Hunter blinked awake to soft weight on his chest and the light warmth of breath ghosting over his collarbone. For a second, he thought he was dreaming until he looked down and saw the beautiful and rumpled mess of Aiden sleeping on top of him, lips parted in the most unguarded way.
His heart squeezed so tight it almost hurt.
Hunter didn't dare to move and just stared at his friend—no, his boyfriend in daze as if he still couldn't believe that last night really happened.
His lips spread in the most sweetest smile and his fingers instinctively brushed through Aiden's hair, tucking the strands away from his face.
So, you're really mine now. The thought sent something giddy and wild through his heart, throwing it on the verge of exploding. It almost made him laugh out loud.
He'd imagined this scene so many times, how it would feel to hold Aiden close, or to fall asleep with him like this, or to wake up and realize it wasn't a dream. For so long, he had hidden these feelings under layers of guilt, longing, and hopelessness.
But now, with Aiden actually laying on top of, breathing evenly like he belonged nowhere else. He couldn't stop the dumb smile on his face.
But it was time to wake up from this dream and get up for the day.
Carefully, he slipped his arms from under Aiden and shifted him to the couch without waking him. Aiden groaned at the loss of Hunter's heat, his eyebrows twitching in complaint, lips pouting slightly in his sleep. Hunter chuckled softly, crouched down, and kissed his forehead gently.
"Sleep, idiot," he whispered, brushing his knuckles over Aiden's warm cheek lovingly.
He pulled the blanket up to Aiden's chin, watching how the boy curled into the warmth instantly, hugging the edge like a kid. With one last, reluctant glance, Hunter padded to Aiden's room and took a shower, the whole time wearing a dumb smile he couldn't shake off.
By the time he came back downstairs, Aiden was still knocked out cold, just half kicked the blanket away this time. Hunter shook his head affectionately and got to work in the kitchen.
He prepared the breakfast and even cut fruit because he remembered Aiden once said he liked apples with breakfast, even though he always ended up stealing Hunter's share.
Hunter leaned on the counter and looked toward the couch and sure as hell Aiden was still sleeping without a care in the world. Hunter sighed and went to wake him up.
With an amused smile tugging at his lips he watched Aiden wiggle further into the cushions since he already kicked off the blanket.
"Aiden?" Hunter sighed and nudged his shoulder. "Get up, you lazy. It's almost 11 am."
But Aiden groaned in protest, clutching the pillow tighter around himself stubbornly. "Nooo...I'm still sleeping. And who wakes up this early. You should sleep too. Come and cuddle with me."
Hunter rolled his eyes fondly and knelt down beside him, poking Aiden's puffed-up cheek with his finger. "Come on, get up and shower. You're starting to smell like bad decisions."
Aiden peeked one bleary eye at him and whined, "You smell like bad decisions."
Hunter chuckled and leaned down, whispering in a mock-threatening voice, "If you don't get up in three seconds, I'm dragging you to the shower myself."
That earned him a half-hearted swat from Aiden. But finally, with a dramatic huff, Aiden untangled himself from the blanket and trudged toward the bathroom, muttering something about "slave drivers" and "evil boyfriends" under his breath.
Hunter laughed. God, he loved this idiot so much.
By the time Aiden returned Hunter was setting plates of breakfast on the table. He didn't notice the sneaky little footsteps behind him until he felt arms wrap tightly around Hunter's waist from behind. Hunter was startled, the plate in his hand wobbling.
"Jesus, Aiden!" he gasped, heart jumping to his throat.
Aiden giggled against his back, squeezing Hunter's waist tighter. "Surprise hug!"
The moment kind of felt awkward but not uncomfortable. If anything, it filled Hunter's chest with a strange warmth he didn't know how to describe. He slowly turned around to let Aiden hug him properly.
"Do you have to always scare me like this?" He hugged Aiden back.
"Of course, I have to," Aiden grinned like a menace as he finally pulled away.
They sat down to eat, and Hunter immediately noticed Aiden's odd behavior. Throughout the breakfast, the silly boy kept giggling under his breath, stealing glances at Hunter over his glass of juice while his cheeks turning pink.
Hunter caught him staring for the third time and quirked a brow. "What?"
Aiden quickly looked away, stuffing his mouth with scrambled eggs. "Nothing!"
Hunter narrowed his eyes suspiciously but let it slide with a smile.
In truth, Aiden couldn't stop checking him out. Every little thing Hunter did, whether it was the way he wiped his mouth, the way he leaned back in the chair, even the little scowl he gave when the toast was slightly burnt made Aiden's stomach flip.
We are officially boyfriends now!"
Aiden could barely sit still from how frivolous he felt.
