Chapter 14 - Breadsticks

"Huh?" Liam was caught off guard by the sudden request.

He almost thought he was hearing things. He hadn't expected Kai to already be asking such a thing, especially going about it so casually. He expected him to blush, stammer, look all shy and cute, and go about it in a roundabout way.

"K-Kiss me," Kai stammered. "Please?"

That seemed more like Kai.

"I don't know; I'm still hungry," Liam smirked.

"P-Please," Kai was nearly begging.

Liam wondered how he could resist such a plea, especially when the plea was so adorable.

Liam leaned closer. His lips were only a few inches away. He wasn't going to give in easily, though. He would be nervous about it.

"If you want a kiss so bad," Liam chuckled. "Why don't you come here and get it?"

"Liam," Kai whined. "I-I…"

"Come on, Kai," Liam smiled. "I can't kiss you if you're all the way over there."

Kai hesitated. His entire body felt numb. He could barely feel his hands or feet. He wanted to move. He needed to, but he couldn't. He was afraid. Afraid of doing the wrong thing. There could be a way to mess everything up.

He was afraid he'd mess it up.

Kai didn't move. He couldn't move. He was too anxious to move.

"If you don't come here," Liam threatened. "I'll eat all the fries."

Kai looked at him. "You wouldn't dare eat all the fries."

"Is this a risk you're willing to take?" Liam asked with a smirk. "Me eating every single fry? Even the ones at the bottom of the bag."

Kai shook his head and sighed.

He leaned toward the dark-haired man and placed a gentle, chaste kiss on his lips. He pulled away immediately and looked down at his own legs.

Kai couldn't believe what he had just done. He kissed him. On the lips. Voluntarily. He could hear his heart beating in his ears. 

"That was better than fries," Liam nodded. 

"Sh-shut up, asshole," Kai muttered, his face burning red.

Liam put his hand under Kai's chin and tilted his head upward, so he was looking into his eyes. He could see how red Kai was from such a simple action. It was rather irresistible. 

"What was that for?" Liam asked, doing his best not to smile.

"Because," Kai stated.

"Because what?" Liam questioned.

"You're attractive," Kai said, looking away. "Maybe I like you."

Liam's chest swelled, and he felt a wave of pride wash over him. He couldn't believe the blonde felt bold enough to admit those feelings. 

Liam was shocked when he felt his chest begin to flutter. He couldn't understand what was going through Kai's head, or how he felt. The last person who made him feel this way was the reason his heart was shattered.

Kai shifted nervously as he looked into Liam's eyes. He wasn't able to attempt to hide his feelings any longer or force himself to feel a different way. It was a feeling that was new to him and one he didn't think he'd ever feel. He thought such an emotion was impossible.

"Liam," Kai said softly.

"Yes?"

"I like you," Kai stated, looking away.

"You mentioned that?" Liam smirked.

"No," Kai said, shaking his head. "I mean, like, I think I'm attracted to you. Maybe. I'm not sure."

Liam laughed.

"What's funny?" Kai asked.

"You're adorable," Liam said, shaking his head.

Kai felt a lump form in his throat.

"I like you," Kai stated again.

"Okay," Liam responded.

"I'm being serious," Kai replied.

"Okay," Liam repeated.

"Liam," Kai whined. "Can't you say something other than okay?"

"Sure," Liam stated in response.

"Liam…" Kai groaned as he leaned back into the sofa and puffed out his cheeks.

Liam laughed and looked at the blonde. He wanted to kiss him again, but he would give it a little time. It was fun teasing him.

"So, I'm attractive," Liam stated.

"Well," Kai paused.

"What?" Liam asked.

"You are attractive," Kai nodded.

"I am," Liam grinned. "It's amazing."

"I didn't say I liked your personality," Kai added.

"What about my personality?" Liam asked.

"You're obnoxious," Kai replied. "You're rude."

"I'm not," Liam shook his head and snickered. 

