I woke up in Liam’s arms, warmed right through by the shared body heat. I half expected him to be gone and that he’d be back to being moody and awkward, but he was still here. Still asleep. I felt like I was holding something made of porcelain; he was so fragile beneath his army tank exterior and I knew that everything wouldn’t suddenly be all magical and easy. I would have to protect him mentally while he kept me safe physically. Liam stirred and started to wake like a bear after hibernation, wrinkling his face. And there was that smile, the one thing that made me remember what it was like before the snow.
“Hey,” he mumbled without opening his eyes.
“Good morning!” I kissed his cheek and he smiled with his lips closed, making the little crease appear at the corner of his mouth.
He held my face there with his finger and kissed me a lot softer than he’d done last night. It was a whole different sort of kiss this time; relaxed, gentle, caring. It felt like we were in control of this one.
“I’ve needed to get that out of my system for days now,” he said and bit his lip, giggling.
“You could have done it anytime, you know…” I whispered.
“I know, I know. But I’m a stubborn idiot, remember?”
I laughed and reached my hand up to smooth his hair as I kissed him carefully, wishing I could just cover him in bubblewrap so nothing could harm him.
***
“I can’t believe you’ve done this to me,” Liam said, shaking his head and smirking as he brought our breakfast in to the tent from outside where he’d cooked it.
“I haven’t done anything!” I did a jokey shocked face and he laughed.
“Seriously though, if we’re going to do this, I need you to promise me that you’ll do whatever I tell you to do – not in a bossy way, but just ‘cause I know what will keep you safe.”
“I promise. I totally trust you.”
“If anything happens to you, I am going to die.”
“It won’t, ‘cause I got you as my bodyguard,” I grinned.
“Oh, no pressure then!”
“Are we carrying on along the way Nails showed us?”
“Yep! If you’re still with me!"
“I thought I made it pretty clear last night that I’m not leaving you...”
“I know… I just wanted to hear you say it again.”
***
A watery sun attempted to break through the snow clouds as we hiked along the side of the road that day, staying hidden amongst the trees with our hands welded together. For the very first time since we met, Liam and I had a REAL conversation during that walk – we talked about our lives before the storm, about school, what we used to like and we let each other further in to our personalities. Liam enjoyed singing, and almost applied for one of those talent shows but blew off his audition because of the nerves thinking he’d get another chance the following year. That was before the world ended, of course. I told him about my secret passion for dance, and he tried to get me to do a performance right there in the forest but I said I’d only do it if he sung for me. Neither of us felt quite ready to show off our skills yet.
“Wait, stop a minute,” Liam said and pulled me back.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, remembering that he had heightened senses.
