THE LIGHT WITHIN.

"Butterflies in my stomach."

(I know this one is the most read reason being it gets a double update sometimes.)

Warning: fluff at the end, know y'all been waiting since chapter 5.

Chapter 9.

"You better go up the stairs before my mother sees you," Toby whispered. "She's home right now, and I'm sure you know where Daniel's room is." He started to walk away, leaving Liam alone in the hallway. Liam's heart was pounding, his thoughts racing as he made his way to Daniel's room. He had always seen Daniel as just a friend, but lately things had been different. Daniel had been more affectionate, and he had even reassured Liam when he was feeling down. He knocked on the door, but when there was no response, he pushed it open.

Daniel was huddled under the covers his dark hair the only thing visible in the dim light. Liam could see the faint rise and fall of Daniel's shoulders as he breathed, but other than that he was perfectly still. Concerned, Liam took a few steps into the room. "Daniel?" he said softly, not wanting to startle him. There was no response. Liam took another step closer, his heart in his throat.

Liam walked over to the bed and gently sat down beside Daniel, reaching out to run his fingers through his dark hair. But before he could make contact, Daniel turned to face him. The smile on his face was so genuine, so full of warmth, that Liam couldn't help but smile back. Suddenly, Daniel leaped out of bed, throwing his arms around Liam and hugging him tightly. He swung him back and forth, as if checking for any injuries.

"You're squeezing me so tightly, I'm worried I'll run out of breath," Liam said, his voice a mix of laughter and mild concern. "Oh, my apologies," Daniel replied, a sheepish grin on his face. "I'm just so happy to see you, it's been such a long time!" He poked his bottom lip out in a playful pout, making Liam laugh again.

"How did you end up here?" Daniel asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.

"Your brother brought me here," Liam explained, a small smile playing on his lips. "He said you told him to take care of me. So, here I am." He shrugged.

"I never said that!" Daniel said with a laugh, laying back down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. "But I'm glad he did it anyway." Liam couldn't help but smile at Daniel's laid-back attitude. Even though they hadn't seen each other in a while, it felt like no time had passed at all.

"Are you still running a fever?" Liam asked, concern in his voice. Daniel shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling. "I don't know, to be honest. I'm not feeling as bad as I was before, but I'm still not 100 percent." He looked over at Liam. "I'll be fine if I take a bath," Daniel said with a weak chuckle. "But I'm too lazy to call for the servants to help me out. I can't even get up to go to the bathroom on my own." He let out a dramatic sigh, as if the thought of having to get out of bed was the most difficult thing in the world.

There was a pause, and Liam's voice got softer as he played with his fingers, trying to calm his nerves. "I could... help you take a bath, if you want." Liam blushed as the words left his mouth, his eyes fixed on the ground. Daniel's eyes widened, surprised that Liam would suggest such a thing. But he found it rather endearing. He simply nodded, trying not to smile as he watched Liam squirm with embarrassment.

"Go into the closet and grab something plain for me to wear," Daniel said, still trying to hold back a grin. "I don't want to wear my pyjamas just yet, dinner is still a while away. You can set up the bathtub, too. I'm feeling a bit sleepy." He gave Liam a sly look, hoping to see how far he would take this game.

"Hey, don't fall asleep!" Liam exclaimed, his voice a little louder than he intended. He quickly backtracked, feeling bad for startling him. "Sorry! I just don't want you to fall asleep and then I have to wake you up later. That would make me feel bad." He got up and went into the bathroom, turning on the faucet until the bathtub was half full. He checked the water temperature, then added some scented foam and other luxurious toiletries that he found in the expensive bathroom. He went to the closet, checking over his shoulder to make sure Daniel was still awake.

He took a plain long-sleeved shirt and some grey sweatpants out of the closet, looking at them for a moment before putting them back. But then he reconsidered and took them out again, placing them on the bed. He went to the bathroom and looked around for a towel and washcloth, finding them in a cabinet under the sink. He made sure everything was set up before heading back out into the bedroom. "I think everything is ready," he said, noticing that Daniel was staring at him.

