Oliver woke with a sharp gasp and pushed himself upright, panic flooding his chest. Light streamed through unfamiliar curtains, pale and quiet. For half a second, he didn't know where he was—or why his body felt so heavy.
Then it hit him.
Liam's room.
The wide bed. The faint scent that wasn't his. The memories of the night before rushed back all at once, warm and dizzying, making his ears burn. His body felt sore in a quiet, lingering way—not painful, just tender, as if he had been stretched beyond what he was used to. His muscles protested when he moved, and his head throbbed dully.
"I'm late for school," he whispered, panic rising again.
He swung his legs over the bed, but the room tilted slightly. His vision swam. Heat crawled under his skin, uncomfortable and heavy as he fell back onto the bed. He lifted a hand to his forehead and frowned.
I'm burning.
Before he could think further, voices drifted up from downstairs.
Oliver froze.
A woman's voice—sharp, controlled, unmistakable.
Mrs. Adrien.
His heart skipped violently. Cold fear washed over the warmth in his chest. He stared at the door as if it might suddenly burst open. When had she come back? Had she seen something?
He strained to hear, but the words were unclear. Only tones reached him—tight, irritated, restrained. Liam's voice answered, lower, careful. Oliver's fingers curled into the sheets.
Did she find out?
Then, just as suddenly as it started, her voice faded. Footsteps moved away. Silence followed.
The door opened a moment later.
Liam stepped inside.
His face was unreadable, his shoulders stiff, his expression closed off in a way Oliver had never seen before. It was like he had pulled up a wall around himself.
But the moment his eyes met Oliver's—
That wall shattered.
Concern rushed in to replace the coldness. Liam crossed the room quickly, stopping just short of the bed as if afraid to startle him.
"You're awake," he said softly.
Oliver felt a strange wave of shame rise in his chest. Liam stood there calm and steady, as if nothing had happened, while Oliver felt painfully aware of everything—his sore body, his racing heart, the weight of last night sitting heavy on his thoughts.
Liam frowned. "You don't look okay."
He stepped closer and gently pressed the back of his hand to Oliver's forehead. His breath caught.
"You're burning."
Oliver tried to smile. "I'm fine. Really."
Liam's hand trembled as he took Oliver's fingers into his own, gripping them tightly. Fear flickered across his face, sharp and unhidden.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I'm so sorry. I swear, I didn't mean to— I won't ever make you regret anything. I should've been more careful—"
"Liam," Oliver interrupted weakly, confused. "Why are you apologizing?"
But another wave of dizziness hit him. The room spun. He swayed slightly, and Liam reacted instantly, pulling him closer before he could fall.
Liam's voice broke. "You're sick. This is my fault."
Oliver shook his head faintly. "Did… did your mom find out?" he asked instead.
Liam paused, then shook his head. "No. She just came for some documents. She's gone."
Oliver let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
But the relief didn't last. The heat returned, stronger now. His head throbbed painfully.
Liam didn't argue anymore. He made a decision.
"We're going to a clinic," he said firmly.
"It's just morning sickness," Oliver protested weakly.
Liam shook his head. "Not a chance."
After they freshened up and ate lightly, Liam took him to a small clinic. Medicine was prescribed, and after taking it, the fever eased as if it had never been there. The world steadied again.
They were far too late for school.
Instead of turning back home, Liam suddenly smiled like he'd had an idea.
"Come with me," he said.
They walked for a long time, through quiet streets and open paths, until the buildings slowly disappeared. The land opened wide before them—an endless stretch of field, flat and empty, dotted with low shrubs and wild grass. No trees. No people. Just sky, birds, and the sound of the wind.
Oliver stopped, stunned by the quiet.
Liam sat down and gently pulled Oliver with him. They sat side by side, legs stretched out, staring at the wide land ahead.
"This used to be my favorite place," Liam said softly.
Used to.
Oliver turned that word over in his mind. "Then… what's your favorite place now?"
Liam smiled faintly and murmured something.
"What?" Oliver asked, blushing.
Liam repeated it, clearer this time. "Anywhere you are."
Oliver's face heated instantly. "Liam," he said, embarrassed. "Stop teasing."
Liam didn't laugh. He only looked away, his smile small and real.
Then his voice grew quiet again. He told Oliver about his mother's plans. About Lorette. About the life chosen for him without his consent.
Oliver stiffened without meaning to.
Liam noticed immediately.
He reached out and placed his hand over Oliver's, squeezing gently. "No matter what happens," he said slowly, carefully, as if carving the words into his heart, "I won't leave you."
He turned to Oliver, eyes deep and steady. "Even if the world turns against me. Even if it costs me everything I have. I'll stand with you."
The wind passed softly around them.
Oliver's chest tightened, emotion flooding him too fast to name. He laced his fingers with Liam's and held on.
