Chapter 8: Let's Take Our Time


My eyes shot open, even as I lay still on the couch - my brain had stepped out for coffee, leaving my cognitive senses stalled.

While it fumbled for the keys to get back in, I struggled to take inventory of everything around me: Dull, cloudy light; body reclining on not-my-bed; not-unpleasant weight settled against me, warm and comforting under my arms; shrill, frantic barking; a series of knocks, repeating every few seconds.

Alright, kid, I'm home. Wakey-wakey. For the love of god, get the door.

"I'll be right there!" I called, raising my voice slightly over Bob's racket.

Beneath me, Kai grumbled and stirred as I shifted on the couch, muttering a bleary "Buzzuh?"

"Sorry," I whispered as he sat up, blinking sleepily at me. Another series of knocks, causing him to scowl at the door in confusion. "I'll get that," I added softly, padding over the door as Kai let out a loud yawn. Steeling myself for the inevitable awkward conversation, I gently nudged Bob back over toward Kai, opening the door to find a drenched Ann bracing herself, with one foot pulled back and her teeth gritted. She froze when she saw me.

We stared at each other for a brief, silent moment. The rain came down a bit harder, and a crow squawked nearby.

I blinked. "You weren't."

"Morning, sleepyhead," Ann responded evasively, putting her foot down and waving. "Bad time?"

"Hi, Aaaaa... Ann," Kai's voice called from the couch in mid-yawn, causing my shoulders to tense up.

"What's up?" Ann responded, waving over my shoulder and looking at me slyly. She waggled her eyebrows and grinned cheekily, causing me to groan and bury my face in my hand.

"Too early for this shit," I mumbled. "We both know you're not here to heckle me about that."

Clasping her hands behind her back, Ann tilted her head. "Nah, just screwing with you. I know better. I just got an answer about yesterday, that's all."

Opening my eyes, I peeked at her expectantly through my fingers.

"They're cool if he's cool," she finished, patting me on the shoulder and giving a sunny smile. "Your turn."

Kai popped up behind me, peeping around the side of the door frame and smiling sleepily, rubbing his eyes in a ridiculously adorable manner. "What brings you here so early?"

My turn? I mouthed at Ann, nodding towards Kai and crossing my arms. She shrugged, looking at him.

"Didn't think you were totally awake yet. Not a morning person," she stage-whispered at me.

"She's a ginger," Kai stage-whispered back.

"He'll have a better comeback when he's completely awake," said ginger assured me, earning a loud raspberry in response from Kai. She turned her attention back to him. "Anyway, Cliff tell you about the job at the winery?"

Scratching his head for a second, Kai puzzled out the details. "Winery... oh, yeah! Yeah. Couldn't stop talking about it. Pretty cool of you. What's up?"

Beaming, Ann made the pitch: "Doesn't start still late August, but they could probably use another strapping young lad down there to help out, at least till fall's over. How about it, lad? Wanna strap?"

Looking thoughtful, Kai rubbed his chin. "Late August... through fall? I... I dunno. That's-" He suddenly cut off, and I felt the damp air grow thicker and heavier, with two stares boring holes into different spots on my head. "I'll - I'll think it over," he finally stuttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"All I can ask," Ann agreed, nodding. "Just lemme know before too long, okay?"

Though Kai and I were now sharing a sober gaze, he nodded, absently muttering a "Sure".

Making to leave, Ann looked back over her shoulder. "Well, while Kai's still here, you guys can ask the elephant in the room if he'd like to help out, too. Catch ya later, fellas!"

"She's a blunt little hammer, isn't she," I stated dryly, watching her splash off through a puddle on her way back to the inn. Shutting the door, I looked at Kai, who was avoiding my gaze. "Breakfast?" I offered weakly, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

He nodded, still not looking at me, and following me into the kitchen. "Umm, sure. Thanks. You want some help?"

"Let's ask the elephant," I responded wryly, spraying my frying pan. "Scrambled?"

He nodded again, quietly filling the coffee maker and staring at it as the drip began.

He looked so torn, I couldn't help but sigh and stop whisking the eggs, setting the bowl down and going over to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I rubbed it. "I was kind of hoping for a better time to bring it up... like, maybe later."

He glanced at me, a guilty look on his face. "How much later?"

