a mansion.
The house was small with one-bedroom. The bedroom door was slightly open, revealing a neatly made bed with navy-blue sheets, and there was even a balcony with two plastic chairs overlooking the neighborhood park.
Hunter rubbed his palms down his jeans as he was beginning to feel unease and insecure. "I mean…I remember how upset you were last time when I had to leave. So I just thought, wouldn't it be better if we didn't have to part? We could just be together, you know? Always. So, I rented this place. I know it's still small but since you didn't like my last place. I thought…maybe now you won't have to feel scared anymore of coming here. You can come over whenever. Or even stay. Or…or just nap if you want. It's not much, but—"
"You got this just for me?" Aiden was still staring.
"Huh? Y-Yeah.." Hunter nodded, cheeks red, trying not to fidget.
Aiden didn't speak. He didn't even move. He just stood there, staring at Hunter. And Hunter's heart raced rapidly and anxiously.
"Do you…not like it?" he asked quietly. "Is it too small? Or weird? I—I can still cancel the agreement—"
"YOU BOUGHT ME A HOUSE?!" Aiden suddenly screamed, causing him to go deaf for a second.
Hunter winced. "Technically rented but—"
"You BOUGHT me a HOUSE?!!!"
"It's for us," Hunter corrected sheepishly.
"Omg!!! You bought me a house!!" Aiden's face did a whole transformation from confusion, to shock, to absolute delight. His mouth opened into a squeal, and he practically tackled Hunter in a hug, clinging to his neck with all his might. "I'm moving in today."
Before Hunter could respond, Aiden had already unlatched from him and turned toward the door.
"Wait—wait, what?!" Hunter panicked, grabbing his arm. "Aiden! Stop! Not today! What about school and your parents?"
But Aiden wasn't listening to him. "I'll pack and be back before dinner."
"Please, just—" With great efforts Hunter gently tugged him back and placed both hands on his shoulders to stop his chaotic boyfriend. He doesn't know where Aiden gets so much energy from? "Let's at least wait until school ends, okay? Please? You're already stubborn, and I know I can't win if you put your mind to it, but just give me a few more weeks, yeah?"
Aiden firmly shook his head and pouted. "But I want to live with you. Do you know how much I miss you?"
It took every ounce of Hunter's patience and an absurd amount of soft coaxing and reassurances to calm his hyperactive boyfriend down. Hunter had to hold his face gently, stroke his hair, and promise over and over that they would live together just not right away. He even bribed him with a future shopping trip and unlimited cuddles. Only then did Aiden pout dramatically and agree like a sulking cat.
"You're lucky you have a stupidly handsome face that I love," Aiden grumbled.
Hunter chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I love you too."
Aiden smiled again. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You really are the best boyfriend. The best person. The best everything."
Hunter melted and his arms wrapped around Aiden, hugging him tightly. The warmth of Aiden's body, the way he clung to him like a koala made everything worth it. He kissed Aiden's forehead.
Truthfully, he had imagined this moment a hundred times. The surprise, the hug, the joy. But experiencing it? Feeling Aiden's heartbeat against his chest? It was better than anything he'd dared to hope for.
Aiden looked up at him. "Give me a house tour."
"Okay," Hunter smiled, poking Aiden's nose with his own.
Aiden beamed and completely forgot about moving in immediately, for which Hunter was grateful.
Hunter walked Aiden through the cozy little house with their fingers intertwined. Aiden kept turning his head in every direction like a suspicious cat sniffing new territory. Hunter had clearly chosen everything as per Aiden's taste.
"Wait," Aiden stopped suddenly in the middle of the hallway. He turned to Hunter. "Where did you even get the money for this place, huh?"
"I borrowed it. From Sam's aunt," Hunter let out seriously.
Aiden's entire face twisted in suspicion as if Hunter had just said he sold his soul to a demon in exchange for a rice cooker.
"Wait. That Carolyn? The lady you once called your girlfriend?"
Hunter laughed immediately. "Yeah."
Aiden narrowed his eyes like a detective in a crime drama. "Don't laugh! She's weird! I saw how she calls you sweetheart and darling."
"She's just messing with me. She does it with everyone," Hunter defended himself, still grinning as he walked over to nudge Aiden's cheek. "She likes getting on my nerves. That's her thing."
Aiden stepped back dramatically and crossed his arms. "What if she's trapping you, huh? What if she's secretly one of those rich sugar mamas who seduce poor hot guys with emotional trauma—you're exactly her type!"
Hunter choked on a laugh. "Jesus, Aiden, what are you watching these days?"
"Don't 'Jesus' me," Aiden snapped, eyes wide terrifyingly. "She wears shiny shoes, Hunter. Shiny! You know who wears shiny shoes? Evil bosses and fairy godmothers with agendas. I am sure she wants to buy you."
Hunter shook his head, still amused, as they entered what would be the bedroom. "Okay okay, listen. She's married."
This stopped Aiden again. He asked in surprise. "That wicked lady is married? Wow."
Hunter nodded. "And not just with anyone. A very successful woman."
Aiden stood frozen for a beat, as if trying to compute. Then he whispered, "Wait, Carolyn's gay? Like...woman-loving gay?"
"Lesbian," Hunter corrected him with a smirk.
"Oh," Aiden mumbled, a little deflated. "Okay, well, good for her." Then after a pause he let out. "Thank God she's not into men."
