Chapter 44

Hunter gently opened Aiden's room's door with Aiden's hand securely clutched in his. 

Aiden looked still a little shaken but much to Hunter's relief, he was returning to his usual soft eyed side. 

"Are you hungry?" Hunter inquired as he kicked off his shoes and placed Aiden's empty snack bag on the desk.

Aiden shook his head while his arm. "No…I just wanna sleep."

Hunter nodded. "Alright. Go shower then."

Aiden made a face but didn't argue. After a quick shower, the two boys found themselves back in Aiden's clean and suspiciously well-prepared room.

Hunter looked around. "Blanket?"

Aiden's eyes widened as he remembered what he did to the spare blankets in the morning. He scratched the back of his head, eyes darting away. 

"Uh…I don't…have more."

Hunter paused as his gaze shifted to the clearly folded blanket already spread perfectly on the bed, and then to the empty closet with zero signs of spare bedding.

He raised a brow but didn't comment because he already has an idea what this idiot did. "Did you…hide them?"

Aiden went beet red and waved his hands. "No! I mean—why would I? That would be so weird! Who does that?!"

Hunter just stared at him, kind of amused by the way his little head works. 

Aiden finally caved when Hunter kept looking at him with a suspicious gaze and mumbled, "Maybe...one blanket got 'lost' under the bed...and maybe another 'accidentally' fell into the laundry..."

Hunter couldn't help but laugh softly. "So...do you want me to sleep in your bed?"

Aiden flushed to the tips of his ears. He shrugged coolly. "I mean if you want or you can just sleep without a blanket but you'll turn into ice by morning." 

Hunter stepped closer, leaned down, and squished Aiden's pink cheek. "You're such a dumb little schemer."

Aiden pouted. "Don't call me that."

Hunter rolled his eyes fondly and climbed onto the bed. "Come on then, little planner. Get in."

Aiden beamed and scurried under the blanket like an excited puppy. He wriggled until his head was resting on Hunter's arm and his face was pressed lightly to Hunter's shoulder.

Hunter looked down at him, slightly surprised. "You can use your pillow, no?"

"This is much better," Aiden yawned happily. "Better and softer than any pillow in the world." 

Hunter's chest did something weird. A tight little flutter. He shifted just enough to wrap his arm around Aiden's waist and pulled him closer, their bodies fitted perfectly under the blanket making it feel like the world outside the room might as well not exist anymore.

Hunter looked down at the boy tucked into his side like he belonged there. His long lashes's shadow resting on his cheeks, his mouth that was slightly parted, breathing which were deep and soft. And the way Hunter could feel every tiny inhale against his own chest. It made Hunter's heart flutter giddily. 

He kissed Aiden's hair gently making Aiden snuggled impossibly closer to him. Hunter couldn't stop the tiny smile that pulled at his lips.

Such an adorable mess. 

He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but right now with Aiden using his heartbeat as a lullaby, everything felt beautifully and ridiculously right.

However, the night wasn't going as peacefully as Hunter thought it would. Aiden shifted for the fifth time in the past ten minutes, turning this way and that, tangling and untangling his legs under the blanket. He groaned into Hunter's chest and then rolled onto his back with an exasperated sigh. Hunter, who just started dozing off, cracked one eye open.

"What now?" he asked tiredly in his deep and raspy voice. 

"I can't sleep," Aiden whispered as he sounded like a guilty child.

Hunter rubbed his eyes. "Why? Is the bed cramped? Should I move to the couch instead?" 

Aiden didn't get a chance to answer. His stomach did it for him. A long and loud grumble echoed between them. Aiden froze for a good second. Then slowly turned his head toward Hunter with wide eyes. 

Hunter blinked. "You're hungry?" 

Aiden's cheeks flushed a pretty pink as he nodded silently.

Hunter chuckled, the sound sleepy but affectionate. Their faces were close, and in the dim light spilling through the curtains, Hunter could see the way Aiden's lips curved into an awkward and shy smile.

"You could've said something earlier," Hunter said, sitting up and ruffling his hair. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

"But aren't you sleepy?" Aiden asked while still curled under the blanket.

Hunter stretched, letting out a small yawn. "Not anymore. You and your loud stomach woke me up."

