Chapter 5

As they had discussed, Liam made a list of things he required and Lucas clucked his tongue in disapproval. And the rest 3 hours, Liam was pouting and sulking in the corner, sticking tongue at Lucas, who ignored his protests and bought him everything Lucas knew Liam would require.

He understood where Liam came from. He had lived his life with limited things. He had never demanded for anything, he had no one to ask for. Still how could one manage to spend a whole season in 4 pairs of shirts and pants?

Liam was watching Lucas selecting colors and styles of shirts with matching dress pants and jeans. His uniforms were a total different wardrobe.

"Briefs or boxers"? Lucas asked for Liam who lowered his gaze looking at Lucas holding the briefs and Boxers for Liam.

"B...boxers". He replied shyly.

"You cannot wear boxers all the time. Tell me the size. In fact leave it. X Large would be fine". He turned to the salesman leaving Liam all flustered.

'How did he know??? XL'. He cupped his own baked red cheeks. But he kept mum. While Lucas chose more than half dozen packs for briefs, boxers and shorts each.

Their next stop was a book store. Knowing his subjects, Lucas ordered the latest editions from the authors by the University. He bought a latest Laptop for him, installed and update with all software required.

"Hungry"? He turned to Liam after they booked the shopping mall delivery service to get the things delivered at their address.

"Yes… But I want to go to restroom". Liam told him looking around for one.

"Let’s go together. I have to relieve myself too". They both left to ask any floor supervisor for restrooms.

**********

"Sir. Can we go to Jeffery"? Liam asked Lucas in a hesitant voice.

Lucas looked at him in the mirror while washing their hands.

"Let’s go. Let’s pack food for them too and eat with them". He was about to leave but got his shirt tugged by Liam.

"I am sorry sir".

"Sorry for what Liam"? Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"I bother you too much".

"Where did it come from"? Lucas enquired seriously.

"I… I feel. You have spent so much money and you have to stay with me at home. You can’t go to work. I have blocked your life". Liam was upset and feeling guilty.

"Let’s continue at home". Lucas held his hand and took him to the food court. They were silent while Lucas placed the order to take away and went to the car to go to Jeffery and Parker.

Surely Jeffery was surprised but happy to know that Liam wanted to spend time with him. They were enjoying good conversation when Lucas's phone went off.

"Yeah? Where? Okay, I am coming". Lucas was hissing in a cold tone. Liam had never heard him this cold; he was shivering looking at Lucas.

"I have to ... Liam what happened? Are you okay"? He turned to hold Liam in his arms. He was worried as what happened while he was on call.

"You… You are an...gry". Liam said stuttering. His forehead was sweating. Lucas mentally slapped himself.

"Shushhh. I am sorry. I am not angry at you. Calm down". He was just rubbing his back until Liam calmed down. "Now. I have to go for some urgent matter. How about you enjoy with your brother? I will try to be back as soon as possible. But don’t go anywhere okay. Not even to our home. I will take you myself okay"?

Lucas asked him and he nodded a yes.

"Jeffery. Parker. Take care of him. I will be back soon and pick him up". Lucas held his hands once before leaving for the office. Parker asked to accompany but one glance from Lucas was enough to keep them quiet.

"Come let’s have dinner". Parker held Liam to the table.

"Sir, didn’t eat. Shall I wait for him"? Liam was sad for Lucas. He turned to ask Jeffery but at this point Jeffery didnt know what to say.

"Liam. Boss won’t like to know that you were hungry and didnt eat. He will be back soon and then he will have dinner. Dont worry. Come here". Parker dished out in his plate encouraging him to eat. Liam was reluctant at this point but his stomach protested. So yes he started eating with an embarrassed look on his face as if he didn’t want to.

They were free of the dinner watching some random series and Lucas had not returned yet. Liam was sitting on the couch, knees to his chest and was unconsciously listening to every sound that could lead him to Lucas's arrival.

"What is it kiddo"? Parker asked him. Liam just looked at him and the clock. It was really late.

"Worried about Boss? Why don’t you sleep for a while? I will let you know once Boss is back"? Jeffery said this time but Liam shook his head.

"Liam. What is bothering you"? This time Jeffery held Liam's hands. He could see Liam was disturbed. Something was upsetting him.

"I...."

