A/N: Double figures!
Thanks for the love as always everyone and we hope you enjoy this one.
I did personally ;) But that's just my love for upset talking... xD
See you in three!
K~
Chapter 10 – Easy Like a Sunday Morning.
Another week had passed and with a few more shifts under Brooklyn's belt he was still none the happier with the situation but the two of them were beginning to grasp their new routine.
Stan had picked him up from Kai's place that morning as was the norm now, and Kai walked himself to school shortly after.
The day was the usual tedious blur.
He'd managed to catch up with Andrew on what needed to be done for the joint project so that was one less thing to worry about.
Not that it had been a major concern but a niggle nonetheless.
The school bell finally rang and the day was over.
Making his way out the school gates, Kai head for home.
His head down, gaze on his phone as he responded to Brooklyn's text from his lunch break.
[ I know I know :( I'll be able to bring you one this weekend though. See you soon.]
"Well, well. You are alive then."
Glancing up from his phone he locked with golden eyes and a fanged smile, his feet coming to a slow stop before him.
"Uh yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
The other shrugged sarcastically.
"Been no trace of you in a while. Not since you and Tyson had that little argument. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were sulking..." he smirked.
Kai rolled his eyes before slipping his phone back into his pocket. In all honestly he'd completely forgotten about the whole thing...
"Just been busy that's all." He said, being his usual vague self.
"Mmhmm. Sure. You and Tyson have it out like damn siblings and we don't see you for a month..." Ray replied dryly as he returned the eye roll, "Skipped practice three weeks in a row because we alllllll know how Kai Hiwatari is such a lazy shit when it comes to practice."
Kai just nonchalantly shrugged at him.
"I don't know what to tell you Ray."
Damn three weeks?! Where had that flown to...
"You talk like you're all missing me."
Ray frowned and put his hands on his hips.
"Because that's exactly the case. This is dumb, Kai." He scolded, "You're one of our best friends. We've been through so much together and a dumb spat about who you had lunch with is going to ruin all that?"
Kai raised his hands in defence.
"Wasn't me who lost their shit over nothing. Go have it out with him."
"I did!" Ray spat as his eyes slit a little, "He will apologize to you in person. I trust you're coming this Sunday?" He asked almost rhetorically in his unintentional mother's voice.
"Oh like I care about that, what am I five?" Kai scoffed.
Tyson could stick his apology up his ass, especially after the spew of texts he'd sent him.
"And I haven't even thought about it. I'll see what I'm doing though and let you know."
Ray raised a brow.
"You sure act like it. But then so does he." He sighed.
"Fine. If you can fit us in to your busy schedule. What is it that's keeping you so slammed?"
Kai unnoticeably tensed, quickly thinking for a second before simply gesturing to the very building behind him he'd just walked out of.
"I'll see about this weekend.." He repeated. "I've finished the project I've been working on but if he's gonna start with me you can forget it."
Ray gave the school an eye, a little unconvinced.
"Alright..." he sighed, leaving it there. It was Kai after all.
"We do miss you though. How have you been? Apart from school, I mean?" He asked in a much lighter tone as he stepped to walk with him.
"Fine, same old... You?" Kai sent back walking along with him.
There weren't many people he could tolerate after a school day but if he had to choose anyone, other than Brooklyn of course, it'd be Ray.
He'd always liked him the most from the team. Felt he got him and knew when to leave things alone.
Ray let another fanged smirk out, happy the question had been returned.
He wasn't in that much of a sulk then.
"Yeh fine! Busy too. They gave me more hours at the restaurant the last few weeks, so been juggling that with the night classes and stuff..."
"Hn, and how's that all going for you?"
Knowing Ray well enough Kai figured he was managing fine. Like him he just got on with things, never complained.
Ray got even happier.
An actual conversation!? Hot damn!
He thought the full moon wasn't for a few more days yet.
"Yeh, I mean, it isn't unmanageable. Nice to get the money while it's going. Help fund that new Playstation." He laughed.
Kai huffed his own laugh.
"Yeah it's pretty decent, the graphics are sweet, worth it for sure."
Feeling his phone then vibrate against his thigh he pulled it out and looked down to it, everything that was going on around him blurring for a moment.
