Chapter 8

"Liam why don’t you stay here tonight? Boss would be late or he might not come tonight. He has gone to other city baby". Jeffery was trying to convince Liam to stay with him and Parker since evening.

"We can go binge watch movies with snacks. Or long drive". Parker coaxed too. But again for the nth time Liam shook his head no.

"I haven’t asked Lucas". He replied the same answer.

"You can always call him". Jeffery handed him his phone.

"No Jeff. What if he is busy and didn’t read text. He would be worried if he came back. I better get going". Liam said standing up this time. He knew what Jeffery was saying was right, but... He couldn’t sleep anywhere but at his place. Even if Lucas wasn’t there, his scent was enough to keep him comfy.

Jeffery sighed but stood up to, to drop him up on his floor.

"Call me if you get scared okay. You are so stubborn". Jeffery faked irritation but smiled looking at Liam acting all cute.

"Yes sure. Liam would call Jeffery if Liam is scared". He said in his baby voice making Jeffery chuckle.

"Okay okay. Go inside and lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone. Check the peephole if someone comes, though only Boss can come at this floor. Still, he has his key card and finger access. Okay". He was worried and Liam knew.

"Okay Jeff. I won’t open the door. Now go. Bye bye". He closed the door and clicked the lock shut. Only then Jeffery turned.

"I am counting on you". He murmured to no one but he knew he was heard...

**********

Lucas had planned to stay overnight but there was a certain feeling in his heart calling him home. He couldn’t leave Liam alone. Although he thought, may be Liam was living with Jeffery but... No. He wouldn’t. Not that Lucas had ever objected, but Liam had never spent the night with Jeffery and Parker, no matter how late Lucas was.

So finally after driving safe and fast, he was standing at the door of the penthouse almost past midnight.

He looked around and nodded to apparently no one. The penthouse was lit in low lights just as Lucas would leave. A lamp was lit in the lounge and hallway.

Quietly he tiptoed to check Liam's room, but wait... It was empty. The sheets were neat. The bed was untouched.

'Seems like Liam is staying downstairs'. He sighed pulling out his mobile to call him but drop the idea. He must be sleeping. Well that was first.

He clucked his tongue in disappointment but again he had promised Liam to respect his decision, whatever it was. So he walked to his bedroom to take a bath and sleep. He was feeling tired out of sudden.

He put his blazer down one of the chairs in his room. He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it away too. He had cancelled his idea of taking a bath. A change of clothes would do. He thought and went to his closet with a mirror in the center.

He took his night shorts and was about to unbuckle his pants when his gaze fell on the mirror. He was startled? Noo. He was shocked. In fact he was surprised in a good way. He rubbed his eyes before looking in the mirror again and then turned back to see…

Liam... He was sleeping in his bed, snuggled into his pillow. He was almost sprawled as if searching for the spot where Lucas would sleep.

Lucas came to his bed, slowly not to make any sound. He saw Liam sleeping on his stomach. He was clutching the pillow to his chest. His hair scattered and that pout.....

Lucas felt his heart hammering inside. Was it a dream? No. It wasn’t. He had dreamt of it for long, but the reality... It was no doubt far more beautiful than he had imagined.

All he wanted was to crawl in the duvets but he had been in the pants and briefs all day and that was annoying him now.

Quickly brushing his teeth, he slipped into shorts and went to his bed. Making sure not to disturb Liam, he carefully slipped inside the duvets and lay down, unmoving.

He was watching Liam sleeping cutely but went rigid when Liam moved in his sleep. He stretched his arm that landed on Lucas's naked chest and his leg tangled over Lucas's.

Furrowing his eyebrows he prodded his hand as if checking.

"Mmmhhh". He was moving his hand up and down Lucas's chest.

"Why the bed iz sho halddd". Liam murmured in his sleep. Lucas bit his inner cheek not to laugh out. "Why it haz perkshhh? Umhhhh". He whined, still sleeping. But dang.... It was getting hard for Lucas not to move around.

How the hell he could stay calm when Liam was pressing his nipples with the pores of his fingers.

"It smells of Sir Lucas too". Liam shifted close that Lucas could feel his hot breath fanning in the crook of his neck.  "It feels good anyway... Mmmmm". Liam smiled in content and fell asleep.

Only then Lucas could relax. He let out a shaky breath. The pale hand on his chest, the snoring lips were ticklish on his neck. His nostrils caught the fragrance of the shampoo Liam used, strawberry, fruity.

