The inevitable had come, Thursday morning and not a dry eye for miles as car after car pulled up to the funeral home.
It'd been a long week already, and it was fixing to become an even longer day.
While Kai was left to his one man show of setting up the funeral arrangements, Tala and Ray had been tasked with moving Thomas's things from his house over to Kai's during the week. Everything was set up and in place now for him after today, but it didn't mean the transition was going to be easy.
Since Kai was away and had been gone during the week doing what he needed, this was the first time since the snow in that he and Ray were actually seeing each other in person. They'd resumed talking, but of course it wasn't what it had been, and neither were pushing or expecting more from the other right now.
Dressed in one of his best shirts and slacks, Kai waited outside the chilled morning air as more and more people began walking up the path towards him to where the viewing would take place. He'd gone back and forth in his head about open casket or not, given how Ming had looked when the sheet had been removed the first time and given Thomas being there, but felt that the others deserved to see her one last time.
Whoever had done her up did all they could, powdered her nose to make her look not so cold as she really was, but it still didn't take away the sting. While Hilary had gone over and picked out one of Ming's favorite dresses to bury her in.
His chest heaved as it clenched, shaking hands with familiar tear stained faces as they ushered past him and felt a small wash of relief fill him when the two he needed the most finally arrived to hold him up through this.
The second they were within arm's reach, Tala clapped him on the back and gave it a gentle encouraging rub before passing on to head inside. Ray standing there before him till he was suddenly pulled into Kai's chest and held tightly, reciprocating the hug and throwing his own arms around Kai's back that didn't last long given more people coming up and heading towards them.
"I'll see you inside." Kai whispered as he let him go, his voice hoarse and getting a nod back as Ray slipped away from him and followed after Tala.
Straightening up, Kai's heart nearly split in two as the last car pulled up and Hilary and Tyson came walking towards him with their two children and Thomas at their sides.
The little boy already had tears cascading down his face and soaking into his shirt despite the tissues he had clutched in his shaking fist.
The closer they got, he finally looked and clocked onto Kai, feet getting a mind of their own as they catapulted him right towards him as Kai crouched down to catch him in his arms.
Tyson and Hilary had caught up after a minute or so but let the two of them have a moment. Whilst Thomas needed all the love and support he could get today and by the look on Kai's face, he needed this just as much. The embrace from the little boy giving much needed reassurance that he didn't in fact hate him at all regardless of what he'd blurted in his upset.
"Hey.. How're you holding up?" Hilary then asked, tone soft and arm reaching to comfort Kai's arm once he'd risen back to his feet.
"I'm alright..." Kai answered with a small nod and lump in his throat, holding Thomas in his arms to his chest as the boy clung onto him.
"You?" He redirected, taking in her flushed face and red eyes even if her makeup was flawless.
Hilary just nodded to him and forced a smile. Truthfully, it had been an awful week.
Every night since he'd found out Thomas had started waking up screaming from bad dreams and was inconsolable until he eventually tired himself back out again. She'd felt helpless as he cried out for his mother and knowing that there wasn't a thing she could do for him.
"We'll see you inside." She continued in the same tone. "Are you wanting to stay with Kai, baby?" She then cooed to Thomas, hand stroking at his back over his own smart little shirt.
Thomas whimpered and nodded, clutching around Kai's neck tighter like Hilary might try and pry him off at any second.
"I got him, think you guys were the last ones anyways. So why don't we all head in?" Kai suggested, letting the family of four go before following behind them with Thomas still wrapped around him into the warmer air of the building.
Although they were quiet, each sniffle and covered sob was deafening in his ears coming from the rows of people sitting down while some were still making their way up past the casket to say their last goodbyes.
There was no way he wanted to take Thomas up front, but his job wasn't done yet.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay. Alright? I know it's hard, and it's sad, but it's okay." He cooed quietly.
"Can you sit with Aunt Hilary and Uncle Tyson for a little bit longer for me? Then I'll come back and get you." He bargained as Thomas only clutched onto him tighter.
He almost violently shook his head with his face buried into Kai's shoulder. He remembered his momma saying that the evening before she left for work and she never came back for him. He wasn't going to believe that line ever again.
"I want to, stay with you." He voiced as firmly as he could through his shuddering breaths.
Kai's throat closed up even more, torn on what to do. Eyes desperately searching out blue in the crowd and thankfully clocked onto them looking back.
With a tilt of his head he beckoned Tala over to him at the back where he stood by the doors.
Instantly his feet moved like a soldier reporting for duty. Quickly stepping over to Kai at the front with a good idea on what he needed of him.
"Heyy little man, don't you look a stud in your shirt." Tala sent down to the bundle clinging to Kai for dear life.
Thankfully, Thomas didn't shy away from the familiar voice and the head of blue hair looked up, not reciprocating the same smile being sent his way though graced him with words.
"Aunt Hilary got it for me..."
"She did? Wow, wish she'd get me one so I could look as cool as you!"
Beside himself a slight huff of laughter came from the little boy and both Tala and Kai grabbed at the opportunity with the small arms around Kai's neck loosening.
"C'mon kid, come chill with Uncle Tal for a sec." He opened out his arms and went to reach for him, but Thomas's arms seemed to tighten around Kai again, looking between the two of them like he was unsure.
"I'm not leaving, I just have to go stand up front and talk. After, I'll come right back for you, promise." Kai coaxed again and shifted Thomas's weight in his arms.
"Yeah buddy you can keep your eyes on him, we'll watch him together like a hawk okay?" Tala added, playfully squinting his eyes and a hand reassuringly resting on Thomas's back.
"We'll stand right here, right in this spot, make sure he doesn't run off. And if he does, Uncle Tal will go chase him. He ain't as fast as me."
Thomas let out another giggle at that looking to Kai then back to Tala. "Or me!"
Tala scoffed. "Duh! No one is faster than you little man! You're the fastest on the planet! So you don't have to worry. Me and you together, dream team, right?"
Holding out his closed fist Thomas bumped it before the little arms went from Kai's neck and leaned over to reach for the redhead's who instantly took a hold of him and held him in the same position.
"Thanks..." Kai sighed, feeling like he could breathe just a tad bit easier now without the tiny arms strangling him.
"Alright, I'll be right up there. You stay here with Tala, okay? I'll be right back." Kai said, refraining from touching Thomas in case the kid latched back onto him and quickly headed for the front of the room.
It wasn't like he wanted to do this part either, or any of it, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice in the matter.
Getting to the front, his back to the casket and having done his best not to look at her again, he kept his eyes on a spot above everyone's heads in the air and cleared his throat.
"I want to thank you all for coming..."
He'd gone and droned on long enough, more tears spilling around him from friends of hers outside of work along with Hilary and Mariah dabbing at their eyes through his speech.
Giving the floor to anyone else after he was done to say a few more parting words of their own, he kept himself right beside her like a personal body guard even in death.
During Mariah's speech she nearly broke down in front of everyone, having to stop and compose herself while the rest of the room choked up with her.