"What I, Liam? You know you can talk to us. You have me and your other brother Parker. Talk to us baby". Jeffery softly held his head to lean on his shoulder for support.

"I burden him a lot. He is bound since he found me. Especially since he has taken me home. Today he took me shopping. He didn’t even see the figure on the bill. For the first time he has left for his work and even then he was thinking about me.

I... I shouldn’t burden him. I..."

"And who said you are burdening me"? He snapped his head up to see Lucas coming inside. He was looking tired and exhausted. But at that moment Liam felt a wave of relief hit inside.

He stood up in excitement to go to Lucas. And all he could do was stand and look at him.

"You are back". He couldnt believe it, he was scared to be honest. May be Lucas had abandoned him too.

"Didn’t I say I will come back"? Lucas held his hand to sit on the couch. "Now what about over burdening me"? Lucas enquired again.

"Are you hungry? Did you eat anything? I asked Parker to cover dinner for you. Do you want me to bring it"? Liam forgot everything at the moment. What Lucas was asking or what he was talking with Jeffery.

Lucas sighed. He looked at Jeffery and Parker and then Liam. He could see Liam worried and although he had snacks but he signaled Parker to dish out dinner for him.

"Liam thinks he had blocked your life". Jeffery said once he had started eating. He was about to put the fork back but Liam subtly tug his sleeves. He shoved the food in his mouth before turning to him.

"Did I make you feel uncomfortable"?

"N...n… no, Sir". Liam said with head hung low.

"Look at me Liam. Look at me when we talk. Hmmm"!! He softly put his finger under his chin to lift his face up.

"Nothing can burden me Liam. You don’t if I don’t want it. If I am not going at work, it’s because there wasn’t any emergency. Your brothers Jeffery and Parker help me with my work at the office. I will join back once you settle with your University. And if I have to go, I will go in case of emergency hmmm". He explained it all and smiled when he saw Liam actually was relieved.

"Now join me. I am sure you must not have eaten properly". He held another fork to Liam who saw him surprised and then accepted the fork sheepishly.

Jeffery was silently observing it all. Unknowingly Liam was getting close to Lucas. Though he was sure Lucas won’t hurt him. But it was too soon for his baby bro to experience any other heart break. Or maybe he was getting paranoid.

***********

They came to their floor after a little talk. For now Lucas made sure Liam doesn’t know about his business. It wasn’t the right time.

"The things we booked will arrive in the morning okay. Its Sunday tomorrow, let’s go city hunting. Picnic hmmm"? He combed Liam's hair with his fingers, trying to tone down his thumping heart. He was Jeffery's baby brother. Lucas was a mafia. He shouldn’t involve Liam in all his mess. He should not involve Liam in the game of death.

He wanted to maintain a distance between them. But he was failing every day. Every single time when he would look at Liam. It would need all his self-control not to hide him in his embrace. Away from all pain and hurt. But what to say, Lucas himself was bathed in Blood.

"Picnic"? Liam asked him stopping at the door of their bedroom.

"Yeah. Fun time hmmmm". Lucas said.

"Will Jeffery and Parker come too"? Liam asked licking his lips.

"You want them to come? I didn’t ask them anyway". Lucas thought may be Liam was uncomfortable to go alone with him. "I can call them". He took out his phone but Liam held his hand.

"No. It’s… it’s okay, Sir. I am okay to go alone with you". Liam said confidently.

"Great. Sleep then. Good night". He bid his good bye and closed his door after he heard Liam closing his bedroom and switched the lights off.

Lucas wasn’t sleepy. He took a warm bath, thinking about the meeting he had to attend. He had a hunch that someone was selling their secrets to their enemies. And finally tonight the traitor was caught. Though he was a little fish, he couldn’t manage to make huge money but still. There was no word like deceiving in Lucas's dictionary.

He made sure that the traitor would pay for his deeds before he would meet his death. And only then he came back to get Liam.

He didn’t understand why his heart felt at peace to see Liam all worried for him. He felt his heart blooming in joy when Liam was concerned about his dinner. For a moment he actually got nervous when Liam asked about Jeffery and Parker to join them for picnic.

