The chihuahua started yapping its head off before Kai could even finish the sentence. The dog was acting like there was a home intruder ready to take the lives of everyone inside.
It was just a delivery truck.
"Shut up," he could hear Brenda yell from the other room.
The noise caused Kai to nearly jump out of his seat.
"What did you say?" Liam asked. "I couldn't hear you over the damn dog."
Kai sighed and shook his head. It took all of his courage to speak those words, and he wasn't about to say them again with a dog barking in the background. It probably wasn't a good time to say such a thing anyway.
"Nothing," Kai mumbled.
"You sure?" Liam asked.
"Y-Yeah." Kai stammered. "Forget it."
Liam scratched his head and shrugged. He felt like he wasn't going to repeat it, even if he pestered him about it.
Brenda walked into the kitchen, clutching an Amazon package under her arm. She set it down on the table and looked at the two boys. The little dog followed close behind.
"Damn dog barks at everything," she sighed.
Liam laughed and pointed toward the package. "What's in there?"
"You don't want to know," Brenda grinned as she patted the package.
"I don't?" Liam questioned.
"Nope," she simply said.
"That makes me want to know more." Liam sat back down and looked at the box.
"Open it then," she chuckled, placing her hands on her hips.
Liam nodded and then tore the tape from the box. He opened the box and looked inside. His face went red as he looked. He quickly put the flaps down and pushed the box toward his mother.
"Yeah," Liam said, looking away. "I didn't need to see that."
Kai looked toward Liam. Whatever he had seen had caused him a great deal of embarrassment. The blonde blushed himself when he thought about how cute he looked with the look of embarrassment over his face.
Brenda looked toward Kai. "You want to look? Nothing would surprise a nurse."
Kai sighed and nodded. He didn't really want to look, but he figured he would since she offered. He took the box and brought it to his lap. He looked inside.
A giant black dildo, a golden butt plug, and an economy-sized bottle of lubricant.
Liam smirked when he saw the look on Kai's face.
"Brave boy!" Brenda laughed.
"Well, I uh, figured as much," Kai chuckled as he looked toward Brenda. "There aren't many other reasons someone wouldn't want to look inside an Amazon package."
Liam couldn't help but stare at the way the smaller man spoke. It was clear he was trying to act like it was nothing. However, he was clearly embarrassed, and his cheeks were flushed red.
Liam was amused by his reaction. He had never seen him be shy about anything.
Brenda picked up the box and headed towards the stairs. She looked back at the two and smiled.
"I'll leave you boys to whatever," she stated, waving a hand at them as she disappeared up the staircase.
"Yeah," Liam replied as he looked toward Kai.
Liam picked up a roll of trash bags. He motioned for the blonde to follow him.
The pair walked out of the house to the driveway. They approached the car, and then both looked inside through the window.
"It looks like a dumpster," Liam sighed.
"That's an accurate description," Kai replied.
Liam shook his head. "Unlock your car."
Kai hit the unlock button on his key fob. He then opened the door and sighed. The car was a battleground. A battleground he didn't want to deal with.
Liam readied a trash bag. He looked down at the sea of trash. "Is the back just as bad?"
"Oh, most definitely," Kai smirked.
Liam had a blank expression as he started to shove piles of trash in the trash bag. While he did so, Kai opened the back door and looked at the trash. He was amazed by how much garbage could pile up in the span of a few years.
"Why have you not thrown this all away?" Liam asked as he picked up an empty Burger King wrapper.
"It's overwhelming, to be honest," Kai stated as he began to pull out empty bags from the back. "It started to spiral out of control, and then I felt like I couldn't do anything about it."
Liam thought it was kind of sad.
"Do you have anxiety?" Liam questioned.
"Yes," Kai chuckled. "I've been on medication for it for years, but it seems to be getting worse, not better."
The statement made Liam feel even worse for him.
"That means you need me," Liam joked as he finished getting the trash from the front floorboard.
"I-I guess," Kai whispered.
Liam walked over behind the blonde and reached around him to pick up items off the floorboard from the back of the car. He nearly pressed his body against the blonde's as he did so.