Hunter chuckled and wrapped an arm around his waist from behind. "Are you jealous?"
"I'm not jealous," Aiden replied immediately.
"You're so jealous."
"I'm rather protective," Aiden corrected, tilting his chin up like a proud knight. "There's a difference. I'm just protecting my boyfriend."
Hunter buried his face in Aiden's hair, smiling like an idiot. "Well, your boyfriend is safe. The evil sugar mama is actually a lesbian hotel mogul who gave me a job and helped me get this place. She's actually nice."
Finally, they reached the bedroom.
The room wasn't luxurious, but it held a cozy allure. The bed stood in the center and was big enough for two people.
"Wow," Aiden dropped his backpack to the floor with a dramatic sigh and flopped down onto it and bounced once. He giggled mischievously and deliberately stretched and wiggled his body against the mattress for Hunter to watch. "We could even make love here all day without fearing of anyone disturbing us."
Hunter, who was intensely staring at him, stiffened like he'd been electrocuted. "W-What?" he choked as his ears turned red.
Aiden laughed shamelessly and patted the space beside him. "What? Don't act like you haven't thought about it. Come here, shy boy."
"Silly minx," Hunter muttered under his breath but he walked over anyway, sitting on the edge of the bed. Aiden didn't waste a second and slipped his arms around Hunter's waist and pulled him backward until Hunter's back was flush against his chest.
"Comfortable?" Aiden whispered near his ear.
"I—You're warm," Hunter mumbled, his heartbeat thundering in his chest.
"I'm always warm when you're this close," Aiden teased, nuzzling into the crook of Hunter's neck. "You act like I'm saying something scandalous, but it's not like we won't do it one day." His voice dropped, intentionally making it slower. "Right?"
Hunter swallowed hard, his cheeks glowing pink. "You say stuff like that so easily…"
Aiden hummed and kissed Hunter's heated cheeks. "Because I mean it. And because you look ridiculously hot when you blush."
He shifted slightly, pressing his body tighter against Hunter's. Hunter could feel every move, and his body reacted before he could. Though it's not like he minds how easily Aiden can make him feel like melting butter.
To save himself, he pulled himself up and he blurted out, "Let's make a list. We need to buy stuff for decorating this place."
Aiden grinned like a cat who just made the dog flinch. "You're so cute when you panic. Alright. Let's see. We definitely need curtains that aren't see-through unless you want the neighbors to get a full view of our sex life."
"Shut up," Hunter groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "They can't see anything inside anyway."
They cuddled together on the bed and started making a list of things they needed to decorate their new home, curtains, lamps, rugs, and little personal touches to make the space truly theirs.
It was only in the evening, when the sky had turned a deep shade of gold and violet, that Aiden's phone buzzed with a call from his mother. After a short conversation filled with her nagging tone and demands for him to come home for dinner, Aiden sighed and stood up.
"I'll head out," he told Hunter, who was still sprawled on the bed, sleepy-eyed and warm.
"I'll walk you," Hunter offered instantly, already reaching for his hoodie.
But Aiden shook his head with a small smile. "I'm fine. It's not far. You can stay and rest. I'll text you when I reach home."
Hunter looked hesitant, but Aiden leaned down and pecked his lips before slipping out.
The streets were quiet as Aiden walked with his hands in his pockets and his mind kept replaying the softness of Hunter's touch.
But the peaceful walk was interrupted when a figure leaned against a lamppost ahead. Aiden stopped short.
"Going somewhere, pretty boy?" Liam straightened with a lazy smirk, eyes gleaming unnaturally under the streetlight.
Aiden frowned and every muscle in his body tensed. "Move."
Liam tilted his head and moved closer. "Relax. I just wanted to say you've done well for not telling Hunter anything…that takes loyalty."
"Stay away from him," Aiden's jaw clenched and he roughly gripped Liam's collar. "I swear to god, if you even try—"
"Oh?" Liam cut him off, stepping into Aiden's personal space. "Who said I want Hunter?"
Before Aiden could react, Liam shoved him hard against the cold wall of a closed shop. Aiden's back hit the brick with a dull thud, and he gasped, trying to push him away, but Liam was faster. He leaned in so close their faces nearly touched.
"I never said it was him I was after," Liam whispered, licking his lips slowly as his gaze dropped to Aiden's mouth.
Aiden's breath caught in his throat. "W-What…what do you want then?"
"You," Liam stared at him like a predator cornering its prey. "It's you."
Aiden's blood ran cold. Disgust surged through him, and he shoved Liam back with both hands.
"You're a damn pervert!" he spat, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand even though Liam hadn't kissed him. "Don't you dare touch me again."
"Feisty," But Liam only laughed and reached into his pocket. "Maybe this will help you behave."
He held up his phone and turned the screen toward Aiden to show him a picture. Aiden felt his stomach drop. It was a picture of him and Hunter kissing from when Aiden went to pick Hunter from his job.
Aiden's hands trembled in dread and pure rage. "You…you were watching us?!"
Liam grinned, savoring the panic on Aiden's face. "If you don't want this going online, you'll do exactly what I say."
Aiden's heart pounded as he stared at the screen, the warmth of that memory now twisted and used like a weapon. He felt sick, angry, and terrified all at once.
He glared at Liam. "You won't get away with this."
Liam stepped back, pocketing his phone with a smirk. "We'll see."
And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aiden alone.