Chapter 45

The words punched Hunter like a fist to the gut. "What the hell are you talking about? Aiden, you—what do you mean you're not a good person? No matter what you didn't deserve it! No one deserves that." 

"But I do! Because I'm not a good person!" Aiden blinked, and then the tears began to feel quietly, like rain slipping down a windowpane. "I…I let Casen get bullied and didn't do anything. And…and I let you sleep outside. I knew you didn't have anywhere to go. But I was so scared of my own feelings that I didn't reach out to you. What kind of person does that?"

Hunter's heart stopped for a second. His gaze softened, lips parted but no words came. Aiden was shaking now, clutching the blanket around him as if trying to hide inside it. "Y-You were always there for me. But that one time you asked me something, I turned into a..coward. I just…took and took. Even n-now, all I'm doing is taking from you." 

His voice cracked through the quiet, a sob slipping out as he clung to Hunter's shirt for support. "But I only did it because I didn't want you to get bullied…"

"What?" Hunter was puzzled. 

Aiden sniffled, barely able to speak as the words tumbled out in a rush. "I—I thought if people found out you were gay too, they'd do the same to you as they did to Casen. And I—I didn't know what to do. I was scared. I didn't want to lose you or get hurt. I thought it was better to stay quiet than risk them finding out about you."

Hunter stared at him, his heart nearly stopping. That was the reason…?

Because Aiden was thinking about him. Not because he hated Casen or was just a coward but because he was afraid that Hunter might get hurt. 

He suddenly pulled Aiden into a desperate hug, arms wrapping tightly around the smaller sobbing boy. 

"Aiden…you're not a bad person. You're the kindest, dumbest, most selfless idiot I've ever met. And who said you never did anything for me. You always made sure that I ate both at school and after that. You always let me crash in your room. You fought everyone in school for me, even fought with Claire. Me and Casen might be suspended if you didn't bring your mom to school." 

Hunter pulled back and cupped Aiden's face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that clung stubbornly to his lashes.

"That night…I messed up. I was angry, jealous, and stupid. But I swear to you, I never meant to scare you like that," He took a shaky breath, resting his forehead against Aiden's. "Even if you had agreed that night to whatever I demanded…I swear on everything—I wouldn't have touched you. I could never force you to do anything against your will. You mean everything to me. I could never hurt you like that. I'd rather die than be someone you'd fear."

His voice broke but he held Aiden tighter. "You don't owe me anything. I'll do anything to earn your forgiveness. Even if I never get it…I deserve that. You don't have to ever forgive me if you want." 

Aiden pulled back slightly, blinking through the wetness in his eyes and what he saw made his heart ache.

Tears were falling down Hunter's face.

And in those honey-brown eyes, Aiden saw something terrifying. As if Hunter didn't just mean the words, he believed them with everything inside him.

As if he truly couldn't survive if Aiden didn't forgive him. As if his whole world was hanging on Aiden's next breath.

Aiden reached up and hit his chest lightly with a pout. "What forgiveness? I'm not even mad at you to begin with!"

Hunter finally looked up at him with his bloodshot eyes.

"I already know it," Aiden sniffled with a frustrated expression. "Anyone else might've done something stupid like that and I would believe it. But not you. I don't know what kind of dumb idea you thought it was, but seriously, scaring me like that?" He puffed his cheeks in disbelief. "That was the dumbest idea in the whole world!"

Hunter gave a teary laugh. "I know, I wasn't thinking straight. I was angry…and hurt. I thought I can never have you so it's better that you stay away from me to save my broken heart." 

Aiden's expression softened and he moved closer, slowly locking his arms around Hunter's neck. His face was flushed, his eyes were still puffy, but his smile…his smile was gentle and real.

"Then it's settled. You're sorry and I'm not mad. But you have to promise me something."

Hunter nodded immediately. "Anything as long as you forgive me.

Aiden's voice dropped to a whisper. "No matter how many stupid thoughts or insecurities you get in the future…you're not allowed to push me away ever again. Got it?"

Hunter nodded hard, his heart thudding in his chest. "I won't." 

Aiden smiled and leaned forward to press the softest kiss to the tip of Hunter's nose.

