The first thing he saw every morning was his and Ray's surprised stare from the picture on the nightstand. Tyson had immortalized that moment, right after their first public kiss… in front of a full stadium and who knows how many people watching on TV. Ray loved the picture because, in the Asian's words, 'it proves there is a human being under that iron curtain of yours'. Kai wouldn't say it out loud, but it made him feel stupidly happy.
He sighed, content, looking down at the top of Ray's head and stroking his silky strands of black hair. The Chinese let out a delighted purr in his sleep, snuggling closer against his chest. Kai smiled fondly.
His cellphone rang, making them both flinch.
"Who calls you on a Sunday morning?" Ray protested groggily, rolling away from him and hiding his head under the pillow.
"Hmm…" the bicolor stretched a little and grabbed his phone. He sighed heavily at the sight of the name on the screen. "Morning, Diana" he said as he stood, letting a hint of annoyance slip into his voice.
"Good morning, sir" she practically chimed. "I know it's early, but, Smith's group accepted our conditions!" Kai shook his head, half a smile forming in his lips. He could picture her jumping excitedly. "You just have to sign the contract."
"Now?" he moaned, sparing a glance at his boyfriend. Ray straightened when noticing his tone.
"All of the members of the group are reunited now, we shouldn't miss this chance."
"You have to go?" the Chinese asked. He tried to keep his voice neutral, but Kai knew he was deceived. He was himself. They had just finished their exams; all he wanted was to recover the time they both spent studying and working.
"Diana" he called, "there is no need for me to be there. Get them to sign and send me the papers."
"But, sir, this is important" she insisted.
"It's not the end of the world" he let out a soft chuckle. "Besides, I trust you to solve any detail left."
"S-sir…" she stuttered. "I'll take you the papers as soon as I'm done here!"
"There is no…" she hung up, "…hurry" Kai sighed. "I love her efficiency as much as I hate it."
The raven-haired giggled, now fully awake. Kai watched him as he gracefully jumped out of bed and pulled the curtains open. The Russian walked towards him and hugged him from his back, resting his chin on Ray's broad shoulder.
It was a cloudy day despite being early June, but none of them was surprised. They had been living in England for almost two years. 'Two years' Ray thought, absently caressing the other guy's cheek. They could have been twenty, judging by how natural their relationship felt. They had their ups and downs, just like anyone, but they always seemed to find a way through.
"We should get ready if Diana is coming" Ray mused aloud.
"I'm sorry about that" the bicolor replied, loosening the embrace.
"It could have been worse" the Chinese smiled and kissed him softly. Then he went to pick some clothes from the drawer. "I'm glad you delegated a little on her."
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"Not that I had much choice."
Ray grinned unabashedly. Of course Kai had a choice. What he knew it meant was that Kai would choose him over work anytime. And that made him happy to no end.
They had had a huge argument a few months after starting their life together. The thing was Kai spent almost all of his time awake either in class, studying or working. Ray's culinary courses were hard too, and he also did the housework as his boyfriend didn't have much time left. That didn't trouble him. The problem was he felt alone. He had left his whole life behind, his friends and family, and for what? One day he burst into tears because he burnt a toast. That made him realize how bad things were for him, so he confronted Kai.
After a lot of shouting and crying, the Russian snapped as well. He wasn't any better than Ray. He was used to shut his feelings and keep going, but he was sick of being so busy and tired that the only words he shared with Ray were 'good morning' and 'good night'. He called Diana and she took charge of part of his duties since then.
That had been their only major problem that far. Kai's antics towards some of their classmates –those who got too close to Ray for his likes- were something he had foreseen, and the Chinese could easily cope with that. And, to be fair, Kai only kept away the people who had… dishonest intentions. The guy seemed to have a radar for that.
'Well, only when it's about me' Ray internally smiled. Amusingly enough, Kai was totally oblivious to flirtation when being at the receiving end. The raven-haired wasn't jealous; he knew his boyfriend better than that. If the bicolor had interest in another person, he would tell him and break up before doing anything. So, instead of being annoyed, he found kinda entertaining the vain attempts of Kai's classmates.
He put on a pair of comfortable loose jean, a light sweater and tied his hair in a ponytail. He went to the kitchen, where Kai had already put a teapot on the stove and was making toasts. Ray never asked him to do breakfast on his free days, Kai allocated himself that task, and the Asian let him do. He was aware the bicolor felt bad about letting him do the housework, although it was because he had a consuming job, and did gestures like that to compensate. It thrilled him.
Ray stopped his musing when a mug of his favourite tea was placed on the counter before him.
"Thank you."
Kai was rewarded with a warm smile and felt his cheeks heating up. He was still amazed by how much Ray affected him. A tiny but noticeable smile curved his lips. He didn't care anymore. He loved that feeling tickling inside his chest, growing stronger every day.
"What would you like to do?" he asked.
"I chose last time" the raven-haired replied. Kai merely shrugged. "You're spoiling me" he chuckled.
"You're way too nice. No harm in consenting you a little" the Russian pointed while spreading Ray's homemade jam over a toast.
The Chinese shook his head.
"Well… how does a walk through the Botanical Garden sound?"
"Good."
"They might have some activity" Ray perked up. "Last time they were making baskets, but I heard there are also drawing courses and…"
Kai laughed softly.
"If you were so eager to go again you should have told me before."
"None of us had many days off, and getting to rest at home is nice too" the Asian shrugged. "Anything is fine for me if I can spend time with you."
The bicolor lowered his gaze and nodded, a pink blush on his cheeks. The casual way Ray voiced his feelings for him reminded him how much of an inept he was in that matter.
"Kai, not again" the raven-haired lectured. "You always make that face when you start questioning our relationship. I don't like it."
"I'm not. Really" he swore. "I just… I wish I could be that open with how I feel."
Even after two years, the bicolor seemed to fear he was not good enough for him. Probably because he was still feeling guilty about the way he had treated Ray after their first kiss, and was worried he could go back to that cold attitude without noticing.
Ray shook his head, a patient smile gracing his features, and fondled the side of his face. Kai lovingly nuzzled his hand.
"You are, Kai, in your own way. Every time you respond to my touch like this…" he stuttered when the Russian kissed his palm. "I… uhm… what was I saying?"
Kai sniggered.
"You were explaining that you don't mind I'm a lost cause."
"Oh, right" he retrieved his hand because, honestly, if Kai kissed it again his heart would come out of his chest. "By the way, you are not a lost cause. Just… different. I don't want a cuddly and corny boyfriend who texts me every ten minutes to say how much he loves me and how he misses me. I love you. I love the way you give me space to do things on my own because you trust me, the way you encourage me to pull my limits because you believe I'm better than I myself think. You've made so many efforts to stand by my side when I needed you… to make me feel loved…" at that point a few tears shed from his eyes. Kai cupped his face in his hands and dried them with his thumbs.
"Really?" he asked, marveled. "Do I really do that?"
"You don't even notice."
"I don't… It's not an effort. I just want to be there for you."
"See?" Ray grinned. "You do it. You might not say the words, but you prove it."
Kai smiled, touched, and leaned over him to kiss him lightly. 'I love you' the gesture said, 'to the core'. And Ray could hear it, loud and clear.
So this is the end. Thank you so much to all the people who read and commented, it made me really happy :)
