A/N: Here again!
Thank you as always to those that take the time to review and for those following this glorious mess.
Enjoyyy.
K~
Chapter 12 – Mind Blown
Sunday morning came and even though the two of them had stayed up reasonably late talking, Kai was up and about early as normal.
The two of them had agreed that they'd take things slower this time round.
(For real this time.)
Kai had suggested maybe alternating the days that Brooklyn stayed over.
He stayed at his own place one day, stayed at Kai's the next.
Brooklyn seemed to think about it but quickly countered by saying that with Kai being at school and him at work now the two of them would be spending less time together anyway, so everything was balanced better regardless.
They settled on playing things by ear, and just seeing what happens.
Setting two cups of coffee down on the bedside table Kai eased himself back under the covers and snuggled into a dozing redhead that had started to stir.
"Goood morning..." he drawled out in a hushed tone nuzzling against the others cheek.
Waking up beside Brooklyn again had been awesome.
He didn't realise how bad of a nights sleep he'd been getting until he'd woken up this morning feeling as fresh as a daisy.
With a deep sniff of air, the other stirred, rolling as his majorly bleary eyes opened with tufts of red hair all over the place.
His lips stretched in to a huge, thin sloppy smile as he registered.
"Moooornnniiiiiinnng."
"How did you sleep?" Kai asked him, his own smile in place finding the dopey grin before him ridiculously endearing.
Brooklyn made a sleepy noise out his throat as he continued to roll, draping his arms clumsily over him to pull him in.
"Wonderfully..."
Allowing him to bring him in close to his chest Kai snuggled in and closed his eyes again.
Just enjoying the moment and the comfortable familiarity of the redhead's arms around him again.
"Me too..."
Brooklyn relished in the moment as well.
He thought he'd never have this again.
Another Sunday...their day.
"Any plans for today?" He asked, excited to get it all figured out. Even if it was just staying home.
After releasing his hold of him Kai eased himself up and reached over for their coffee, handing one cup over to Brooklyn.
"Uh yeah, usual Sunday and all. Meeting the guys around twelve." He casually answered before taking a sip.
Brooklyn felt the niggle in his stomach.
Yes, he had to practice. He understood that.
Sort of. Not like he ever did personally.
But what if they talked him out of this? Made him change his mind?
Or would they even find out? If Kai was so keen to keep him a secret.
Which didn't feel good either...
"Oh. Right. Yeh. Any idea what time you'll be back?"
Taking another sip Kai rest the mug on his lap before turning his head to him.
"Well I was hoping you'd come with me actually. Unless you had your own plans for today?"
His response was a chuckle in disbelief that just sort of came out.
"Come again?"
"You. Me. Go. Together."
Accompanying his spaced out words with simple hand gestures Kai repeated himself before shrugging to him.
"You don't have to though if you don't want. Just figured if you were free..."
Brooklyn looked him up and down. Having no clue how he felt about it.
On the one hand, the invite in itself was a touching gesture. He was showing him he wasn't embarrassed by him. Putting action to his words.
But still...
"I think...I think some may have an issue with me being there."
"Then they'll get more than they bargained for as they'll then have an instant issue with me."
Taking a slurp of coffee Kai set it down on the bedside table and eased himself up and out of bed to go shower.
"S'up to you. I'd like you to be there though."
Brooklyn's heart fluttered. Like a butterfly.
A ridiculously infatuated butterfly.
His nose turned pink and found himself squirming a little as his stomach twisted.
My my. So fiery. And all for him.
"Do you? And why is that?" He milked.
Sauntering around to Brooklyn's side of the bed he sent a coy shrug before leaning down to him.
"Welllll... I thought you'd like to watch me wipe the floor with 'em... give you some satisfaction in knowing you get to make out with the true champion afterwards..."
Brooklyn's eyes twinkled, giving a cheeky smirk back.
"Someone sure is full of themselves."
"I've good reason to be.. Kicked your ass too didn't I?"
Lightly pinching his cheek Kai sent him a toothy smirk back before retreating from him.
"Let me know what you wanna do, k? " He sent over his shoulder before slipping into the bathroom.
Brooklyn opened his mouth, fired up with annoyance from the comment and the mocking cheek pinch.
But as he slipped out the room, he just shook his head and flopped back on the bed.
Well. He wasn't wrong. He had been incredible.