Aiden giggled and followed him out of bed, tugging his hoodie down as he padded barefoot behind Hunter. The hallway was dark and cold but Hunter walked like he owned the place, even though it wasn't his home.

He flicked on the kitchen light and opened the cabinets without hesitation. For how many times he has slept here, this kitchen's basically his too as he knows his way around here because it wasn't the first time Aiden asked for a night snack. 

Hunter pulled out a pot and glanced over his shoulder. "So, what do you want? Eggs? Sandwich? Ice cream?"

Aiden just shrugged cutely. "Dunno. Surprise me?"

Hunter rolled his eyes with a fond smile. "As you wish for your highness. Let's make noodles."

Aiden's face lit up. "Like the spicy kind?"

Hunter raised a brow. "Is there any other kind?"

Aiden clapped softly and did a happy little bounce in place. "Spicy noodles are the best sleepover snack."

Hunter snorted, already pulling ingredients out of the fridge. "You really are so easy to please."

"I'm not. I think you just always know what I want at the exact time,' Aiden grinned.

Hunter paused for a second, then glanced over at him with something warm in his eyes. "Yeah. Guess I know."

As the water began to boil, Aiden leaned quietly against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed lightly over his chest as his eyes followed Hunter's every move. There was something about the way Hunter moved around the kitchen so casual yet confident, familiar with every corner of the place like it was his own home that made Aiden's heart ache a little.

Hunter didn't say much since he was focused on the task, stirring the noodles gently while the spicy aroma filled the small kitchen. His face was soft in the warm glow of the overhead light, lips pressed into a straight line, brows slightly furrowed in concentration. There was something so calming about watching him like this. Like this moment belonged only to them.

And for the first time in a long time, Aiden wasn't overwhelmed by Hunter's good looks or his strength or even the quiet intensity he always carried. He was overwhelmed by something else entirely.

It was the realisation. 

A realisation that Hunter had always been there for him. 

When Aiden cried over his grades. When he got into fights with his parents. When he wanted snacks at 3 a.m. or needed someone to walk him home from parties, or carry his drunk self after he made a mess of things. It was always Hunter. Always quietly fixing things behind him, protecting him like a human shield, and never once asking for anything in return.

Aiden had always thought—no, assumed—that's just how friendship worked.

But had he ever really done anything for Hunter?

The answer made his throat tight.

No, not really.

Sure, he joked around. Sure, he liked him. But he had always been on the receiving end. And never on the giving end. Never asking Hunter needs something from him. Never noticing when Hunter was hurting. Never being there the way Hunter was for him.

He felt…selfish.

"Hunter," he suddenly called out. 

Hunter glanced up from the pot. "Hm?"

Aiden swallowed and smiled faintly. "Thanks."

"For what?"

Aiden took a step closer, hands fidgeting in the sleeves of his hoodie. "For…everything, I guess. For taking care of me all the time. For looking after me. For always being there for me like right now. And…Especially for not leaving me. Even when I was a shitty friend."

Hunter stared at him for a second, as if trying to understand Aiden's sudden change. His brows furrowed just slightly.

"You weren't a shitty friend," he was offended hearing Aiden. 

"I kinda was," Aiden replied, letting out a breath of guilt. "You always protected me even when I didn't deserve it. Even when I never did anything for you in return." 

Hunter pulled away the stove and stepped closer to Aiden. "Why does it matter that you have to do anything in return for what I do? I wanted to take care of you so I did. It doesn't mean that you have to return the favour." 

Aiden's heart thudded hard in his chest.

Hunter lifted a hand and softly flicked Aiden's forehead. "Stop overthinking. alright?"

Aiden hissed but nodded. "Okay."

Hunter smiled and turned back to prepare the noodles, but Aiden stood there deep in thoughts. 

For once, he wanted to be someone worth all that effort Hunter put in him. Someone who could give back and not just take. Someone Hunter could lean on too.

Hunter carried the two steaming bowls of noodles to the living room. Aiden plopped down on the couch and hungrily eyed the noodles. 

Before he could dive in face-first, Hunter held up a warning hand in front of him. "Touch that bowl and you'll burn your tongue off again."