"Oh of course you have one..." Ray jabbed playfully in a chuckle, "Not that you ever invite your favorite Bladebreaker over to play..."
Kai started to type away on the screen, Ray's words completely missed on him when he glanced up and took a double take when he realised he was ready to turn right.
"Yeah, well I'm heading this way so, I'll see you later."
Ray did a double take.
Oh...
So much for that.
"Oh...okay! So see you Sunday then yeh?"
Kai had already turned, his back facing him when he called back with his head down looking at his phone.
"Not if you keep pestering me you won't!"
Ray snickered to himself.
Frickin' Sourpuss...
After fifteen minutes or so Kai made it home and pushed open his front door, instantly locking on Brooklyn who was curled up sulking on the couch.
He internally sighed.
Not again...
"I'm home..." He softly sent him, figuring he'd best tread carefully if he was in a bad mood.
"Hey..." the other's gloomy voice answered back, lifting himself like the waking of an undead off the sofa to sit up, "Welcome home..."
"Bad day I take it?" Kai guessed, sitting himself down beside him and looking to him with a softened expression.
Brooklyn slumped in to him and nodded.
"It was going really well. But then as I was leaving, they gave me next week's schedule..." he explained gravely.
"Aaand?" The other pressed in a drawl as he put his arm around him.
"They start the weeks from Sunday. And put me in for Sunday since some asshole needs to take the day off. Which means I'm back in tomorrow!" He reeled off, voice getting more ticked as he went on. "I told them no Sundays!"
Kai didn't really know what to say to him. They did say he'd be working weekends and Sunday was considered the weekend so...
"Well it might be just a one off to cover, whoever..." he offered, "Why'd you tell 'em no Sunday's though?"
Brooklyn shifted.
"Sunday has always been our day. If they want me to work Saturday then fine. But this is what I didn't want!"
Kai sighed through his nose and shook his head a little.
"You can't do that Brook, making me the priority. I know it was our little thing but work is work y'know?"
Brooklyn pouted.
"Yeh. It is. If I were a doctor or something important, I'd agree! But this is ridiculous! I said I'd work any of the other six days in the week! Is it really too much to ask!?" He growled before sighing.
"Welllll I suppose as long as it's a one off, I can let it slide. Just. Starting out there would be a little stressful at any point, but typical it should start up just as I got something good in my life..." he went on as he brushed his fingers along Kai's arm.
Kai smiled though it was missed as Brooklyn's gaze was low along with his mood.
"Well if it's any consolation..."
Placing his fingers underneath his jaw he tilted the redhead's face up locking with bright teal eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere so, you can work all the hours in the world and I'll still be right here when you get home."
Urgh. Did he actually just say something that sappy out loud?
Christ...
What was this guy doing to him? He'd always cringed in movies or real life douchebags who came out with things like that.
But the sad thing was, he'd meant it. He really enjoyed having Brooklyn around and he actually missed him when he wasn't.
He never usually missed anyone...
Brooklyn's glum expression lifted, evident in his face he was soaking up the gooey sap like a sponge and snuggled himself in closer.
"Mm. That is a big consolation." He hummed out.
Kai squeezed him a little.
"I'm glad. So you gonna stop sulking like a big baby every time I walk through the door?" He teased, prodding his cheek.
Brooklyn pulled away and snorted.
"Oh yeh, because you never sulk..."
Kai's face contorted.
Why did everyone think he just sulked all the damn time?!
"What do I actually sulk about, hn?"
Brooklyn poked him in the side.
"Well, most recently Tyson's scene. But that was warranted to be fair."
"So there you go then!" Kai huffed. "Don't just sulk for no reason."
"Heh, whatever you say. I'll remember that for future reference." The older one chuckled.
Utter bliss were the curries they had for dinner that night. As were the few days that followed bringing on the weekend.
Kai had gotten up with Brook Sunday morning to make him a coffee and help with breakfast, hoping to set him up in a good mood for his shift ahead.
Sitting with his mug Kai watched over to him knelt down tying his shoes and waiting for his chauffeur.
"Nice of this Stan guy to pick you up and bring you back here." He commented before taking a sip, still in his pyjamas paired with fluffy slate hair.
Brooklyn shrugged, now in his black polo shirt holding the dashing garden center logo on his chest.
