Chapter 13 – The L Bomb
The almost painful shrill of the school bell was sweet music to Kai's ears.
Yes... Home time. What. A. Day.
With exams coming up teachers were getting more strict. Fussing over things and just generally being on his ass over stuff that in the grand scheme of things didn't matter at all.
So what if his tie wasn't sitting perfectly straight, or his shirt wasn't tucked in?
Other than that he was a decent enough kid right? Got good grades, was pleasant enough?
...By pleasant he meant base level polite.
"Hey Kai wait up!"
Urghhhhh... perhaps even too pleasant if this clown was yet to take the damn hint...
Angus Holloway.
Lurked a few classrooms away from his.
Was forever trying to be his friend even though it clearly wasn't reciprocated.
Why did this always happen to him?
"Kaaaai! Buddy! How've you been man!? I haven't been able to catch you this week!"
A noise of frustration sat in his throat as he bounded over to him.
No, they were not going to play catch up at the end of the school day.
The bell went.
He heard it, Angus would have heard it, so that meant whatever falseness he had to put on during the day to keep the teachers happy was done with now.
"What a shame..." Kai sent him, ignoring the pleasantry entirely and shifting his backpack on his shoulder, his feet losing no pace as he continued to head down the hall for the exit.
Feet picked up.
"Yoooooo! Waaaaiiiit!" The other laughed, finally catching up with him.
"So what's new?"
Kai saved him a glance as he pushed open the door, the cool afternoon air soothing him somewhat though soon diminished with the grating voice beside him.
"Nothing. Same old. Look I really need to get home and uh, make a start on that math homework so I'll see you tomorrow or something."
"Not what I heard..." he sang back at him.
Kai's feet seemed to slow down, finally gracing the slightly shorter male with a look as he turned his head to face him and took the bait.
"And what have you heard?"
"That you made an unlikely buddy..." he smirked at him, "Is it true?"
Kai then came to a complete halt at that.
Jeez he couldn't even take a shit around here without it making school headlines.
"Whatever you've heard Angus you should probably just mind your own business..." he bit, eyes boring into him.
What he did out of school meant nothing to no one.
Not him, his teachers - no one.
"Ooooooh, so it is true!" Angus beamed excitedly, "H-how did that happen!? What's he like!? Can I meet him!?"
"N-No! You cant!" he blurted out though in doing so just cemented further that the rumour was true. "Just, drop it will you?!"
Angus leapt on to the confirmation, ignoring the warning.
"Ooooooh shiiiiit! It is true! Haaaa! Would never have guessed that turn of events. But seriously, how!? How did you two end up becoming friends after that mofo of a battle!?"
Kai shifted, taking a glance to the direction he should be heading in before back into beady green eyes.
"I don't know, it just did alright?"
Truth be told he didn't even know himself how it'd happened.
One minute they were grabbing a coffee once a week, the next he was in his bed...
Pfft, even if he did have an answer for him he wouldn't tell him anyway!
Goddd he was so, so forward!
"Sooooooo why can't I meet him? Or the other Bladebreakers? OOOOOH! Are they friends with him too!? I don't think I could if someone roughed up my buddy like that."
Clenching his jaw, Kai's shoulders followed suit also at the onslaught of questions and opinions that didn't sit right with him at all.
He wanted to lash out... Ohhh he really did. But there was just something too similar about this situation that made him feel he couldn't... he wouldn't...
So he just did what he did best and started walking again, closing his eyes and trying to drown him out.
He wouldn't follow him home surely. He knew Angus lived to the east side of town so he'd only have to endure so much of him before they parted ways.
A huff of annoyance came out of him.
"Hey! What's with the ignoring? Kind of rude don't you think?"
Kai's eyes opened just so they could roll.
What was rude was him wanting to play 21 Questions after school when he was clearly wanting to just go home.
"Is there something you actually want from me here, kid? Cos like I said, I need to get home."
Angus huffed even harder.
"Just some answers. Come on Kai, spill. What's the deal? You jumping ship again?"