Truly was the greatest, in his opinion.
People could fawn over Tyson all they wanted. And he too was truly exceptional.
But...
He honestly believed that if Kai hadn't done what he did, things would have ended very differently.
Who knew what kind of evil he would be right now.
Tyson won on his skill combined with power of others to give him the edge.
Kai...
He won because of his sheer brilliance.
Several minutes later he came back into the bedroom followed by an outpour of steam.
Hair damp and slicked back with a white towel wrapped around his waist, he walked over to his drawers and pulled one open to search for his attire of the day.
"Decided what you wanna do then?" he saved him a glance as he rummaged through his drawers.
Brooklyn sat up straight, eyes wandering and prowling smile cracking.
"I know what I wanna do right this moment..." he purred, throwing back the bed cover in invitation.
Kai sent him a smirk over his shoulder before pulling out a shirt and laying it on the bottom of the bed.
"But I just got cleeann.." he whined in jest, coyly heading back over and sitting himself down.
Brooklyn jut forward, hooking his arms under Kai's armpits and dragging him back.
"Don't worry, I won't leave a mess..."
With the two of them now dressed and fed, they strolled side by side down towards the river.
It was a fairly decent day. Not too warm, not too cold.
Perfect for an afternoon of blading.
Whilst it wasn't strange for the two of them to walk in comfortable silence and take in the outdoors, it was hard to ignore how tense Brooklyn was beside him.
"You okay?" Kai asked in mild concern.
The other nodded unconvincingly before cracking like a twig.
"You sure this is such a good idea?"
He was sent a one shouldered shrug.
"What's the worse that could happen?"
"Uhhh, them going nuts? Rejecting me? Therefore making things somewhat difficult for you?"
Kai looked forward again, the two of them having slowed their pace but kept on walking.
"The only reason they were like that with you before was because of what happened... surely if they see that I'm over it, they will be too."
"I guess we're about to find ooouuuttt..."
Coming to the edge of the banking bouncy blonde hair came into view followed by a red headband shortly after.
No baseball cap though, Tyson obviously wasn't here yet.
Max was sat beside Kenny, who had his computer on his lap discussing the days training and showing him the footage from last week.
"So after your last match against Kai, Max, I think you should work on your endurance." Kenny suggested, Ray nodding his head in agreement who was stood up in front of them with loosely folded arms.
"Yeah dude, you almost had him it was ju- Oh?"
Ray paused when he locked on the devil himself standing side by side with.. the devil himself.
"What is it Ray?" Max queried before turning to look over his shoulder to face the direction he was gawking.
"Uh oh.."
"Mmm.." Ray agreed, not knowing what to even make of all this.
Last week was, eventful to say the least. He'd never imagined he'd need to stand between Tyson and Brooklyn of all people when he'd woken up that Sunday morning.
And Kai had brought him back here? What was he thinking?
Joining the group Kai sent them all a nod of acknowledgement.
"Where's Tyson?"
Max's eyes were drawn to the flaming red hair like a moth to...well. A flame.
"He said he got caught up helping Grampa. Won't be long..."
He didn't ask the question.
But it was written all over his face.
Kai sent a nod.
"Right. Well you guys remember Brooklyn." He introduced to the point as always, gesturing to the redhead beside him.
Ray arched a brow.
"Ah. Yes. How could we forget?"
Kenny just set his head down, sweating bullets pretending to be typing away on his laptop and Max shifted beside him.
"Nice to uh, see you again." The blonde sent him with a forced smile.
Brooklyn felt something in his stomach.
It wasn't overly pleasant.
"Likewise..."
Kai turned to him and sent him a reassuring smile, before looking back to the others.
"So what's the plan? Who's up?"
Ray shifted, eyeing Kai.
Why was he doing this? Putting them in this position?
Was he looking for a conflict?
That wasn't like him...not like this. He never stirred pots for drama.
He just...jumped teams and stuff for drama.
"Um. Well. I mean, maybe the newest member might want a spin?"
Brooklyn's insides clenched again.
"That's very kind. But I'll have to decline this time. I don't actually have my blade with me."
Ray's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh? Then to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"I invited him. Isn't a problem is it?" Kai cut in answering on his behalf, eyes snapping towards Ray sending a look of silent warning.
Ray sent him one right back.
