Book Three - Discovery

Chapter Thirty

The next morning Liam woke up squinting his eyes. He laughed a bit seeing how they had passed out the night before. "Niall, love, wake up." He whispered kissing his cheek.

"Fuck Liam. Turn the damn lights off!" He complained grabbing a pillow to shield his eyes. Liam of course laughed. "We fell asleep with them on." He explained and then moved to shut them off so they could cuddle a moment.

They laid in one another's arms slowly waking up completely. After a moment Liam felt brave enough to bring up something on his mind, "Ni, I sort of missing topping."

He could feel the smaller lad get tense for a moment. "Babe, I wouldn't ever make you do something you aren't ready for. I'm just, I'm letting you know what's on my mind." Liam held him close to reassure him everything was okay.

"I, I'm sorry. I..." He didn't know what to say completely. "I didn't mean to be selfish." Niall felt bad. "Sweetheart, no. Please no. It's fine. I swear. You have every right to be selfish. I understand." He planted kisses across Niall's forehead and cheek.

"I..." He swallowed hard. "I just need time. I need to think it all through and... I don't know just, prepare myself mentally maybe? I'm not saying no. I want you to have your needs met. I just need time. Is that okay?" Niall looked up at him.

"More than okay. It's really really okay. Thank you for opening up and chatting about it. Thank you hearing me." Liam hugged him. "You take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready. No rush lovely."

"Liam James, you're the best. You make me feel so loved." Niall beamed. "Never felt this happy with anyone." He kissed his lips. "Happy to provide you with those feelings Niall James."

"Is that our thing? The use of our middle names as though they are our last?" Niall asked chuckling. Liam laughed a bit too, "I suppose so. Never really gave it much thought. It's cute though." Niall agreed, "Very cute. Just like you."

"Oh hush. Get up and shower. We have therapy before long." He sat up and grabbed Loki, giving the sleepy pup a cuddle. "Together?" Niall seemed confused. "No, same time though. More convenient."

A little over an hour later they had both eaten and were dressed. After an adorable moment over who got to drive they left for therapy with Niall driving Liam's car. It was a compromise of sorts.

"Love you." Liam grinned as they pulled into the car park. "Love you more. We're telling them right?" Niall asked. "Yeah, they can't tell anyone and they have to know in order to help us." Liam agreed quickly. It was a big step in a way but they didn't need time to think it over because they were both knew it needed to happen.

Niall walked into the room Carrie was waiting in. She gave him a big smile, "Hi, how have you been?" Niall gave a polite grin and sat down, "I think I'm doing better." He had seen a change in himself; especially compared to how he was when the police found them.

"Tell me about me." She grabbed her notepad and pen. "Well, uh, Liam and I are, we're dating." He'd tried not to grin like a fool when he said it but he did anyway. "He's my boyfriend."

Carrie wrote it down and gave him a small smile. She could see how happy he was. Happiness was good. "How is that affecting you needing time away from him? You still need time away." She reminded. She didn't want Niall to think it was okay to be attached 24/7 now that they were dating.

"I do know and I'm trying hard. I can't handle being completely alone for more than a few minutes yet but I am doing things without Liam. Yesterday I spent a lot of time with Louis. I helped him at his house and we went to premiere for David Beckham's film together." He was proud of himself.