The Daylight

Summary: "And that was the thing about daylight, it was the only constant in Mineral Town." Over a single year four people find themselves fighting against the current of change and surfing the unpredictable waves of loss, distance and heart break.

T for sexual suggestions and situations, possible swearing and themes.

Warning: Kai has a terrible sense of humour.

A/N: So this story is broken up into four acts (one for each season) and each season is told individually by Kai, Gray, Karen and Claire. It's been awhile since I've tried (emphasis on tried, here) to write a long fanfic so I hope I haven't completely forgotten how to write.


Act 1: Summer.

The horizon sprawled out almost endlessly before Kai, a kaleidoscope of blue sky and teal ocean with a hint of the suns golden rays. Slowly, at an almost taunting pace, Mineral Town came into view, smudging the sky-meets-sea landscape with its unmistakable silhouette.

"Land ahoy." Kai breathed softly, his words getting lost in the wind as the boat sped onwards. There wasn't anyone around to hear him but Kai's mouth twitched upwards anyway.

He watched the pier come into focus, distinguishing itself from the blurred lines of the mountains and buildings and his face broke into a wide grin as he finally let his excitement bubble to the surface of his resolve. The moment – salty scents, warm rays of sun, breathtaking views - would have been perfect had the letter currently shoved in his pocket not been there, masquerading as an anchor and weighing down his good mood. Yes, the letter from Popuri explaining in flowery, sugar coated detail why she no longer wanted to be with him was quite the damper on Kai's otherwise sunny disposition.

At first, if Kai was honest with himself, he had thought the letter was a prank from Rick. He didn't put it past the chicken farmer to resort to such crude methods to try and break him and Popuri up. But if Kai was honest with himself again he couldn't exactly blame Rick for wanting him out of his sister's life so badly. Yet after the seventh time reading the letter (he could almost recite it word for word now) the writing was undeniably Popuri's, down to the too-curly signature at the bottom, to the way all the I's and J's were dotted with little love hearts and the final sentence: I want someone who will share the world with me, not someone who I have to share the world with.

This meant he wasn't surprised at all when there was no hurricane of pink hair and squeals to greet him as he walked off the pier. In fact, the beach was empty – eerily so - and Kai felt a sharp pang of hurt inside of him. He knew he wasn't in the running for the most popular guy in Mineral Town by any stretch but Kai had thought that someone would have taken the time out of their day to welcome him.

After all, Mineral Town was the closest thing Kai had to a home.


The walk to the Inn was unsettling for Kai. Without Popuri by his side, clinging to his arm and crooning into his ear about how she'd missed him so much, he could actually hear the rustling of the trees, the buzzing of cicadas and the seductive whispering of the breeze for what felt like the first time.

It was with that thought that Kai turned the brass handle of the Inn's doors, pulled the aging door open and stepped inside. Instantly Kai was greeted by its owners.

"Welcome, it's good to see you arrived here safely as usual." Doug remarked, emerging from the kitchen and smiling at the traveller.

"Kai! We've been waiting for you," Ann gushed, the excitement lacing her tone serving as a verbal hug, "I spent all yesterday preparing your room so please don't mess it up like you usually do within the first hour."

Kai couldn't help but notice how much more mature Ann looked in comparison to last year. Her azure eyes had hardened slightly, no longer shining with as much childish innocence and she had finally grown into her work attire, filling it out quite nicely. Kai wondered, for an instant, what else had changed around this small town in his three season absence.

"Because you look so cute in those overalls I'll wait two hours before destroying your hard work, how does that sound?" Doug, who had been washing a glass behind the oak counter, froze mid scrub and gave Kai a look of mixed shock and disapproval. Noting this Kai quickly added, "Just joking Doug! I'd never let your daughter mix business with pleasure, no matter how much she may want to."

Doug, visibly relieved, went back to tending the bar and a blushing Ann stammered denials something along the lines of 'never' 'fraternize' and 'travelling filth like you'.

