The End of Days

[18]

The texture of scratchy cloth beneath him was the first thing Liam felt as he came to. His eyes opened much like that night at Changs, still on his stomach although now he was surrounded by finer empty grey walls that looked as if they were made of cement. Beneath him was a thin blanket and he swore he could feel the temperture outside seeping in through the cold stone floor.

"..Jesus.." His eyes slid to the small fire a few feet away at the circular dip in the ground. Weird fuckin design choice but whatever. His hand slid out, freezing finger tips reaching for the warmth.

"Need more blankets?"

Liam's eyes slid to the man watching the flames. It took him a second to register he was also covered with a sleeping bag. "How'd-

"You passed out, it's been a few days."

Liam groaned a bit, pushing up on his weight the best he could to a sitting position. It took him a second to register the new bandages over his body. The old ones had been dirty and festering with sweat and grime. These were clean..meaning.

"Did you..what's you do, man?"

"Saved your life." He grumbled, eyes sliding over only briefly before he went grabbing for some water that had been heating over the fire. "Drink."

Liam sat up slowly, socked feet hitting the cement of the unfinished building. "This place safe?"

"It'll do." Well if he said so.

They sat quietly for a bit, Liam trying to process how he imagined having got there and what went down. His hand slid to the bandages. He spotted the bloody rags tossed in a pile a few feet away and his curiosity only grew at the man.

"It feels a lot better. Thanks." He eyed him for a bit, Adam as cold as he was before despite his selfless act. "Did it freak you out?"

"The tits or the fact I probably coulda gutted you with a fist if I felt like it?" Liam shook his head, smile pulling at his lips. He shrugged, either would work.

"That's one hell of a bear." Was all he said though kept his gaze locked on Liam in a way that had him eager to look somewhere else. Well at least the trans part wasn't a thing, right?

"And I ain't into tranny's either." Fuck, nevermind then.

Liam shrugged helplessly, not bothered. That was by far the least surprising thing that Adam could've said. He tried to remember all of what happened last he remembered as they ruminated in silence. Liam's eyes fell on Adam's lap instinctively, remembering that night.

"Not happening, kid."

"Sorry." He said, picking at his bandage. Cold blew in through the exposed walls that had yet to finish being built in. He grabbed at the sleeping bag, looking around for his shirt.

"I'm hittin' hay, you need anything?" The man demanded although he was already leaning back in his heavy jacket and jeans, about ready to start dozing. "Nah." Liam mumbled which lead to the man's rest.

What was even happening? Why would Adam help him, they didn't know eachother. Maybe he just expected sex? Liam had kinda left him hanging didn't he? That's a lot of fuckin' work just to get your rocks off. But what was stranger was the fact that Liam was still sitting there like a dumbass.

He took a breath, readying to stand. He had a far easier time then he would've before. He felt at his lower back again absently in wonderment. Holy shit. He did actually feel a lot better.

Liam searched through his bag for a shirt and jacket, tossing on his now ragged high tops. He checked for all his things, weapons and all the essentials he needed like flashlights or matches. His messer had been set on top of his bag but he couldn't find Sam's-.

"Where the fuck's my gun?" Liam turned to the man only to see he was watching, scratching lightly at his beard.

"That's my payment."

"..payment? I didn't ask you to save me, that was your choice. Your not taking my gun."

"I already took it, it's mine now. In return, you get to live. And you keep your things. More then fair." He spoke plainly which drew a scoff from Liam, already storming over. He snatched at the man's large bag, sifting through it without waiting for permission. Adam stared without saying a thing, it only pissed him off more.

"You can have my sword, hell I'll suck you off if that's what this is about. Your not taking my gun."

"Kid." Liam tossed the bag across the cement a few feet away, glaring to the man. "What?" His frown deepened as Adam lifted his shirt to reveal the glock tucked into his boxers. Liam hesitated at the placement, a different kind of heat washing over him. Fuck this.

"I want my gun."

"Fine." Adam glared roughly, tossing the hat back over his eyes. "You want it then take it. Then you go." Meaning don't come back. Liam shook his head, he was going to leave anyway. He'd gotten help, he had somewhere he needed to be. He thought of his friends and it only made him more sure.

Liam stepped closer, shoving a hand into the man's pants. It took him longer then needed to grab the pistol but that was for his own sake. If he had to be there.

A large pale hand reached out, pressing above the pant material and keeping his hand in place. Liam felt his jaw tick and his face flush. The hand drew back after a moment but not before trailing his brown skin.

"Get out." The man said, the gun now settled in Liam's hold which he would be sure to dust off for pubes later. He tucked it safely away in his bag, kind of hating that it happened to Sam's gun of all things.

He stood there, things packed. Light wasn't up yet but he wasn't scared of the dark. He could figure it out if he had to, the only reason he struggled was because of the fever. Liam could leave and head for help and save the guys. It might take a while but he could do it.

Liam zipped the bag slowly, reaching for the handle but faltered. He thought about the freezing temperatures and the night outside where he knew his friends wouldn't be waiting. It'd just be him again, for the first time. He was scared and that pissed him off but it was true.

He sighed, nylon entered his grip slowly. "Move. I know your awake, move." The badgering worked.

The man stood finally with a huff before dropping back into a then splayed sleeping bag. Liam thought for a moment on how to get in as they actively avoided eachothers gazes. If he'd learned anything from the boys is that everything was easier with a group. Especially the end of the world.

"Fuck it." He climbed in, face pressed to meet Adam's chin. Liam was taller then most people and stronger then most people yet he'd met the one exception. He wasn't small and he tried to fit but it was hard.

"HEY- h..sigh.." The big hands had grabbed his sides and pulled him lower just a bit. His head settled suddenly into the man's neck on a big jacketed arm, another draped carefully over Liam's side as not to hurt him.

"So your stayin, huh?" Liam shut his eyes hard, finally returning the hold as they accepted each others warmth. He thought back to what Sam had said which had suddenly made so much more sense as of late. "I don't wanna be alone."

Adam said nothing then, a silent understanding forming between them as they drifted, borrowing eachothers warmth in the harsh chill. He focused on the heavy clothes and strong scent, closing his eyes and thinking of Sam. 

"I'll get my gun later." He mumbled. Liam dozed after a bit. "..like hell you will."