None of this was easy, on any of them, and as horrible as the thought was, the sooner it was done the better. He just wanted the torment to end, and not just for his sake but for everyone else's too.
Soon enough everyone who had something to say was up and down, more sniffles and quiet sobs echoing about the room as the funeral director took over to help move things along.
While the congregation was ushered outside to where the burial would take place, Kai finally peeled himself away from the casket before it was closed up for good.
A small, sad smile sat on his face as he gently touched Ming's forehead for less than a second and forced himself away before he broke down again.
He had a little boy to hold.
Taking Thomas back from Tala, he carried him out with the others outside and under the canopy of the trees and tent that had been set up around the hole in the ground that had been dug up for her.
"You doing okay?" Kai asked quietly to Thomas as he sat down in the front row with the boy on his lap.
Thomas had nodded but it was as clear as day that he wasn't. His big eyes that he'd inherited from his mother constantly watering, red and sore along with his nose too that was running.
He wanted to go home. He was completely overwhelmed. There were so many people. So many new faces that seemed to know who he was, coming up and fussing with him, cupping his cheeks and ruffling his hair though he didn't know who they were at all.
He wanted to go home... And he wanted his momma...
"What's that for?" He then questioned, pointing at the large hole and squirming some on Kai's lap so he could go and take a closer look.
Kai's entire body tensed, arms holding Thomas tighter as if he'd fall into the hole even if it was roped off and they were a good distance away from it.
"It's um... It's where they have to put momma... Remember how I told you she got in an accident, that she can't come home? This is... It's going to be her new home... And we'll be able to come and see her whenever you want." He explained best he could, feeling his eyes begin to water all over again.
Thomas seemed to accept it though his face scrunched some. His momma didn't usually like him playing in dirt so for this to be their new home seemed strange.
"So all my toys will go in there too?" He asked, tilting his head and trying to make sense of it all.
"No. Your stuff is at my place now, you're gonna come and live with me now. This is just for your momma." Kai said, eyes darting up past Thomas's head to see the funeral director coming towards them all with the casket in tow being wheeled out behind him on a trolley.
"Do you wanna go on a walk or sit here?" He asked gently. Feeling like he needed to go walk himself.
It was hard enough doing all this as it were, but to actually watch her get lowered into the ground... He wasn't even sure if he could handle it.
Though he was going to have to handle it as Thomas's focus had locked on the casket and wasn't leaving it any time soon.
His momma was sleeping in there... And they were putting her in the ground?
Inquisitive eyes took it all in, looking from what was happening up front to the people behind over Kai's shoulder. Tears streaming down countless faces though forced smiles being sent his way when they locked with the bright amber hues.
He could feel himself getting upset again. His small chest tightening as he got caught up with the thick emotion that was surrounding them.
"Uncle Kai..."
At that, his feet heaved the two of them up without a seconds hesitation. Arms holding tight and secure and going off without looking back further through the grounds amongst more and more headstones.
"I know, I know." Kai cooed, damming the way his tears threatened to spill right now when he had a little boy to console.
"It's gonna be alright though, I promise." He spewed out whatever he could just to keep the two of them calmed down, getting far enough away and stopped under a thick oak with a bench to sit on.
"I lost my mom too when I was a kid, and it's hard. But you're allowed to cry all you want because it hurts. And I know it doesn't make much sense to you right now."
Tala and Ray had watched him go, sitting just behind on the second row, feet itching to get up and help though as always in situations like this there wasn't anything they could do.
For Ray it was an overwhelmingly endearing sight to see the man he was besotted with comfort and care for the little boy like he was his own. Why he thought he wouldn't be good with children he had no idea, but this of course was only the start. It was one thing giving the kid a cuddle at a funeral but as of today Thomas was now in Kai's full custody. He wasn't sure how he was going to manage...
"He'll be fine. He has us." Tala assured in a hushed tone like he'd just read Ray's thoughts.
"It's gonna be hard. But we'll get through it all together."
Ray nodded back to him silently around the cries and sniffling around them. It was going to be hard, but like Tala had said they'd get through it together.
He shifted some in his seat as the funeral director took up the front and began to speak, the casket being placed on the belts to be lowered behind him.
Leaning into Tala's side, trying to drown out what was going on around them he talked in a hushed whisper.
"Lee wants me to quit, because of what's happened... I haven't told Kai yet what was said, nor do I know what I'm going to do either."
Tala's head snapped straight to him like he'd just insulted his own mother. "You're not actually considering it are you?" He sent back in the same quiet tone though the slight bite was evident.
"It's what I had to tell him so he would stop screaming at me." Ray answered with a small shake of his head, "But I don't think he's giving me much of a choice this time... Said that if I keep working there then I should just find a new place to live, that he can't take this stress anymore and I don't blame him."
Tala broke his gaze from him for a moment, looking back ahead as the casket had started to lower into the ground, eyes then taking a glance over to where Kai and Thomas had wandered off to, to catch Kai's head turn to look before quickly turning back to the boy. The sight obviously too painful which was why he'd taken the two of them off in the first place.
"So then what about you two?" Tala continued, "Quit the job, okay fine, but where does that leave you and Kai?"
"I don't know..." Ray answered in an even lower voice, "Obviously I haven't brought it up for reasons right now but will need to at some point. I can't afford moving right now, and I know you offered your place already but I'm trying not to lose my cousin in this mess too." He sighed.
Tala had no words for him. Sure he understood that family came first, and Lee was all Ray had in that respect, but it wasn't like Kai had many outlets of support either.
He needed everyone he could get right now, and if Ray was gonna quit and have nothing to do with him surely that would just be the final nail in the coffin for him. (For want of a better phrase...)
He exhaled through his nose and shifted in the uncomfortable seat. Oh this was a mess alright... A huge mess indeed.
At Tala going quiet beside him, Ray shifted more upright in his seat as the casket was lowered completely into the ground. Whatever the funeral director saying just white noise in his ears as once more he thanked everyone for coming and sent them away with some other parting words.
Off where he'd kept them, at the sight of people moving and getting up from under the tent, Kai pat Thomas on the shoulder after having gotten the boy to sit beside him instead of on his lap.
It'd felt like hours had passed since they sat down, having talked about life and death and what it meant in a way a five year old would understand.
As heartbroken as Thomas was, he seemed to understand it now. Momma wasn't coming home ever again, and he was having to live with Uncle Kai for the rest of his own life and it didn't matter how much he screamed or cried for his mom she wasn't coming back.
"You ready to go?" Kai asked, keeping his hand resting on the small of Thomas's back.
The little boy nodded and shuffled himself off the bench, feet touching the ground before reaching up for Kai's hand above him.
Momma's box was in the ground now he could see off in the distance, and it was in that spot she would always be and like Uncle Kai had told him he could come whenever he wanted and talk to her.
Tala silently stepped past Ray and headed over towards Kai who was too heading back.
He knew it wasn't any of his business, but after everything they'd all gone through together he'd be lying if all Ray had just said and was considering hadn't left him feeling a type of way.
