Sam gave Casen one last look and followed Hunter out of the room, leaving the two behind. Aiden awkwardly looked around the room, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his hoodie. Casen, still sitting up in bed, gave him a shy smile.
"You can sit, if you want…" Casen offered, patting the chair near his bedside.
"Oh! Right—yeah!" Aiden scrambled to pull the chair closer, nearly knocking into the IV pole in the process. "Sorry, I—uh, I didn't wanna touch anything."
Casen chuckled at his silliness. "It's okay."
Aiden laughed nervously and sat down but his knees keep bouncing. There was a pause before he turned his head toward Casen and hesitated, then quietly asked. Because unlike Hunter, he needs to know everyone's business.
"So…um, are you and Sam…like…dating?"
Casen's face went scarlet instantly. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "I…I don't know. We've been…kissing…a lot. And he's been there for me through all of this. He's kind and funny and always knows what to say. I really, really like him."
Aiden tilted his head, watching him carefully. Casen continued, a little softer now. "But I haven't asked what we are yet. I don't wanna scare him off or make things weird."
Aiden hummed thoughtfully, resting his chin in his palm. "Sam doesn't seem like the type who'd run off if he didn't like you back."
"You think so?"
"Yeah," Aiden nodded enthusiastically. He stretched his cheek sheepishly. "I'm also kinda relieved you like him and not Hunter anymore…"
Casen laughed. "Fair. Though, I never really like Hunter too deep. I just wanted someone by my side."
Aiden fidgeted again. "Sorry for being mean to you before. I think I was…jealous or something. Though I'm not proud of it."
Casen smiled gently but he wants to change this topic."So…did you and Hunter finally confess?"
"Yes!!" Aiden lit up like a little firework at that question. He almost bounced in his seat. "We're officially boyfriends now."
Casen's eyes widened. "Wow, congratulations."
"Thank you!" Aiden grinned ear to ear, hands clasped together as he leaned forward to Casen to make sure Casen listens to his every detail. "He's the best boyfriend. Like, actually the best. He's so quiet sometimes, but then he'll say something sweet out of nowhere, and it makes my chest all weird. And he's super warm when we cuddle and he smells really good and—and he always lets me talk even when I'm rambling. And I know he acts grumpy sometimes but he gets all soft when I hug him and…I think he really likes me. Like, really really." I kinda like him too. A lot."
Casen grinned wider, watching Aiden with amusement and fondness. It's easy to see now why Hunter likes him. He's such ball of sunshine.
🥰❤️✨
Hunter leaned against the wall outside the room. "How is he?"
Sam exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Way better than last week. The nurse said the doctor is impressed with his progress."
Hunter's brows raised slightly. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. He's more responsive, eating on his own, and sleeping okay. He's been talking more too. And apparently, he's even been joking around with some of the staff." Sam offered a small smile. "They think he could be discharged within a few days."
Hunter nodded slowly. "That's really good."
Sam crossed his arms now but his expression turned serious. "There's a catch, of course. He's still on medication, antidepressants and mood stabilizers and they're adjusting his dosage. He'll need routine follow-ups, therapy sessions and he's supposed to avoid high-stress environments."
Hunter exhaled deeply. "So that's means he's not going back to that school anytime soon?"
"Yes," Sam said immediately. "I'm thinking about pulling him out. I'll talk to his folks when they get back in town. He can finish the semester with an online tutor."
"Why I've never seen Casen's parents around?" Hunter asked curiously. "Do they even know he's here?"
"Yeah, they know," Sam let out a slow breath, eyes flicking down the hallway toward Casen's room. "But they have broke ties with him. When they found out he was gay."
"What the hell."
Sam shook his head. "They said he 'brought shame' to their family. Can you believe that? He was already struggling and they just turned their backs on him. His aunt was the only one who stepped up for him. She let him stay with her for a while after he left his parents' place. But she's already drowning in her own mess, she's in the middle of a custody battle for her daughter. Casen didn't want to burden her more so he stopped reaching out to her and also stopped me from informing her about all this."
"So what's he supposed to do?" Hunter let out. "He's still recovering. He needs people around him."
Sam met his gaze steadily. "Well, he has us, doesn't he?"
Hunter nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that makes you his family now."
Sam gave a sad smile. "Yeah. And I don't mind–"
Suddenly Sam's phone buzzed cutting him off. He glanced at the screen and without hesitating, he hit the decline button. Hunter raised a brow.
"Someone important?"
Sam tucked the phone back into his jacket pocket. "It's nothing."
Hunter gave him a look but didn't press. He knew Sam well enough by now to let him hold his silence when he wanted.
What Sam didn't say was that the call was from his mother. His parents who are prominent, influential, and obsessed with reputation had already made it clear to him about his relationship with Casen that whatever it was was unacceptable. Being with someone like Casen, someone 'troubled' was a threat to their perfect public image.
But Sam didn't give a damn. Casen had no one right now and that was all that mattered to him. Like hell, he'll leave Casen on his own.
Later, after Hunter and Aiden left, Sam remained in the hospital room. He gently smoothed out the blanket over Casen's legs while Casen dozed lightly.
He rolled his eyes when his phone rang again. He stepped out into the hallway and checked the screen, it was from Sophia.
He answered with a sigh. "Hey."
"Sam," her voice was hushed as if she was hide somewhere. "Where are you?"
"Staying over at a friend's. Why?"
There was a pause. "You're at the hospital again, aren't you?"
Sam exhaled and leaned against the wall and closing his eyes. "I am."