"Not at all. The more the merrier."
"Great. So how about me and you go then?" Kai challenged, gesturing to the beydish with a head tilt.
Ray's eyes narrowed a little more.
Perfect, could bitch slap him up the head and wound his pride in front of his buddy.
"Would be a pleasure..."
Max noticeably shifted.
Baby blues filled with worry darting from left to right between the two guys stood staring each other down in front of him.
Golden eyes had slit, violet had darkened.
A bit of friendly competition, great!
Only seeing the burning embers mixing with the electrical sparks before him, this was anything but friendly right now.
Quick movement in is peripheral vision then caused him to turn to his left and he immediately sank further.
Aaaaaand just to add to the storm, here came the tornado...
"OOOOOOOHHHH WHAT IN THE FRESH FUCK IS THIS!?"
With his eyes still locked with Ray's, Kai clicked his tongue before peeling his gaze from him and turned to look over his shoulder.
"Shut up and sit down."
The navy haired ticking bomb grew redder.
"Like hell I will! Just what is going on!? Why is he suddenly everywhere!? And just what in the hell is he doing coming to our teams practice!? Looking for BEGA 2.0!? Cause we can go bro, it'll just sting twice as hard!" He foamed at the mouth, pointing a gloved hand at the red haired enemy.
Kai clenched his jaw before turning back to Brooklyn, grabbed his hip with one hand and cupped the back of his head with the other and abruptly pulled him in for a French kiss.
Their tongues roughly circling for a few seconds before he broke off and sent another look to Tyson.
"That's why he's here."
Tyson looked horrified. As if he'd just killed a puppy with a spade right in front of him.
Driger toppled, his owner's face down dropped to the floor.
Max wanted to cry.
Kenny trembled behind Dizzi, still trying to give the illusion he was working.
Tyson's eye twitched.
"Dude...I know you have grandaddy issues, but really?! Couldn't have just keyed a car!?"
"Me and Brooklyn are together." Kai announced lacing his fingers between his and ignoring what could have been mistaken for a renaissance scene before him.
"I could care less about what any of you think, so any objections keep 'em to your damn self."
Brooklyn stared at him in awe, lips still tingling from that out of the blue kiss.
Deep kiss at that...
He had not expected that, nor had he expected the forceful announcement.
Such power...
Tyson's mouth hung open wide in shock for what felt a good while.
Did he-
Did he just-
KISS HIM?!
Mr doesn't even give you a conversation is giving out kisses?!
"Wait... wait wait wait.. just hold on a second. Together? As in like... Boyfriend and g-BOYFRIEND?!"
Kai rolled his eyes.
He really couldn't spell it out any clearer unless he shoved his dick down his throat next.
"No... no no no no.. This is.. This is some mind fuckery!" Tyson continued to ramble, his brain completely unable to process what was going on.
"Is he blackmailing you Kai? Is that what this is? What have you got on him huh?!" He snapped to the redhead who stood beside him in a dream like state.
Brooklyn continued to silently fawn until one of the hearts above his head popped loud enough to get his attention.
"I'm sorry. Did you say something to me?" He asked.
"What do you want with Kai?!" Tyson shrieked, his chest heaving in and out on him and his fists tightly clenched at his sides.
"Is this part of your revenge on us beating you?! HUH?!"
Brooklyn blinked and tilted his head.
"And how do you propose one might take revenge on someone by caring for them?"
Even Ray scoffed at that one.
"You care for him? After all that happened? After all you've done?"
Brooklyn sighed and tightened his grip on Kai's hand.
"I did...I do...I'm not proud of what I did. But Kai and I have talked about all that, and he's been generous enough to forgive me for my mistakes."
Brown eyes continued to look between them, taking a glance down to their intertwined fingers before staring back at his old captain.
"You've done some shit Kai.. put yourself in some fucked up situations but this.." Tyson scoffed. "This really is just something else..."
He was hoping he'd wake up from the nightmare that was currently playing out in front of him.
Kai.. and Brooklyn..
They may have spoken about it but had Kai revealed everything?
"I don't understand how you can so easily forgive someone who almost killed you Kai..."
It was Kai's turn to squeeze Brooklyn's hand tighter.
The glare he was sending over to the younger boy faltered slightly.
Ray's predator senses tingled, seeing the crack form more clearly than a wounded gazelle.