"No I'm not 'jumping ship," he answered with a sneer. "And there's no deal either!"
He could feel himself getting more and more wound up, his fist clenching up around his bag strap on his shoulder, visions of connecting it with the rosy cheek trying to get in his face.
"Soooooo the Bladebreakers know you and whats-his-name are like besties now?" He pressed on, like a journalist desperate for a scoop.
"Yes. They do," Kai bit back instantly, not even knowing why he was gracing him with answers but maybe once he did he'd leave him the hell alone.
"And how do they feel about it?"
"They're, fine." he lied after a slight hesitation.
Whilst they weren't exactly all that pleased with it at the moment he knew they'd get used to it.
Be all, friends or whatever.
"Annnnnnnd you really trust him after he near enough killed ya?" Angus asked, raising a blonde brow.
Like a rubber band being stretched too far something within Kai snapped at that one.
Not even sending him words, more so an animalistic growl paired with a look of warning. Violet instantly darkening causing the other male to step slightly back from him wary.
"Was j-just asking! We're friends aren't we?"
"Keep following me... I dare you." Kai's tone was frighteningly deadly as he kept his eyes on him, breaking the contact when he turned left out the school gates.
Keying in the doors code he pushed it open, the smell of dinner lingering in the house which caused a sigh of relief to escape him.
Nothing like Italian to make a shitty day better...
"I'm home!" he called out kicking off his shoes and letting his bag just fall to the floor beside them.
"Buongiorno!" a happy voice called through from the kitchen.
Kai followed it, standing in the doorway and leaning against it.
"Hi."
The wild and fiery red mop spun around.
"Heeeey! I was starting to worry. You're a little late home today." He greeted as he slid over, throwing the dish cloth over his shoulder.
Kai just groaned as the others arms went around him and he sunk into his chest in a sulk.
"Just, don't even ask..."
Brooklyn frowned, jovial air falling to concern.
"Hey...what's the matter?"
"It's nothing.. just some kid at school pissing me off.." he explained easing himself back up and breaking the embrace. "Don't worry about it, it's fine."
Brooklyn gently grabbed his wrist, pulling him in to the kitchen.
"Come. Tell me."
Kai let him, following him in and leaning against the counter opposite and loosely folding his arms.
"S'just yet another guy who thinks he knows me cos he's seen me on TV a bunch of times. Hounding me like the damn paparazzi..."
"And what exactly do you mean by hounding?" Brooklyn asked as he stirred his pot.
"Asking a hundred and one questions only to make his own assumptions anyway, giving me all his opinions on what I'm doing, who I'm seeing..."
Brooklyn turned his head.
"And what are his opinions exactly?"
"Can we just drop it?" Kai pleaded, noting the slight ice his tone was adopting. "It's just the same shit we've heard before... basically trying to pit me against you and fill me with doubt, but it isn't working so you don't have to worry."
Brooklyn set his wooden spoon down with a little more force than he'd intended.
"No. We can't drop it. Who is this person!? How does he even know about us?"
The others shoulders shrugged.
"Your guess is as good as mine with that one. Must've seen us together at some point."
"Soooo he's just some stranger that came up and ran his mouth?" Brooklyn pressed.
"Well he'll claim that we're friends, but just because we go to the same school doesn't mean that at all.. He's literally just a kid I see in the halls every now and then. Got a class or two with him.. that's it." Kai explained unravelling his folded arms and sitting them on the counter behind him.
Brooklyn let out a huff.
"Are you going to make me ask 20 questions or are you going to explain? What happened?"
"I just told you! What do you want, a word for word report on everything he said?" Kai retorted. "He'd asked if I was jumping ship again, which obviously I didn't appreciate that one.. And then he also asked.." He paused for a moment, taking in the clear bubbling anger in the male opposite before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Look, just drop it ok?"
"Asked what!?" Brooklyn spat back, clearly riled.
He didn't appreciate that one either.
Kai swallowed, shifting and folding his arms over his chest again as he avoided the others gaze.