"Sam, just what the hell are you doing?! Mom and Dad are furious. They called your dorm and even checked with your advisor. They're convinced something's going on. You need to hurry back home and deal with your own shit."
"Sophia, I can't just leave him alone here. He's my friend."
"They won't understand that," Sophia was tired. "You know how they are."
"I don't care," he said bluntly.
Sophia sighed on the other end. "They asked me again where you are. And I lied again."
Sam's eyes softened. "Can you cover for me? Just one more time?"
"I've done this so many times, they're starting not to believe me anymore."
"Please just this once. Casen is getting discharged soon. I'll figure something out after that."
There was silence, then a an exhausted exhale from Sophia. "Alright. One last time. But you better have a damn good plan, Sam."
"I will. Thank you! You're the best sister!"
"Just don't make me regret this," she said before hanging up.
Sam stared at the screen for a moment, then slid the phone back into his pocket. The burden felt a little heavier now, but he'd carry it for Casen.
◾◾◾
As soon as Aiden and Hunter got home, Hunter disappeared into the bathroom for a shower. Meanwhile, Aiden plopped onto the bed glanced over when he heard Hunter's phone buzz on the nightstand.
"Hmm…probably just a boring notification," he murmured decided to ignore it but his curiosity won. He leaned over and tapped the screen. It was a text.
Liam:Hey, can you come tomorrow a little early? Need to talk to you about something.
Aiden's scowl was instant. "Oh, so they're exchanging numbers now?"
He narrowed his eyes at the phone like it had personally offended him.
"Sure, Liam, why don't you just move in too?" he muttered sarcastically. He cracked his knuckles as his lips twitching mischievously. "Let's see how you like this."
He quickly typed back.
No, I won't come. And stop disturbing me when I'm with my cute boyfriend.
He grinned to himself, proud of his little act. Just then, the bathroom door creaked open and Hunter stepped out when his eyes landed on Aiden.
"What are you doing with my phone?"
Aiden jumped like he'd been caught stealing state secrets.
"W-What? Nothing! Nothing at all!" he yelped, frantically deleting the message thread with a speed that would impress a hacker. He tossed the phone back onto the bed. "No idea what you're talking about."
Hunter raised a brow, sauntering over with nothing but a towel slung low on his hips. "Uh-huh. Then why do you look like a raccoon caught in a cookie jar?"
"I wasn't doing anything suspicious!" Aiden declared with the guilt of someone absolutely doing something suspicious. He got an idea to change the subject, he looked up at Hunter with big eyes and an exaggerated pout. "You didn't give me any kisses today. Not even one.Thats very rude of you."
Hunter burst into a chuckle. "Aiden, I gave you like fifteen kisses this morning. You kept pulling me back every time I tried to leave the bed."
"But those don't count," Aiden protested, stepping close and poking Hunter's bare chest. "Those were sleepy kisses. They're not the same."
"Oh?" Hunter smirked and leaned down too. "What's the difference, then?"
"Sleepy kisses are automatic. I want an awake kiss," Aiden smiled mischievously, making his voice a bit luscious.
Hunter felt his throat getting dry the more he stared at Aiden. Every inch of Aiden emitted sensuality, and it crawled right under Hunter's skin, igniting a burn that curled low in his stomach.
Aiden was evil, beautifully and devastatingly evil in the way he smiled like he knew exactly what he was doing to Hunter. Cute, with that innocent tilt of his head and wide blinking eyes that can fool everyone but Hunter. Aiden's tongue teased the corner of his mouth and Hunter can tell he was up to no good.
He was sexy without trying. And it drove Hunter mad. Because Aiden wasn't just cute, he was wickedly tempting. And Hunter fell for it. Every. Damn. Time.
Hunter couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed him by the jaw and crushed their mouths together in a kiss that was anything but gentle. Aiden gasped against him but Hunter didn't let up, he kissed him like he needed to claim every breath, like he wanted to brand that wicked little smirk off his face and replace it with pleading cries.
When they finally pulled back, Hunter was stunned to see his swollen lips and hungry eyes. "Happy now?"
"No, I want more," Aiden's hand reached out and start feeling Hunter's ribs. The pads of Aiden's fingers trailed over the hollow spaces between Hunter's bones, leaving a trail of heat that made Hunter's stomach tense. His breathing caught in his throat and Aiden paused for a moment as if waiting for resistance. When there was none, he moved closer and Hunter's eyes fluttered closed.
Aiden's palm slid up, spreading heat across Hunter's chest, fingers brushing against a nipple. The soft gasp that left Hunter's mouth made Aiden's own breath hitched. He gulped and stared at Hunter's parted lips which seemed very invited. His face moved on his own and and their lips met again. Just a gentle press, the kind that sought permission and gave comfort in return. Hunter's mouth parted just enough and Aiden's bottom lip caught against his.
Aiden's tongue brushed lightly against Hunter's, and the way Hunter let out a breathy moan made Aiden's hand press firmer into his chest and squeeze it.
Hunter arched slightly into the touch. Feeling bolder Aiden slid his hand down Hunter's stomach, tracing the dip under his navel. The skin there was even colder and Aiden paused as if marveling at how stark the contrast was between his own heated hand and Hunter's icy skin.
Aiden pulled back slightly and asked. "Why are you so cold?"
"I just had a shower maybe that's why," Hunter deadpanned.
"Oh yeah, I forget," Aiden chuckled.
Hunter shook his head."You're so stupid."
"Shut up," Aiden was offended. "And who said you can stop? You still haven't kissed me enough to make up for the whole day."