"What can I say? He loves me." He smirked before he wandered over and shoved his hands in the insane yet adorable mop, "Look at the state of this..."
"Knock it off..." Kai scoffed swatting his hands away from him and running his own hand through to try tame his bed head.
"What time you finishing today? I can make a start on dinner before you get back."
"Four on Sundays. So I can do it..." He kept smirking as he tried to get in and play with it again, "But I mean if you want to woo me with a romantic dinner, go right on ahead."
"Keep this up and you'll be having cereal." Kai warned wafting his hand mirroring Brooklyn's that were darting to try get a hold of him.
Brook finally gave up, chuckling as he went to finish his coffee.
Oh why did he have to leave?
There were plenty of other parts he wanted to get his hands on...
"But yeh. Should be home somewhere between 4:30 and 5:00 latest." He informed him as he sipped, looking him over and shaking his head.
"Urgh. Look at this injustice. You're over there like a lazy slob and I'm about to go to the grind." He smirked harder.
"Lazy?! I didn't have to get up at all y'know! Oooohh..." Kai grumbled into his mug at the audacity.
That was the last time he ever missed out on a lie in for this guy to make sure he got his coffee before work...
Brooklyn laughed at the pissed reaction and came over to plant another kiss.
"Well you can always go back to bed. Maybe think about me and touch yourself?"
Kai's scoff along with his words echoed into his mug before he took a drink, it slurping due to his smirk.
"You wish..."
"I really do..." the other let out in a flirty tone before retracting.
"So if you're not going to pass the time pleasuring yourself, what are you going to do today?"
Setting his cup down Kai sent him a shrug.
"Haven't decided yet. Need to have a tidy up around here though I know that much." He mused as his eyes wandered around the room.
Brooklyn looked around with him.
"Ah yes. And you say you're not lazy?" He jabbed playfully as he heard a beep outside.
"My carriage awaits..." he sighed as he pecked him again, "if you decide that perhaps the place could use some brightening with some indoor plants, I know just the person you can go and see."
"Oh really?" Kai played along standing up from his seat to walk him out the door. "Might take you up on that."
"You should. He's smart, charming, handsome...just a heads up if you want to hook up with him, he loves the chicken avocado baguettes..."
Kai chuckled, leaning on the open door frame Brooklyn had just walked out of.
"I see... so he's that easy huh? Just gotta convince him with a good mouthful?"
"Mmhmm. And don't forget the sandwich." He winked back, "See you later..."
The smirk increased to flash him pearly whites before Kai covered his face with his palm.
"Yeah go on, get out of here.." He sent him playfully dropping his hand and going back to loosely folding his arms over his chest.
"Tell that guy if he's good I might bring him one for lunch. We'll see.."
Brooklyn gave a cheeky wave back, going over to Stan's car with a grin like a Cheshire cat and opening the door.
"Gooooooood morning Stanley! How are you? Easy like a Sunday Morning? Heh heh heh!"
Stanley blinked to him as he slipped into the car, somewhat thrown for a second though quickly brushed it off and went along with it.
Was nice to see the kid back to his high spirits.
This Kai must have sprinkled some extra sugar on his cornflakes...
"Well good morning to you too Brooklyn, I'm very well, thank you. You seem chirpy and raring to go this morning?"
"Ahhhhh Stanley! The Beatles sang that All You Need is Love. Always hated that song and the message. But that was before I understood it!"
"Ah see you young ones should revisit the classics more often!" The older male beamed.
Ha! This was great! His little ball of misery was a sudden whirl of joy!
"Y'know, I actually have their greatest hits album in the glove box if you'd like to stick it on?"
"Oooooooh! How fun!" The other beamed as he took him up on it and rummaged in the car glove box.
Today was going to fly by!
Once the door had closed Kai stretched out his arms, letting out a groan and ruffled his dishevelled hair.
He'd have a shower first. Wake himself up a bit.
There was no point going back to bed now, once he was up he was up.
Dishes needed to be done, had to do some laundry too. He couldn't remember the last time he went around with the hoover...
Ughh. Least he could grab himself a nice lunch when he went and got Brooklyn's.
Well, if he went. This place needed sorting out first.
But before that - shower.
Heading over to the bathroom he heard his phone ping from his bedroom so made the slight detour to check it.