Kai chuckled to himself and excused himself to go unpack but not before shooting the flustered barmaid one last wink and a see you at Beach Day tomorrow.


Kai sighed dramatically, getting impatient for the blacksmith apprentice, his closest friend in Mineral Town (and arguably, if he wanted to get sappy, the world) to trudge upstairs. Having unpacked what felt like years – no, decades - ago Kai had decided Gray's bed was a great place to wait for him and as he sunk into the crisp sheets he reflected on how well he and Gray had clicked two years ago. Seemingly polar opposites, Kai had discovered that Gray's blunt, sarcastic and sometimes moody nature was actually tailored to fit his own extroverted personality. As far as friendships go, Kai had decided long ago that it was one of the best.

Not that he'd ever dream of telling Gray that in a million years.

Kai reaffirmed this thought when the man in question finally appeared, all loud, angry stomps, before freezing in the doorway when he noticed the figure lying in his room, "For a traveller you have appalling sense of direction. This is my room."

Kai laughed. "Yo Gray, nice to see you, you didn't ask but let's pretend you did; I'm great."

"Hey Kai."

"See that's how normal, socially adept people greet each other after not seeing each other for nine months." Kai patronized, sitting up slightly so his back was propped up against the pillows.

Gray shrugged his soot covered jacket off. "Normal, socially adept people don't lay in their friend's beds."

Kai plastered a look of mock horror on his face, "Are you serious?" The tanned boy leapt out of his friend's bed with a smirk and added, "I guess I have a lot of people to apologize to then."

Gray rolled his eyes in attempt to appear unimpressed but the small smile curving his lips indicated the opposite, "Ann will kill you if you don't make that." The blacksmith nodded at the bed, giving the crumpled sheets and askew blankets a dark, gloomy look before tossing his jacket onto the pile.

"Who said anything about me making it, it's your bed." Kai retorted, "Now, the Snack Shack doesn't officially open until tonight but I think I could make an exception for you and your baked corn obsession."

"Now that's something we can both agree on."


The inevitable question fell from Gray's lips while Kai was making the butter for the baked corn, "What happened with Popuri?"

Kai sighed, placing the whisk down on the bench. For a few seconds the only sound in the room was the gentle thrumming of the air conditioner as Kai contemplated his words, "We were just too different, you know?" Kai looked up to meet Gray's thoughtful expression, biting on the corner of his inner-cheek and furrowing his brows before continuing, "We had too many issues we couldn't settle." The words from her letter surfaced in his mind but he chose not to bring them up. It was too personal, even for Gray's ears; the carefully thought out words and bitter sweet sentences in that far-too-girly script had been for him and him only. Instead, he cracked a smile and joked, "I mean we could never compromise either. She would never admit pineapples weren't as good as chickens and when I, the fantastic boyfriend I was, offered the solution that she call her next chicken 'Pineapple' she wouldn't hear it."

"And I suppose," Gray tipped his hat upward so his blue eyes bored levelly into Kai's, "That the whole you being away three seasons out of the year had nothing to do with it."

Noting the serious route Gray was driving the conversation in Kai sunk his head into his hands while he admitted with a tremor of sadness, "I should have taken her with me. I would have, except Lillia…" Kai paused before wistfully adding, almost as an afterthought, "I believed it would be best I never asked her to choose."

Neither boy disputed the unsaid words that hung in the air, ghosting around the corners of their minds as a cruel reminder of the fragility of life, "Because she would have chosen me."

With one hand Gray took his hat off and with the other he ran his calloused fingers through his strawberry blonde hair, noticeably frustrated by his friend's actions, "You should have stayed." Blunt and sharp and entirely Gray the words from his friend's mouth summed up the regret that had settled itself in Kai's stomach since receiving the letter. Shaking his head, Gray muttered, "Idiot."

Kai, all teasing tones and smiles, changed the subject, "Careful Gray, is that the sound of you having missed me?" He began mixing the butter again and the tip tap of the whisk colliding with the bowl echoed around the cool room.

