A Train To Anywhere

Astin and Liam sat quietly pressed up against the headboard of Liam's bed, each with a book hanging limp in their hands. Neither of them were really paying attention to the words on the pages; they were too distracted by the way their arms brushed up against the other's each time they moved.

Astin was at a loss for words when Liam dropped one of his hands and began tracing small circles into her palm. Her heartbeat quickened almost immediately, leaving her to try and hide the fact that just from his touch she had become breathless.

Liam wasn't sure what he was doing when he stopped the circles and captured her hand in his, twisting their fingers together. He dropped their hands onto the bed and continued flipping through the pages as if his heart wasn't in his throat.

"We should do something tonight." She said, her hand twitching but still not removing it from Liam's grasp. She closed the book, turning to look over at the brunette and smiling. Astin loved spending time with Liam, more than she loved the snow and spending time alone.

Liam closed his book and slowly slipped his hand from Astin's, "Yeah, okay." He smiled. "What did you have in mind?" Astin chewed her lip before shooting up off the bed.

"Dinner, maybe a film. Be ready in ten." She waved at him before skipping from his room. It didn't take long for Liam to push himself up from the bed and slip on a pair of chinos and a nice shirt. He wanted to look good for Astin, even if they were just going to a film. He put on a pair of hightops before grabbing a coat and leaving the room.

"Well, aren't you handsome." Astin grinned as Liam walked down the stairs. Liam couldn't help but stare at the beautiful giurl in front of him. Astin was wearing a pair of form fitting jeans and a plain black pea coat, accompanied by a pair of white stilettos. Her hair was curled perfectly and drifted softly down her back.

"And you look beautiful. Shall we?" He asked, holding out his arm and waiting for her to take it. She gladly slipped her arm through his and they left the inn.

To Liam, Astin was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Every time he looked at her, he could feel himself sinking further and further into her honey colored eyes. He knew he shouldn't be feeling this way; eventually, he would have to go home. He had a career, a family, friends; he couldn't just drop that and move away from everything he loves.

As he walked down the darkening street, Liam's thoughts drifted back to Danielle. He wanted to know if she was okay, if she had found someone new. Liam knew it wasn't right; she had broken up with him, after all.

"Li, you want a drink?" Astin asked, pointing up at the pub in front of them. Li examined the name, The Rusty Pig and cringed. Astin chuckled and pulled him into the pub, pushing him down onto a stool and climbing up next to him. "Two beers." A few seconds later, the drink were being put down in front of them.

They barely had time to get down half of the beers before Astin name was being called from across the bar. Astin turned to look, sighing before tossing some money onto the counter and
pulling at Liam.

"Let's get out of here." She whispered. Liam didn't hesitate, standing up quickly and following her closely.

"Wait up." Just as they were about to make it out of the pub, Astin was pulled backwards, a dirty hand connected to her elbow. She shook him off before shooting Liam an apologetic look and pulling the man to the side.

He stood awkwardly, hands shoved into the pockets of his chinos and waiting for Astin to wave him over. He couldn't help but wonder if the man she was talking to was an ex-boyfriend. Liam could feel the jealousy pulsing through him as the man leaned forward, whispering something in Astin's ear, who pulled back in disgust.

It was quick. Liam watched as the mans hand lifted, reeling back and slamming against Astin's cheek. He didn't process what had happened until he saw Astin with her hand on her cheek, tears streaming down her face.

"Dumb bitch." The man muttered. Liam quickly ran at him, not thinking about what he was doing. His hand clutched into a fist and before he knew it, he was on top of the man, punching him repeatedly any place he could.

"Liam. Liam, stop." Astin pulled the boy off of the other and quickly rushed him out of the pub, practically running back to the inn. "Are you mental?" She spat as soon as they were inside, the warmth covering their cold bodies.

"I'm sorry, I just..."

"Shut up." Astin said, holding up her hand. She pushed her hands through her curls as she paced through the lobby, Liam wringing his bloody knuckle. "You're an idiot, you know that?" She said, stopping and looking over at him. Liam nodded and turned to climb the stairs back to his room. "Where are you going?"

He stopped, turning to look back at Astin and shrugging, "I just thought," He began, trailing off his sentence and waiting for her response.

"Well, you thought wrong." Astin said, stepping forward and capturing his hand in hers. "That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." She stood on her tiptoes and before either of them knew it, her lips were pressed to his, a passionate kiss inbetween them. Liam didn't hesitate to pull her closer to him; this was everything he had wanted since the first time he saw her.