He was actually angry with him right now? Upset. Especially knowing how Kai felt about him... Had finally started to feel for someone like that and now Ray was just planning on upping and leaving?!
He felt like he had to pre-warn him. Soften the blow that surely the news would cause him but shit... It wasn't his business! But he felt he had to protect Kai!
"Hey, sorry bout running off." Kai apologized the moment Tala was close enough he could hear him, hand still in Thomas's small one.
"Did you ever get a head count on who was coming aside from the others from work?" He asked.
As horrible as the day already was, and not wanting to keep dragging it all out, he'd gone and opened his doors for everyone to come over for lunch provided they bring the food since he was not about to make anything or spend however much on take out. And given everything going on, he felt having Caden and Harley over to help Thomas transition into his house might actually be beneficial even if he wasn't in the mood to play host.
"Uh yeah, literally is just work people. So you don't gotta worry about any strangers in the house." Tala answered and stuck his tongue out at Thomas who had perked up substantially since the last time he saw him as he stuck his own out straight back.
"Crazy day huh little guy?"
"Mhmmm... I'm tired." Thomas whined rubbing at one of his eyes with his free hand.
"Mm I bet... Speaking of crazy. You got a minute?" Tala directed at Kai; voice gone hushed.
"Can it wait?" Kai asked in an exhausted sigh, picking Thomas back up onto his hip. "Can tell me when we get to the house and he gets something to eat."
"Y-yeah. Sure." Tala begrudgingly said, dropping it for now if that's what Kai wanted. Probably wasn't the right time anyway...
Kai gave a nod back, shifting Thomas on his hip as he carried on towards the parking lot.
"You're gonna have to ride with Hilary and Tyson again, since they got your seat and everything. But I promise you'll see me in a little bit, okay?" He said softly to the little koala wrapped around him.
"They're gonna bring you to my house, like we talked about, and then you can get something to eat and play with Harley and Caden. Sound good?"
Thomas sent an enthusiastic nod, a lot more trusting than he was earlier and allowed Kai to set him down on the floor when Tyson and Hilary approached with their two children.
"Ready to go bud?" Tyson asked as he held out his hand to Thomas, hopeful that they weren't going to have a repeat of the ordeal they had this morning.
Thomas bound over to him, taking his hand and sending Kai a small wave before being walked to the car.
"We'll see you at yours, Kai." Hilary stated before too taking her leave, sending both males a smile before following after her husband and the kids.
Kai waved back to them, heading off towards his own car parked near the front only to stop as the funeral director approached to talk to him. He'd almost forgotten about him.
After a few words between them, when the headstone would be in place and a word of thanks from Kai he was finally released from the torment and able to head for his car in a slight peace.
"Hey, thought I'd ride with ya." Ray's voice nearly jolted him from behind, spinning on his axis to face him.
"Y-yeah. That's fine. Hop in." Kai didn't hesitate to answer him, if anything he was grateful for the company on the drive home. God knew he needed it right now.
As they climbed in, the question as to why Ray didn't ride with Tala was there on the tip of his tongue and wondering if it had something to do with what Tala wanted to talk to him about when they got home but decided to swallow it for right now, he couldn't deal with any more bad news today.
"How're you doing?" Kai asked as he kicked the engine on.
"Yeah I'm okay, considering..." Ray answered in a sigh and reached to fasten himself into his seat. "More importantly though how are you?"
"Been better." Kai said, pulling the car out with the rest of the vehicle's in order to leave.
"More worried about Thomas right now than anything, but think he's finally understanding it all. Which doesn't make it any easier but will hopefully help. And thank you, for getting his stuff over with Tala this week."
"Oh it's fine. Don't worry about it, was no problem at all..." Ray assured with a slight wave of his hand though kept his gaze out the passenger window.
He could only hazard a guess that Tala hadn't said anything to him yet considering Kai was being okay with him and was letting him ride back to his in the first place.
"As for Thomas though I wouldn't worry too much. He's still young and will bounce right back. Especially with having you there for him he's going to be just fine... You were really great with him today."
At the slight praise, and the feeling like a small weight had lifted off his chest even just slightly, a small smile curled in the corner of Kai's lips.
"Thanks... But I have no idea what I'm doing. And after the holidays he's gotta go back to school, and there's more paperwork to deal with for all that. Then I still have to get her things out of the house and put it on the market. Figure out when we can reopen. And my God it just never ends." He huffed a slight laugh before he cried at it all.
He chanced a glance beside him, the once small smile falling at being greeted by the side of Ray's head. Something was wrong...
Slyly he inched his hand over the center console and took up Ray's hand in his own, lacing their fingers together.
"Everything okay?"
At the contact Ray almost flinched and snapped his head towards him. "Mhm! Yeah of course. Sorry, was in a world of my own then." He blurted out, hand tightening around the fair fingers and sending him a quick smile.
"I'm sorry you're having to go through all this... Just tell me if there's anything I can do to help out."
"Yeah, I will if something comes to mind." Kai sent back, trying to avoid how tense and thick the air was around them now.
It'd been a long morning, he tried to reason, was understandable and this was the first time in a week they'd really seen each other much less touched.
He wasn't sure what else to say, letting his thumb brush over the skin against the back of Ray's hand while he guided the car with his free one to his house as the air got even thicker and quiet between them.
Hoping that once they stepped out and got inside they'd be able to breathe a bit easier, get something in all their stomachs finally before parting for however long again.
He really didn't want that, to be left alone right now once everyone decided to head back to their own homes because he really didn't have a clue what to do with Thomas afterwards or himself.
Pulling up into the drive of his home, he threw the car in park but kept it running and turned in his seat and gripped Ray's hand a bit tighter.
"Will you stay with me, tonight?" Even if it was just for the night he'd take it, just so he didn't have to be alone and dealing with all this by himself.
Ray's expression softened as he locked on the pleading crimson eyes currently staring across to him, fair hand gripping tight like he'd fall right out of the car if he let go.
The short car ride home had been tense enough holding on to what he was, the thought of an entire night not appealing to him, but he couldn't say no, not to that face currently displaying a vulnerability he'd never seen on him before.
Ray nodded to him, "Of course. I just need to call Lee and let him know."
"Okay." Kai nodded back, bringing the hand he'd been clutching to, to his lips and pressing a kiss to the tanned fingers as another weight lifted off his chest.
"I gotta go get Thomas, I'll see you inside." He let Ray's hand go, cutting the engine and letting himself out before the little guy started worrying about him now that Tyson and Hilary had pulled up behind them in the drive.
Ray took in a breath as he unclipped his belt, let out a sigh and reached for his phone out his pocket. This was more than likely going to start another argument, but he wasn't going to go back on his word. He wasn't asking Lee, he was telling.
Whilst he agreed he'd quit the job, he never said he'd quit on Kai. And if Lee really wanted to fight with him more on that then he'd have to just take up Tala's offer on moving in with him. Though, the way he cold shouldered him after the funeral he wasn't sure if that was an option anymore...
Lifting the phone up to his ear it rang out a few times before it got picked up.
"Hey, it's me..."