"I'll be going to work in the afternoon. You should stay home and keep the door locked, okay? I'll leave you some food in the fridge." While sipping his coffee, Hunter said casually.
Immediately, Aiden's cheerful mood dipped into a little pout. "I wanna come with you."
Hunter raised a brow. "What happened to 'I'm too lazy to move'?"
Aiden shrugged, poking his fork at his plate. "I just…I don't want to stay here alone."
Hunter's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't like Aiden had never nagged him to take him to his work but now it just felt giddy and pleasant knowing won't miss his friend but his boyfriend.
"I'll miss you too."
Aiden's ears were red and Hunter saw right through him.
"You better or I'll haunt you," Aiden squirmed a little in his chair, shoving a piece of toast in his mouth grumpily as he stared at Hunter across the table.
However, Hunter was totally unaware of the inner crisis Aiden was going through. Why? Because his boyfriend is too handsome and hot for his own good. Aiden puffed his cheeks out, feeling an ugly twist in his chest. He remembered all those annoying girls who would giggle and touch his arm and try to get his number with their stupid flirty smiles.
And Hunter, being the oblivious sweet dumbass he was, would just smile politely and not even notice how they were eye-stripping him.
Aiden stabbed his eggs with unnecessary violence. He chewed aggressively, glaring at Hunter's innocent face.
You're mine, understand? M-I-N-E.
In his eyes, there should be a giant neon sign over Hunter's head that says "Taken by Aiden. Back off or die."
Maybe he should get Hunter a collar with Aiden's name on it.
What the hell am I thinking—but then everyone will know who this handsome guy belonged to—no stop, you have lost your mind. Hunter might got scared if he knew my thoughts.
After breakfast, Hunter dragged a very unwilling Aiden to the living room, dropping a thick textbook in front of him with a loud thud.
"Study time."
Aiden groaned and slumped on the couch like a dying plant. "Hunter, come on. I just confessed to you. I deserve a week-long honeymoon phase. Who studies right after they start dating."
Hunter smirked in amusement. "You'll get your honeymoon after you pass your exams."
Aiden pouted, but Hunter sat beside him, the warmth of his body making Aiden squirm inside. Their knees brushed under the table and Hunter leaned over to point at the open book.
"Focus now," Hunter murmured, his voice low and serious right beside Aiden's ear. "You have wasted so much time. It's time to study or you'll fail."
Aiden swallowed hard as his heart began to race. How was he supposed to focus when Hunter smelled so damn good?
Hunter's hand slid across the table to guide Aiden's pencil, his fingers brushing against Aiden's clumsy ones. The simple touch made a shockwave run up Aiden's arm, and he tensed slightly.
Hunter was blabbering something about equations but Aiden didn't hear a word. All he could feel was the burning heat coming from Hunter. He instantly brought his face closer to Hunter and felt his breath fanned over his cheek making him feel goosebumps all over his body.
It was slow torture for his mind and body. He cleared his throat and uncomfortably shifted in his seat, feeling an ache deep in his gut, a desperate need coiling tighter and tighter with each passing second.
Hunter leaned in again subconsciously, reaching across Aiden to grab the notebook making his strong body almost pressing against Aiden's side and his thigh pressed against Aiden's own…and that was it.
Aiden couldn't take it anymore.
"Fuck it," Aiden muttered under his breath. Before Hunter could understand what was happening, Aiden turned to him and grabbed the front of his shirt, and crashed their mouths together in a heated but messy kiss.
Hunter made a surprised sound deep in his throat, but almost immediately, his hands came up to cup Aiden's face, tilting his head and taking control of the kiss and dominating him effortlessly. It's as if he wasn't any good and was feeling the same heat as Aiden but he was just good at hiding it.
Their lips moved fiercely tight against each other. The wet and sloppy noise was enough to make Hunter lose his mind and pushed Aiden back against the couch. Aiden's heart was hammering violently as he let Hunter settle over him. Without breaking the kiss, Hunter settled his hands on either side of Aiden's head.
Ever so slowly, he let his body lower on Aiden. Aiden immediately hugged him and moaned at the amazing feeling he felt in his stomach. He titled his head to get a better access to Hunter's soft lips. Hunter's hands slipped from Aiden's face to his sides, after stroking it for a while, he gave it a firm squeeze which earned him a loud gasp making his own heart race.
Aiden keeps shivering under his touch. He whimpered softly into the kiss when Hunter licked his lips and sucked his tongue. He didn't know how Hunter was doing it but it was heaven. Hunter's kisses made him lose his sanity and his head to go numb from extreme euphoria.
Their kisses turned more hungrier and wetter. Hunter nibbled his lower lip making Aiden melt under him. He clutched Hunter's shirt in his fists as a shiver run up his spine, his hips unconsciously rocked up against Hunter's lower body while their hot and slick tongues slid together.