Was probably Brooklyn telling him he missed him already.
Lifting the phone up from his bedside table he read over the text that had just come through.
[Soo we'll see you at 11 yeah? :) down by the river bank, just in case you've forgotten ;) ]
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Wise guy...
On second thoughts getting some training in followed by pizza sounded a much better idea... beat being here by himself cleaning like some housewife.
[What did I say about pestering? But ok fine. One word from him though Ray I mean it.]
[He's been warned. Between me and you though he's actually really missed you.]
Kai then sent him a gif of someone fixing to hurl, which got a "LOL" in response.
[You know you've missed us too so don't even. See you soon captain.]
Sending a simple thumbs up emoji Kai checked the time before chucking his phone back onto the bed sheets.
Plenty of time to shower and get over there and have a little whirl with Dranzer beforehand.
Three whole weeks... god he was gonna suck...
Brooklyn floated and danced around from plant to plant, tendering checking to see who needed a drink or a mist and who was fine to be left alone.
It was much quieter than Saturday, he noticed. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad working Sundays, if he didn't have Kai that was.
He wondered how much cleaning he'd gotten done, or if he'd put a brush through his hair yet.
What would they make for dinner tonight?
Oh, he loved cooking for Kai. Or Kai cooking for him.
Food nourished the soul as well as the body. He'd never enjoyed something as simple as feeding himself before.
Speaking of. Was almost lunch time.
He wondered if a handsome guy would come see him...
Barbara came to let him off for his lunch a little while later, looking around in hope that he'd walk in just in time.
Ah, sometimes he came a little later...
He waited at the table, checking his phone.
No messages as yet.
Ten more minutes passed.
Then five more.
He only had ten minutes left...
Where was he?
He came by every Saturday he'd worked.
It wasn't about the food delivery. It was just...their thing.
Like Sundays together was their thing.
He opened up his message app, annoyed.
Neither of which was being kept sacred.
[Hey. Decided your home was fabulous enough without an orchid huh? ;) Hope you're having a good day.]
He waited.
And waited.
The clock struck 12:45, and sadly it was back to the grind for a few hours.
Finally, the shop was closed up and Stan was waiting just after four o'clock. He checked his phone the first second he could, feeling his stomach drop when he not only had no message back, but it hadn't even been read.
Was he all right?
Had something happened to him!?
What if something horrible had happened and he hadn't been there to help him!?
Stan greeted him with a smile.
"Afternoon Ringo! Good day?"
"Just drive." He bit.
Stan lifted a brow but started his car anyway, he had a home to go to as well.
"All right fine, you can be Paul. Or would you rather be John?" He chuckled to himself.
"What?"
"Oh, nevermind..."
The rest of the drive was silent, Brooklyn half heartedly waving as he left him and ran to the house.
He didn't see a vision of a body on the floor. Nor sense anything off in the house.
Punching in the code, he let himself in.
"Kaaaai?" He sang, trying to sound normal in case he was home.
He wandered through. Coffee cups and breakfast dishes still unwashed. The laundry still undone. The floor still needing to be vacuumed.
So much for cleaning...
There had to be an explanation for this.
And he wasn't about to sit around and wait for one either.
He would go out and seek the truth.
"Ha! Rookie move Kai!" Max called over the sound of the blades in the dish. "Get him Draciel!"
Kai winced on behalf of Dranzer who was just crashed into by the green blade.
"Oh yeah? Big talk from someone who can't tell the time! C'mon Dranzer!"
Max then chuckled out.
"I slept in okay! That new call of duty is addictive!" He defended. "Right guys?"
Ray remained silent, shoving his fist into his cheek in a huff as he and Tyson sat and watched from the sidelines.
"It is man!'
"I wouldn't know...still saving up for that playstation..." Ray sighed.
"Will you guys zip it!?" Kai barked at them, terrified Maxie-mus was about to beat him.
"Alright sheesh! Why'd we invite this grump back again?" Tyson teased which caused Ray to nudge him in the ribs.
"Cos he's our grump." He answered. "You're the first to complain when he isn't here so-"
"Did I stutter?!"
After a second bark from their captain Tyson and Ray zipped their lips and watched on, sending a smirk to each other.
It had been a little awkward at first, especially without Max's bouncy energy to help dilute the atmosphere.
But after a mumbled apology over a loaded pepperoni cheese to which Kai shrugged off with a 'whatever," Max had finally joined them for the final slice before heading to the river bank.
Kai locked back on dish.
Ok focus. Back to the match. Nothing else matters. Have to win this!
"Let's go Dranzer!"
"C'mon Draciel!"
Green smashed in to blue, giving it all it had. But sadly, the blue had its pride to think about.
With a few more violent bouts of metal grinding against metal, green went flying out of the dish, sad blue eyes following its crash landing.
Ray and Tyson burst out laughing.
"Ya snooze, ya lose Maxie! Serves you right hahahaha!"
Slow clapping joined in, from where none of them knew.
Looking around, they all finally clocked on to a mop of red shrouded in white.
"Very nicely done! You wobbled there for a bit but came right back! Expect nothing less from you!" He praised with a proud smile as he walked on over, as if the others didn't exist.
The joy of his victory instantly sank to the pit of his stomach when Kai locked on to Brooklyn.
Shit, what time was it?! Way past four clearly! Fuuuck...
"Um thanks..." he mumbled, eyes staying on him as he sauntered over.
The other eyed him.
He didn't look pleased to see him...
Wonder why...
"Perfect as always." He praised as he reached him, leaning in to congratulate him in a way only he could.
Kai's heart began to race as he leaned in to kiss him, time seeming to slow down as he stood by the dish frozen.
Not here... fuck not here...
It wasn't that he was embarrassed... or maybe he was... not of Brooklyn but just the whole public affection thing. It wasn't him. He should know that!
Catching the others out of the corner of his eye, and feeling every line of vision on him, Kai retreated back, guilt swirling within but he was sure Brooklyn would understand.
But sadly, he was wrong.
Brooklyn's eyes became overcast in a split second.
"Problem?" He growled in a low voice, for his ears only.
He had a pretty good idea of what the problem was.
He just wanted to hear it come out of his mouth.
Kai tensed at the tone.
"N-no, why would there be a problem?" He blurted out, looking anywhere but at the redhead currently towering over him.
Brooklyn's brow raised in challenge.
"Ooooh you are jittery...wouldn't be because your dirty little secret just dragged you out the closet would it?" He asked in his eerily tranquil voice.
Kai's stomach started to churn.
"Brook don't..." He spoke in a hushed tone, eyes silently pleading as he looked up at him. He wasn't ready for this, wasn't ready at all.
"Don't you 'Brook' me! What the hell is this, Kai!?" The other yelled back, eyes fired up.
"What the hell is what?" He spat back trying to keep his voice down. "What's wrong? Why are you even here?"
"I think that's a question for me to ask you isn't it!? Kept this pretty damn quiet!"
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Oh sorry, I didn't realise I had to let you know my every move, who are you my fucking mother?"
Brooklyn narrowed his back and stiffened.
"Mother? Certainly not. But I am curious, what exactly am I to you Kai?" He spat.
Max took a look to the other two still sat on the banking watching over at what was playing out before them. None of them really knowing what to do or what was even going on here.
Kai swallowed.
"Not here Brooklyn... We'll talk at my place, come on." He tried to redirect, taking a step and attempting to bring the other with him.
"Oh what!? You're too embarrassed to be seen with me!? Thought you'd make an idiot out of me by coming here behind my back!?" His voice raised gruffly as he stepped forward, throwing his pale hands out in a split of rage and shoving him back.
The second the two on the grass saw their captain pushed back they shot to their feet, expression's twisting in both anger and concern.
"Woaahhhh hey now!" Ray called jogging over to them with Tyson.
"Yeah what the hell?!"
At the forceful pressure on his chest, right where his scar was, the same scar that was only there because of the very person before him, Kai's whole body tensed with adrenaline and a wave of panic coursed through him.
Why would he do that? Knowing what he did there.
WHY would he do that?!
"Stay out of this!" Kai managed to firmly bite beside himself and held his hand up to them.
"Brooklyn, start walking, now." He ordered in a growl, heart rate picking up some as he felt the rage start to bubble within him.
He was furious, somewhat triggered, and he was struggling to calm himself.
"Uh yeah sorry dude but we're not just gonna stand around while this guy's fixing to throw hands for no reason like a crazy person." Tyson scoffed.