".. He asked if I.. really trust you after.. y'know, what happened.."
Brooklyn's face turned sour.
"I see..."
With a quick turn, Kai was shown his back.
"Would you like two pieces of garlic bread or hungry enough for three?"
Kai blinked at the question before cocking a brow.
"Uh.. two's fine, thank you.. Need a hand with anything or?"
"Nope..."
"O-okay.. I'll just, wait in the living room then I guess..."
Easing off the counter he stepped out of the kitchen, taking a look over his shoulder to Brooklyn who was just carrying on by the stove before heading into the living room.
He was pissed, he got it, as was he, but wasn't like it was his fault.
Brooklyn's eyes burned the simmering pot, no longer even hungry for it.
But Kai was sad, so he had to focus...
Who the fuck was this guy!? A nobody who didn't know either of them passing judgement!
He wouldn't stand for that...
Nor would he stand for anyone pointing fingers at Kai for his past mistakes.
They were supposed to happen, it was all part of the grand plan.
He'd deal with him, but first, incredible penne!
He sauntered in to the living room ferrying plates, pasting on a decent smile.
"Heeeeere we are! Apparently just how Nonna makes it!"
Kai straightened himself up in his seat, preparing for the feast before sending him a look in question as he sat down beside him on the couch.
"Who's Nonna?"
"Italian grandmas! The masters of the craft! That's what the recipes said anyways." He informed as he settled in right beside him.
Kai sent him a hum accepting it.
"Well looks delicious, thank you." He playfully nudged his shoulder against him, hoping the current mood was here to stay now.
Brooklyn gave him a smile.
"Mmhmm. I know you like a little spice so put a few more chilli flakes in than the recipe said. Also, did you hit that guy?"
Kai's own smile soon diminished at the conversation taking a step back again.
"No I didn't hit the guy..." he muttered in response lifting up his plate and fork. "As tempting as it was..."
"Why didn't you? By all accounts he should be in a shallow grave about now for speaking to you like that."
"Isn't that straight forward Brook..." he sighed out, scooping some food and taking a small mouthful.
"Why not?" The redhead asked casually as he enjoyed his Italian creation.
"Well for starters uni is coming up, and it isn't enough to just get good grades they look at your behaviour throughout too. Wouldn't exactly look good on me having 'decked a guy' on my record..." he answered stabbing at his food.
Brooklyn almost dropped his fork.
"Uni?!"
"Yeah? I wanna go on to do business studies." Kai stated, moving his food around on his plate. "I'm not moving away or anything, I want to stay around here, but that's even more reason why I can't just go lashing out at kids."
Brooklyn nodded.
"You never mentioned that before...cool..."
It was fine...
He just said he wasn't going anywhere.
And even if he did, all he had to do was move with him.
But it still left an uneasy sensation in his belly, tampering with the, if he could say so himself, amazing meal.
Kai shrugged, taking another mouthful of food, chewing and swallowing.
He'd never thought to mention it. University had always been on the cards for him. Anything that'd delay him further from being an office monkey sitting in a suit and tie all day.
"So yeah... there's that, but.." he seemed to pause, clear reluctance over the next topic. "There's something else, maybe even more so than uni stopping me from decking the guy..."
"What...?" Brooklyn asked carefully.
Oh no...what bomb was he about to drop on him now?
Kai set his plate down on the table in front of them, his appetite lost slightly as he reminisced.
A light sigh escaping him as he cupped his hands together and rest them under his chin.
"Few years ago, there was this kid at my prep school..." he started, clear unease and a tint of sadness sitting on his face the other noticed, and his own expression adopted the same softness as he listened.
"Was a, similar sorta situation.. thought he knew me, biggest fan.. all that..."
Brooklyn mirrored him and set his own down.
"And?"
Kai reached over for his drink, the cola relieving his dried throat and slight nerves, keeping hold of it in his hands after as he stared down at it.