Aiden blinked, hand frozen mid-reach. "But I'm starving!"

"It's lava right now," Hunter said with a small smile as he setted beside him. "Give it a second, idiot."

"Why would you make it smell this good if I can't eat it yet?" He groaned loudly. 

Hunter chuckled and shook his head. "I'll get the drinks. Try not to burn your mouth while I'm gone."

"I won't," Aiden grumbled.

Hunter returned with two chilled sodas and placed one in front of Aiden, who was already poking the noodles to check the heat. He blew dramatically on a forkful before taking a bite. His eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh my god," he said with a mouthful, pointing his fork at Hunter. "Why are you so good at this? Are you secretly a chef?"

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "A chef?"

"Yes. Like professionally trained or something."

Hunter laughed. "I'm not."

"But you're talented," Aiden shoved another bite in his mouth. "I swear, you could feed me for the rest of my life. Marry me, chef!" 

Hunter rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face was hard to miss. "Come on, let's watch something. You can pick."

Aiden clicked through the remote with exaggerated thoughtfulness, finally settling on an old animated movie. "This one. It has singing rats."

"Alright," Hunter deadpanned.

They sat back, eating and laughing while their legs brushed under the blanket. Once they were done, Aiden leaned back with a happy sigh, rubbing his belly. 

"I'm full but why am I feeling so cold now." 

Hunter stood to pick up the empty bowls. "You're a lot of things."

"Cold is the one I'm currently whining about."

A few minutes later, Hunter returned with a thick blanket from the room and handed it to Aiden.

Aiden clutched it like it was a sacred treasure. "Thank you." 

"Just don't spill anything on it," Hunter warned.

Aiden grinned and patted the couch beside him. "Come on, come on. This side is lonely."

Hunter laughed and sat down, letting Aiden toss half the blanket over him. The moment he was close enough, Aiden immediately leaned into him, wrapping his arms around Hunter's middle and resting his cheek on Hunter's shoulder, the place that rightfully belonged to him. 

"Hmmm…so warm." 

Hunter looked down at the boy snuggled into him and shook his head with a fond smile. "You're such a little fool."

"You too," Aiden sank further into the blanket with a happy sigh.

And just like that, the two of them sat in a warm cocoon of soft blankets. Hunter's eyes subtly lowered as he felt Aiden snuggle even more closer into his chest, more clingy than usual, more than he ever had been before. His arm was draped over Aiden's small frame, holding him like he was something fragile. Hunter didn't understand why Aiden was like that today. 

Is it because of what happened earlier? Hunter's chest tensed at the thought. That man…that alley…the fear in Aiden's eyes. He hated that Aiden had to go through that. And the guilt was crawling in his chest like a parasite.

But it wasn't just because of today's incident. It was also because of his own wrongdoings from that night he asked Aiden to sleep with him just to scare Aiden. It was cruel and disgusting. 

What the hell was I thinking that night?

The room was silent, except for the faint sound of the movie playing in the background. 

Hunter hesitated before he whispered. "Are you still scared?"

Aiden pulled his head back slightly, eyes lifting to meet Hunter's. "Scared of what?" 

Hunter was caught off guard. He hadn't expected that answer. His grip on Aiden unconsciously tightened just slightly, but Aiden felt it.

"The drunk guy…" Hunter murmured, eyes searching Aiden's face. "Are you still thinking about it?"

At once, Aiden stiffened. His brows dipped slightly. His eyes wavered and then filled with moisture. His lips parted and for a second, it looked like he wouldn't speak. But after a while he did. 

"Yes…I am scared. It's as if he would show up out of nowhere." 

Hunter's heart twisted painfully. But before he could wrap Aiden back into a hug, Aiden continued. "But maybe…maybe it's my karma."

Hunter stared at him frozen. "What?"

He slowly pulled back and turned his body so he was facing Aiden properly. The blanket slipped from both of them, pooling around their waists, but neither cared. Hunter's eyes were glued to Aiden's, the sheer sadness in them making his heart clench.

Aiden stared at the floor for a moment, gripping the blanket tightly in his fists to muster up some courage. Then he looked up, meeting Hunter's eyes with his own glossy ones. 

"Isn't it h-happened because I'm not a good person?"