Hunter groaned quietly into Aiden's mouth, tightening his grip and pressing him harder against the couch with his own hips. His hands were everywhere, caressing the small of Aiden's back, sliding under his hoodie to touch his warm skin, making Aiden gasp and shudder.
Hunter finally pulled back after a long dizzying kiss just a few centimeters to have a look at Aiden. Both of them panting hard with flushed faces. Hunter tried to gather whatever remained of his shattered self-control. His one hand stayed resting on Aiden's flushed cheek, thumb brushing softly under his eye as he stared down at him with affection, and a whole lot of pent up frustration.
"You little minx."
Aiden grinned up at him, looking ridiculously pleased with himself, cheeks pink and lips swollen from their heated kisses. He shamelessly played with Hunter's earlobe in small and teasing circles.
Hunter groaned and dropped his forehead onto Aiden's shoulder. "You're gonna drive me insane, you know that?" His voice was muffled against Aiden's soft neck.
"That's my plan," Aiden giggled, threading his fingers through Hunter's hair and scratching lightly at his scalp, making Hunter melt against him for a second.
But then Hunter straightened up, clearing his throat and schooling his face into a fake serious expression.
"We have to study," he declared sternly, trying so hard to sound unaffected. "I don't want you to fail."
"Hunter.." Aiden pouted adorably, wide eyes looking up at him. "How can I study when you're sitting there being all distracting and boyfriend-y?"
Hunter narrowed his eyes, knowing full well Aiden was messing with him, but the word boyfriend made something flutter violently in his chest anyway.
"Aiden, study is also important," Hunter tried again, grabbing the textbook from the floor and trying to push it in Aiden's hands.
Aiden whines louder, shoving the book aside and wrapping his arms tightly around Hunter's neck. "Nooo, forgot about exams. Studying is evil. Let's just keep kissing."
"Don't use your emotional terrorism against me," Hunter chuckled despite himself, holding Aiden effortlessly in his lap.
Aiden pulled back just enough to look at him with a mischievous evilness in his eye.
"Don't you want to kiss me?" he sang softly, before leaning up and pressing a wet kiss to Hunter's jawline, trailing it slowly toward his ear. "No?"
Hunter shivered, every good intention flying straight out the window. This little minx is too evil!
"Aiden..." he warned, but it came out embarrassingly shaky.
"You were saying something about studying?" Aiden teased innocently, kissing right below Hunter's ear now, sending another shiver down his spine.
Hunter always knew Aiden was dramatic, whiny when he wanted to be but this? This soft, clingy, needy version of Aiden was something else entirely. He never knew Aiden could be this bold and lewd.
So they made out some more.
Hunter thought Aiden would study now.
But Aiden refused to be away from him for more than a second, clinging to him like a stubborn little koala, rubbing his cheek against Hunter's chest with small satisfied hums every few minutes, completely destroying any last shred of Hunter's ability to focus on his own studies.
Hunter didn't know whether to laugh or cry at how utterly useless he was now. So forgetting the studies, he just combed his fingers through Aiden's soft messy strands.
Studying was a lost cause. He was never getting anything done today with Aiden looking up at him with those sparkly, innocent eyes that hid a mischievous devil underneath.
Time flew by faster than either of them realized, lost in lazy kisses, soft touches, and a warmth that Hunter wished he could freeze forever.
But eventually, the clock ticked to early afternoon, and reality started to seep back in.
"I have to go to work," Hunter said quietly, running his fingers through Aiden's hair one last time.
Aiden, still half-asleep and pouting, tightened his arms around him stubbornly. "Nooo...stay..."
Hunter smiled, pressing a lingering kiss to Aiden's forehead. "I wish I could. But I'll be back before you know it."
He gently untangled himself from Aiden's arms not without effort, because Aiden kept tugging him back every time he tried to move and finally managed to stand up.
Aiden flopped dramatically on the couch, face buried in the pillow Hunter had been using, as if trying to soak up whatever warmth he left behind.
Hunter laughed softly, heart squeezing painfully at the sight.
He packed his things, prepared a plate of food, and scribbled a small sticky note before placing it carefully on the table. 'Eat properly and lock the door. And I love you.'
Before leaving, he walked back to the couch one last time. Aiden peeked at him from under the pillow, his eyes were soft and sleepy.
"I'll miss you," Aiden mumbled quietly, he was already missing Hunter.
Hunter leaned down and kissed the tip of his nose gently. "I'll miss you more."
And with one last glance—a glance that screamed I don't want to leave—Hunter finally forced himself out the door, leaving Aiden lying there, cheeks pink, holding the pillow Hunter had been resting on like it was a lifeline.
How did he ever live without Hunter before?