"You know that's what happened right? He may have walked off with some scratches and stumbled to the spectators. But not many know just what happened when he walked out...Buuuut I assume if you're so close now and have talked about it all, he'd have told you."
Brooklyn's face paled, looking between Kai and the others.
"N-no. He didn't..."
"Shut up Ray..." The captain growled through his tense jaw.
"What? Not going to tell your boyfriend about the internal bleeding? The breathing apparatus?"
"Or how about when you'd actually flat lined and we were all dragged out the ICU thinking we'd just watched you die? You tell him that?" Tyson spat, his eyes starting to water.
"N-No because I was fine!"
"You were far from fine Kai..." Max added with his head down low, shaking it slowly.
He remembered it clearly. As they were all escorted out and stood waiting outside it had been one of the most scary experiences they'd all gone through together.
Sure they'd frequented hospitals before as a team when things had gotten a little rough in the stadium but all that had happened with Brooklyn hadn't just been rough.
It was almost fatal.
Kai felt a pull against his hand, the other slipping out of it.
"W-why didn't you tell me?"
At the loss of contact his eyes darted down before locking on teal drowning in hurt.
No.. he was not going to lose him again...
Snatching his hand Kai pulled him along, silently marching away from the meddling assholes as his heart pounded in his chest.
The one time he gets his own slither of happiness and they're going to try and tell him it's wrong?!
Brooklyn pulled against his hold.
"Kai!" he almost yelled in a watery tone, "Why didn't you tell me!?"
"Because I'm fine!" He spat back with more bite than he intended to send him.
"What difference does it make to you now? It's in the past. I'm fine, I'm alive, I'm here! What happened doesn't matter anymore!"
But it did matter.
It did make a difference.
He turned on his heel and stormed back in to the lions den, ready to stream eyes feeling hot in his skull.
The mouths that whispered fell silent.
The eyes that blamed came back.
"I didn't mean to!"
"But you did it!" Tyson barked throwing his arms out.
"You think a sorry is gonna cut it Brooklyn? We nearly lost him!"
Ray shook his head, still in disbelief at all of this.
"You might think that you care, but we didn't ever see you come to his bedside."
"I didn't know!" The other cried back, "and they made me! I just did what I was told! I know its still my fault but please believe me! They made like that!"
To the majority of the group the words being spewed in fluster and desperation sounded familiar, but before any more could be said Tyson brushed him off with a sneer.
"Whatever dude, c'mon guys let's get out of here."
Turning on his heel he was followed by the rest of the group. Max taking a shy glance over, Kenny quickly closing his laptop and scurrying after, and golden eyes holding their gaze a little longer before too turning and walking away.
Brooklyn's feet felt planted to the ground.
Why weren't they listening!?
After a moment a hand softly touched his shoulder.
"Brook..."
He turned in to it, throwing his arms round the strong neck.
"I didn't mean to!"
"I know, I know..." Kai wrapped his arms around him and stroked his lower back.
"I forgive you.. I told you..."
"But why!? You could have died! I would have murdered you!" He heaved harder, gripping him tighter.
"You were just doing what you were told to do.." Kai's tone was low as he tried to reassure him.
He understood the position that Brooklyn had been in, of course he did, he'd been there.
"You were following orders... yes I could have, but I didn't... C'mon, look at me."
Easing himself from his grip fair hands sat on either side of the redhead's face, his thumb wiping at a lone tear that has trickled down his cheek.
"I'm okay Brook. Everything's fine now." He breathed out, setting his forehead against his.
"You have to believe me."
Brooklyn's hands came up to sit on top of his.
"I promise I'm going to make it up to you..."
Tilting his head Kai placed a soft kiss on his lips, wanting to take away whatever pain he was feeling right now that in his opinion he didn't need to feel anymore.
Breaking off he gazed into his reddened eyes and spoke to him in a hushed tone.
"You already have.. come on let's just go home..."
Brooklyn followed him. The walk home quiet as it had been on the way there but with a different unwanted air hanging over them.
They reached the door at long last, for once fresh air making Brooklyn feel sick rather than refreshed.
He needed seclusion.
The moment the door closed behind them and shoes were removed, Brooklyn crept behind him as he went to the kitchen for water, slipping his arms round him and shoving his face in his back.
He could have been nothing but ash and dust now because of him...
Or cold in the ground.
He needed to feel the warmth.
"So remember when you asked if going was a good idea?" Kai asked resting one hand on the two locked around his front as the other held his glass. "Probably wasn't a good idea.."
Brooklyn shook his head in agreement in to his back.
"But...Now I know. And now they know..." his muffled voice came in.
"Mhm.. so transparency all round." Came the flat response before he took a sip of his water.
"C'mon let's go watch a movie or something..."
Kai pat on the others hands hinting for him to release him before they head back into the living room.
Meanwhile, furious chomping around a plastic table made a bead of nauseous sweat drip from Kenny's forehead.
Fries were punched in to mouths, shakes were slurped with the rage of a black hole.
Though Maxie just pushed the same fry around.
"Tyson, Ray...you might want to slow down there."
"Y'know what I don't get?" Tyson abruptly started after swallowing a mouthful, ignoring the advice to prevent his future indigestion and shovelling more fries into his mouth.
"Is that this guy! This fucking guy, who's always been like 'just leave me alone, I've no emotions rah rah rah,' is the one in a relationship? And with Brooklyn of all people?! I'd have never have called that... not in a million years... did any of you ever think he'd come out as gay?"
Ray gave him a look as he fought to swallow his huge mouthful of food so he could speak.
"That's a trick question, right?"
The expression opposite him contorted.
"Really?! Max?"
The blonde looked up from his basket of fries and sent him a shrug.
He didn't think Kai was interested in either genders if he was honest but the way he disregarded every female that had ever thrown themselves at him it did raise suspicions...
"I always kinda just pictured him fawning over his reflection..." Ray chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, "Then again, maybe that's the attraction to him. They are sort of similar..."
Tyson scoffed, sending him a look as he slurped his banana milkshake.
"No way. How?"
Ray shrugged again.
"Arrogant, cocky, boat loads of confidence, bad losers, not great with people..." he listed off.
"Holy shit.." Tyson mumbled out at the revelation. "They're practically the same person.."
Ray hummed in agreement as he shoved more fries in his mouth. Brains and beauty he was, nothing got past him.
Max let out a sigh.
"That's all well and good, but what are we going to do about it?" He asked sadly, "We can't tell him who he can and cannot be with. But I can't just pretend I'm happy for him. I can't sit back and wait for him to get hurt."
"I say we just tell Brooklyn to back the hell off." Tyson grumbled, taking his frustrations out on an innocent fry as he smushed it against the greasy lining of the basket.
"And risk pissing Kai off? You saw how he... shoved his tongue practically down his throat." Ray countered with unease. "He clearly really likes him so it's either we accept they come as a duo now or we lose Kai again."
Kenny lifted his head.
"Exactly. If we push, he will dig his heels. The only choice we have is to go along with it, otherwise we're down a teammate yet again."
"So just forget everything that happened?! Pretend to be ok with him like he totally didn't just almost kill the guy?!" Tyson was starting to go red in the face with his outburst, other customers starting to look over at their table now. "No can do chief, ain't gonna happen."
Kenny bit back his frustration.
"Fine, Tyson. Then get in his face about it and have him disappear from our lives. With Brooklyn."
Tyson slumped down in his seat. This really was a no win situation here.
If they kept kicking off about it, trying to show that they cared it'd push him away.
But if they stood around and did nothing what would that do? They'd just be watching their friend get hurt when they could have stopped it! Prevented it completely!
"I just.. He's meant to be the smart one.. even I can see this isn't going to end well.."
"Well.. we don't actually know that.." Max offered. "Brooklyn had said they'd spoken and sorted out their differences so.. who knows, maybe he has changed?"
Ray sighed.
"I guess the Sourpuss changed, didn't he? Well. The worst parts at least. Hopefully they are similar there too..."
Tyson let another unconvinced sound come from his throat.
"That's true but.. urgh.. I don't know.." he bit into another fry but chucked the rest of it back into his basket.
"Think we should message him then or something? Let him know we ain't mad or whatever?
Ray sat back in his seat.
"I think maybe we'd all better cool off a while...He's not stupid. He will know our problem with it and he won't be happy we told Brooklyn."
"Yeah that's another thing!" Tyson chimed in again sitting back up in his seat. "Why wouldn't he tell him all that?"
Ray chuckled again.
