A/N: Hello, everyone, Emery is the first fic for Ophidiophobia that contains no T&B canon characters. Instead, meet Liam Raynes. He's fun, for lack of a better word. I hope T&B fans will still read and become interested in Ophidiophobia even when the heroes aren't directly involved.

This is only a short drabble, but there's more Liam to come!

Liam desperately wanted to know where his lover was staying so late. It wasn't unusual, by any means, for Alexei to not return home for a night, and in some cases more than one night in a row. Tonight was different though. They had planned something, sort of. Alexei wasn't exactly one for planning much of anything, and, to be honest, neither was Liam.

There were some candles and a tablecloth on the small kitchen table in Liam's apartment though, along with some food he had attempted to cook that had long since gotten cold. And that was enough of a plan that Liam was more than pissed about Alexei not showing up to enjoy it. He cast an annoyed glare towards the digital clock on the microwave – the red digits told him it was three hours since the time when Alexei had promised so sweetly to be home.

Bastard. See if I ever cook food for you again.

The tall man huffed out an angry sigh and stalked out of the room, giving one of the table legs a powerful kick on the way out. The plates, silverware, and glass goblets rattled, one of the lit candles falling and briefly lighting the table cloth before Liam smashed a bottle of lemon sparkling water over the small flickering flame, extinguishing that fire but only encouraging his own burning rage.

You're probably out fucking some whore because I'm not good enough.

This wasn't the first time Alexei had just abandoned his sweetheart to wonder and wallow in the feeling of loneliness. Not knowing what else to do, Liam tore his cell phone from his pocket and re-dialed the Russian's number. The incessant ringing that continued as Alexei ignored him only served to enrage Liam further, and the beginning tone of the voicemail was what finally broke him.

"God fucking dammit, Alexei!" he screamed, throwing the phone across the room.

I'll make you sorry you left me alone again.

The plate of food so lovingly arranged for the man who was away was shattered against the wall, a bit of the food sticking to the walls and the rest left to soak into the floor.

I'll get your attention if it's the last thing I do.