Letting out a deep breath and turning around, I looked up at the ceiling, leaning back against the counter and drumming my fingers on it. "Dunno. Ummm... couple dates later?" I shrugged, in what I hoped was a noncommittal manner. "You?"

"I... I was working on it," he said half-heartedly, returning his gaze to the coffee maker and letting out a small laugh. "I thought I'd quit doing that 'dancing around the subject' crap after the Fireworks Festival."

I smiled wryly at him. "You're not the only one who relapsed."

He took a deep breath. "You know, I really didn't think it over. Long-distance doesn't really seem that fair to me. I... uhh, I'm used to... to dating back at home. "

"More than I'm used to at all," I admitted quietly. "But I don't want to be selfish about this... I mean, I'd already heard that you're only here during summer. And even after I realized that I liked you, I just kept reminding myself over and over - 'Don't get too attached'." Chewing my lower lip, I decided confession time was fully on the table now: "It's why I kept... you know, avoiding you. Clamming up and changing the subject all the time." I decided to leave the more supernatural aspect of my agonizing out of it. Things were already awkward enough.

Kai nodded thoughtfully. "I kind of figured. It's just..." He leaned next to me, adopting the same position, looking up and drumming. "I wanna say that I wanna be absolutely sure first. But I do really like you. A lot." As a warm feeling erupted in my stomach, he continued, "I mean, you're a hell of a guy. Funny, hard-working, cute. Great smile. Down-to-earth."

I wrapped him in a one-armed hug, earning a small smile. "I am a farmer," I cracked lamely, causing him to chuckle and give me a light shove.

"Smartass."

"One of my likeable qualities?" I teased, grinning when he nodded. A bit more seriously, I went on: "Well... you know, you're pretty special, too. Confident, friendly... maybe a bit cocky, but it's kind of sexy."

He smirked. "Sexy as charged."

I shook my head. "So damn humble, too." Unwrapping my arm from around his shoulder, I returned to leaning against the counter beside him, looking into his eyes now. "Look, I know we just started all of this. I mean, I don't want to pressure you at all - that's part of the reason it took me forever to even say anything to you. I'm kind of worried, too."

"I don't normally get this worried about stuff like this," he confessed quietly. "You know? Jack, I really like you. I don't want to hurt you."

"And I don't want to hurt you," I shot back. "So let's not worry about hurting each other for now, okay?" He nodded, and I continued: "Let's... let's just play it by ear. See what happens. And whatever happens... does."

"I can do that," Kai agreed, brightening up a little and shaking my outstretched hand.

"Deal," I said, turning back towards the bowl of eggs. Looking over my shoulder at him, I decided to address another nagging thought: "I know it's considered bad form to talk about it, but... uhh..." At his raised eyebrows, I shrugged. "Y'know... just wondering... your, uhh... previous - err, before me..."

"Oh!" Setting our mugs of coffee down on the table, Kai gulped and rubbed the back of his neck. "Umm. Well, a couple of girlfriends. A-and... err... two... two guys," he added quickly, making his way to the toaster with a bagel as I grinned and shook my head.

"Sorry," I said, loading up our plates with eggs. "I'm not gonna flip out or anything. Just curious." I decided not to let him know Rick's words from the day after the Fireworks Festival had gotten under my skin a bit.

"I don't mind when it's you," he admitted, taking a plate and drawing me in for another short, yet lingering kiss.

Afterward, we ate breakfast, chatting lightly about the novel we'd thumbed through the other night, as well as the newest resident on the farm. Kai gleefully suggested I name my sheep "Storm" when I got it.

"What if I wanna call it Jean?" I countered.

"Jean can't control the weather!"

I had to cede to his point. She really couldn't.

As we finished breakfast and walked to the door, I pressed my umbrella into Kai's hand. Again.

"I really should buy one of these things," Kai mused, rustling the blue-and-orange fabric as we stepped out onto my porch.

I shook my head, drawing him into a tight hug. "I need your fingerprints on it in case I use it to murder someone."

Kai snorted. "What's that? Can you repeat that into the wire, please?"

"How about I repeat this into the wire?"

As I leaned in to kiss Kai, I suddenly took notice of something yellow-and-orange, standing at the foot of my porch and looking very uncomfortable. I froze when I realized who it was.

"What's wrong? Is it my breath?" Kai murmured, pulling away and breathing into his hand. He smirked. "Nahh, didn't think so. I - oh, for fuck's sake."