And for that moment—just that moment—the world felt quiet enough to believe him.
They didn't talk much after that.
They sat side by side in the open field, shoulders almost touching, eyes fixed on the wide land ahead. The wind moved softly through the grass. The sky was too big, too quiet, as if it was watching them.
Oliver's thoughts were loud even though his mouth stayed shut.
He wasn't stupid. He knew this peace would not last forever. He wanted things to stay like this—just sitting beside Liam, no fear, no noise, no judgment. But fear still lived in his chest. Liam was not just anyone. He was the only son of a rich and powerful family. His life had rules. Expectations. A future already planned for him.
What happens when they find out?
What happens when this becomes too real?
Oliver didn't dare think further. His chest felt tight.
To break the silence, he lifted his hand and tapped Liam lightly on the arm, then pointed at the sky.
Liam followed his finger.
A bird cut through the air, fast and sharp, wings stretched wide. A swift.
They both blinked in surprise.
"That's rare," Liam said. "You don't usually see them around here."
Oliver nodded. "Yeah. Not here."
For a moment, they just watched it disappear into the blue.
Liam smiled and nudged Oliver lightly. "So," he teased, "what do you think nature is trying to tell us?"
Oliver opened his mouth, then closed it again. He didn't know what to say.
Liam chuckled softly. "Alright. I'll answer for you."
He looked back at the sky and said lightly, "It means there's a future for us."
Oliver smiled.
But behind that smile, worry stayed.
After that, they didn't speak again.
They stayed there for a long time. The sun climbed higher, growing hotter, biting at their skin as if warning them. Still, they didn't move. It felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of them and this empty field.
When the afternoon grew heavy, they finally stood up.
"It's time," Liam said quietly.
They went to the hospital Tommy had described.
The hospital smelled clean and sharp. Oliver didn't like it. The quiet machines, the white walls, the low beeping sounds—it all made his chest feel strange.
Julian lay on the bed, thinner than Oliver remembered. Tubes ran into his arm, clear liquid dripping slowly into his body. A small machine beeped beside him, steady and calm. There were wires on his chest, patches Oliver didn't understand, and a thin blanket covering him.
At the side of the bed sat a large white dog, furry and calm, watching everything with gentle eyes.
Julian smiled when he saw them.
"Hey," he said softly.
Oliver rushed forward and took his hand without thinking. It felt warm. Too warm.
"You scared me," Oliver said quietly.
Julian smiled like he always did, light and easy. "Sorry."
Julian's eyes shifted to Liam, surprise flashing through them. He didn't expect to see him.
Liam only nodded slightly and moved to stand by the window. He looked outside, hands in his pockets, giving them space. But now and then, his eyes flicked back to Oliver.
They talked for a while. Small things. About school.
Then Julian took a breath.
"I should tell you something," he said.
Oliver looked up. "What is it?"
"I'm SS," Julian said calmly. "A sickler." he added, almost choking at his own words.
Oliver gasped. His grip tightened. "What? But—you don't look—"
Julian smiled. "I know. It's because my parents took good care of me. Good hospitals. Strong medicine."
Oliver shook his head slowly, emotions swirling. "You should've told me."
Julian shrugged. "I didn't want you to worry."
They talked more after that.
After a while, Liam slipped out.
Then Julian talked about Tommy.
"He's always been there," Julian said. "Since we were kids. It annoys me sometimes. He's too loud. Too protective."
He smiled softly. "But there's warmth in it."
Oliver listened quietly.
Later, Julian spoke again, voice softer this time. "Are you and Liam… together?"
Oliver froze.
Heat rushed to his face. He didn't answer. He didn't deny it either.
Julian smiled knowingly. "That's enough of an answer."
He didn't push further.
Instead, he spoke about Tommy again.
"I've liked him for a very long time,"
Oliver's eyes widened. "Tommy?"
Julian nodded. "He had always stood up for me. A day I'll never forget is back in elementary school… when I looked so lean. My classmates gave me names.. Living Paper... Some call me The Wind walker.." Julian laughed lightly. But Oliver didn't find it funny.
"One day, some boys cornered me. Asking me to demonstrate my wind walking abilities"
Oliver's breath caught.
"Tommy came," Julian continued. "He beat all of them, warning them never to worry me again."
Julian looked down. "From that day… he never left my mind."
He smiled faintly. "If he didn't have so many girlfriends, I would have thought he liked me too."
They sat in silence after that.
Then the door opened.
Liam came back—with Tommy.
Oliver looked at them, feeling uncomfortable. This moment was not his to stay in.
He gently squeezed Julian's hand. "Get well soon," he said softly.
Julian smiled. "I will."
Oliver waved once more, then walked out with Liam, leaving Julian and Tommy in the ward...