Seeing the familiar slate hair through the car window Thomas sent him a wave, hands then trying to figure out how to get out the chair of entrapment though it wasn't long before his Aunt had opened the door and was setting him free.
"Uncle Kaiii."
"Thomas." Kai greeted, relieved to see the boy in better spirits now. And so quickly too.
"You hungry?" He asked as Hilary got the wiggling worm out of the car and sat down, going to get her own two out of the car as Thomas came bounding over to him.
"Mhmm!"
"He dozed off on the way over." Hilary announced with a smile as she lifted Caden out of the car.
"Gonna be full of energy now for a good while."
"Lucky me..." Kai sighed, painting on a smile as he led Thomas towards the front door.
"Before you run off I wanna show you something, so follow me." He directed as he unlocked the door, leaving it open for the others as he kept leading Thomas by the hand up the stairs.
"See this room, this one is yours now." He informed as he opened the door at the top of the stairs, letting the boys hand go so he could go in and look around.
Since everything had been brought over in boxes and bags, he'd arranged and rearranged and rearranged till his eyes almost fell out of his head before today.
If he was going to be honest it was awkward seeing the spare room filled with toys and the walls covered in pictures of superhero posters and stickers, but somehow at the same time felt right.
"And you got your own bathroom, too. It's just right over here, next door over."
Thomas's eyes widened in awe as he took in the big room filled with all of his things that he hadn't seen for some time having been living at Hilary and Tyson's.
It was all similar yet different. Everything seemingly brand new in the change of space but upon a closer look everything was here and that was a great comfort to him.
But still... It wasn't his room...
"Where do you sleep?" He then asked, toddling back over to Kai and taking his hand expecting to be led to his room next.
"Just across from here, that door." Kai pointed it out across the second floor landing, "So not that far from you." He felt it was best that way, why he'd given him the spare room upstairs instead of one of the ones on the first floor.
"Ready to eat?" He distracted, tugging Thomas's hand to bring him back downstairs where everyone had filed into the house now.
Thomas nodded though his eyes had locked on the door Kai had pointed out, head turning as he was pulled along, engraining it in his memory as the safe haven he could go to if he needed.
Downstairs Tala was playing his usual role of bartender and handing out and pouring drinks for the group that had congregated in the kitchen area. Grabbing his own beer he took a sip when he locked with golden eyes over the top of the bottle that had now joined them.
Ray ignored the look that Tala was trying to burn a hole in his head at the moment. He could not deal with him after having listened to Lee squeal and squawk at him for almost twenty minutes straight in the freezing cold.
"Okay, I got pasta salad, some finger sandwiches." Hilary listed off at another counter and popping lids off the Tupperware.
"Oh, I brought those pinwheel things and some pigs in blankets." Mariah chirped from the sitting room, popping off the couch to come and help set out food for them all.
"Did you bring the paper plates like I asked, Tyson?" Hilary directed to her husband who was downing a beer beside Tala.
"Uhhhm..." Tyson drawled out, heart now dropping to his stomach as he'd completely forgotten to pick them up off the counter that morning, Thomas's meltdown throwing him off along with everything else.
An exasperated sigh came from Hilary. "One job, Tyson. You had one job."
Not sure if they came down the stairs at the right time or the wrong time, Kai let Thomas's hand go as they rounded the corner for the kitchen where everyone was.
"What's the matter?"
"Tyson forgot the plates." Hilary huffed at him, sending her dearly beloved husband a death glare.
"It's fine, top right cabinet. Glasses are in the one next to it. Help yourselves." Kai directed, the last thing he wanted anyone fussing over were some dishes.
Forgoing having a beer of his own he went to the fridge to get a can of soda from it, quickly leaving the others to do what they were but paused slightly when he noticed Tala and Ray staring one another down over the top of the island in the center of the kitchen.
Did he dare ask? Or let them figure it out?
Noticing the King of the castle had returned Tala broke off the heated stare from his treacherous apprentice and stepped towards Kai.
"You got that minute now?"
"Yeah, need a smoke anyways." Kai nodded, heading to the glass doors at the back.
Ray spun on his heels, watching the two walk out with his heart slamming in his chest while his blood rushed in his ears.
Shit. Tala was going to tell him... But he couldn't very well just jump in between them, would look too suspicious and then he'd be thrown on the spot and he just could not deal right now! He'd figure it out later.
"What's up?" Kai asked once the two were outside, the glass door closed behind them and a cigarette already between his lips and being lit.
Now that Tala finally had him alone he wasn't sure the best way to go about this. The guy had essentially just become a father, buried one of his longest standing friends and now he was really going to tell him that his boyfriend is going to quit and break up with him due to his overprotective cousin deeming it too unsafe to just be associated with the guy?!
Yes. Yes he was.
He shifted some where he stood. Taking a look over his shoulder and finishing off the remaining beer in the glass bottle.
"Listen. I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just gonna go on ahead and say it." He started, Kai's eyes immediately locking on him with clear concern.
What now?
"Ray told me back at the funeral that after all of this, with Ming, Lee doesn't want him having anything to do with you and wants him to quit. When I asked him what he was going to do he seemed to be considering it and I thought you should know."
Kai's brow arched as he took a hit of his cigarette, taking in what Tala had said and let the exhale of smoke out slowly through his nose.
"Okay." He seemed to shrug at him.
Tala blinked at him. Okay? What did he mean 'okay?!'
"I- you don't care?"
"Didn't say I didn't. But, already been through the whole thing with Lee. We talked it out, he's upset and worried, we all are. As for Ray quitting, if he wants to quit then I won't stop him, or anyone for that matter. Hilary said Tyson had even mentioned it to her, and I don't or won't blame anyone for second guessing coming back right now." Kai answered.
"Everyone has the choice to come back or go. I won't hold it against them or take it personally either way. If they want to stay, then great, if they don't then that's fine with me too."
"Well yeah, but-" Tala stuttered, not wanting to use the info Kai had entrusted him with against him but it was all he really had right now.
"You pretty much admitted that you loved him, and you'd just let him go and walk away? I don't think it's just the job, Kai, I think it's you entirely." He reiterated just in case everything today had understandably fogged up his mind some.
Kai shifted his feet, second brow coming to join the other as he took another hit off his cigarette.
"What do you mean? Like, you think Ray is just using Lee as an excuse to quit and break up with me?" He asked.
"I don't think it's an excuse as such." Tala shook his head a little, looking over his shoulder once more. "He said that now Lee knows what happened he can't handle the stress of it all and the thought of Ray being wrapped up in all of this I guess." He gestured about the air around them.
"Said that he can find somewhere else to live if he plans on continuing and Ray can't afford to do that. Understandably doesn't wanna lose his cousin either but ultimately that means losing you."
"Alright... I'll handle it." Kai exhaled another smoke cloud, "Thanks for telling me, I appreciate it."
"S'alright..." Tala shrugged a little. "I, wasn't wanting to give you more grief here, but, figured if I could maybe pre-warn you then it wouldn't hit so hard. I couldn't keep that to myself knowing how you feel about him. Just don't wanna see you get hurt..."
