Lifting up his third shirt off the bed Ray let out an irritated sigh as he eyed it, two more laid out in front and behind it in a row on the sheets that he didn't quite like but didn't dislike either…
He'd never had such trouble finding clothes to wear to work before until now, yet it was more than just simple work. Was the new opening of the club, an event that had thrown Kai into a slight panic and had even caused a bubble of nerves to fizz in his own belly.
He'd gone to telling both of them for their own sakes and sanity that things would be okay, what happened last time wasn't going to happen again, yet that didn't seem to stop Kai from rooting out the gun he'd talked about the night before from the top shelf in the closet and conceal it under his dress shirt in it's holster on his hip before going off to make sure Thomas was comfortable and wait for Julia downstairs to arrive.
With another sigh, putting the shirt he'd picked up back down in the row he'd made on the bed and looking them all over one more time the bedroom door opened behind him and an unimpressed sound came from Kai's throat at him still standing there in his jeans.
"Pick one, let's go." Kai huffed at him as he strolled up beside Ray, glancing at the shirts for a minute before just plucking one up almost blindly and holding it out to him.
"Here, this one is fine."
Ray eyed it and frowned a little, there was really nothing wrong with it perse he just knew the sleeves were too tight around his shoulders and that hindered movement.
"I don't want that one." He pouted.
"Fine, put this one on." Kai huffed, tossing the dark-blue one back onto the bed and snatching up a red one, holding it out to him.
"We're going to be late."
"Alright, fineee." Ray whined as he took the simple polo from him, slipping it over his head and fixing his hair out from under it.
"Was so much easier when I didn't have to wear anything when I went to work…" He muttered, tucking his shirt into his jeans.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of Kai's lips, hand running along Ray's cheek to his hair line as he gained the other's attention and a questioning look thrown his way that didn't last long once their lips connected softly and briefly.
"Not like it's going to stay on long when we get back…" Kai voiced in a deep husky purr against Ray's lips as they parted.
Ray's face went a deep red, heart pounding and cock twitching as flash backs of their entire night came rushing back into his head.
He'd gone and lost count to just how many times they went at it, really soaking up the fact they had the house to themselves for the night but that wasn't the case anymore and when they did return home Thomas would be tucked in bed down the hall.
"That a promise?" He whispered back, his own lips curving up into a smirk.
"Mhmm, but only if you actually get ready and we can leave." Kai sent back in a more dull tone, pulling away from him completely that earned him another pout before Ray stuck his tongue out at him.
"Fine, I'm almost done. Be down there in five." He threw his arms up, retreating to the bathroom one last time.
Crimson eyes rolled a little as Kai wandered out of his room, checking on Thomas one last time to make sure he was still in bed for Julia who was downstairs and preparing for the night on the couch in front of the TV with a book. She'd come prepared and he was thankful, but that didn't stop the sudden nerves from hitting him at leaving Thomas like this.
Sure, Ming did it all the time but this was different. What if Thomas needed them when they were gone? The boy was just starting to sleep in his own bed through the whole night now, probably only thanks to Ray having moved in the past few weeks, but that didn't stop the night terrors from hitting.
"You doing okay?" Kai asked as he poked his head into the room.
"Mhmm." Thomas hummed back to him all snuggled up under his blankets, head on his pillow and eyes barely heavy.
"Alright, well we'll see you in the morning when we get back. Okay?"
"Okay Uncle Kai." Thomas smiled back at him, "Have a good day."
Kai chuckled a little at that, "You too, sleep good kiddo."
"Okay." Thomas yawned back as Kai cracked the door shut and wandered away from the door for the stairs, Ray finally coming out of their room with his hair finally done up and Kai looked down at his watch almost mockingly.
"You call that five minutes?"
"Oh shut up. I'm going to tell him bye, go get the car ready because it's probably freezing out." Ray shooed at him and went through Thomas' door to tell him goodnight before they left.
Kai let out a snort, going down to do what he'd been told though paused yet again at the bottom of the stairs as Julia looked over her shoulder at him and saw his hesitation.
"We're going to be just fine, you two have a good night and enjoy the new year." She smiled over at him, having already done the run around with him when she barely made it two steps in the doorway.
The poor papa looked so hard on the outside but was really flustered right now, it having come out in a gush at her and double before triple checking that she had his and Ray's numbers before stupidly asking if she had Tala's number in case of emergencies.
"Okay, you go on and get onto me for making us late and you're just standing there." Ray lightly scolded as he came down the stairs, putting his hands up onto Kai's shoulders and moving him away from the bottom of the stairs for the hooks with their jackets hanging on them.
"Thank you again for staying with Thomas, Julia." He sent over like an afterthought, grabbing Kai's jacket for him and helping him in it like he did for Thomas before Kai returned the favor.
"Of course and tell Tala to behave himself." She chuckled back to them.
"I'm sure he won't. Need anything help yourself." Kai voiced, grabbing his keys out of the glass bowl by the door as Ray was already out and ahead of him for the Corvette in the drive.
