Like A Dream

Chapter 7

Oh no, Harry thought miserably. He's going to punish me for lying and not let me go to school! I blew it!

"Um," he stammered dumbly. "I don't know."

Liam leveled him with a stern look. "That is not true, and you and I both know it," he scolded, staring deeply into his sub's eyes. "I want the truth, now, please."

Harry looked down, choosing not to say anything. He nervously chewed on his bottom lip, shrugging his shoulders.

"Harry," Liam said coolly. "I won't ask you again — why is your neck covered in bruises?"

"It was Colin!" he finally blurted out. "He grabbed my collar in the bathroom and shoved me into the wall!" The boy began to cry, more worried about not being allowed to go to school than a punishment. "I swear that's what happened!"

"Angel!" Liam gasped, eyes softening. "Why didn't you tell me when this happened?"

"B–because I want to go to school," he blubbered. "And now you're not going to let me because I have a bully!"

"I need to make sure you're safe, and I can't do that if you're not honest with me," Liam said. "You should not have been worried about whether this would deter us from letting you attend school; you should've been worried about your safety and wellbeing."

"I'm s–sorry," Harry stuttered, wiping his eyes. "Please don't tell the others! Please?" he begged, tearing up once more at the thought of his Doms not permitting him to go to school.

"Angel, I have to tell—"

"No! P–please!" Harry cried. "I really want to go to school, Liam, and they won't let me if they know about this!"

Liam looked conflicted. On the one hand, he knew he could keep an eye on Colin and make sure he wasn't in any of Harry's classes, but that didn't stop anything from happening at lunch or another bully from harassing him. He also didn't want to keep secrets from the lads, but Harry looked too pitiful to refuse. "Okay," Liam relented. "But just this once. If this happens again, we're going to take more action, and the others will know. Are we clear?"

"Thank you! Thank you!" Harry cheered, pecking his Dom all over his face. "And yes, Sir!"

Liam nodded solemnly. "All right. Let me take a look at your bruises, now."

"It's really not a big deal—"

"Harry," Liam said sternly. "I need to check these bruises. They might need medical attention."

"Okay," Harry whispered in defeat. "Please be gentle."

"Of course, Angel." The Dom gently moved his sub's head to the side, running his finger along the bruises that surrounded his neck. "Does this hurt?" he asked quietly. He couldn't believe he'd allowed Harry to get hurt like this. He felt like a shitty Dom.

"Stings," Harry answered, closing his eyes and wincing.

Liam nodded. "Okay. I'll put some neosporin on them," he informed the boy, heading to the medicine cabinet in the kitchen. "This should soothe the pain a little and help them heal better."

Harry didn't say anything, just nodded and adjusted his position on the couch. Liam's fingers were cold but soft and gentle as they rubbed and spread the cream. It stung a little while it soaked into the damaged areas, making the young lad whimper a bit. Liam shushed him soothingly, kissing his cheek and running a hand through his curls when he was done.

The Dom and sub cuddled together on the couch, both falling asleep after a long and challenging day.

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