Blazing teal eyes snapped to their new victim, almost resembling a White Tiger when angered.
His body moved like a cobra, sharp and slithering as he made his way over to the loudmouth.
"What did you just call me!? Say it again to my face!"
Tyson faltered for a moment before puffing out his chest to the other who had a good few inches on him.
"I said you're acting like a crazy person!" He spat when Ray shoved his arm between them and Kai grabbed a hold of Brooklyn when they saw the redhead go to raise his fist.
"Tyson!" Ray scolded.
"Walk. Now." Kai hissed through grit teeth right in Brooklyn's ear.
Brooklyn fought against his hold a little.
"You ought to watch your mouth! You ever call me that again..." he yelled hoarsely before yanking himself out Kai's hold.
"And you don't fucking touch me!" He growled, storming himself off on his own accord.
Kai opened his mouth but closed it shut again as Brooklyn took himself off wasting no time in leaving now.
"The hell is his problem?" Tyson continued to grumble, throwing his arm out gesturing to the redhead.
"You okay? Kai?" Ray softly asked, seeing something in his violet eyes.
Kai glanced back over to the other three.
No. He wasn't okay. Not after that awful display, painful reminder of the past and literal and emotional ache in his chest.
Silently he took himself off in the same direction as the redhead, leaving the question unanswered and dreading how this was going to go down when he finally caught up with him.
He knew Brooklyn was angry. Could even understand why.
But all that played out just now had left an awful taste in his mouth that left him questioning everything.
Brooklyn raged his way back to the house.
If Kai wanted to talk there, then fine...
He finally reached the front door, throwing it open and kicking off his shoes. Pacing around from room to room like a tiger in a cage.
Kai eventually made it to the front door that had been left wide open and closed it behind him when he stepped into the house.
"Brooklyn!" He yelled out impatiently when he didn't see him. "The hell is wrong with you?!"
Red hair appeared like a flame.
"What's wrong with me!? The fuck was that Kai?! You lied to me, you went behind my back and you're ashamed to be seen with me! Why would you do that?!" he roared, teal eyes both blazing and watering.
"I- Wait- What?!" Slate brows fixed together as he locked on him, expression laced with disbelief.
"How the fuck did I go behind your back, first of all? And what the hell did I lie to you about?" He questioned.
"And I'm not even going to acknowledge that last part because that's not true at all!"
"Oh spare me!" the other yelled, "I specifically asked you what you were doing today, you said nothing! That's a lie! You went to see them without telling me, for god knows what reason, that's going behind my back! And really?! Not true at all!? That's twice now you've moved away from me! And you begged me not to tell them just then what we are!"
Kai was tired of the yelling already. This whole thing was being completely blown out of proportion.
"Not that I have to explain myself to you but it was honestly a last minute decision Brooklyn. It was never planned. Ray text me just after you left so I figured rather than staying home all day I'd go." He started to explain before awkwardly shifting. "As for, that, what difference does it make whether they know about us or not?!"
"It's the principle, Kai! Why wouldn't you tell them?! What? Your idea is to keep this a secret? Just have me hidden in here sucking you off?!"
Kai grimaced some at the crude remark.
"Obviously not, but what goes on in my private life is exactly that. Private! Just because you're this whimsical open book doesn't mean I am!"
Brooklyn frowned at the mockery.
"So what? You just want us to be together behind closed doors and pretend we barely know each other outside? How the hell is that meant to make me feel?!"
An exasperated sigh came from the other in frustration.
"And how the hell was you causing a scene in front of them supposed to make me feel huh?!" Kai snapped. "Obviously it's no secret but- I don't know! I've never done this shit before!"
"Oh spare me the little virgin act, Kai! It doesn't suit you!" the other growled, "All you've done is whine about Tyson and go on about how much of a dick he is, but you'll go crawling right on back like always! And even let the little creep talk to me the way he did!"
Kai pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah I whine about him so much and look, here we are! I'm practically dating him! What were you hoping to achieve Brooklyn starting like that in public huh? All you did was embarrass the both of us!"
Brooklyn's mouth curled in to a snarl as he stormed over to him.
"Stop comparing us! Stop it!" he roared as he gave him a push again, "I am nothing like him!"
