Page 45 of A Thousand Cuts

Fix found himself grinning so widely his face hurt. A laugh tumbled from deep in his chest.

“Why are you laughing?” Liam demanded, completely affronted.

“I think that’s the most you’ve ever said to me at once.”

Liam’s mouth closed with an audible click.

“And I also think it’s funny how much of a resemblance a certain anime dog has to another dog I met recently,” he continued to tease.

“Entirely coincidental.”

“Uh-huh. I guess it was just fate deciding.”

“You believe in fate?” Liam asked.

“I met you, didn’t I? In a room full of chaos I found you. I wouldn’t know what else to call it but fate. Maybe luck?”

“I don’t have much luck,” Liam said shakily.

“Maybe that can change.”

“We should probably go to sleep,” Liam said at length, dropping the subject.

Fix decided not to push. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” Liam said in a gentle murmur.

“And you’re okay with me watching over you?”

“Will you stop if I say no?”

“I’ll do what you want me to, Liam.”

“…Okay.”

Fix waited for a moment before speaking again. “You didn’t say no…”

“I sleep better knowing you’re out there,” came the soft reply before Liam dropped the call, leaving Fix reeling.

He stayed with his phone pressed to his ear as if Liam would come back. It didn’t erase the worry completely, but it eased it enough for him to drift to sleep.

And if he dreamed of running his fingers through golden blond hair and kissing soft lips against a backdrop of stars, nobody needed to know.

Chapter 9

Liam

Liam gave Fix an inch, and the man took a mile.

But he did so stealthily. Step by step, little by little, until his presence was as normal to Liam as breathing.

There seemed to always be a reason why Fix was swinging by. Some small thing he wanted to check on. A question he couldn’t send over text. A ‘just because’ always ready on the tip of his tongue.

King was not impressed at all.

Liam’s heart raced every time.

He was coming to expect the visits, looking out the window for a glimpse of him, one ear turned toward the door for a knock.