"I told you it would be freezing!"
Twenty or so minutes later they pulled up into the car park and both eyes stared up at the club through the windshield with a mix of reluctance but slight excitement, nonetheless. The two of them having reminisced on the way over of good times and laughs that had happened before they closed and Kai even telling more stories of other evenings of shenanigans before Ray joined them.
It would be different coming back after being away for so long, naturally. But like ripping off a band aid once they'd done it they'd done it and everyone could hopefully go back to some kind of normality after this night of blowing off some steam.
Kai let his head roll on the head rest of his seat and sent his gaze over to Ray whose hand was already within his on the center console.
"You ready?"
"Yeah, long as you are." Ray sent back as he squeezed Kai's hand in his.
Kai lifted up their hands and set a kiss on the tanned skin. "C'mon then let's go." He smiled giving Ray's hand a final squeeze before letting him go to ease out of the car, the bitter cold night air hitting their faces once more.
Leading the way Kai pushed open the metal door, it giving the same slight creak it always had though the familiarity hadn't settled his bout of nerves.
He knew a drink or twenty would settle them but he'd chose to drive over here intentionally so he wouldn't drink at all. He wanted to be completely sober and completely aware of anything and everything that was happening around him and the others tonight. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice...
"Evenin' gents, happy New Year's Eve." Came another familiarity from behind the bar.
The two looked over to the redhead who seemed right at home in his position with a bottle in each hand skillfully pouring one vodka and one whiskey.
"Talaaaa!" Ray squealed at him like he hadn't seen him hours ago when he'd come and dropped Thomas off at home earlier, bouncing up to the bar.
"And so what're you making me tonight?" He giggled as he made himself comfortable against the bar top.
"What aren't I making you tonight my friend." He grinned reaching for the soda gun and topping the vodka with lemonade.
"That's for you by the way." Tala stated shifting the whiskey glass towards Kai who had now stepped to the bar.
"I'm not drinking tonight." He announced, shifting it back.
"Uh, I think you'll find, you are." Tala argued pushing it forward.
Kai went to push it back across the counter though the fair hand opposite interjected refraining him from doing so, sending him a look which Tala returned just as bored.
"Can do this all night mate if you want?"
"I'm driving." Kai firmly said though the glass was pushed back further into his grip.
"You can have one." Tala told him, letting go of the glass and pointing a finger in warning before Kai even thought about sending it back.
"How you gonna reopen this place in celebration with your new business partner and not have a drink? You run a club. Drinking is what we do."
"Yeah a strip club." Kai flatly said, "You want me to go twirl round a pole too?"
Ray's head snapped up to him, "Yes." He sent with no hesitation or sarcasm in his tone.
"I wouldn't mind that sight either to be honest." Tala admitted with a smirk, lifting up his own glass.
"Y'know Ray, on New Years about three years ago, this guy actually got so drunk he-" "Ah ah ah ah!" Kai interrupted cutting him off knowing exactly what tale he was about to tell.
"He doesn't need to know that."
Tala snorted before cupping his mouth towards Ray. "Tell ya later." He winked. "What you want to drink?"
"I'll take that since he don't want it." Ray huffed, taking Kai's drink from him so the bickering wouldn't keep up or continue between them.
Tala was right, was supposed to celebrate but there was no reason to get Kai worked up over it either.
"Anyway, we were supposed to tell you to behave. Misses orders." He informed with a cheeky grin at Tala, sipping at the drink he'd made.
"Pffffttt..." Tala scoffed some waving his hand as he took a sip of his own drink, "Like that woman would still be with me if I didn't misbehave. She's Hispanic. Loves the thrill."
Reaching for the soda gun and topping the neat whiskey in Ray's hand with cola he took another sip of his own drink.
"She alright anyways? Passed the interrogation process I presume?" He teased, eyeing Kai beside him.
"Seemed fine when we left, had a book and brought a blanket with her." Kai answered with a small shrug, deciding to ignore the small jab. Apparently the both of them were just in a mood and intent on riling him up tonight.
"Anyways, gonna go check and see everyone. You two behave." He pointed at the two of them before walking away, ignoring Ray's giggles.
"He thinks he can order me around; who does he think he is, my boss?"
Tala snorted again. "Funny guy you. How's he doing anyways?" He asked tilting his head over to where Kai was stood.
Ray's shoulders went up a little, "Seems fine, says he's fine, pretends he's fine. But he grabbed the gun from the closet before we left. So, can't be all that fine if he felt he needed that." He answered a little bitterly.
"Shiiit..." The redhead drawled, brows lifting some in surprise as he took a sip of his drink.
"I knew he'd be a little on edge tonight but damn. What does he think is gonna happen?"
Ray shook his head in response, "I have no clue, didn't even bother to ask. Just let him have at it and let him think he's John Wayne or something if it makes him feel better."
Whilst Tala had laughed at the joke he could tell the other male was definitely feeling a type of way over the situation, and he himself admittedly felt uneasy now at the revelation.
To his knowledge Kai had never been one to carry a weapon on his person. