Hitch a Ride!

Out of surprise, Oliver momentarily loses control of the car, only to grasp the steering wheel and gradually slowed the car down onto to the side of the road.

'Well, he's here quite early." Feeling the initially small tinge of excitement growing uncontrollably larger, he tried to repress a large smile.

His vehicle was parked a good few meters away from the man underneath the billboard.

Oliver roughly opened the car door and stood up to take a better look at the man.

A bit miserable, like he somewhat expected and wanted. Covered in sweat and dirt, perhaps from waiting near the billboard for a couple of hours, the man sat on the side of the road and faced a certain direction.

In Oliver's direction.

He couldn't exactly see how that man looked, but Oliver knew exactly who he was.

"Hey! You!" He yelled himself hoarse at the man. "Want to hitch a ride with me?!"

The man stood up with seemingly good confidence and seriousness, though due to the distance, Oliver couldn't see the man's trembling fingers and twitching lips.

With a somewhat gravelly voice from dehydration, "Aren't you worried that I'd rob you?"

Giving a habitual gloating smile to a technically old friend, "Why would I be? Handsome people like yourself shouldn't suffer!"

Adding a little wicked laugh in the end made Oliver feel a bit more depraved than usual. Like a man trying to pick up a young girl. Well, in this case, a young man trying to literally pick up another young man.

From the short distance, Oliver could hear the faint chuckle coming from the man.

The voice was nice as usual. He missed the laughter. It always managed to warm his heart.

"So," Oliver crooked his head towards his car, "Are you getting in or what?"

The man wasted no moment to take long strides towards him and stood a little too close, not that Oliver had noticed as he was already accustomed to it. Since they both invaded each other's spaces on a daily basis.

"Of course I'm getting in." Now that the man was closer, Oliver could see his facial features clearly.

A chiseled face that was slightly tanned, dark hair that was highlighted by the burning sun and a figure that towered a few inches above him. As usual, Oliver caught himself admiring the features of the man.

"Tell me your name, handsome." Oliver blurted out with not even a hint of shame painted on his face. In fact, his face held a bright smile and lively eyes towards the man.

"Aiden."

His lips stretching out into a wider smile, "Well, then since you introduced yourself, my name is-"

Oliver was cut short when he was pulled into a strong embrace.

"I'm glad you're still weird, Oliver." Aiden's face was buried into the nook of Oliver's neck, making him shiver from the humid breath that Aiden exhaled onto his exposed skin.

He hadn't recovered from Aiden suddenly hugging him and before he could even regain his senses, that handsome rascal called him by name. Something he shouldn't know unless he was like him, a reincarnate.

Oliver could only mindlessly pat the back of the person that refused go let him go and tightly grasp Aiden back.

He was about to mock Aiden back until he felt a little wetness on his shoulder. It was piercingly warm and it caused his heart to clench at Aiden's sadness.

Although Oliver did want to see Aiden in a miserable state, this was not what he wanted.

Oliver imagined the powerful man being a physical mess with wild hair and skin covered in glossy sweat, gorgeousness to the max!

Not a mental mess. He didn't like it when Aiden was depressed. Yes, he did feel happy that the powerful man would show the more weaker and vulnerable sides to him, but he felt like his heart was twisted by a knife when be saw his friend in such a state.

With that thought in mind, Oliver carefully ushered Aiden into the passenger side of the car.

He tried to have Aiden sit comfortably onto the seat, but his body was within the iron grip of Aiden.

With no other choice, Oliver sat on Aiden's lap.

The other's head still buried in his shoulder, silently crying.

Not minding the overly close position, Oliver had his legs placed onto the sides of the car seat gaps and his chest was nearly glued to the Aiden's own chest.

Oliver habitually tapped the arms still wrapped around his shoulders to loosen up, which to his amusement, obediently let go of him.

He guided those arms around his lower back and he stroked the head now resting on his shoulder.

Since he was feeling merciful towards Aiden, he will let him sleep a bit.

After all, that man looked like he waited quite a while for him.