A Wee Bit Awkward

The country house was a decent amount away from the city, about a four-hour drive. Aiden only needed to drive three more hours, since Oliver already drove one hour to get to him. The duo was extremely jubilant at their reunion but as the journey stretched out and the night settled in, they recovered from their euphoria, Aiden and Oliver calmed down.

They were still content with the situation, Oliver had a lingering smile and looked out through the side window. While Aiden, although still stone-faced, kept his eyes on the road and taking quick, soft glances at the other, all of which went unnoticed, to Aiden's relief. Despite the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, Oliver was a bit unsure of what to say to the other. To Oliver, he only saw Aiden "yesterday" or the day of his own death. While Aiden, Oliver thought to himself, who knew how long he hasn't seen him. It may have been a day also, or maybe longer. Aiden just seemed so relieved to see him as evident from the intense embrace, as if the whole world finally lifted off his shoulders and gave him a breath of fresh air. That didn't seem like a day-long wait.

Even though Oliver just wanted to relish in the fact that they were both "reborn" to the day before the apocalypse, he couldn't help but worry over Aiden.

How long did Aiden wait for him? The question was like a thorn lodged into his heart. He had felt that he let Aiden down somehow when Oliver first came back and tried to ignore his longing to see Aiden. And because of his hesitation, he let Aiden wait for him even longer in the burning heat of the outside. Whether in this lifetime or the last lifetime, he just keeps on taking from the other. Although he made contributions to the base to help Aiden run the place, it would never measure up to what Aiden has done for him, always rescuing him and always comforting him.

Oliver let out a small sigh in exasperation, which immediately caught the attention of Aiden, who sharply turned his head to ask what was wrong and in the process, lost control of the steering wheel during the moment of inattention.

Though, it only lasted a second and Aiden muttered out a quick apology to the surprised Oliver.

Oliver stared wide-eyed Aiden. No matter how much time had passed, in this lifetime, that man was still so attentive to him that he mildly panicked at his own sigh. Aiden took another quick glance, only to be caught by two round, chocolate eyes that twinkled playfully. Aiden quickly turned to the road, while his ears were dyed with a small tint of barely noticeable pink, but was still unable to escape from Oliver's sight. Oliver's brown eyes bent into crescent moons and his cheeks indented with a simple smile, making him seem almost childlike in the loveliest way to Aiden. Unfortunately, he was unable to admire the view as he had to keep his eyes on the road, but that did not stop him from continuously taking glances at the other. This caused Oliver to smile wider as he noticed all of Aiden's actions.

It started out with a chortled giggle to uncontrollable chuckles and finally ending up with full-blown laughter.

Oliver grasped his stomach that was hurting from laughing so much at Aiden's flustered actions. As usual, Aiden could never handle the slightest bit of teasing from him! Aiden was carried away by the mood and slightly broke his poke face with a handsome smile. The atmosphere became more harmonious from the rings of laughter.

After Oliver's laughter died down, he couldn't help but say to Aiden: "You know, I was planning on not meeting you-"

"What?" Aiden cut him off and clenched the steering wheel.

Oliver knew that the man was jumping to conclusions and blatantly rolled his eyes, "Let me finish."

Aiden promptly closed his mouth into a flat line, his mood turned sour, which contrasted with his previous smiling expression.

"What I was trying to say was that I initially didn't want to meet you. I felt like I would drag you down again in this lifetime. But, I couldn't help myself, so here we are. Though-" Oliver gave a cheeky grin to a less gloomy Aiden, "-it seems like you couldn't help yourself either!"

Aiden, with his gloominess replaced with a ray of happiness, slightly smirked, "So narcissistic."

Oliver let out a fake, offended gasp, he crossed his arms and put on a false pout.

The other simply smiled at the childish and shameless shenanigans that he grew to love, "Of course I couldn't help myself. I missed you... I really did. And you never dragged me down."

Oliver slid down his seat slightly at Aiden's seemingly out of character bluntness of his own emotions, feeling embarrassed at how the handsome man managed to see through his lighthearted and joking words that hid his insecurities.

"You were always there for me during those years in the apocalypse,"

The sound of slow sliding could be heard as Oliver scootched down even more.

"I missed you every day that you were gone, wishing that I have done more to protect you,"

His eyes burned and he used his arm to harshly rub his eyes, his actions were stopped as a hand held his own, the warmth seeping throughout his body.

"And you can't forget that from now on, I will always be there and you won't have a chance to miss me."

Oliver tightened his grip on Aiden's hand and Aiden comfortingly continued to hold his hand for the rest of the trip.

Aiden's reassurances and promises had released a lot of weight from Oliver's heart. He officially confirmed that Aiden missed him and that he wasn't dead weight, which was always nice. But, that small quick beating and heat from his heart had increased. Oliver was unsure what to do about them but decided to let it be and see what happens. Because this time, Aiden and Oliver both had all the time they wanted and needed.