"Yes, you are," Kai stated with a sigh.

"When have I been obnoxious?" Liam asked with a raised brow.

"All the time," Kai replied.

"When have I been obnoxious all the time?" Liam asked.

"Every time you open your mouth," Kai chuckled.

"Well, that's not fair," Liam protested.

"Why not?" Kai asked.

"Because then we can't talk." Liam frowned.

"We can," Kai stated. "But you can't be obnoxious."

"It's impossible to not be obnoxious," Liam stated. "Even when I'm not talking."

Kai stayed silent for a few moments. He wasn't trying to be mean, but their interactions were funny to him. Maybe when they first met at Shady Pines, he thought he was annoying, but over time, he had become quite fond of the way he acted. 

Kai scooted closer to Liam on the sofa. They were so close that their legs touched. The proximity surprised Liam, who reached over and brushed his fingertips over the blonde's leg.

The action made Kai shiver. He looked up at Liam. 

"Is there something you wanted to say?" Liam asked.

"Well, yes," Kai replied.

"What?"

"Nevermind," Kai said, looking down.

"No, you were going to say something," Liam pressed.

"Not anymore," Kai replied.

"Okay, fine, don't tell me."

"Liam," Kai pouted.

"Kai," Liam said, making his best impression of Kai speaking his name.

"Asshole," Kai muttered.

Liam nodded in agreement. 

"Let's order some pizza now?"Liam suggested.

Kai nodded. He was joking, but he really did want some fries. He felt like his electrolyte balance was off because of how much he was craving salt. He then remembered that most pizza places had breadsticks.

"We have to get breadsticks." Kai looked up at Liam with a serious look on his face.

"Sure." Liam nodded. "With ranch."

"That's disgusting," Kai frowned.

"It's delicious," Liam sighed. "I bet you're a basic bitch that likes nacho cheese with your breadsticks."

"I am," Kai agreed. "I am indeed a basic bitch."

Liam laughed. He wasn't surprised. He pulled out his phone and opened the app to begin the pizza order. "The toppings?"

"I don't care," Kai stated. "I just want breadsticks."

Liam placed the order, having Kai put in the address. As Liam finalized the checkout process, Kai ended up leaning in the other direction, his head resting on the arm of the sofa.

Kai closed his eyes. Somehow, he felt relaxed, even lying on a sofa next to the dark-haired man. He definitely wouldn't relax in such a manner around anyone else. He wasn't the type that easily grew close to people.

Liam set his phone down and looked at KaI, thinking of how cute he looked resting there. He was so vulnerable in that position. His ass was also very close to him and looked very appealing from that angle. Like before, he wanted to smack it, but he controlled himself.

"Are you really that tired?" Liam asked him.

"Always," Kai whispered.

Liam reached out and placed his hand over Kai's. He was surprised when Kai didn't move his hand away. He gently stroked the back of his hand.

The taller man closed his eyes as well. He felt like he could fall asleep next to Kai. He wasn't really tired, but he felt relaxed. 

A fair bit of time passed before Liam opened his eyes again. He looked down and noticed Kai was most definitely asleep. He chuckled softly.

He leaned forward and placed his hand behind Kai's back as he found himself positioned over him. He stared at his face for a moment. His body was hovering over his as he leaned forward, his lips brushing against Kai's.

Kai began to wake up, but kept his eyes closed. He startled a bit until he realized what was happening. Slowly, he deepened the kiss. It wasn't like the kiss they shared before; this one wasn't a simple peck. Their lips were pressed together tightly.

The blonde gently wrapped his arms around Liam's neck, his fingers softly brushing against his bare skin. 

This sent a shiver down Liam's spine. It was definitely making him feel things.

"Liam," Kai softly moaned against his lips.

That most definitely made Liam feel things. 

He pulled away and gazed down at the blonde, who opened his eyes to look up at him.

"Okay," Liam finally said. "I like you as well."