"He wanted me to show him a few moves in the bey dish.. train him or whatever, wanted to be just like me... Why anyone would want that I don't know." He huffed a laugh before continuing. "But I just kept brushing him off, and brushing him off... told him to fuck off and all this, said I wasn't interested.. and then anyway, long story short he got mixed up with the wrong people, and ultimately he..."
His voice then trailed of, his breath hitching on his final word as his throat seemed to tighten.
"He what?" Brooklyn frowned, not entirely following everything or understanding why he looked the way he did. All he knew was he wanted him to stop looking like that.
Kai took another drink, the fluid painful to swallow as it passed the lump in his throat.
Why did he even bring this up...
"They ended up killing him.. pushed him too hard, and he couldn't take it." His voice then cracked as he continued to reel off, suppressed pain and upset flowing from him as his eyes then began to water.
"He was just a little privileged kid who'd never even picked up his own fuckin' fork and they had him on some abbey style regime, of course it wasn't going to end well! And it was because of me! It was my fault! I pushed him away! If I'd have just fucking trained him then-"
"Hey!" Brooklyn cut off, cupping his face to make him look at him.
"Don't finish that sentence. From the outline alone it is crystal clear it wasn't your fault. You might have said no to him, but you didn't sign him up for that. We all make our own choices, right or wrong, wise or not. You and I know that better than anyone."
Violet eyes glistened as he looked to him, his entire being riddled with guilt still, even after all this time.
An overwhelming wave of remorse fell over him as a single tear rolled down his cheek when he nodded to him.
He knew that deep down. He just couldn't help but feel the whole thing could have been avoided...
"I've... never spoken to anyone about it.. and with this kid now I, don't want it to happen again.. but he's just so relentless."
Brooklyn's thumbs softly ran over his cheeks, his eyes swimming in soft sympathy.
"Kai...it wouldn't happen again. What happened to that other boy is tragic, but you can't let it impact you in this way. Don't take away from that that you have to allow people to push you around and walk over you. That isn't right."
Gently pulling his face out of his light hold Kai rubbed his eyes and sniffled, feeling all kinds of vulnerable now for letting any of that out and showing that weaker side of him.
"I know.. I just, don't know what to do..."
Brooklyn's hand travelled to the dark blue strands, letting his supportive smile shine through as his fingers ran through it.
"Don't you worry...its going to resolve itself. You'll see."
x-x-x
Another light sigh escaped him as Kai took yet another glance up at the clock above the teacher's desk.
Why was this day taking so long to end?
He'd wanted to go home since his 'best buddy' Angus had pestered him again in the lunch line, and sat right beside him during fourth period.
Droning on and on at him, question after question.
He was mentally exhausted, and not over the never ending spiel of calculus laid out in front of him.
Finally, sweet music to his ears, the bell rang.
Packing up his things he threw his backpack over his shoulder and trudged out the classroom with the others, keeping his head down and walking quickly.
"Hey! Kai! Wait up!"
Kai tensed but kept his head down, pretending that he hadn't heard him.
There were other Kai's here right? Was for someone else obviously...
"Kaaaaaiiiiii!" Angus hollered as he jogged, "Come on! Don't be a dick!"
His jaw clenched, as did his grip around the bag strap.
His feet slowed and he turned slightly to lock onto him as he caught up.
"Didn't hear you," he bluntly said, continuing his slower walk with him beside him now.
"Ought to clean your ears bud!" Angus chuckled as he clapped his shoulder. "So, I was thinking. Maybe we should hang out this weekend! Can bring the Bladebreakers along finally."
"Already got plans." Kai quickly shot down, shrugging some for the others hand to get off of him.
"Soooo change em? Or next weekend then!"
"Hn. I'll let you know." he brushed off, having no intention of ever speaking to this guy again if he could help it and hoped he'd just accept what he said.
Angus followed him out.
"You should keep a window open for me. It'd be a lot of fun and would deffffinitely help your rep out around the school!" He rambled.
"Kaaaiiii!" A drawling voice called out, cutting the blonde off from his train of thought.