"Quite frankly, how you can hear anything over the sound of your ego is astounds me."

"Pardon?"

Both men laughed at the exchange, settling into the familiar rhythm of friendly banter reserved specially for the white washed walls of the Snack Shack.

Several hours later, as the setting sun's rays flitted around the room in dappled, fiery orange patterns, Kai rummaged through his fridge before pulling out a bottle of wine. He ran his hands over it lovingly, as if it was a new born child, fingers grazing the well worn label before unscrewing the top.

"As much as I love theorizing the idea that Duke and Jeff were once involved in a scandalous homosexual love affair," Kai paused for effect, "I believe tradition calls in the form of Italians finest."

Two summers ago, when Kai had first met Gray at the Inn they had ended up going through an entire bottle of wine together. Strangers back then, they had relished in each other's company none the less; trading stories, exchanging wit, making crude jokes. Kai could still remember them toasting – albeit in slurs - their final glass to the birth of their friendship. History repeated itself the year after, except they drank a bottle of wine Kai had, in an unusual display of sentimentality, bought for Gray from an Australian winery.

"Europe, eh?" Gray's face perked in interest as he eyed the bottle Kai had placed in front of him.

"Yeah, this bad boy is courtesy of Rome, only the best for my favourite blacksmithing amigo."

"Only blacksmith friend you mean." Gray corrected, stating the obvious.

"When did you become so wise and all knowing?" Kai held up a single, tan finger to silence his friends reply, "Wait, don't tell me, it was the same time you discovered the earth was round?"

"Close but it was when Saibara told me last winter that Santa wasn't real."

"Ah well, we all have to grow up sometime."

Gray shrugged and they slid into a comfortable silence, marred only by the sound of seagulls rejoicing and waves rolling into shore. Dusk had bathed the room in shades of pale yellow and their wine glasses glistened in the light every time one of them took a sip. Eventually, after both of them had downed three quarters of the fruity liquid, Kai spoke up, "So what's the story with this farmer-girl you mentioned in your last letter?"

Strangers in Mineral Town were like comets. They appeared out of nowhere, beautiful in their unexpectedness and vibrant in their stark contrast to the regular townsfolk. Yet like comets, they disappeared quickly, rarely staying more than a few glorious moments. Hence, Kai was exceptionally curious about the newcomer who had broken this mould.

"Claire," Gray began, emphasising her name, "Moved here a couple of months ago to take over the old ranch after quitting her job in the City."

Kai blinked, once, then twice and then a third time. "That's it? No juicy information about her being on the run from a bank robbery gone wrong or escaping an arranged marriage to a foreign prince."

"It was a drug deal." Gray deadpanned, humouring Kai's overactive imagination.

"Makes sense," Kai took a sip of wine, swallowed and licked the tangy aftertaste off his lips before adding, "There was a lot of weedon the farm."

Gray sighed at his friend's goofy expression. "Thank the goddess your comedy is not like your cooking."

With a creak the Snack Shack door opened and Karen walked – no, Kai thought, sashayed- through the door, "Hi Kai, thanks for coming to say hello to me at the Supermarket," She chimed with a note of sarcasm while walking towards him, "It's only been three seasons but whatever."

"And those three seasons have treated you well, you look glorious."

Karen tossed her head back, flicking her bangs away from her forehead. As she did so, dusks light caught on the moving strands, causing her hair to shimmer shades of honey brown. "Don't try and flatter your way out of this."

"So this is purely a social visit then Karen?" Kai asked with thinly veiled disbelief, "You just came to see me with no ulterior motive other than to say hello…"Trailing off, he raised his eye brows at Karen and she nodded.

"So you wouldn't mind then if I shut the pizza oven down for the night then?" Kai questioned dubiously, knowing full well how partial she was to the particular dish.

Karen took a seat next to Gray on one of the stools across from the counter. "Now you mention it, three pizzas to go thank you."