Pulling the hood of his raincoat over his head, Rick cleared his throat and looked away, eyes shut. "Uhh, bad time, I guess..."

Kai shook his head disbelievingly. "Well, the mood's already dead. Go on."

Turning his gaze back to us and glowering, Rick pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Look, Kalani, don't make this any tougher than it already is for me."

"Make what tougher, exactly?" I asked, folding my arms and tilting my head - more curious than annoyed, truth be told. Rick could be a touch neurotic on a good day, and nosy as anyone else in the town - but he meant well, at least from my understanding.

Hugging his midsection and looking like he was working up his nerve, Rick huffed and looked at the ground. "Kai," he mumbled, "I... need to... apologizetoyouforbeingsuchajerkallthetimeandIhopeyounderstoodthatbecause I will not... repeat... it."

"Jesus," I blurted out, almost wanting to hold up a numbered paddle, while Kai puzzled out the auctioneer-esque string of words.

The realization rammed him like a charging boar. "Did you just-"

"Yeah." Rick nodded brusquely. "Uhh... and Karen didn't make me do it, if that's what you were wondering! Although, it... uhh, well. Well!" He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Darnedest thing, really! We were up in the meadow last night."

Eyes wide and blank, Kai stood stone-still for a second, only blinking. "Y-you heard-"

"Overheard," Rick corrected compulsively, before waving his hands as Kai's hands balled into fists. "By accident! Look, we already made plans up there for the festival like a week before that! We weren't trying to spy, I swear! Not even Karen, this time! It just..." Calming down, he crossed his arms and regarded Kai with a mixture of sympathy and guilt. "I was a real dirtbag, Kai. I didn't even bother ever wondering what was up with you."

Shaking his head, Kai shrugged. "Hey, I can be kind of a dick to you sometimes, too. And... I'm sorry about that. Plus, I don't like to talk about my dad much, anyhow, so don't worry. Hardly anybody around here knows."

Rick shoved his hands into his raincoat pockets. "Well... still! I guess... I just freaked out when Poppy and Karen became so close with you. Y'know, my dad's off who-knows-where, trying to help my mom, and... I'm worried she won't see him come back. So when Poppy started mooning over you, and my best friend kept defending you... I didn't realize you'd-"

Eyes softening, Kai stepped off the porch, offering Rick his hand and smiling when the redhead shook it and pulled him into a one-armed hug.

"Clean slate?" Kai asked.

"Clean as a whistle," Rick sighed gratefully. Nodding to me, he added, "Sorry I gave you so much crap about seeing him, too."

"Ahh, I'll live," I assured him, watching happily as Rick and Kai bade each other farewell, waving. "That went a lot better than I thought. I thought he'd be accusing you of ravaging me like a sociopathic fiend."

Chuckling, Kai hopped back up the porch steps to me. "I'm sure Manna and Anna will be asking me about that later."

"Oh, goody," I complained good-naturedly, as he wound his arms around my waist. Doing likewise, my eyes slid halfway shut. "Forget something?"

"You look goofy when you're trying to be sultry," he said simply, before we shared a more silent, enjoyable goodbye. When we pulled apart, he continued, "But even that's pretty hot."

"You wear a purple bandana," I reminded him, ignoring the fact that he hadn't worn his bandana last night - his short black hair was sticking up every which way. "You really can't tell other people they look goofy."

"Color of royalty, handsome! Any plans brewing up there?" he added, stroking my hair.

"Aside from cleaning the house later, nothing yet. Maybe continue reading that book later on?"

He nodded, looking pleased. "Here? Library? My room at the inn? Lakeside?"

"Guess we'll know when it happens," I responded, shrugging. "Spontaneous reading action. You know, like yesterday."

Kai hummed thoughtfully and tapped his chin. "I liked spontaneous reading action the first time around," he decided. "Well, that settles it! Nebulous plans, here we come! Take good care of Storm," he shouted as he jogged off.

I rolled my eyes and headed for the barn. "Not her name," I said to nobody in particular, feeling the corners of my mouth twitch upward, regardless.


The next week or so passed in a humid blur of muggy rain, gleaming sunshine, and overcast, windy days. July found me with fewer days spent watering my fields than I'd anticipated, leaving more free time for mining and social visits - and taking care of my harvests within the limitations of Zack's strict shipping schedule.

"You're alive, right?" Kai's voice called.

It was Saturday evening, on the 21st - the night before Kai's birthday, as Sasha had noted to me earlier in the week during a grocery run.

I was sprawled out on the ground by my barn, enjoying the shade as I stared blankly at the still-bright sky. "Kai, why does the sun set so damn late in summer? It's after six, Kai. Make the sun set."

Sitting down beside me, Kai smiled. "I'm just going to take that as a 'yes'."

"I never said I was still alive..."

Face brightening even more, he leaned to the side and grabbed a handful of dirt. "Fair enough. I'll bury you."

"I'll bury you with me," I warned, sitting up and groaning. "You don't do massages, do you?"

He grimaced and shook his head. "Not good ones. Tried to do Sasha's shoulders once, and she nearly broke my arm stopping me."

"Wow." Leaning against the barn next to him, I nodded in his direction. "Speaking of Sasha, she let a little detail slip about you earlier this week." At his curious expression, I kissed him on the cheek and clarified: "Happy early birthday."

He slung an arm around my shoulder, squeezing. "Thanks, Jack. Hey, umm..." Clearing his throat, he averted his gaze. "Uhh, I was actually on my way up to the lake. I sometimes take a swim there at night. Clear my mind, think, that kinda thing..."

Feeling my face suddenly grow extremely warm, I gaped at him - eyes darting quickly downward to realize he was, in fact, wearing purple swimming trunks. "S-swim, wi... with-" Awesome. I was squeaking like a cheerleader, and could only stutter more as Kai failed to stifle an amused grin.

"Don't worry; I'm not gonna mope if you don't wanna come," he teased. "Besides, if you can't swim, we can just sit by the lake again and stargaze." Looking up at the sky, he amended, "Well, once we actually get some stars up there."

"I-I can swim," I protested, my mind simply screaming What are you doing, man?! over and over again. Still, scrubbing off the sunblock and taking a swim in the lake sounded extremely refreshing right now - especially after a day of toiling in the angry sun that felt like it would swoop down start chasing me around the farm any second. Making a date of it just sweetened the pot, even as my mind wrestled with how to handle the implications.

Regaining control of my mouth as I jumped to my feet, I spat out: "Trunks. I'll, uh, go get them. Be right back!"

"I'll be here," he called after me, as I jogged into my house to get ready.

Moments later, we were making our way up the hillside, with Kai carrying a few of the towels I'd brought, and me carrying the book as a just-in-case.

"So," I started, as the shore of Mother's Lake bobbed into view, "got any birthday plans?"

Kai shrugged. "I usually just chill on the beach with a couple friends, have some beers and toast stuff on a bonfire." Laughing quietly, he added, "We always treat it so spontaneously, even though we've done it for five years now. Invite people at the last minute and all." Shooting me a sideways glance, he cocked his head to the side. "You in?"

"Definitely! Sounds fun," I agreed. "But you're getting your present when we get back to the farm. That includes finding out what it is," I continued, when he raised his eyebrows and grinned.

"Kiss you if you tell me now?" he wheedled, waggling his eyebrows.

I smirked. "Please. Like you weren't gonna kiss me anyway. Especially when you see what I got for you."

Slamming his fist into his palm, Kai let out a sudden cry. "A diamond-encrusted spaceship! With a motion-sensing turret gun!"

I stopped, leaving him to head a few paces ahead of me before realizing I'd fallen behind. "Uhh, something similar," I lied, shaking my head. "I think Ann got you one of those instead. Act surprised."

With a shrug, Kai turned back, continuing towards the lake. "Still excited!" Turning back around, he motioned for me to join him, setting the towels on the grass and slipping his socks and shoes off - along with his shirt.

Gulping, I joined him, setting the book down on one of the towels and stripping myself down to my trunks, as well. I took in Kai's form in the light of the setting sun, feeling a pleasant tingle wash over my body. I was fairly trim, myself, from months of hard farm work - Kai, however, was criminally sleek, toned, and athletic.

Catching his own appreciative, lingering gaze, I felt my face burn as I rubbed the back of my sunburned neck. Intending to ask him if we should get to swimming, I instead blurted out: "Fuck, you're sexy."

My statement was followed by a gust of wind, carrying the chirps of crickets.

Looking like he wanted to bust out laughing, Kai instead settled for just grinning widely at me as I slapped my hand over my eyes, taking my free hand and pulling me toward the water. "I was just thinking the same about you, handsome. C'mon, let's dive in!" he urged, letting go of me and jumping in with a loud splash.

Beaming from the compliment, I instead jogged up to a small outcropping a decent height above the lake, feeling Kai's eyes watch me as he paddled around.

"Really?" was all he had time to ask in disbelief, as I whooped loudly and cannonballed my way in, soaking him with a fairly large wave. Sputtering and wiping the wet hair from his eyes, he shook his head and laughed. "Careful you don't get the book wet. Mary will nail your ass to the wall."

"Our socks are closer," I assured him, lazily backstroking away. "I'm more worried about those getting wet."

Grimacing in realization, Kai nodded. "Good point." He set off following me, the two of us leisurely swimming a circle around the large lake - and around the small island in the middle, where a small cave sat.

"You know, I heard that place has some pretty awesome minerals in it," I pointed out, nodding to the cave. "Gray told me we can only get to it in winter, though. You'd think they'd build a bridge to it, or something..."

"Nah. You don't wanna build a bridge over this lake," Kai said, following my gaze and smiling mysteriously. "Might anger the water spirit, you know."

Swimming away from him, I squinted curiously. "You're joking, right?"

He grinned once more. "I don't know that it's absolutely true, but Carter and Basil seem to think there's a kappa living in here."

I balked. If the Harvest Goddess lived in the waterfall, then there was definitely a high chance that a kappa lurked in the depths of our swimming grounds. Fantastic. "You sure we should be swimming in here, then?" I muttered, eyes darting around nervously. "Don't those things suck your life force out through your a-"

Out of nowhere, something squeezed my butt, and I let out a startled scream in mid-sentence, splashing about frantically. "Damn it, Kai!" I sputtered, looking around for him - he was swimming over to me, looking concerned.

"You okay?" Kai asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as I scowled and shook my head. "What happened?"

I looked at him quizzically. "So... you didn't just grab my ass just now?"

He shot me a puzzled look, that soon turned mischievous. "No, but if you want me to..."

Pushing him away gently, I shook my head once more. "I'll keep that in mind, but I think I just wanna get out of this lake right now." I narrowed my eyes at the water. "I, uhhh... I think something's in there."

Laughing like a fool, Kai led me to the shore. "Yeah, maybe we'd better steer clear before he tries grabbing you from the front and mistakes it for a cucumber."

I didn't protest the credit he was giving me in that area. "It was pretty freaky," I insisted, as we reached the shore and clambered out. "I could've died. From... from having my butt grabbed."

Eyes dancing as his laughter died down, he traced a finger down my side, making me shudder happily in spite of the eerie encounter I'd just endured in the lake. "Yeah? We wouldn't want that." His hands passed over my hips, resting just on the waistband of my trunks. "Hmm... but it'd be a hell of a way to go."

I wrapped my arms around his waist, drawing our wet bodies closer together. "It's okay. I think you know how to touch it without killing me," I murmured invitingly, my fingertips grazing dangerously close to the generous curve below the small of his back.

"Wanna show me where the naughty imp touched you on that cute ass of yours?" Kai teased, hands chancing a bit lower and sliding around to the back. "Here?" He squeezed, and I let out a soft moan. Heart pounding so forcefully that it felt like it would leave a bruise, I shook my head, feeling my breathing become heavier as I slipped a hand down the back of his wet, purple trunks and squeezed.

"More like here," I murmured seductively, eyes sliding shut as our mouths and tongues met. Kai rubbed one hand up and down my back, the other kneading gently on my backside through the blue-and-black fabric. Meanwhile, both of my hands had now found their way under the back of his trunks, rubbing insistently on the bare, damp skin.

My mind was too hazed with lust to be shocked at the boldness of my body, only getting a sharp but pleasant jolt through the haze when I felt a finger poke teasingly against the middle seam of my trunks, rubbing over a particularly sensitive area. I gasped into Kai's mouth and sucked his tongue much to the same response, pushing him down onto one of the towels and pressing against him once more, our bodies sliding over each other in a mixture of beaded lake water and salty perspiration.

I felt our crotches glance against each other, urging me to press more insistently against his swollen bulge and rub it against my own. He groaned and whimpered, pulling my trunks halfway down in the back in his bliss and exposing more of my skin to the balmy air, although it was swiftly covered by his eager, smooth hands.

Despite how good the kisses felt, I wanted to hear him make more wonderful sounds, ringing out clearly into the darkening July sky. Moving my head, I kissed my way down his sweaty neck, not even thinking twice about leaving a small mark in the crook of his shoulder and neck as I inhaled his salty scent. Just like the sea, naturally. Hearing him gasp my name encouragingly, I continued moving downward to his chest. My lips latched onto a hard, brown, water-beaded nipple, running my tongue gently over it, circling it teasingly.

"Fuck, man," Kai breathed loudly, fingers digging into my back slightly. His other hand was buried in my hair, stroking and tugging it lightly. When I slid one hand between his legs to rub him, he whined low in his throat, thrusting back against my palm and murmuring my name again.

Kissing my way down his sweat-streaked abs, I stopped at his waistline, fingers trembling as they rested on his hips. Gulping, I looked up at Kai, who was staring at me with half-lidded eyes and a small smile on his face. He nodded, panting, water trickling down his face from his wet, messy hair.

Gripping his trunks and hooking my fingers into the waistband, I steeled myself-

"C'mon, before someone sees us..."

Stifling a surprised yelp, I fell back onto my ass, while Kai scrambled to his feet, breathing hard and looking around. "Damn it," he whispered, straightening his clothes and throwing his shirt back on. With a small smile, nonetheless, he absently rubbed the spot at the base of his neck where I'd left a small mark.

In a daze, I felt my mind slowly sink back into reality as Kai helped me up, throwing a few towels over his shoulder and grabbing our shoes and socks. He nodded towards a cluster of trees on the far end of the lake, and I nodded back blankly, pulling my trunks back up over my exposed butt and grabbing my shirt and book before following him over, into the shadows.

Muffled laughter reached our ears, and as we watched curiously - Kai looking severely aggravated - Ann and Cliff stumbled up into view, giggling and looking around.

"Up in the meadow," I heard Ann whisper. "Nobody goes up that far after dark... c'mon, before someone sees us."

"Right behind you, babe," Cliff called back quietly, looking around once more before following her.

"Guess we can't continue this here," Kai grumbled darkly, drying his hair off and slipping his socks and shoes back on.

Doing likewise, I nodded, suddenly feeling very conflicted - a good part of me suddenly didn't want to continue this tonight, period. Easy way to break this to him... well, good luck, kid, my mind decided. Swallowing hard, I shrugged, looking over at Kai. "I-It's fine, really... umm... I..." Looking down at my feet, the words struggled to spill out:

"I... don't think I was... really ready yet," I admitted, feeling like I was lying just a bit. With my brain back to earth, even though I certainly didn't dislike the lust I'd felt, something had seemed wrong. "I kind of got caught up in it..." Balling my fist up, I smacked the tree, shaking my head at my own words. It was more than that, and it was insulting to both of us for me to pretend otherwise. "But it sounds like a load of crap to me, at the same time. I mean... it's not like I didn't want it, at the time. Maybe I'm just... I'm still kind of scared. Really kind of scared."

Looking back up at Kai, I was surprised to see sympathy playing across his face, instead of disappointment. "You're not upset?" I asked, feeling a bit incredulous.

He shrugged. "Hey, I may have a bit of a reputation, but I'm not gonna push you. I've been in your shoes before, man. I don't think it'd be enjoyable for us if both of us weren't really ready, right?"

Slumping against the tree gratefully, I sighed. "Good point. But don't worry, I definitely don't feel like you were trying to pu-" My eyes suddenly caught a particularly glaring sight in one of the last shots of red sunlight, and I couldn't help but stare. "Wow," I stated simply, my reassurance to Kai dying a quick death as amusement and amazement shot it down.

Looking a bit embarrassed, to his credit, Kai laughed weakly, shifting the towel so it obscured the front of his trunks. "Ahhh, that's awkward. Don't worry about that. I've got hands, too, you know."

My face heated up at the mental image, and I turned, making my way back down the hillside, with Kai trailing behind me. "Well," I began, hoping to switch the subject, "what time do you guys usually meet on the beach for your birthday?"

"Umm, around five," Kai answered, picking up a towel that he'd dropped. "Ann usually bakes me a cake, so she'll be a little late, but most of us should be there around five. Hopefully Karen's on time, too," he added darkly.