Kai's head snapped up to the familiar voice, his heart skipping a beat as he clocked a mop of orange hair stood at the school gates in front of them.
His face scrunched slightly in confusion. What was he doing here?
"Brook?"
Angus, on the other hand...his jaw hit the ground.
"Hooooly shit!"
The teal eyes flickered as he pushed himself off the school gate.
"Can I help you?" He asked him as he looked him up and down.
"Ooooh my goddd! You never said he was coming to pick you up!" He excitedly sent over to Kai, ignoring the tone Brooklyn had just used. "Woahhh you really are friends now huh? So tell me since Kai never did, how'd that even happen? Huh?"
Kai shifted as he looked from Angus to Brooklyn, usual smile on his face though it was holding something different...
Brooklyn let out a warm chuckle.
"Why don't you come walk with me and I'll tell you everything! I never tire of the story!"
Angus bounced where he stood, shaking Kai's arm in giddiness. "See! You should be more like him! Aw you're so nice! Guess getting your ass kicked really humbled you huh?" He laughed out stepping to the taller redhead and walking beside him.
A hand slammed down on his shoulder, another laugh belting out of him.
"Ahhhh you could say that, yeh! The world of good getting put in your place does to ya..."
Kai held back as he watched the two of them walk off, experiencing his own flicker of fear on Angus's behalf as Brooklyn had looked back to him and sent him a wink.
What was he going to say to him? Or rather, do to him?
Still chuckling pleasantly, Brooklyn lead him around the corner, making small talk until they had slipped around from the school, out of sight.
"Ahhhh, now where were we? Oh yes! The story of how Kai and I became friends!" He let out before the hand on his shoulder gripped like a vice and swung, hurling the younger boy round and against the wall before he even had time to process it and by the time he did, flaming turquoise was in his face.
"None of your fuckin' business..."
Angus's breath got caught in his throat as he was slammed against the wall, green eyes snapping open wide as they frantically looked to the fair hands gripped against his shirt before locking on the deadly expression before him.
"W-woah woah! Me and Kai are friends!" He blurted out, "You've got it all wrong!"
Brooklyn snarled, his hand gripping the front of his shirt tighter.
"I believe the one who has it all wrong is you, pal..."
"Oh yeah? Is this what you did to Kai too? Bullied him into liking you cos you've no friends! Is that what happened?! Huh?!"
Brooklyn gave him a twisted smile.
"Me? Bully Kai? Oh no. No, no. You saw our match didn't you?"
"Mhm! Several times!"
Brooklyn gave him a patronizing nod.
"Mmhmm...I didn't bully Kai. You saw what I put him through and he still kept getting up and fighting back. Incredible, wouldn't you agree?"
Angus nodded to him, back still up against the wall. "Y-Yeah? That's why I'm friends with him!"
"Ridiculously strong. Inside and out..."
He nodded to him again, feeling even more uneasy than before as Brooklyn started to ramble, seeming to go elsewhere as he reminisced.
"Real spine...never showed any fear even though he knew I could have snapped him like a twig if he faltered..."
Angus continued to nod dumbly, nervous smile twitching.
"You as strong as him, do you think?"
The dumb nod turned in to a dumber shake.
Which was when Brooklyn's eyes fired up, his pale hands yanking before slamming him hard against the wall, making his teeth clack together.
"You're damn right! You saw what I did to him. Don't think for a second you would have the same outcome. I could burn you from the inside out before you even knew what hit you. So unless you want that, you'd be wise to heed my warning. Stay the hell away from him. He aint your friend. He doesn't want to be your friend. He wants to be left alone..."
"Okay okay!" The smaller boy violently nodded his head to him, hearing him loud and clear when the grip on his shirt loosened and he was let go.
"Glad we understand each other... Now fuck off.."
Scrambling to pick up his bag off the floor Angus ran out from behind the corner as fast as his legs would carry him.
At the sudden movement, Kai's eyes lifted up from his phone where he was stood waiting to see the terrified looking male run straight past him, not saying a word as he took off into the distance.