"Cause he's an idiot as well as being the smartest."
"Yeah no kidding..." The other sighed out, dragging a hand from his baseball cap down his face.
"See what happens then I guess.. leave it a few days then Maxie you can text him or something..."
Max sent him a slow nod. Was fine by him. Though what he'd possibly say to him after all this he had no idea...
Back in the dimly lit living room, the television flickered as whatever Kai had picked rolled on.
However, it seemed to fail in keeping his interest, since the two-toned head slumped back on the back of the sofa, face peaceful.
The other wasn't feeling quite so tranquil.
He lay huddled in Kai's side, like he had since the movie began.
But the movie was just white noise.
All he cared about was the sound of the soft thump that pulsed through Kai's chest in to his ear that was pressed in to it.
...He really had almost killed him...
He knew he'd hurt him. Badly. The cuts and wounds open and sore still fresh in his memory.
But stopping him breathing?
ICU?
He snuggled closer.
He hadn't meant to...
Yes, he had been his opponent. He wanted to win.
Yes, Boris had ordered him to mess him up good...
But not to kill him!
A rumbling chuckle made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"That's not true, is it though Brooklyn...?"
He huddled closer in to Kai's side, putting his eyes on the screen.
"Not true. Is it? Boris told you to make him stay down, didn't he? And you agreed..."
"No..." the other whispered as he shook his head.
"LIAR!"
Brooklyn jolted at the booming in his ears.
"You're a liar! A filthy liar! You meant every single cut, every single strike...you hated when he kept getting up..."
Brooklyn shook his head harder and sniffled.
"No...I didn't! It wasn't my fault.."
With the jerk beside him violet eyes fluttered open, squinting slightly at the brightness of the television being the only light source in the room.
Must've dozed off... shows how good that movie was...
Taking in a deep breath Kai came round a little more and stretched himself out as best he could with the weight on him as he barely caught the last of an utterance.
"You say something?" He sluggishly asked rubbing one of his eyes.
Brooklyn pulled himself up quickly head going quiet.
"No!"
"Woah, alright.. just asking..." Kai's eyes were wide on him, all sense of drowsiness leaving him in an instant. "What's up with you? Look like you've seen a ghost."
Brooklyn's pale face and wired eyes shook again.
"Nothing! I'm fine. You all right?"
"Yeah... Why wouldn't I be?"
Sending him a look Kai eased up off the couch and stretched himself out properly, his back popping a few times before he head to the kitchen for a drink.
"You want anything?" He called back, "I'm starving, what time is it?"
"It's uh...it's uhhh..." he trembled ever so slightly as he fumbled for his phone.
"It's just gone five..."
"Wanna go out and grab something to eat?" Came the question from the kitchen doorway before a slate head of hair tilted. "You sure you're alright?"
Brooklyn's cracking eyes started at him.
"A-actually..." he stuttered as he jumped to his feet, "I think I'm gonna go home..."
"Wait, what? Why?" Kai's face dropped as he stepped back through into the living room. "If it's about earlier Brook I'm sorry I didn't tell you but it was just something I didn't wanna dwell on anymore. And if it's about the guys then-"
"It isn't! Good night!" He spewed as he bolted to the door.
He had to get out.
He was in a malicious mood this time. Who knew how he would carry on. It would inevitably be unpleasant.
He needed air...
Kai watched him go, the slam of the door making his shoulders tense.
Well.. alright then... meal for one...
Walking to the couch he leant down to pick up his phone and typed out a text.
[Let me know when you get home ok?]
They did say they were going to take things slow... sleep here one night, go home the next.
He couldn't exactly be mad that he was going along with it.
Just after today he figured they could've both done with the other.
If Brooklyn needed space though, he'd respect that...
Brooklyn ran.
He had to stop a few times, wheezing before the adrenaline fuelled him to run again.
Until he was home.
The door slammed, he fumbled for the light switch.
He didn't want darkness...
His heart slammed as his sweaty and pale face looked around, waiting for something to jump out.
He could hear the drumming of his heart in his ears, grateful for it almost in contrast with the eerily quiet room.
His feet moved him to his bedroom, flicking on the light and sitting himself, allowing himself to calm.
It was all right.
It was all right...
His heart finally slowed to normal, along with his breaths.
And finally, normality...
"LIAR!"