As we got to my porch, I cocked my head. "What's wrong?"

"Sometimes she tries to help Ann with the cake."

I shuddered, remembering last April's cooking competition. "Maybe Ann can hogtie her and store her under the stairs until the cake's ready."

"I'll run the idea by her," Kai agreed, smirking and stroking my hair. "So... maybe we should call it a night for now..."

I sighed, placing my hand on his arm and rubbing it. "I guess so. Actually, wait a sec!" A thought just struck me, and I motioned to Kai to wait as I hurried indoors to grab something. "Close your eyes," I called, peeking through the crack in the door.

"Are you going to murder me?" Kai responded, causing me to roll my eyes and chuckle wryly. "Hey, you said it first, remember!" he admonished, nonetheless doing as instructed while I made my way down the porch stairs.

"Now hold out your hands."

As he did so, I placed the source of the mystery into his palms: Three ripe pineapples, tied into an unwieldy cluster with a blue ribbon.

"Happy birthday!" I said, as he opened his eyes, looking elated.

"It must've taken you forever to grow these!" he breathed, eyes sparkling. "Damn, Jack. This is awesome!"

Face burning, I shrugged modestly. "I just took down Won to get my hands on the seeds. Karen hinted you might like some when she saw me growing them."

"Wise woman," Kai said, admiringly the prickly, plump fruits. "These are excellent quality! I can make some pretty awesome dishes with them." Looking up at me, his smile widened even more - he looked like a little kid on Christmas morning. "You really are turning out to be as good a farmer as your gramps, you know."

Feeling a bit embarrassed by all the praise, I hugged Kai awkwardly, mindful of the pineapples as he kissed my cheek enthusiastically. "Well, y'know... they're pineapples. I just heard you really liked them, is all."

"My favorite food ever," he informed me earnestly. "C'mon, no need to be modest. You did awesomely."

Chuckling weakly, I kissed him back. "Okay. Fuck modesty, I was awesome."

He gave me a thumbs-up. "Nailed it! Hey, I'll see you tomorrow night, then. Take care, okay?"

"You too," I called, waving, and watching until he turned down Taro Way, disappearing past Chicken Lil's. I made my way inside. My heart had returned to bouncing off of my ribcage like a charging bull. Shaking my head and grabbing a beer from the fridge, I sat down at the kitchen table, resting my head on one hand and drinking with the other one.

I wasn't sure whether or not I should feel grateful to Cliff and Ann for effectively cock-blocking both of us - not that they'd need to know, necessarily. It wasn't like I wasn't grumpy enough about the attention Kai and I got, as it was - even through accidental eavesdropping.

I turned the scene over and over in my head, ignoring the effects it was having on my body even as I enjoyed the imprinted memories of the sights, sounds, smells, touches, and tastes. If they hadn't come by... would I really have gone through with it? My virginity had been effectively hanging by a very frayed thread by that point, and the thought of losing it to someone who might be on his way home in a few more weeks...

Yet, maybe it was the alcohol or the wishful thinking talking, but something deep down inside told me that my worries were for nothing. I wasn't sure I could see Kai leaving after all of this. Maybe I just didn't want to see it.

I just can't be ready until I'm sure, I concluded, slumping down in my chair and tipping the empty bottle over. And until he's sure, I can't be sure. So... we'll see. So, how do I bring this up without feeling like I'm pressing him...?

The answer was simple: I couldn't. I was sure a way existed, but I sure as hell didn't have that level of conversational proficiency.

Of course, I did know someone who could, perhaps, grant it... couldn't she?

Fuck. This was going to call for another beer.


Author's Notes: So, Jack wants to hit that, but he wants to hit a non-transient that. Now he just needs the proper words to relay to the that in question. Let's see what intoxicated words of wisdom the local deity can relay to him. Or maybe she can just make him smooth as a silk baby's butt for the day.

As you can see, things are starting to get a lot heavier in the petting department. To be blunt, this story is gonna be moving into M territory soon, so consider this the heads-up on the future ratings-change. I meant to put it there from the start, but... y'know, whoops. Whoops!

Anyway, thanks as always to those reading along. Hopefully you're enjoying things. Big ups to Jersey S for the fun brainstorming sessions and encouragement to be victoly. I'll see you all in chapter 9!