With a frown he turned back to see a serene smile appear from behind the corner, arms up behind his head as Brooklyn strolled back over to him.
"Shall we?" He smiled at him, walking by to set them on their path home.
Kai tried to suppress the smirk wanting to dance all over his face as he started walking beside him.
"What did you say to him?"
"Ohhhh just politely requested he not put his beak where it isn't wanted and to respect boundaries." Brooklyn shrugged, "I think he understood, so you don't need to worry about him anymore."
"Politely huh? Is that what you call that?" he teased, letting the smirk appear as he looked up to him.
Brooklyn arched a brow and turned to him.
"Oh. Were you there?"
"Might have had a peek.." Kai admitted, sending him a coy glance. "Was kinda hot..."
Brooklyn's own coy smirk cracked.
"Was it now...?"
"Ohh fuckk yes!" Kai moaned out, one hand gripped in red locks and the other clinging on the bed sheets.
Brooklyn's eyes smirked at him since his lips were currently too occupied on creating a vacuum around his rock hard cock.
His arms were hooked around his milky white thighs, now decorated with purple love bites.
His school pants hung inside out, still hanging off his left foot.
He was pleasing him, he could tell that much. But he hadn't gotten his prize yet...
Kai licked his lips, pressing them together to stifle another moan that was escaping his throat.
They'd done this a million times now but for some reason it was hitting him so much harder than before.
This was next level horny right now.
The desperate struggle at each others clothes as soon as the two had shut the front door behind them, and the precarious ascent up the stairs to the bedroom, lips locked frantically grabbing at the other.
"Fuuck Brooklyn... just like that..."
Brooklyn moaned in to him, getting the ever so sweet prize he never got tired of.
But, since he could smell the horny coming off the other, and taste it leaking from him in his mouth, he decided to inflict some oh so pleasurable pain.
He slowed himself right down, taking his time sucking his way back up.
"Noo Brook, doonn't, please, not now..." Kai pathetically whined out in a pant, caressing the red hair he'd been raking his fingers through.
Brooklyn let out his own gruff groan as a huge pang rippled in his own pants.
God it did things to him when he sounded like that.
His tight lips loosened, giving his jaw the very short break as his hand caressed the soaking wet flesh, running his thumb over the slit.
"Don't what? What's the matter?" He teased.
"You know what..." he replied in a low growl, saving him a glance as his free hand released the sheets and ran through his own dampening bangs. "C'mon you're supposed to be my hero..."
Brooklyn chuckled.
"Oh am I...?" He purred as he swirled his tongue around his tip, "You know the thing about heroes is that they always save the day riiiiggghttt at the last minute...after the poor victim has suffered a little."
"My day at school was torture enough." Kai bluntly replied, easing himself up slightly and prizing his eyes open to gaze down at him. "Why would you wanna inflict more on me? Hm?" He asked, sticking out his lower lip, fake pouting and tilting his head.
Brooklyn smirked harder.
"Oooooh...you poor thing..."
With a sharp pull, he slid Kai by the thighs closer to the edge of the bed, making him fall back again.
"Well...in that case..."
He lowered his head, inching him back in and relaxing his throat to deep throat him until his nose rest in the soft hair.
Kai's mouth dropped open again, a silent cry escaping him as his eyes rolled back to a close.
Arching his back his fingers adopted their grip in his hair again, bobbing up and down along with the others movements.
"Mm.. you're gonna get it so good when it's your turn..."
Another sly chuckle vibrated against him, pale hands pinning down his arching hips as the bobbing got faster and the suction harder.
Moans continued to pour out of him as he neared closer and closer to the edge. Hands not knowing where to grip, frantically grasping a hold of anything as Kai's body shook with waves of pleasure beneath him.
"Fuck, right there.. D-Don't stop.. Fuuck!" he begged between pants, toes curling as Brooklyn's movements were relentless on him.
He was starting to feel lightheaded, all that had transpired today whirling round him.