"No, I really appreciate it. I do." Kai reassured. Yet it was too late to avoid him from getting hurt or stop him from keep getting hurt it seemed.
"I'll be fine, either way. Figure it out. Got enough things to worry about. But I'll talk to him."
Tala nodded to him, expression adopting the same look of slight defeat Kai was currently displaying. "Yeah. Course you will." He pat his arm, trying to shake off the feeling that didn't suit him.
"Hope it is all just me getting the wrong end of the stick though. I can tell he really likes you, think it's just one of those situations where he doesn't really have a choice y'know? Pissed me off though either way... Feels like we're going through a divorce right now.."
Turning his head back towards the inside he narrowed his eyes some.
Kai snorted a little, "Was gonna mention that, actually. Shouldn't let whatever happens between him and me get between the two of you. He was your friend before he was anything but an employee to me."
"Yeah and you were my friend before he was even an employee, so my loyalty stands with you, Kai." Tala countered without skipping a beat.
"You've gone through enough bullshit to last a lifetime and if I'm going to be your partner moving forward then I'm going to have your back through anything."
"Hn, well... Didn't seem to have that kind of loyalty last week when you were still in the hospital badgering me about Ray this, Ray that." Kai sent back and quickly popped his cigarette back in his mouth.
"Oh, and then there was that time we came over to your place and you were all over him."
Tala's mouth gaped at the accusation that was completely true. "I- well- That was back when he wasn't a snake! I thought we had something deep too y'know. I'm just as distraught about this as you are. And! He was all on me thank you very much!"
Folding his arms he sassily turned his head up and away from him hoping the performance would make him smile at least.
"Taught the guy how to make my famous Mai Tai and then he goes and does this... Despicable if you ask me."
Kai chuckled at the display, nearly choking on the smoke in his throat. "Mhmm, such a shame he's got a nice ass. I'll make sure to give it a good spanking for ya later."
"Mm thanks for the imagery." Tala rolled his eyes some acting unimpressed though didn't care either way. He just genuinely wanted the two of them to sort this and hopefully stay together through it all.
"Anyways, do with that info what you want. Here for you whatever happens." Patting his arm again Tala opened up the door and head back inside, off to grab himself another bottle and leave Kai to have a minute in peace to finish his cigarette.
Kai just smirked as he watched him leave, turning to look out at nothing in particular and enjoy the quiet for what it was worth, while his head was anything but.
What all Tala had said stirred and jarred something inside him to the point it made him feel sick to his stomach, grasping for answers that he didn't have until he put all the puzzles pieces together.
Was he really going to lose Ray, for good, because of all this? How many times were they going to go through this back and forth, this in and out in and out until it just got to the point it wasn't worth it?
Was that how Ray was seeing it now? The fighting with Lee getting too much and not wanting to risk a roof over his head just for someone he'd only known for two months?
Sure, he loved Ray, didn't mean Ray loved him back. He may like him, didn't mean he felt as strongly as he did though.
Just how many more people in his life was he supposed to lose though? First his parents, including a woman who wasn't even his real mother but had been there for a decent amount of time to be considered another mother to him. He'd gone and lost Johnny years ago, and now buried another person he held dear to his heart.
As anti-social as he was, the small circle of people he did have he loved in his own way, needed in his own way, and that included Ray.
So if he left, quit or broke up with him, then what did he do?
Exhaling the last bit of smoke in his throat, he snubbed the burnt out stick beneath his boot and headed back into the warmth of the house.
Forgoing anything to eat, like he had been all week, he made himself comfortable in the sitting room with the others while they ate. Thomas and the other two kids upstairs playing in his room until it was time for Hilary and Tyson to head home before it got any later, it somehow already nearing three in the afternoon.
Mariah and Daichi weren't far off behind them once the family of four were gone, leaving two fresh divorcee's to sit around and send glares at one another from across the room while Kai felt a minor headache coming on just sitting there between them.
"I'm gonna go take a nap, need anything just help yourselves." He announced, leaving the two of them to fight it out amongst themselves.
"I'll get the dishes, and everything later too, so don't worry about it." He called over his shoulder as he made it to the stairs, not waiting for a response and heading up them.
Tala shifted some where he sat, clearing his throat a little and took a sip of his beer, hating Kai for doing this though it wasn't like he didn't want to talk to the male opposite and work this out too.
He felt a little bad for going behind Ray's back essentially and telling Kai what he knew Ray had told him in confidence at the funeral, but like he'd said he couldn't just sit on that information and wait for everything to blow up in Kai's face.
Though now that the two of them were alone he just kept his mouth shut, face sulking like a child and took another sip of his beer.
The second Kai was gone, Ray was up and going to tackle the dishes even after he was told to leave them be. Like hell he was going to let him do anything right now, he'd done enough as it were.
"Just gonna go on a limb here and guess you told him what I said to you, huh?" Ray asked with his back turned to Tala in the kitchen.
"Mhm." Tala nonchalantly sent back. "Because who knew when you planned on telling him."
"Was going to tell him once everyone else left." Ray answered without hesitation, packing away the left overs and putting them in the fridge.
"Oh yeah what a great idea, just add to his already shitty day Ray!" Tala's tone sagged in sarcasm as he rolled his eyes, making a mental note to keep his voice down since Thomas of course was around now and the last thing he needed was to be picking up new vocabulary.
"I didn't do that; seems you already did. But really, what exactly did you tell him here?" Ray quipped back as he finally faced him, leaning against the island on his elbows.
"Exactly what you told me." Tala answered with slight bite. "What, you think I'm gonna make shit up or something?"
"That's not what I said. Just asked what you told him. So how is me quitting, to keep a roof over my head, making his day shittier?" Ray questioned.
"Because it wasn't just that! He understands if you don't wanna work there anymore but you said you didn't know what was going to happen with you two!" Tala continued his failed attempted at keeping his voice down.
"It's obvious Lee doesn't like the guy, period, so it isn't just the job Ray, weren't you going to break it off with him too?"
"No?" Ray sent back with a look like Tala had just came up and slapped him across the face.
"Yeah, I don't know what's going to happen, he just became a dad in a way to a five year old boy who lost his mom, while losing a close friend of his. He's got a business to run that possibly can't open until after New Year's, then still has Nicole and Johnny to deal with. So instead of trying to fit me into all that, I was going to leave it up to him to decide and see where he wanted to take it and go with it.
"And no, Lee does like him. He just doesn't like all this mess and these problems that keep happening, that you were in the hospital and that I was attacked twice and everything else. He's scared, hell all of us are and should be right now. But I wasn't just going to leave him." Ray defended.
Tala seemed to shrink in his seat. "Oh... You weren't?... Well then... That's good to hear..." Shit.
"No, not unless he wants to break up with me?" Ray answered in a question.
"No! God no, of course he doesn't!" Tala spewed before backtracking. "I mean... Aw fuck..." He face palmed at the realisation of what he could've potentially caused here with his earlier words now and heaved himself from the couch, making his way into the kitchen beside Ray where he stood.