Liam was unsure where to find Daniel's underwear, and he was hesitant to ask. He placed the socks down on the bed and then went back to help Daniel stand up. He led him to the bathroom, closing the toilet lid so he could sit down. Then, Liam began to undress him, trying not to blush as he did so. Daniel's six-pack abs were hard to ignore, and his skin seemed to glow under the light. Liam mustered up all of his courage and asked Daniel to stand up so he could take his pants off. As he did, Liam couldn't help but feel incredibly embarrassed, so much so that when he stood up, he almost tripped over his own feet. He quickly regained his composure and steadied himself, trying to keep his eyes from wandering.

"You know, you don't have to force yourself to help me wash up," Daniel said softly, his hand coming up to cup Liam's cheek. Liam opened his eyes, looking into Daniel's own. He couldn't help but be captivated by the kindness he saw there. "I have the energy to do it myself, I promise," Daniel continued, his voice reassuring. Liam's face was still red.

"No, really, it's okay, I can take care of it," Liam insisted, his voice cracking slightly. But Daniel just smiled and made his way to the bathtub, sitting down and letting the water ease his tired muscles. He sighed contentedly, resting his head against the side of the tub. Liam's nerves were getting the better of him, but he knew he had to push through. He couldn't let his shyness get in the way of helping Daniel. So he gathered all his courage and started to wash Daniel's hair.

As Liam washed Daniel's hair and body, he was careful to avoid the one area that made him feel the most nervous. It felt wrong to touch it without Daniel's explicit permission. And yet, Daniel looked at him with such intensity, as if he wanted to touch him, too. It made Liam feel a mix of emotions - desire, shame, embarrassment. His heart was beating so hard, he could hear it in his ears. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. It was like Daniel had cast a spell on him.

"My gorgeous, gorgeous boy," Daniel said, his voice low and full of desire. He reached out his hand and pulled Liam closer, until they were almost touching. Daniel sat up straight, their faces mere inches apart. Liam's lips were slightly parted, and Daniel could feel the heat of his breath on his own lips. He was trying so hard to resist the temptation, but it was getting more and more difficult with each passing second.

"Don't do that," Daniel whispered, his breath falling on Liam's eyelashes. Liam's eyelashes fluttered slightly in response, and he had to fight the urge to close his eyes. They were both so close, yet so far away. It was like there was a magnetic force between them, pulling them closer and closer. But Daniel seemed to be fighting against it, trying to resist the inevitable.

"What?" Liam asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Daniel hesitated, like he was afraid to say it out loud.

" Tempt me," Daniel said, his voice husky. And then, he did it. He leaned in and captured Liam's lips in a kiss. The kiss was soft and sweet at first, and then it deepened, becoming more passionate and intense. Daniel bit down on Liam's bottom lip, and Liam's mouth fell open in response. Their tongues met, and Liam felt like he was on fire. He became bolder, running his hands through Daniel's hair and pulling him closer. Daniel's hands were on Liam's face, holding him in place as the kiss grew more and more heated.

The world around them seemed to freeze for a moment, as if time itself had stopped. Daniel couldn't remember the last time he had felt so alive, so present. It was just the two of them, nothing else existed. But eventually, they had to pull away, gasping for air. They looked at each other, suddenly shy and uncertain, as if they hadn't just been kissing like their lives depended on it. Liam finished bathing Daniel, trying to keep his mind focused on the task at hand.

But all he could think about was the electricity between them, the way Daniel made him feel. It was too much, and Liam had to get out of there before he did something he would regret. "I'll just, um, let you finish up," Liam said, his voice trembling slightly. He turned and hurried out of the bathroom, leaving Daniel alone. Daniel watched him go, his heart pounding in his chest. What was happening between them? He couldn't understand it, but he knew one thing: he didn't want it to stop.

(Even my love life ain't as interesting as this lol, lord send me a Daniel.🥲)
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