Brooklyn stepped in and helped him. Actually helped him. Told him he was having problems and he went and took care of them...
No one... no one had ever done that for him before... Not that he'd ever asked, but he didn't have to with Brooklyn. The mere mention of it and he'd gone and took it upon himself to go and fix it. This was real.. all of it.. real, genuine-
"Fuuck! I'm coming! B-Brook! Ahh! ILOVEYOU!"
Brooklyn choked as his cock throbbed and released in his mouth, sucking him dry and letting him ride out his orgasm.
He finally lifted his head, wiping his mouth subtly.
Kai's chest heaved in and out. Eyes closed though he was seeing stars as he lay limp and dazed on the sheets.
Did he just? No...
Brooklyn got up from his knees silently, taking himself to the bathroom to clean up.
The others eyes fluttered open a moment later to see him leave.
Shit.. he did...
Parting his lips Kai closed them again when he heard the bathroom shut.
He didn't even know what he was planning on saying anyway in all honesty, all words just evading him now.
God why would he blurt that out?! Well.. cos he'd felt it.. like Brooklyn had said to him before it had just felt right..
But why did he feel now that he'd just made a big mistake?
Brooklyn came back in a few minutes later, flashing him a smile as he crawled on to the bed again.
"You, okay?" Kai hesitantly asked, watching him as he'd gotten closer to him on the sheets.
"I am. Are you?" He smiled, shifting himself to get comfortable.
"Mhm." Kai squeaked out with a quick nod of his head.
He could feel his heart racing in his chest, the serene feel of his orgasm a distant memory now as he stared back at him.
Maybe Brooklyn just didn't hear him?
Highly unlikely considering even the neighbours probably heard him scream the L word in his ecstasy but maybe he didn't.. and this was fine.. and they were just going to continue as normal and it was FINE!
"So uh, your turn?"
"Oh, it's okay. Save your energy for another time. I was going to make us dinner in a sec." The other told him, smile in place as ever.
"Oh. Ok.. sounds good." Was the stuttered reply.
This wasn't fine. Wasn't fine at all.
Why wasn't he even mentioning it?!
He can't have heard him! That's the only possible explanation.
Cos if he'd have heard Brooklyn spew something like that out, he'd be wanting to talk about it!
"I'll just, get a quick shower then?"
"All righty! See you downstairs!" He waved off, picking himself up and taking himself out as well.
As if nothing had happened...
x-x-x
Heavy eyes struggled to open the following morning having just stared up at the bedroom ceiling until god knows what time once the bedside lamp was flicked off.
Dinner was as tasty as always though lacked conversation. Brooklyn appearing to be his usual smiley self though still no mention of what he'd blurted out to him earlier in the bedroom.
It wasn't the fact he was expecting him to have said it back to him.. though that would have been nice...
But it was more so just an acknowledgement of it Kai was wanting.
He'd never said he loved anything, ever.
Not even any of his favourite things.
Sure he liked music, he liked animals.. but love?
Maybe Dranzer but he'd never say it out loud...
He'd literally screamed it out! Shamelessly yelled it! Not a care in the world as three simple words tore from his throat.. and they were ignored... completely ignored...
Was it because Brooklyn just didn't feel the same? Or was he just that thrown off by the sappy gesture he figured ignoring it was just the best solution?
Wasn't as if either of them came from overly feelingsy backgrounds...
Did he think he was weak now? Pathetic?
He rubbed a hand over his face, and internally groaned.
At least it was Saturday and he didn't have to drag himself to endure a day of school.
Can just stay in bed and wallow all day... yeah... plan...
The door pushed open, sleepy smile and dishevelled red mop coming through in a wrinkled t shirt carrying coffee.
"Good morning..."
"Morning..." Kai parroted.
There wasn't anything good about it..
"Here." The other offered gently, putting the cup on the side and making his own way to his side.
He set his own cup down and clumsily rolled back on, slumping himself over him above the covers.
"Thanks..."