Ray just gave him a questioning look as he got closer to him. "How drunk are you? Should I call you a cab to take you home or something?"
Tala scoffed before sending his own look. "Shut up moron, I've had a beer and two sips out of this one." He stated, shaking the pretty much full bottle in front of him a little before setting it back down on the counter.
"So, I may have... Thought... That uh... You were gonna break up with him..."
"Well, I never said that, did I?" Ray shook his head, hands going to his hips. "And you told him that, didn't you?"
"Uh... Mayyybee..." Tala drawled out lifting his beer back up and sheepishly taking a sip of it.
"For fucks sake..." Ray groaned, "And you called me the moron, and this is why you've been staring me down like I slept with your brother or something. Jesus Tal, know you've only actually known me for two months, but I'm not a fucking prick. I'm just fucking a prick."
Tala snorted on the beer he'd just sipped and nearly choked on it. "Aw man... I legit thought that's what you were gonna do! Fuuck..." He too groaned rubbing a hand down the side of his face before putting on a grin.
"Sowwyy..."
Ray threw his hands up off his hips, "It's fine, I'll figure it out. You didn't know. So, next time I guess make sure or something? Okay?"
Tala bashfully nodded to him; glad he had his work husband back. "My bad... And sorry too for the glares all day... It hurt me too sending them."
"Felt like we were getting a divorce or something, and I wasn't even sure what it was I had done wrong." Ray sent back in a distressed tone.
Tala stuck his bottom lip out and opened his arms to him. "Will you forgive me?"
Ray looked him up and down, "You think I'm that easy or something?"
The arms lowered some, and the lower lip wobbled, icy blue eyes looking right at him as Tala put on a sniffle.
"Oh, you poor thing." Ray pat him on the shoulder, and then stepped into his chest and gave him the hug he wanted. And hell, he wanted one too.
"Yes, you moron. I forgive you. Can never stay mad at you."
"Ha." Tala gushed with a grin as he tightened his grip on him and swayed them side to side. Yay they didn't have to break up. Now they just had to sort out Ray and Kai...
"How are you getting home by the way? Want me to give you a ride?"
"Oh, I'm not. Kai asked me to stay, so I'm staying the night." Ray answered as he let Tala swing them side to side, "Thanks for the offer though."
"Oh!" Tala let him go but his hands gripped at Ray's arms. "That's great! You can fix this no problem! Just y'know... Do whatever you did on my sheets the other night and you two will be right back to normal."
This time it was Ray who choked, but on his own spit. "Um... Tala... I don't think right now is a good time..."
"Noo, maybe not, but, might ease some tension perhaps. I know I'd never turn down a blowjob but hey that's just me." He offered with a shrug, letting Ray go.
"Anyways now that we're all cool I'll leave you both to it. Text me or something later, let me know how he's doing."
"Yeah, I will. Let me know when you get home, okay?" Ray asked as he followed him to lock the door behind him.
"Will do. Good luck." Was the last thing he said before slipping out the house and heading for his car on the drive.
"Thanks... Not that you made it any easier..." Ray muttered as he shut the door and locked it up, letting out his own tired sigh before dragging his feet back to the kitchen and sitting room to finish cleaning up the place.
It was quiet all around, so he could only assume both Kai and Thomas were passed out since he hadn't seen Thomas back downstairs since he'd gone up to play in his room.
Taking care of the rest of the trash downstairs and getting the dishes cleaned and put in the dishwasher to run, he took himself up to check on him to find the little guy passed out on his bed.
Tiptoeing into the room, Ray carefully covered Thomas up with the blanket and turned out the light and cracked the door open as he left. Heading across the hall to Kai's room to find the same sight, just in larger form.
Closing the door behind him, he walked over to the bed and laid down beside him. Hoping sleep would come to him quickly but seeing as how this was the first time actually sleeping at Kai's place and in his bed, nor was it even dark out he was wide awake with his eyes closed.
With the bed dipping and the weight and warmth coming in beside him, Kai shifted and threw his arm around Ray's side and pulled him into his chest closer.
"He finally leave?" He mumbled half asleep, half awake.
"Mhm." Ray hummed, breathing in Kai's scent and snuggling into him, enjoying the warmth of his chest that he hadn't felt for what seemed an eternity.
"Sorry to wake you, go back to sleep."
"You're fine, been in and out of it for a while now." Kai continued to mutter, holding him tighter and burying his own face in Ray's hair and familiarizing himself with Ray's scent.
His heart ached, the entire day draining him something fierce where all he wanted to do was sleep for the rest of his own life now, but the comfort of having Ray back in his arms was enough to keep him awake.
What Tala had said to him not even an hour ago swirling inside his head, making the heaviness in his chest tighten.
If Ray was leaving, then there wasn't anything he could really do to stop him. He wasn't the begging kind of man, but he'd take what was being offered to him in this moment while he could. Might as well soak it up for what it was worth, while the last bits of his heart chipped away on him.
Keeping his arms around Ray, loosening their hold some so he could tilt Ray's chin up to look at him, he brought their lips together in a gentle touch. Savoring it, breathing it in like it'd give him life somehow.
The hand that was on Ray's chin trailed along his jawline, cupping around the back of his neck where his fingers disappeared into Ray's hair behind his ear. Deepening the kiss as he shifted his own body as close as he could get to him.
Ray's eyes fell to a close the moment their lips touched, not expecting this at all given the circumstances but went with it without hesitation and reciprocated. His own hands wanting to touch the body he'd starved for since the snowfall and reached around to settle at Kai's lower back.
At the simple touch, Kai's body shifted even more until he had to just roll the two and put Ray down onto his back for better leverage without breaking the kiss he'd gone and initiated but was torn on whether to keep going or not.
He wanted to, wanted it something desperately right now. But at the same time, given everything and if Ray did walk away after this, wouldn't that be no different than just shooting himself in the chest?
He never really cared before, but of course this was different because this time he actually felt something. Had wanted something with this one, would have even taken that stupid white picket fence in the damn suburbs if it meant keeping Ray for as long as he could.
Just as he felt Ray's mouth part in invitation, Kai disconnected them. Mind and body warring over what to do and what not to do as he hovered over the top of Ray slightly panting.
At the abrupt halt, the eyes below opened, and Ray's expression seemed laced in concern as his own lungs gasped for breath.
"What's wrong?" He'd asked but he already knew as his hand reached to caress Kai's cheek.
"If it's about what Tala said to you earlier then he got it wrong. So wrong."
Kai's overworking brain seemed to shut down for a second, taking even more time to reboot as he just stared at him in silence till the lights finally kicked back on.
"So, not breaking up with me then? What about Lee, about quitting?" He nearly spewed, brain on the verge of frying out on him after the entire day and now having to deal with this mismatched puzzle he'd been given.
Ray's other hand came to rest on Kai's face at seeing the fluster. Thumbs stroking at his skin hoping it would calm him some.
"Yeah, Lee doesn't want me working at the club anymore, that part is true. He's threatened to throw me out as the stress of it all isn't worth it and I half agree with him. But breaking up with you was never on the cards. That's where Tal got his wires crossed."
