Change Your Stars

3.

         The rest of the car ride was pregnant with tension so thick that for a moment, an admittedly insane moment, Liv actually contemplated on simply jumping out of the car. Well, considering that he was in no condition to move let alone freaking jump, the idea was discarded as quickly as it came...

So quickly in fact, that an breathy, borderline hysteric, chuckle erupted from him, making him wince painfully before he had a coughing fit that turned out to be really painful.

"Christ man." came a low growl then a warm hand on the back of his neck. The feeling was oddly soothing.

The action was at complete odds with the other man's appearance.

        To say that Damon Buchanan looked cold would be a massive understatement.

The man was practically freaking arctic.

Hell the bastard even sat straight.

Liv watched the man with a half lidded gaze (or was he wincing?), using his hunched position to watch him quietly.

Damon's face was a mask of concern, it looked strange so he thought it was safe to assume that it was unpracticed and rare.

Why did he care so much?

Grease Monkey meets Icy Adonis.

The thought made Liv want to laugh, because the image was so odd looking, but he refrained.

He wasn't a fucking masochist.

Instead he just closed his eyes and tried to absorb all the warmth from that one hand.

"You all right?"

"M' good." he muttered sleepily.

Then he was being shaken again, fuck if he shook any harder he might bruise his brain.

After the ass kicking, he needed all his brain cells intact, thanks.

"No sleeping." Damon was saying in that low, impossibly deep voice.

He was probably thinking that Liv had a concussion or something, or hypothermia?

Maybe the rich guy had the right idea. His brain was feeling fuzzy and his tongue felt thick in his mouth. And maybe he should be worried, because his ribs weren't bothering him as much.

"Fuh-fuh-fucking c-c-cold."

Damn it. Maybe it was hypothermia.

Before he could squeak (yes squeak) in protest, his poor battered body was dragged (gently) across the seat and he was surrounded by heat.

How could he be so warm if he was just as soaked as he was?

Human Radiator.

He must have said something out loud (horrible habit, he needed to get that shit in check), because he felt the low rumbled words as his face was pressed flush against Damon's hard chest, "Body temperature's always been high, since I was a kid."

Another thing that was at odds with his appearance.

How could someone who looks so frigid be so fucking warm?

How could Liv even stand to be this close to someone, let alone another man without cringing.

He didn't even know him, but he felt... Strangely okay. Like he's going to be okay.

Fuck, he can blame the blood loss for these weird thoughts. Loopy as hell.

        The car came to a full stop and Liv couldn't help his jaw from dropping slightly. Of course the motion had caused him a considerable amount of pain.

Being kicked in the face would do that to a person.

He was just thankful he still had all his fucking teeth.

The apartment complex looked huge and intimidating behind tall, onyx gates.

"You fucking live here?" he said quietly, his eyes wide.

Damon shifted uncomfortably, before grunting an affirmative.

The black gates parted with loud metallic clangs that made Liv close his eyes a little as the noise seemed to ricochet in his skull.

       Liv felt himself being lifted from where he was seated and the cold air bit at his already cold skin and he couldn't suppress the slight shiver that ran through him like an ice cold lance.

"Shu-Shu-Shu-Shiiit."

Son of a bitch, couldn't even curse properly.

How humiliating.

What was more humiliating was Damon crouching slightly to lift him, put was stopped when a chilled hand pushed at his chest insistently.

"N-No, fuh-fuck no!" he growled through bloody clattering teeth, "I-I-I-" he stopped to collect himself before glaring angry at the Damon, "I'm a-a f-fucking man."

Don't fucking carry me around like some bitch. He silently added with another glare.

Damon seemed to understand, but couldn't suppress his small grin, he didn't say anything else, just dragged Liv's beefy arm over his broad shoulders and clasped his hot hand on his hip again.

Liv wasn't about to turn down the help, but he was damn sure not going to stand for being princess carried like some damsel.

He was in distress, but last time he checked a dick still swung between his thighs.

"Stubborn." Damon muttered good naturedly.

"Pompous." Liv shot back, and smiled triumphantly at the other man's expression, "What? Only t-thought I k-knew curse w-words?"

So what, he liked to read. Big fucking whoop.

"You're just full of surprises."

"Better than being f-full of shit."

       They made it to the elevator when Damon surprised the hell out of Oliver... Hell his driver... Karl was it? He looked surprised as all hell when a broad smile sliced across Damon's clean shaven face and laughter burst from him. His barrel chest shaking, big paws squeezing slightly.

The sound was... Wonderful.

The elevator dinged and opened with a smooth whoosh and Damon swept him inside, bidding the stunned Karl the Driver, good night.

Oliver was staring at Damon under the bright lights of the elevator shaft, he was still holding him, rubbing his body as if trying to transfer his warmth to him.

It was kind of working.

And he tilted his head at the taller man in wonder.

Just who the hell was this guy?

TBC