Kai just laid there. Feeling all sorts of awkward and he didn't even know why.
Brooklyn was acting completely normal with him. Nothing had changed. He wasn't treating him any different...
Had to just brush it off and get a grip...
"Anything planned for today?"
A huge grin cracked.
"I have the day oooofffffff!" He sang, "So anything you like."
"Sounds good..." Kai replied with as much enthusiasm as a child going to Sunday school.
"What do you wanna do then?"
Brooklyn snorted.
"No, please. Get a hold of your excitement Kai, its embarrassing." He replied in playful sarcasm, rolling himself ever closer to run a hand down his side.
"Can think of a few things we could do. They'd probably put you in a better mood too."
Kai tensed slightly at the suggestion along with the fair hand crawling down him.
"Yeahh.. not really up for it..."
Brooklyn's hand retreated, a long sigh coming out his nose.
"Kai? Yesterday when we were...Did you mean what you said or was it just something you blurted out in the throes of passion?"
Some incoherent stutter was the first response he got before Kai looked to him with worry filled eyes.
What was the right answer here? Sure there was the truth and a lie but which was he meant to go for here?
His own shaky sigh escaped him as he settled on his answer, his voice low, bashful almost.
"... I... meant it..."
Brooklyn's face washed over with absolute serenity.
"Good...because I love you too."
Kai's eyes snapped to him.
"What?"
Lips pressed against him gently.
"I said, I love you too."
Eyes stayed open though the kiss was returned all the same.
"... You do? Seriously?"
Brooklyn breathed a laugh.
Oh. He was funny.
"Yes. Is that so hard to believe?
"Uh, yeah.. kinda?" Slate brows furrowed some as Kai responded in slight disbelief.
Whilst it had been quite the realisation to find out he'd fallen completely for the other, having gone as far as to even google what love was and all it entailed just to be sure.
To be told Brooklyn felt the same he was sceptical...
Not that he thought for one second he'd lie to him but..
How could anyone actually feel that way about him?
"You know what it is right? Like.. how you're meant to feel and whatever?"
Brooklyn tilted his head.
"Drink some coffee. You're making no sense. I know what what is?"
"What love is!" he snapped, clearly getting himself worked up as he sat himself upright in the bed and crossed his legs.
"It isn't just something you say just cos someone says it to you, it's this, really serious thing that you just- you just feel, with every fibre of your being!" He spewed out, chest lightly heaving on him as he caught his breath back.
"It's when you can't stop thinking about the other person, even if you wanted to, you just can't get them out of your head. You can't stop staring at them when they're around, and when you're apart, you notice little things that remind you of them..."
Kai's ramblings trailed off when he looked over at the warm smile and sparkling teal eyes that never broke their gaze.
"...what?"
"I never thought I'd see the day you got all fluffy." Brooklyn chuckled.
"Fluffy?!" He scoffed. "T-that's just all what the article said!"
Brooklyn let out a bigger amused chuckle.
"Is it now? Well I have to say I think the author was on to something."
"Why's that?" Kai questioned though felt he already knew the answer.
Brooklyn rolled his head throwing a coy smile.
He really wanted him to say it, huh?
"Because I know how I feel for you. I know it's serious and I know it isn't something you just say back to someone. I knew I felt this way. For a while. But after you saying you wanted us to step back a little, I was afraid of spooking you. I decided to keep quiet until you felt ready. I was thrilled yesterday, but I had to make sure it wasn't being said out of pleasure but from your heart instead."
Kai slowly nodded to him as his words sank in.
Made sense...
They were both still learning, still figuring each other out.
Both of them still fighting against showing some vulnerability but the walls were starting to crumble now at an alarming rate.
And after confessing to each other like this now, Kai wasn't sure if he had a single brick left standing...
He suddenly reached over, cupping the back of Brooklyn's head and pulled him in to press his lips on his.
Brooklyn melted in to it, feeling like now the deal was signed and sealed now.
They were in love with each other.
Kai felt for him as he felt for Kai.