Kai felt himself welling up, but he wasn't sure exactly why at the moment since he'd been given the answer that made him the happiest he'd been all week.
Sure, Ray not coming back to work would suck, but also him having no place to live would suck even more. Nor, was he fixing to ask Ray to choose between him and his cousin right now.
Instead, in a bid to stop the overwhelming feelings that seemed to crash into him from all sides at once, he reconnected their lips. Really drinking it up this time and more than thankful he was laying down as he didn't think he'd be able to stand right now as his head got dizzy like he was drunk.
Ray softly moaned in to it, hands clutching at either side of Kai's face just in case he felt like parting them again before trailing to the back of his head once the kiss became more heated.
He let Kai dominate, mirroring his movements and letting his tongue explore and ravage his mouth however he wanted, however he needed. His own mind fogging up with the mentally exhausting day, but he wasn't going to rest just yet. He needed to make sure that Kai knew for definite that he wasn't going anywhere. Would never go anywhere.
Not that he wanted to keep going with the stopping and starting, Kai regrettably did have to pull away again to breathe and get them a little less dressed.
Sitting back on his knees over Ray's legs, he gripped the front of Ray's shirt and brought him up from the bed with a quick pull. Hands making their way all over him as his mouth latched onto the side of Ray's neck, peppering in breathy kisses while his hands did their job in getting the shirt off him.
As soon as it had been tossed to the floor, Ray brought his arms back down and started making quick work of undoing Kai's shirt buttons. Fair skin being revealed bit by bit as he frantically attacked the fastenings before both sides fell apart and the toned torso was on show in all its glory before him.
Immediately Ray set his lips on the abs, kissing at every line whilst his hands gripped at his sides, fingertips caressing the soft but ripped skin beneath.
Kai's skin twitched under the assaults, bringing his hands back to Ray's hair to undo it all from the tie and set it loose. Hissing out pleasurable breaths every time Ray's mouth attacked him along his stomach and chest, Kai forced his hands to work carefully through the long tresses that fanned down Ray's back and spilled onto the bed below them. Running his fingers through the loose hair fondly, untangling the knots and becoming almost mesmerized by how his fingers easily slid through each section.
Cradling the back of Ray's head, he brought him away from his chest and crashed their mouths back together, tongue diving in instantly and using his weight to throw Ray back down onto the bed.
"My turn..." Kai breathed against his lips, trailing down Ray's chin and the apple of his neck to his own bare chest.
A breath escaped as Ray's back hit the soft sheets and his fingers instantly went to rake through the slate hair that was sinking lower and lower down his body. He couldn't get enough of him. The feel of Kai's hair and soft skin under his touch; he didn't want to let him go.
"I've missed you so much..." He sent down to him, eyes starting to feel heavy with lust as he gazed into the crimson eyes that had locked back on him.
A small smile curled up Kai's swelling lips, hands and fingertips ghosting over Ray's sides in a barely there touch, wanting to touch, memorize, all of him.
"Then stay." He nearly whispered, immediately placing a kiss to Ray's exposed hips, the hands at his sides holding tighter and groping till they came around to undo Ray's jeans.
Lifting up his hips to assist him, the jeans too met the floor which was shortly followed by Kai's own shirt after shaking it off his shoulders and throwing it in the same careless manner he'd discarded Ray's.
As their lips locked once more, both sets of hungry hands groping at what they could, Ray pondered what Kai had just said. Stay with him? Forever. Stay working at the club? He couldn't.
He'd never admit to it but hearing the news from Tala about Ming had shaken him. After that stint with Johnny and Bryan the last time he was in this house, one wrong move and that could've been him in that casket...
Leaving Kai wasn't an option. But leaving behind the club and all those associated with it, for his own sanity, he felt was a necessity.
Having worked his way back up to the head of the bed, and battling Ray's tongue in the other's mouth, Kai pulled them apart again to reach for the side table and popped the drawer. Wasn't long before he grabbed the bottle he needed, once more shuffling his way down Ray's body with breathy kisses against every inch of tan skin he could touch and reach.
It hadn't gone unnoticed that Ray didn't answer him, and not that he was really expecting an answer in this very moment, but part of him needed one. A real solid confirmation that Ray would stay with him. He didn't have to come back to work, he understood that, but there was plenty of room for the three of them here and the longer he'd been able to sit on it the past two weeks he realized it made more sense than having them living separately.
Coming back down between Ray's legs, his breath hot against the inside of Ray's thighs and blood heavy cock, Kai chanced a look at him through his bangs again.
"Stay with me, here." Although it was meant to be a question it came out as more of a demand.
The fog clouding Ray's mind lifted some at the repeated words, glazed over eyes clearing as he stepped on the breaks, lifted himself up onto his elbows and stared down at him.
"What, like, move in?" He cautiously asked in his uncertainty.
"Mhmm." Kai hummed back, moving in to attack the inside of Ray's thigh by his head.
"Kai, I..." Ray's voice had trailed off as he processed the nonchalant confirmation, eyes watching though no one appeared home.
Sure from the get-go during these two months of knowing each other they'd had something between them. Albeit a rocky start and even still unsteady now, the two of them really had only been official for a few weeks at most and part of that time they hadn't even seen each other due to the poor weather.
Emotions had been sky high today. Kai was obviously tired and not thinking straight...
"I can't... That's sweet of you, but I can't."
Kai ignored the answer given to him. Mouth, teeth, and tongue working a small mark into Ray's thigh while his hand had snuck around to his cock and began to stroke him.
He didn't say he couldn't think about it, or that he had to do it right this very second. But the door was open for him if he so chose.
Pulling from the hickey he'd made in Ray's thigh, he dived his mouth down and took him in whole.
They could discuss it later more in depth, and if his own mouth was full it meant he couldn't talk right now and all he wanted to hear out of Ray's at the moment were moans and pants of pleasure anyways.
At the abrupt change of direction a gasp escaped him, thighs tensing instantly, and fingers raking through Kai's hair.
During their time apart all Ray had was his own hand, imagination running wild with itself as he envisioned the very sight happening between his legs right now.
He kept his heavy lidded eyes on the male bobbing up and down him, drinking up the imagery as he settled down completely on his back, hips writhing and teeth sinking into his lower lip.
Keeping the rhythm he'd set, Kai kept going as his hands caressed the legs by his head and moaned into his mouthful. Flattening his tongue against the underside of Ray's shaft and running it up to the tip, swirling his tongue around the head before dipping it into the slit and licking up the precum already leaking out of him.
With every new noise, tug or pull on his hair, Kai's blood burned hotter as his desire for the other male grew in intensity. He wanted him, all of him, needed every bit of this but at the same time still wanted to make it last, savor every touch and taste like it might be his last even if Ray had said he wasn't going anywhere.
Pushing the leg by his head away to give room, he blindly popped the cap to the lube and coated a finger while keeping his steady rhythm with his mouth and tongue. Hoping the slight distraction was enough as he sunk his finger into Ray's body carefully.