He placed his hand on top of Liam and closed his eyes. He would see what the morning brings, but at this time, he had his world in his arms.

***********

Liam opened his eyes with a smile. Saturday morning was bright. He remembered sleeping in Lucas's room last night since he was missing him so much. He let out a deep breath and turned to his right.

"Whoaaaa". He back off so fast that he fell down on the floor, landing on his butt. "Aowhhhhhhh, it hurtssss". He winced in pain.

He looked up when he heard a faint chuckle that turned into laughter as Lucas was trying to cup his mouth to keep his chuckles low, but the expressions on Liam's face didn’t help.

"Very funny eh". Liam scoffed sitting up on the bed. His butt was hurting.

"I am so.. 'heheheheh' sorry bub". Lucas managed to speak in between giggles. "But may I know why did you land on the floor butt side"? Lucas sat up straight, by the bedhead, pulling Liam to sit with him.

"I... I am sorry Sir". Liam said.

"Why sorry, bub"? He made sure Liam was leaning comfortably in his chest.

"I... I slept in your room without asking you. I was missing you so much that I couldn’t sleep. Jeffery and Parker were asking me to stay with them. But I couldn’t come up with the idea of living with them.

I thought you would be worried if at some point of night you came back and didn’t find me". Liam was innocent, he was simple and honest. He didn’t know how to sugarcoat his words or hide the truth.

Lucas was just looking at him. An angel he got. He looked down at their clasped hands and then at Liam's face. All he could read was love and care. How did he get so lucky?

Taking his silence as anger, Liam felt disappointed and dishearted. May be he should leave. Maybe he shouldn’t have slept here. He was about to leave the bed but he was pulled back into a tight embrace.

"Don’t leave. Let me live the moment. Please". It was an innocent request and he could do anything to fulfill it.

He sat there, basking in the warmth of those arms. He could feel the heart beating under his ear, as he was snuggling sideways.

"When I didn’t find you home last night, I was really sad. I thought maybe this time you stayed with Jeffery and Parker. I thought I shouldn’t have come back at night as soon as my work finished.

But the moment I saw you sleeping here, in my bed, my heart skipped so many beats. I have dreamt about this moment for long, Bub. And I couldn’t believe myself to take it as reality, only if you had not turned to hug me tight". Lucas said biting his lower lip.

"Haaaaa!!!!!! I didn’t…. Did i??? Oh nooooo". Liam blushed so hard that he hide his face in Lucas's neck.

Lucas laughed heartily hugging him tight and only then Liam realized Lucas was naked. He panicked and pulled back only to fall back again but this time Lucas held him tight and the impact of pulling him back to himself was so hard that he fell back on the bed with Liam on his top.

They were just lost in each other. Their eyes were intense, their hold tight around each other. Lucas looked into Liam's eyes and flipped them around.

"Hmmm"? Liam asked confused at the turn of events.

"I won’t mind you on top of me, but Bub I am always the TOP". Lucas winked.

"Huh"!!!! Liam was stupefied and then....."Jeez". He pushed Lucas back on the bed and ran to his bedroom stumbling on his feet leaving a laughing Lucas behind.

"He is soooo cute". He chuckled to himself before going to take a bath. It was Saturday and he wanted to spend it with Liam, and to make sure Liam wasn’t uncomfortable or awkward around him.

"What’s for the breakfast"? Liam came downstairs after taking a bath. He was wearing a casual Tee and shorts.

"Nothing extravagant, pancakes, syrup, bacon and eggs". Lucas was just dishing out.

"Aowh. Umm okay". Liam said taking his seat but Lucas could feel the little disappointment in his tone.  He bit his lip before turning to place the bowl on the table.

"You cheater". Liam screamed at Lucas who was laughing to see his reaction. "You like to tease me huh"? Liam pouted. "How did you know I wanted to have congee". This time he was excited like a kid, sniffing the aroma.

"Because... I know. I have a little baby at my home who loves congee with medium spices with meat balls and chicken feet on Saturdays. And here is your Milkshake, your highness". Lucas placed his tower of Milkshake and his cup of hot black coffee on the table. And thanks god he did because next moment he had to hold himself firmly on the ground to have an extremely excited kid jumped in his arms.

"You are the best sir". Liam exclaimed in joy, and that’s what Jeffery saw as he entered the lounge with Parker, and he didn’t like it at all. He was looking at Liam clinging on Lucas with serious eyes.

"I.... Uhhh. Goo. Good morning Jeff, Park". He nervously detangled himself from Lucas, straightening his shirt and hair. Lucas was staring back at Jeffery and he didn’t like the look in his eyes.

"What the hell Liam? Is he your age fellow? Is he your buddy? He is at least 9 years elder than you. Where is the respect huh? Being friendly doesn’t mean you can jump over him just like that. Stop being childish now. You are grown up and not a 3 years old". Jeffery scolded Liam in a raised voice.

Liam was looking at the floor. He didn’t have any courage to look at his brother. He was too heartbroken and upset to say anything.

"I... Liam is sorry sir..." He clasped his hands with quivering lips and blinking his eyes trying not to spill the tears.

"Liam...." Lucas stepped forward to hold him but he ran away in his bedroom slamming the door shut. But Lucas couldn’t ignore the signs of panic attack on Liam's face.

"Fuck... What the hell Jeffery? If I have no objection why the hell you scolded him? And talking about him being grown up… Don’t you fucking bring up his childhood again, because it is all pain for him not a single moment of being happy.

If he undergoes any panic attack, that I am sure he would be suffering from, I won’t tolerate. Now get the fuck out. Liam.... Bubbb". He didnt spare a glance if Jeffery left or not before he strode to Liam's room.

Jeffery was rooted at his place. He didn’t know why he scolded Liam in anger. Lucas was right Liam had never lived a childhood to behave like an adult now.

He turned to see Lucas knocking on the door.

"Liam. Baby. Open the door baby. It’s me. Liam... Open the door... Please. It’s me Lucas, baby. Open the door please. Liammmm". He screamed alarmed when he heard loud noises of things banging around. Bottles crashing, Liam sobbing loudly. He was screaming inside and Lucas knew he must have harmed himself.

"Fuckkk. Liam... Baby please. Dont hurt yourself baby". He was frozen when he heard another set of bottles crashing and then everything went silent. Pin drop silent. And then... It was a thud.

***********

"He is okay now. He had suffered a severe panic attack. It could have led to his mental disorder too if occurred again. I have bandaged his arms, hands and feet. He will take some days to recover. No stepping out of the bed. Got it"? The doctor came out of Lucas's bedroom after almost an hour.

The moment Lucas heard a thud; he came back into his senses. He banged the door with kicks until the lock broke down. The sight inside was too horrible for him. He didn’t care the whole room was a mess. Every breakable thing was broken on the floor. But he would care less about the things. To hell with them.

But Liam... His heart shattered in pain and fear. Liam was lying unconscious on the floor, on the glass shreds and he didn’t know how many would have pierced his skin.

Jeffery wanted to see but Lucas punched him hard before roaring at Parker to take him away. His eyes were blood shedding and Parker knew it was best to take him away.

He called the doctor who took time to pluck out every single piece of glass from his body. They were numerous. He showed the tray to Lucas who shut his eyes tightly. His baby boy had suffered a lot.

"What is it Boss? He was doing so well. So why"? The doctor couldn’t help but ask.

"Jeffery shouted at him and scolded him for nothing. So..." Lucas fell silent looking at a guilty Jeffery. His forehead creased again.  He wanted to punch him again but he didn’t want to upset Liam more than he already was.

"I will take care of him Doctor". Lucas replied sincerely.

"I would suggest some change of atmosphere. Call me if required". He bid his good bye and bow down in respect before leaving.

"Bb...boss".

"Get out Jeffery. I don’t want to upset Liam. He won’t like to see his brother all purple and bruised. I told you that day if I put my foot down, you won’t meddle in between.

What Liam was doing or how he behaves around me is none of fucking your business. If you can’t accept the fact that he has opened to me, then I will either port you to states or take him and leave. I don’t want to see your face.

You have put all efforts of making him smile in drain. It took me hell efforts to bring that child out of him. The kid who had missed his childhood. The kid who missed being careless. The kid who wanted to be pampered. And you have shut him inside the shell again.

Why the fuck it matter to you if he jumped on me? Manners and respect? Did you see him disrespecting me? He is the most mannered boy I ever met. He is just 18 19, a kid to me. For me he is a kid considering the fact that I am almost double his age.

And even if not, why the hell it bothers you? Am saying it last time Jeffery Michelle, if he slipped back into his shell, I won’t spare you. And I am giving you a last chance. If you are so POSSESSIVE about him that you don’t trust me, take him and disappear. Now get out and answer me when I call you. Get out.” He pointed at the door and Jeffery couldnt speak a word before he left the penthouse.

----

Tabby