"Three? I know you've missed my cooking but I am here all season. I'd hate to see you be out of shape for tomorrow." Karen's face darkened. Kai, observing this and the way her emerald eyes flashed with pity, was hit by the sudden realization that given her intimate relationship with Rick she was most likely ordering for him and Popuri too. "Sure, three pizzas are coming up." Kai faltered momentarily, "And tell Popuri she doesn't have to be a stranger, okay?"

Karen nodded. "I will Kai."

After momentarily drowning in the uncomfortable currents of the conversation, Karen's hands waded towards the bottle in front of her, slender fingers unscrewing the cap with an expert touch. The cap fell onto the bench with a chink.

"Sure Karen, you can have some of that." Gray said sharply, evidently taken aback by how contented she was to just help herself.

Ignoring the bite to his words, Karen poured herself a glass. "Don't mind if I do."

"So Karen, tell me about Claire. So I far I know from Gray that she's a farmer." Kai asked while smearing tomato paste on the three bases in front of him.

Tilting her head to the side she replied simply, "Claire is Claire."

"You guys are killing me!" Kai moaned dramatically, glaring at the pair of them sitting in front of him. Karen shrugged, a coy smile dancing in the corners of mouth as she bought her glass to her mouth, signalling to Kai that she wasn't going to offer up any more information.

During the time Kai was bent over behind the counter, placing the pizzas carefully in the oven, Gray turned to the woman on his right and spoke casually, "Karen,"

"Yes Gray?

"Don't ever become a writer."

Chortling, Kai popped back up swiftly and leant over the counter to high five Gray, leaving behind a puff of billowy, white cloud as his floury hands collided with the blacksmiths. During their exchange, Karen's eyes had transformed from sparkling green to cat-like slits as she glared frostily at the boys laughing at her expense. Before she could utter a reply, Kai – or rather the buzzer on the pizza cooker - announced her order was done.

Kai, seeing her reach into her pocket to pay, made a noise of protest, "Don't worry about it. It's on the house or should I say shack."

Ignoring his attempt at humour, Karen asked hesitantly, "Are you sure?"

Kai waved away her reluctance. "One hundred percent just make sure you come back and visit."

"Thanks Kai. I'll see you tomorrow for the festival."

Kai watched her grapple with the door, trying to balance the pizza and the doorknob, waiting until she had pushed her way out before speaking the thought on his mind, "How Rick is dating her, I have no clue."

Gray nodded, blue eyes glued to the empty, lipstick smudged wine glass she'd left behind. "I'd toast to that."


Kai awoke to the first rays of morning light peeking through the windows of the Snack Shack, the walls and floor being drenched in dim gray shadows and the sound of snoring beside him.

"Good morning, beautiful."

"Water." Gray groaned, tugging his hat over his eyes to shield his face from the sun.

"Yes sir." Kai replied with a salute.

He stretched, got up, and straightened the creases out of his crumpled clothes all the while trying to ignore the nagging pain in his lower back as he twisted his body out of its awkward sleeping position.

Kai wondered while he walked towards the kitchen, mouth like sandpaper and lips as dry as the Sahara desert, what he regretted more: drinking so much wine or sleeping on such an uncomfortable angle. With a delicate chink Kai grabbed two glasses and made a beeline for the sink. The tap was cool when Kai flicked it upwards and the loud rumbling of plumbing that followed caused Gray to clamp his hands over his ears and moan softly in pain.

"Let it be known that I am never touching that god forsaken stuff again." Gray's voice was muffled against the sound of the water splashing into the cups and when Kai placed his drink beside him Gray grabbed it with the desperation of a man who hadn't drank in days.

Returning to the kitchen, Kai began to slice, mix and chop. His whole body seemed to relax into the fluid movements of cooking, his shoulders unwinding and his back relaxing. It just felt so natural for Kai to cook here in Mineral Town, on his restaurants marble benches, with the distant sounds of the sea embracing the shore; wave after wave after wave.

Gray's words from last night echoed in his ear on broken stilts, stopping and starting unevenly like a scratched a record, "You should have stayed."

