Red String of Fate - Thiam

Chapter 31 - The Eternal City

December 21st - Tuesday

Theo P.O.V.

I wake up feeling itchy on my face. I open my eyes with difficulty due to the sun coming through the window and look at Liam. His head is resting on my chest and his hair is against my face, his arm is around my waist and he doesn't seem to want to let go.

It's amazing how when I'm with Liam the nightmares tend to disappear. He keeps me safe.

I close my eyes again and lean my body more towards him. I just want to be here with him.

Ten minutes later Liam starts to move but I keep my eyes closed. He lifts his face and I feel him watching me for a few seconds. I control my heartbeat so he doesn't know I'm awake.

After a few seconds I feel his lips on my cheek and I control the urge to pull him closer. Liam gets up and I hear his footsteps going upstairs, probably to start getting ready for the day. I open my eyes with my body melting. It's the first time I feel his lips touch my skin and I can only wish it would happen again.

I get up and go to the kitchen. I open the cupboards and the fridge which are obviously empty.

"Li, we're going to have to go out for breakfast and buy some food." I say, knowing that he would hear me.

"Okay, we just have to get ready and we can leave."

I go upstairs and find Liam taking photos of every room in the house and sending them to his parents and the pack. He is already properly dressed and has a huge smile on his face.

When we are both ready, we leave the house. Liam's enthusiasm is contagious and even I can't control the smile that insists on appearing on my face.

"It's so beautiful!"

It is no wonder that Rome is known as the eternal city. When walking down the street it feels like we have traveled back in time and are living in a different era.

"There's a cafe over there."

Liam grabs my hand and leads us through the people on the street. We enter the small, bright cafe and are immediately greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread.

"Buongiorno."

"Buongiorno." I greet the man behind the counter and feel Liam's gaze on me.

"Cosa vogliono?"

"Io voglio latte schiumato con caffè, pane di segale, banana e burro di arachidi." I say looking at the menu with the various options to choose from and then look at Liam. "What would you like?"

Liam blinks at me and seems to have the words stuck in his throat, I laugh a little and look back at the man.

"E il mio ragazzo vuole dei pancake proteici con farina, uova, mirtilli e burro di nocciole." I open my wallet and pay for the food.

"Tra dieci minuti sarà pronto."

"Grazie."

Liam is still frozen in place so I grab his arm and guide him to a small table where we sit.

"What did you get me?" His voice is hoarse and his cheeks are flushed. I think Harper is right and Liam might actually like me too.

"Don't worry, you'll like it." I rest my face in my palm and look at Liam's cute face across the table. "Ti amo."

"What does that mean?"

"That I'm hungry." I lie, but Liam doesn't know that.

The man comes to our table and places the plates in front of us.

"It really looks delicious." Liam looks at the plate of pancakes in front of him and starts eating.

"What do you want to do when we get out of here?"

"I want to see the Colosseum." Liam's eyes light up. "And the Pantheon."

We ate in silence, paying attention to the conversations around us. Rome is so different from Beacon Hills. It's peaceful and comforting. Beacon Hills is almost a storm, with danger always knocking on our door.

I watch Liam as I eat my bread with peanut butter. His hair shines in the sunlight and his facial expression is serene. How can someone be so beautiful?

The black circles under his eyes seem to have almost disappeared, this trip will really be good for him.

We left the cafe and walked calmly, observing every detail. The streets and houses are decorated with some Christmas decorations and lights and everything looks simply magical. I ask an elderly man for directions and he explains how to quickly get to the Colosseum.

As soon as the large monument appears in front of us, Liam begins to jump around.

"Theo, look!" He grabs my hand and starts running, dragging me with him.

The huge amphitheater stretches out in front of us and I really tried to see its beauty, but I couldn't take my eyes off Liam.

"Let me take a photo of you so you can send it to the pack." I say, using it as a lame excuse to have a photograph of him.

Liam smiles and I capture the moment. I want to feel him smile like that on my lips.

"Did you know that the Colosseum could hold between 50 thousand and 80 thousand people? It was used for gladiatorial combats and public spectacles, sea battles simulations, wild animal hunts, executions, reenactments of famous battles and dramas based on classical mythology."

Liam explains excitedly and I encourage him to keep talking despite already knowing those things.

"Can we go in? I can buy the tickets."

"Sure."

I'm not sure when we held each other's hands and our fingers intertwined, but it happened. Even though I love the feeling of his skin on mine, frustration grows in my chest.

What are we? Maybe something more than friends but definitely not lovers.

What am I supposed to do? Say fuck it and kiss him?

Of course not.

Even if he likes me, what do I have to offer? I don't have much money, I don't even have a house. And most of all, I don't know how to love. I've never felt this way before and it's terrifying.

What if I hurt him?

What if he realizes I'm nothing special?

"Theo?" I come back to reality and focus my gaze on Liam. I didn't even realize that he had already bought the tickets for us to enter. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"Your heart is beating too fast and you smell anxious."

I realize he's right. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't even realized the change in my behavior.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? We don't have to go in if you don't want to."

"I'm sure." I give his hand a little squeeze, trying to convey that everything is okay.

I decide to pay attention to his heart hoping that my beat aligns with his.