Actually, he wanted to talk to Liam about his past. He wanted Liam to open up and cry his fears once and for-all. He knew it would be difficult. The doctor had informed him about his panic sessions and he knew he had to be very careful. But he had to do it. He didnt want Liam to enter University with any loop in his personality.

He called Jeffery to inform him about taking out Liam. He called his guards to keep the place in check. All he had to do was to pack a picnic basket and they were all set to go in the morning.

***********

Lucas was in the lounge just finished packing everything when he saw Liam coming out. He was looking breathtaking handsome and beautiful.

A sunlight yellow tee shirt with blue jeans was perfectly hugging his body. He was wearing sneakers and wait was he wearing a blush on? Lucas frowned and went to Liam.

He rubbed his thumb on one cheek, but nothing. He rubbed on the other cheek, still nothing came off.

Liam was confused, looking at him. He couldn’t understand what Lucas was doing.

"Sir...."

"Why isn’t coming off"? Lucas asked sulking.

"Coming off what? Is there something on my face"? Liam was even more confused. Last time he checked in the mirror, there wasn’t anything on his face.

"Yeah. This blush you put on. It isn’t coming off". Lucas said still focusing on removing the blush on but it was only increasing.

"Bb... Blush on? I didn’t apply any. I don’t have any to apply on". Liam said in a shocked tone.

"Aowh... Then why your cheeks are so pink. You must have. And now you are not telling me". Lucas was acting stubborn like a little kid. He was pouting and almost stomping his feet.

Liam felt his heart thumping loud in his chest. Lucas David was fucking pouting. And he was looking soooo cute that Liam burst into giggles.

"Hehheehhehe. Sir... You are sooo cute". He couldnt help but pinch Lucas's cheeks.

"Me Cute????? No way. I am hot and handsome and am sulking". Lucas said puffing his cheeks and this didn’t help Liam at all who was full blown laughing fits. He tried to speak anything but laughed out even more to see Lucas frowning and stomping his feet in anger. But it wasn’t anger to say.

"Narak.  Narak mak maak khub". Liam managed to say as he controlled his laughter.

"I am not wearing any blush on Sir. It was because I was nervous about my looks. I thought maybe you didn’t like. So..." Liam calmly said taking deep breaths.

"Aowh..." Lucas was stupefied and then blushed himself at his stupidity. He itched his non-itching nape and chuckled sheepishly.

"Shall we go"? Liam asked Lucas.

"You are looking beautiful by the way". Lucas held his hand and lead him outside holding the picnic basket in his other hand.

************

"This is so beautiful place Sir". Liam really loved the secluded spot in a garden. There were not many people at that place, so Liam felt at ease. The warm sun, light breeze. Snacks and gossip. It was peaceful.

"Liam. Uhmmm". He was leaning back on his arms when he heard Lucas.

"Yes Sir?"? He looked at him with a smile.

"I want to talk to you about few things. But don’t panic". Lucas said and he saw Liam getting stiff on his place. He sat up properly facing Lucas. His eyes had that uncertain gaze like he knew something was about to come.

"What.... About what, Sir"?

"You trust me right? Do you trust me enough to let me protect you? That I won’t let anything or anyone break you? Not even me". Lucas held his hands between his warm ones. 

"I… I do Sir". Liam confirmed in a shaky voice. Not that he didnt trust him, but because he didnt know what Lucas was up to.

"We need to talk about your life after you left home to search for your Phi Jeffery. We need to remove all traces of those fears from your life.

I know there are nights when you can’t sleep. I can hear your silent screams in your eyes. The uncertainty, like someone is chasing you. Like someone is going to harm you.

In 2 weeks you will start your University, how would you live the life there alone? By alone I mean by me or your brothers. I am not saying that we will leave you, but you cannot walk all the way holding hands.

You need your freedom don’t you think? There would be time when you would want to walk alone, explore the world, what would you do"? Liam was just looking at him. He knew Lucas was right. He knew he cannot be dependent on anyone forever.

But was he ready to face his demons?

"I…"

"I am not forcing you. But baby, if you let it all, it will make easy for you to breathe. Let the burden go Liam. Let it fall away. Trust me. I will hold you. I will not let you fall. Please". Lucas was begging. Liam saw the determination and a promise in his eyes. He wanted to let it go too. He wanted Lucas to hold him…

"When Jeffery left me......".

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Tabby