He jolted, letting out a loud whimper as he flopped on his side, grabbing his pillow to shove over his head.
x-x-x
It had been a struggle for Kai to get to sleep last night with him having a nap earlier in the evening, but even more so as his request to know of Brooklyn's safe return had gone unanswered.
It wasn't like him to just ignore him... but then it wasn't like him to just high tail it in the first place either.
He genuinely look frightened on the couch. Hadn't been that scary of a movie had it?
Maybe that was it?
Hm.. he knew he was clutching at straws here.. he just hoped he was alright...
Was it too early to call?
Looking to the time on his phone he deemed it so and finished getting ready for school.
He'd call him on his walk there.
It was another fairly decent day. Little warmer than yesterday. So that was going to make sitting in class oh so much more pleasant...
Reaching for his phone in his pocket Kai went to his favourites, pressed Brooklyn's name and held it up to his ear. Not even knowing what he'd do if he didn't answer.
"Goooood morning!" a chirpy drawling voice answered.
"Oh, good morning." Was Kai's response, clearly not expecting such a jolly greeting. "You're alive then?"
"I am!"
"Uh okay.. great... was just, a little concerned when you never got back to me is all..."
Contrary to Brooklyn's, Kai's tone started to get a little frosty. It becoming apparent he'd really been up and down all night worrying for nothing.
"Ah...I am sorry about that Kai. I didn't feel at all well last night. Took a funny turn. Maybe a migraine? I get those sometimes..." he rambled, "I really didn't mean to worry you. I sort of just came home and passed out. I feel right as rain today though."
Kai let it slide. Migraines were no fun.
"Well that's good, glad you're feeling better. You coming over tonight then? I missed you."
"Bet your ass I am..." he replied in a flirty tone, "I'm thinking tonight I'll make us like homemade chicken kievs. Garlic butter inside. How does that sound? We'll have to brush out teeth before we make out but sure it'll be worth it."
Kai huffed a laugh. "Yeah sounds good.."
A smile sat on his face as he continued his stroll when he realised he'd made it to the school gates.
"Anyway I'm here at school now so, I'll see you tonight Brook, k?"
"All righty. Study hard. Fantasize about me!" He instructed before hanging up.
Slipping the phone back into his pocket Kai smirked with a slight shake of his head.
Wasn't all that bad of an idea... would make the day go faster at least.
Brooklyn whistled as he sprung his steps down the stairs, passing a fiery eyed man in his twenties.
"Hey!" He barked.
"Good morning, neighbor!"
The man didn't look impressed.
"I thought we were done with the music shit! You keep me up again, I'm calling the cops!" He jabbed, poking him in his chest before storming off.
Outside Stan was waiting in his car to pick up his little ball of misery for work.
The last he saw him Brooklyn had just received a text from Kai.
He hadn't had any more hysterical phone calls over the weekend so must all have worked out okay regardless of what decision Brooklyn had come to.
The door opened, a bright cloud of ginger falling in.
"Good morning!"
Well, so far so good...
"Good morning Brooklyn, how was your weekend?" Stan asked as he started up the car.
"Ohhh it was something." He chuckled as he got his seatbelt on.
His hand instantly went for the glove box.
"May I?"
He received a single nod paired with a smile.
"Be my guest."
Brooklyn hummed as he rummaged, getting his usual CD out and slotting it in.
He wiggled happily from side to side as the music started to come through the speakers.
Baby's good to me, you know
She's happy as can be, you know
She said so
I'm in love with her and I feel fine!
Stan tried to bite back his chuckle. Seemed things were all back to normal then in his little bubble.
He was pleased. Was worried they'd have a severe slip up then.
"So... care to share what you got up to then?"
"Well, good news first! Kai and I patched everything up!" He sang as he wiggled harder.
"Oh? Well that's great." He gasped out like he hadn't completely worked that out already. "Sorted out your differences then?"
"Oh, very much so! We're taking things slower." He smiled at him.
"Ah, hence why I picked you up from your place this morning." Stan noted more to himself.
Well this was good! The kid had hit the brakes a little on his loved up hype and realised balance was important. No more late night call outs for him it would seem.
"Well I'm pleased for you son. Glad you both got it all figured out."
"Thank you!" He beamed back, "I knew the separation was wrong."
Pulling up to the garden centre Stan parked up and sent him another smile.