Hunter felt his whole body warm, like the winter inside him melted all at once. Hunter closed his eyes briefly just to feel Aiden's closeness.

He swore to himself that he'd fix everything. He would work hard. He'd build a future that could hold them both. A future strong enough to chase away any fear he has. He wants to be worthy of Aiden no matter what it takes. Whether it is financial or something else. 

Aiden looked at him with eyes still glistening from earlier tears. "We both made mistakes, Hunter…and we both forgave each other. So…can you accept my confession now?"

Hunter felt his breath hitched. He wasn't expecting it, at least not so soon. But there Aiden was, so sincere, so stupidly brave even with his red nose and tear-smudged cheeks, asking for an answer to the thing Hunter had tried to bury for so long.

There was no doubt about how Hunter felt. He loved this boy. But he was still conflicted. Because accepting Aiden's confession wasn't just saying yes to love.

It was saying yes to the fight.

It meant choosing to face the bullies that would come after them once they found out. It meant risking his safety, maybe even his future. It meant facing Aiden's parents who might never understand or accept their relationship. It meant walking into a storm with only Aiden's hand in his.

But then again…what else did he need?

If he had Aiden by his side, he could fight the world.

So Hunter slowly pulled Aiden close, his fingers gently slipping up to cup Aiden's cheek. Aiden's breath fastened at the soft touch as his eyes locked with Hunter's.

"You really wanna do this, Aiden?"

Aiden blinked at him profusely. "I…yeah. I—"

"No," Hunter cut him off gently. His hand now cradled Aiden's face with both care and ownership, thumb brushing over the tear tracks under his eyes. "You need to think before answering." 

His eyes burned with seriousness. "Because if I accept your confession…there's no going back."

Aiden swallowed hard at the intensity of his words. Hunter bent a little closer making Aiden hard to breathe. "If you say you're mine now, Aiden? Then you better mean it. Because if you give yourself to me, even just a little…I won't let anyone else have you." 

His thumb gently traced Aiden's lips. "These lips? They'll be mine. This heart? Mine. Your time. Your tears. Your laughter. All of it—mine."

"And if you say you love me, Aiden," Hunter continued as he increased the pressure in his grip. "Then that's it. You're not running away the next time you get scared of your feelings. You don't get to say 'I changed my mind.' You don't get to disappear."

"Even if the world turns on us. Even if your parents don't get it. Even if everyone else leaves…I'll stay. And I won't let you go. So don't tell me you love me unless you're ready to belong to me."

Aiden's lips trembled, his hands slowly curling around Hunter's shirt. His face was red and heart thundering but he nodded making Hunter's heart skip a beat. 

He stared at Aiden as if trying to memorize every inch of that expression, fearless and beautiful. 

Why do I find him so hot saying those words? Aiden was losing his mind. 

Aiden's breath hitched the moment Hunter looked down at him, his thumb gently brushing over his bottom lip. There was something in Hunter's dark eyes that made Aiden's entire body tense, like a bowstring pulled too tight. His heart hammered against his ribs, wild and loud like it was begging for this moment. Hunter moved in a little, just enough for Aiden to feel his breath fan across his cheek.

"So, are you sure, Aiden?"

Aiden barely got the nod out before Hunter pulled him forward by the waist, adjusting him in his lap. Aiden gasped softly as he found himself straddling Hunter, his thighs awkwardly resting against Hunter's hips. His hands instinctively landed on Hunter's shoulders for balance, fingers digging slightly into the fabric of his shirt. His cheeks burned but he didn't look away.

Hunter's hands slid up Aiden's sides slowly making Aiden shiver. And then, much to Aiden's surprise, Hunter crashed their lips together. 

His lips brushed against Aiden's in a whisper of contact. Aiden let out a tiny gasp and that was all it took. Hunter kissed him again, firmer this time, molding their lips together in an unpracticed but desperate way. Their noses bumped, and Aiden giggled nervously, pulling back just a bit.

"We're so bad at this," he muttered breathlessly.

Hunter chuckled lowly, that deep, sexy sound vibrating through Aiden's chest. "Guess we'll just have to keep trying."