Kai's nostrils flared as he was shoved back again, his eyes burning in to him as he took a quick step forward and viciously grabbed the collar of his white jacket, his own expression contorted now.
That was twice now... two times too many those same hands had touched him today in a way they should never.
"See the funny thing with that is you actually are. Cos only an idiot like him would try this shit with me!" He snarled. "Shove me again Brooklyn, I fucking dare you."
Brooklyn's eyes widened, tensing up at the powerful hand that grabbed him, fighting back.
And suddenly, the flash of rage in his eyes brought flashbacks of the same anger and strength that had stood against him in the stadium, reseeing it all like someone was cattle prodding him with memories.
His eye twitched.
"I didn't know where you were...I thought something bad had happened to you..." he explained in a shakier, more pitiful tone.
Kai roughly released his grip of him.
"Why? Cos I left the house without you? I've never once reported my moves to anyone Brooklyn and I'm not starting now! Together or not, it's not happening." He coldly stated, turning from him and creating a little distance between them.
Brooklyn shrank a little, holding the crinkled part of his jacket where he'd just been grabbed.
"I'm not asking you to report to me Kai! But I care about you! You said you might drop by, you didn't, no message, no response to mine and I came home to an empty house! For all I knew you were laying in a hospital somewhere or something!"
"Oh my god, why are you so dramatic?!" Kai spat holding out his arms. "I went out for one afternoon! With my friends!"
Was Brooklyn serious right now? All this because he hadn't text him or left a damn note?
This was becoming too much. Too much too soon.
He was starting to feel suffocated with him.
Sure he loved coming home and Brooklyn was already here, had made himself comfortable and was happy playing the housewife.
But there was a difference between a Mrs and a mother and he was acting like the latter.
Kai stared ahead at the other male. A whirlwind of conflicting emotions turning within him.
He cared about him. Of course he did, but... he'd spent many years of his life feeling restricted and chained.
Mrs or mother?
He didn't want either.
"I think we need some time apart."
He made the mistake of keeping his eyes on Brooklyn's face and watching it fall.
"...What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Kai sent back a little harshly before softening his tone some. "I just, don't think this is working any more."
Brooklyn's heart stopped as his words filtered through, feeling his heat leave his body.
He couldn't mean that... it wasn't possible...
The signs...
They were meant to be...
And again, the cattle prod struck.
He'd seen his victory in a vision then too.
He had been the first and only person to go against what he saw, change destiny.
And now he was doing it again...
Only this time, he wasn't fighting against hate. Destroying a perfect winning streak.
It was something far worse.
"...You're throwing me away because I was worried about where you were? I really meant that little to you all along?"
Kai exhaled a groan in frustration.
"You know you mean a lot to me Brooklyn! How can you seriously think that you don't?! You know me. You know of my past and I still let you in!" His voice became icy again though his words showed clear internal conflict.
"But, it's- it's just too much! You want to be with me all the time, and that's nice and all and I enjoy your company too, but, I like to have some time by myself. We've gone from nothing to, something, way too fast and I just can't do this any more!"
Kai's chest heaved in and out slightly after his rant and looked back at glistening teal eyes.
"I, still want to be friends... If you want..."
Brooklyn stared back, heavy drops hanging in the corners of his eyes. His chest hiccupped with his lips pursed firmly shut.
His head lowered, floppy red hair covering his face as he silently floated by him and out the door, closing it behind him with a small click.
Or not...
Kai exhaled the breath he'd been holding through his nose as he just stood there for a moment in the center of the living room, fingers raking through his hair trying to process all that had just happened.
A mixture of emotions continuing to course through him unable to pinpoint if this was relief he was feeling right now or regret...
The silence of the house now ringing in his ears leaving him with nothing but his loud thoughts.
What had he done?
Had he really just pushed away the one person who had shown him genuine love and affection? Or had he dodged a bullet and diffused a ticking time bomb that was bound to go off sooner or later?
His phone vibrating in his pocket snapped him from his musings and he quickly fished it out, only to feel slightly disheartened when it wasn't Brooklyn.
Of course it wasn't going to be him, he'd just told him to leave.
He typed back on the screen.
No... he wasn't okay... far from it.
[Yeah fine, why wouldn't I be?]