"Well here we are kiddo, have a good day and I'll see you at 4:30."
"Why thank you! Have a terrific day yourself!" He sang as he got out, tapping the roof of his car and skipping off.
The flowers were extra beautiful today...
The school bell finally chimed out only to be drowned out by the chorus of school chairs scraping along laminate flooring.
Kai never usually made the frantic dash to the door like the other delinquents, but seeing as he'd done what Brooklyn had said to him on the phone this morning, and fantasised about him allllll day, he was one of the first out the classroom.
He needed to see him.
Needed to just shove his mouth on his and then wrap it around a big, juicy chicken Kiev...
Mmmm..
Keying in his code and pushing open the front door the divine smell of garlic butter instantly danced up his nose.
"I'm home!" He called out kicking his shoes off.
"Hey!" The lazy voice called through, "Little preoccupied, you come to me if you want some goodness."
A smirk wound up on Kai's lips.
Didn't need to tell him twice...
Heading into the kitchen to see Brooklyn by the counter, two fair arms slithered around him as he peered over at what he was doing.
"Hey," he purred out. "Miss me?"
"Mmmm..." the chef purred back, letting his head roll back, "You have no idea..."
Placing soft kisses on the back of his neck Kai trailed them up to his ear where he flicked his tongue against the gold hoop.
"Y'know, I did what you said... haven't stopped thinking about you all day..."
"Oooooohh you are a good boy." Brooklyn chuckled, "Are you wanting me to finish off making dinner or finish something else off?"
Kai unravelled his arms to gently turn the other around to face him, his hands resting at his hips.
"I mean, I don't see the harm in working up a decent appetite do you?"
He got a coy smile back.
"Not at all...so tell me...how am I to get you good and starving?"
Fair hands stroked up Brooklyn's shirt before coming to rest behind his neck.
"How about I just show you?" Pulling him in close Kai pressed his lips against his, one hand making its way into red hair and the other caressing back down his chest.
Truth be told he was starving already but not for the food.
Brooklyn liquefied in to him, pushing back in to his kisses before be pulled back ever so slightly.
"Well, there's twenty minutes on the oven. Think you'll be able to show me by then?"
A slate brow rose, paired with a smirk.
He always did like a challenge...
Giving Brooklyn one more peck on his lips Kai grabbed a hold of his hand, wasting none of their precious time on words as he pulled him to the bedroom like a kid on Christmas morning and pushed him on the bed.
Only twenty minutes?
Couldn't make any promises...
But he managed none the less, finishing a mere minute or so before the oven bell pinged.
They both came down the stairs airy and light, giggly and stupid.
A few minutes more of clambering around the kitchen, Brooklyn came in ferrying his hard work, seemingly cooked to perfection.
"Aw you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to this now..."
Practically salivating at the mouth violet eyes were locked on the plate, following its journey as it floated into the room and was set down in front of him on the table.
"It smells so good."
Brooklyn smirked, clearly proud of himself and glad of the compliment.
"Well. I hope it tastes as good as it smells...bon appetite!"
Cutting into the kiev Kai pulled it apart and watched the garlic butter ooze out onto his plate, the warm rich smell tantalizing his senses further as he lifted his fork up to his mouth.
Teal eyes remained on him as they always did for that first bite, first touch...
Drinking up the noise of pleasure that had just rumbled in Kai's throat the same way it had done mere minutes ago upstairs, watching him melt before him like the butter on his plate.
"Oh my god...Brook, this is heaven!" he groaned happily.
Brooklyn smiled back.
"Good. I'm glad..."
He went to his own meal, glancing at Kai periodically with the usual serene smile on his face.
He had nothing to fear now it had all become clear. Now that the bargain had been made.
He'd made mistakes. Almost taken his life.
That would never stop being true.
But he hadn't known...It hadn't been his fault...
It had been by his hand, but the fates had spared Kai.
Because they were meant to be together. The pair of them similarly, uniquely skilled, blessed and cursed.
The severity of their battle had meant an equally monumental reunion.
Without it, they would have parted ways with no need to come back to each other.
But it was all right now.
They were together, and now he could repent his sin.
He could protect him, nurture him and love him.
And as time continued to heal the wounds, so would it erase his crimes, and instead, replace it with peace and happiness for the both of them.
Take them to something blissful.