In the time Kai spent in the kitchen, under the blossoming sun of day break, he couldn't have agreed with them more.

An hour or so later, Kai awoke his sleeping friend for the second time that morning, "Gray, wake up. I made you some breakfast. It's called 'Bakon Corn'. It's spelt with a K, not a C, because it's Baked Corn except with bacon!"

Gray sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes with weariness. "Kai, it is way too early for your terrible humour."

Kai shot him a sly look, "So when I sign this plate for you because it's the best thing you've ever eaten is that Gray with or without the 'R'"

"Gray…Gay. How many years have you been waiting to make that joke?"

"Since I first met you," Kai admitted with a laugh before switching on the kettle and changing the subject, "Coffee?"

Gray stared at him. "Are you wearing a purple bandanna?"

"Want me to make one for Saibara?"

"I don't care, but if you do add rats poisoning."

"Gray, if you're going to go and poison a man, at least add cyanide as well."

And that was the thing about Kai, when it came to the touchy subject of Gray's strained relationship with his Grandfather; he always knew exactly the right thing to say.


Kai approached the Poultry Farm, clutching a Styrofoam coffee in one hand and another tucked beneath his underarm; a peace offering Kai hoped would dispel any tension that may exist between him and Popuri. He hummed an old sailor's tune under his breath in an effort to drive away the butterflies loitering stubbornly in his stomach. It didn't work. The butterflies whirled inside him like tornadoes. He wondered if perhaps if this was how Popuri used to feel when she visited him, all trembling and shaking and stilted breathing and nerves quaking, albeit for entirely different reasons.

He paused when he reached the door and the hand that was curled, raised and ready to knock froze; the screaming and yelling emanating from inside the poultry farm crippling him.

"She's not getting any better Popuri, how can you be so foolish not to see that?" Kai was able to recognize the yelling voice as Rick's immediately, having been on the receiving end of that explosive anger more times than he could count on both hands.

"And how can you be so stubborn. If Mama wants to go to Beach Day today then she should go." The next voice that screeched – in a manner, Kai thought, which sounded like nails on a blackboard – was undoubtedly Popuri's.

"Children, please." Lillia's gentle voice rang out, quiet yet commanding, but the squabbling siblings ignored her.

"It's called looking after her best interests."

"Why don't you just leave like Dad then, if you're so interested in looking after Mama's best interests and not what she actually wants."

"I said enough; both of you. Rick, I'm going today so please make this a pleasant family outing. Popuri, don't talk about your father that way."

Silence. And then the front door was wrenched open revealing Popuri, the traces of the fight with Rick and leftover fury evident in the taut lines of her face.

"Popuri," Kai began, "Are you ok – "

Kai was cut off by Popuri stalking right past him, "What part of the 'I don't want to be with you' in my letter didn't you understand?" Desperate to make her listen, Kai reached out to grab her hand but as soon as his fingers snaked around her wrists she wrenched her arm away, as if Kai's touch seared her skin. "Just leave me alone Kai, please."

Ruby eyes met his, misty with unshed tears and Kai watched as she clamped her front teeth onto her lips, as if the sheer force of her bite could keep the inevitable crying away.

"Just leave me alone, okay?" She whispered shakily, turning her head away from his so that her pink hair slid in front of her face.

That was the moment when Kai knew, even without seeing the uneven way her shoulders were rising and falling, that she had started sobbing. That was also the moment when Kai turned on his heel and strode off, contemplating how that perhaps in another time, where the stars had aligned a little differently and he had offered Popuri the world, he would have been able to hold her, comfort her, kiss her in that instant.

The same voice from earlier vied for Kai's attention, drifting to the forefront of his memory and skirting around his mind, "You should have stayed."

Yes, yes he should have. Maybe if he had, things would be different. Maybe then, the sound of Popuri's sobs wouldn't sound so much like his heart breaking.


A/N: Let it be known I have way too much fun writing the Gray x Kai bromance.