Kai froze in place. He didn't understand why Liam hadn't just asked him to move or simply handed him the trash bag so he could pick up the garbage himself.
He was at a total loss for words. The proximity made him shiver.
Liam noticed the shiver and smirked. "I see you enjoy this."
"N-No," Kai stammered out.
"I think so," Liam stated.
Kai shook his head. As he did, Liam leaned forward and rested his chin against the back of his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him into a gentle hug.
The blonde was a bit startled, but he didn't protest. It was the closest he had been to anyone in years, and for some reason, it felt right to him. He closed his eyes and sighed contently, the sigh coming out barely audible.
Kai was almost sad when Liam pulled away. "O-Oh."
"Oh?" Liam smiled as he tied off the trash bag.
As Liam walked to the dumpster and tossed the bag inside, Kai opened his eyes and looked down. He couldn't help but grin when he saw the empty floorboards of his car.
"Wow," the blonde began with a bright smile. "I can't believe all the trash is gone."
Liam walked back up to the car and folded his arms against his chest.
"See," Liam stated, a smile on his lips. "You can get things done."
"Thank you," Kai said as he looked up at the taller man. "It probably would have gotten worse if you didn't do this."
"I'll make sure to give you an extra hard time from now on," Liam grinned. "As payment."
"You already do," Kai laughed.
"Good," Liam stated. "I intend to make it worse."
Kai's eyes widened as he looked toward the ground. He wasn't sure what to say to him. He didn't really know what to say. He was starting to get used to how Liam interacted with him, even though it was annoying at first.
Liam had been nothing but nice to him, and yet Kai felt like he was making fun of him. Maybe he was. He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he really was starting to like him. In fact, his heart was fluttering at that very moment.
Liam leaned against the car and looked at him. "Hey."
"Yeah?" Kai looked back up, his green eyes staring toward him.
"How's it feel to not be the only one being awkward?" Liam asked with a grin.
"W-what?" Kai asked with confusion.
"You're not the only one who doesn't know how to socialize," Liam smiled. "I'm just as socially awkward."
Kai laughed. "I'm sure."
"It's just easier to make jokes and say silly shit than actually show that you're feeling uncomfortable or awkward," Liam continued.
"I understand." Kai nodded. "Maybe we just deal with it differently?"
"It's a defense mechanism," Liam stated.
Kai could feel Liam's fingers lightly running along the back of his neck. He felt a shiver run down his spine from the delicate touch. He had always been very sensitive, but something about the particular touch was new to him.
"What was that?" Kai asked, feeling rather embarrassed.
"I just wanted to touch you," Liam grinned.
"You could have asked," Kai said, puffing his cheeks out.
"And would you have let me?" Liam asked, raising a brow.
"M-Maybe," Kai responded, looking the other way.
"Oh!" Liam grinned mischievously. "I thought you would bitch at me."
"I might," Kai stated in a playful tone. "I'm a bitch."
"So, can I touch you?" Liam asked.
"Where?" Kai asked, feeling even more embarrassed.
"Your back," Liam stated.
"I guess," Kai responded. "Just once."
"Just turn around and let me touch your back," Liam laughed as he made grabby hands in Kai's direction.
"Don't make it weird," Kai sighed while turning around.
Liam positioned his hand under the hem of Kai's shirt and slowly traced his fingers up the center of his back, causing Kai to shiver from the touch. It gave him goosebumps from how gentle and sweet the touch was, which was a contrast to Liam's usual personality.
"I like the way your skin feels," Liam whispered as he moved his hand away. "It's so soft."
"Thanks," Kai responded shyly.
Kai was enjoying the attention. He didn't think he would ever enjoy being touched like that, but for some reason, Liam made it seem nice to be touched.
"Hey," Kai whispered.
"Yeah," Liam responded.
"Are we friends?" Kai asked as he turned around to face the dark-haired man.
Liam adjusted his glasses and looked into the blonde's green eyes. His gorgeous, sparkling green eyes. He could look at them all day and not grow bored.
"Do you want to be friends?" Liam snickered. "Or did you want something more?"