Another test passed. He'd expected Mike to start begging for it. He would have allowed one or two words, but he'd really expected an overflowing of desperate words. But Mike stayed silent. Usually, Liam would have been disappointed to not have a reason to give any further punishment. But he could see and feel the younger man's utter desperation. The fact that he managed to hold his tongue was frankly impressive.

The first hit, he took for himself. Drawing in deep and slow. It had been months since he'd touched the stuff, long before Mike wandered into his life. And because of that, it was better than the first time. Feeling it settling deep into his lungs as he leaned back. He held it there, head thrown back, perfectly still for a long moment. Then he finally exhaled, feeling as though every nerve in his body were calming all at once.

As he drew in the second hit, however, he dropped the lighter on the bed so he could grab a fistful of Mike's hair. Finally, he looked down at the junkie, his face utterly impassive as he lowered the hitter, holding his breath. He leaned down, practically nuzzling against Mike's lips. Slowly sinking into what could have been a kiss, if not for the smoke he breathed into the other's eager mouth.