It'd been a week, he didn't want to hurt him, and like always Ray's muscles clenched and strangled the single digit like a vice the moment he'd gotten his finger inside as far as he could.
Ray's face scrunched slightly at the intrusion, he'd heard the bottle cap open but expected or not the sensation was always an odd one. He willed himself to relax. He knew how this went by now and the pleasure that was beginning to build and radiate through him only made it easier to do so.
It wasn't just the skill of the other man that made it easy though. Yes, Kai definitely knew his way around the bedroom, but away from that Ray genuinely felt safe between these four walls with him even after what had happened previously. He really did trust him with his life and whilst some, mainly his cousin, would think that was foolish, he didn't care.
He loved him. Knew he had for some time now. Watching him today and seeing how he was with Thomas only added to that and he wanted to scream it from the roof tops but felt he had to hold back. Today had been too much for Kai already. He didn't need that adding to his plate, especially when he wasn't sure if Kai was there yet.
Feeling Ray relax around him, Kai began to move his finger slowly to prep him. Mouth still moving in a bid to distract despite the slight ache in his jaw now, going down faster and harder to get Ray louder and writhing under him just the way he loved.
Sinking in his middle finger beside his index, he spread them apart, knuckles scraping along Ray's inner walls as they clenched around him again and a heavy breath came from Ray as his body twisted under him like he wanted and had been looking for.
Not stopping either movement, not till the moans in his ears got desperate enough and to the point he couldn't take it anymore himself, and that tight ass was good and ready, Kai kept going with both his mouth and fingers it was nearly driving him insane. His own cock straining and beginning to hurt between his legs.
With one hand still intertwined in Kai's hair, moving up and down with him, Ray's other hand had reached back and was tightly gripping at his pillow. His tanned skin was flushed, his chest was heaving in and out of him, and his mouth was gaped as wide as his legs. He felt close but needed to feel him first. Needed Kai inside him again and let him fuck all the pain away.
He wanted to make him feel good. He hadn't deserved all the anguish that had been dealt out to him over the past several weeks and he wanted to make it all better.
He whined out Kai's name, back arching up off the sheets and body jerking periodically as the tongue below continued its assault, his words coming out in a breathy pant.
"Fuck me..."
If his mouth wasn't so full, Kai would have smirked, taking a few more trips up and down him and making sure Ray was stretched out good and wide and got more moans and whines as his reward before actually pulling himself away.
Sitting onto his knees between Ray's legs, licking his teeth with his own chest starting to heave on him, Kai worked at his belt and button as he locked eyes with the dazed gold below him.
"Fuck me...?" He teased, setting himself free over the top of his slacks and wrapping his own hand around himself to relieve some of the pressure that had built up. Not only that but if Ray wanted to be defiant again, then he'd just have to lay there and watch.
Ray subconsciously licked his lips, staring up at the prize above in awe before burning lust instantly took over and gave him the strength to push himself upright. Now wasn't the time for games.
He brushed Kai's hand off himself and engulfed him whole, gagging for a second before adjusting his throat and moaning into it once he'd set a steady rhythm.
Holding him at the base, Ray then ran his tongue underneath all the way from the bottom to the tip like a lollipop, eyes looking up to him the entire time.
"Please..."
"Good boy..." Kai smirked, expressing heavier breaths through his teeth.
With a gentle shove he had Ray back onto his back, hooking his arms behind his knees and dragged him closer along the bed. Coating himself quickly, with no heed or warning he eased himself inside slowly, absorbing every inch of the warmth and tightness till he was at the hilt.
Keeping his hold around Ray's legs, his hips started to work into him just as slow as he'd eased himself inside. Another heavy breath passing through grit teeth, eyes threatening to close on him but wanted them open to watch the sight below.
The eyes below however had rolled back to a close once he'd slid in, the fullness sending tingles and a shiver up Ray's spine. He breathed out an expletive, face contorting in both discomfort and pleasure as Kai continued to sink into him and pull back out, adjusting and relaxing his muscles until he familiarized himself with the feeling of having him inside him again.
Throwing the legs he had in his hold over his shoulders, bending Ray back over further, Kai's thrusts got more powerful. Grunts and groans rolling from his chest as his hands slammed onto the bed on either side of Ray's head to support his weight, fingers instantly curling around the dark hair that was spilled out all over the bed.
Ray reached for the face hovering over him, both hands caressing and feeling the tension in Kai's jaw as he drove into him, hips moving almost relentlessly like he was taking out his pent up frustrations on him.
"C'mon baby, fuck me..." He almost dared in a whisper; his eyes filled with desire as he kept his gaze on him.
A growl ripped through Kai's throat at the words that set his entire body on fire, one hand clutching the bed and Ray's hair tighter with the other gripping at his hip to pull him in even closer as he shifted higher on his own knees.
Even with the restrictions of his pants still around his thighs, the fabric scraping against the back of Ray's legs, his thrusts got harder and faster. Their skin smacking as the bed creaked and rocked, sweat beginning to pool under his hair line and down his back where his muscles coiled and tensed.
Pure ecstasy had never felt so good before, their moans and heavy breaths clouding in their heads with every new thrust.
Unable to stop himself, Kai crashed their mouths together, tongue diving into Ray's throat and blending their moans together as his hips slowed to throw them into him harder but in longer strokes.
Ray's body jerked with every deep thrust, a sound pouring into Kai's mouth every time he sunk to the base as his sweet spot was stimulated. Tanned cheeks having adopted a flush and strands of dark hair were sticking to his face now. His own body becoming slick with sweat as the room temperature had risen tenfold.
He fought against the other's tongue but was no match, as hungry as he was it seemed that Kai was starving, and he was the only thing on the menu.
Breaking apart the kiss for some much needed breath, Ray continued his moaned praises as his arms clung around Kai's neck.
Teetering on the edge, Kai's arms came around to hold Ray as close as he could back. Chests rubbing and breaths ghosting over each other's sweat glazed skin. As his jaw tightened and clenched, he buried his face in the crook of Ray's neck, panting out harder and deeper moans against him while his whole body tensed, and his release snapped in a powerful surge that near enough knocked him on his ass.
"Fuck..." He groaned, hips slowly dragging him through as his orgasm ebbed away to ride out the lasting pleasure that coursed through his fired up veins.
Those final desperate thrusts had caused Ray's own climax to rush through him, a silent cry pouring from his lips before a sound of sheer ecstasy tore through his throat and bounced off the bedroom walls. Fuck he'd missed him.
As he came back down to earth, the after effects of his own orgasm simmering and his ears still ringing from him moaning like a pornstar, Ray's hand then instantly slapped over his mouth and his eyes went wide at remembering that they weren't the only two in the house.
"Shit... I hope that didn't wake Thomas..." He sheepishly uttered.
Head still in the clouds, Kai didn't really hear him, body having fallen against Ray's as his stomach was now coated in his release and his own body still trying to get back into working order.
He peppered some more kisses into the side of Ray's neck and under his jawline, loving the closeness and everything that being with him like this brought on.
"I love you."