He dipped back down and captured Aiden's lips again, this time with no hesitation. His hands splayed against Aiden's back, pressing their chests together. Aiden melted into it, his arms wrapping around Hunter's neck, fingers tangling in his soft hair. He whimpered when Hunter's teeth gently caught his bottom lip and tugged at it, and Hunter swallowed the sound like it was something delicious.

Their lips smoothly against each other. It wasn't clumsy anymore after a few more deep kisses. Hunter's tongue traced along the seam of Aiden's lips. Aiden parted his lips instinctively, and the moment their tongues met, it was electric. A shudder passed through both of them. Aiden's toes curled and he let out a soft, surprised moan into Hunter's mouth. It felt strange and new but warm and dizzying at the same time. Hunter deepened the kiss, his tongue kept swept inside Aiden's mouth to taste and explore every corner like he had all the time in the world. Aiden gasped into the kiss, and Hunter swallowed the sound with a low groan, his hand sliding up Aiden's spine to hold him close.

It was their first kiss but it was already so addictive that they knew they would crave it again and again.

Aiden squirmed in his lap, his hips moving slightly and unintentionally brushing against Hunter's. The air in Hunter's instantly turned hotter. Hunter growled softly, his hands gripping Aiden's waist tighter to stop him in place.

"Don't move like that," he whispered against Aiden's lips, breath hot and voice shaking with hungry restraint. "You're gonna drive me insane."

Aiden blinked in daze, cheeks flushed and lips red and kiss-swollen. "S-Sorry." 

"Don't be. Just…stay right here. Let me kiss you again."

Aiden's breath was shaky as Hunter gently adjusted him closer in his lap, hands firm on his waist to keep him from moving again. Their knees bumped, and Aiden felt the solid warmth of Hunter's body beneath him comforting but charged with an unsaid desire waiting to break. His hands shook slightly as he let them settle on Hunter's chest, fingers curling into his clothes like he needed something to hold onto.

"You're so w-warm," Aiden whispered stupidly, barely aware of what he was saying. 

Hunter smirked, enjoying the way he felt Aiden's weight pressing down on him. "So are you. You're burning up crazily."

Aiden licked his lips, and Hunter's gaze immediately followed the motion. His fingers slid slowly under the hem of Aiden's shirt, just the pads brushing bare skin at his waist. Aiden gasped softly at the contact causing Hunter to pause. 

Hunter leaned in and kissed him. His lips were soft but possessive, coaxing Aiden to open his mouth. Their mouths moved together clumsily, teeth grazing in their eagerness. Aiden let out a breathy laugh that dissolved into a quiet moan when Hunter took his bottom lip between his own, sucking gently before letting go.

Their tongues met again, but this time it wasn't a nervous flick, it was like velvet sliding together. Hunter's hands moved, one staying firm on Aiden's hip while the other traveled up, dragging along his spine, then higher, settling between his shoulder blades to pull him in tighter. 

His hand slid down from Aiden's back to the curve of his thigh, squeezing it softly making Aiden to whimper into the kiss and causing hips to move instinctively, drawing a sharp inhale from Hunter.

Hunter kissed him like he was starving and Aiden was the only thing that could ever satisfy him. Their breathing was uneven, filling the quiet room with soft, desperate sounds. Aiden arched into him, trying to get closer, lost in the fire crawling across his skin everywhere Hunter was touching him. 

Hunter's thumb brushed under the edge of his jaw, guiding his face just the way he wanted, kissing him from one angle, then shifting to the next. Each kiss left Aiden more breathless and more pliant. His thighs gripped Hunter's waist tighter, and he swore he could feel Hunter's heart thundering through his chest.

They pulled apart only when they had no breath left to give. Aiden's lips were pink and swollen, eyes heavy-lidded and shining with something between affection and lust. Hunter's hair was a mess from Aiden's fingers, his pupils blown wide, chest rising and falling with hidden thirst.

Neither of them spoke for a moment. They just stared at each other until Hunter finally spoke. 

"I love you."

Aiden smiled warmly, his lips still parted as me was completely breathless. "I love you too."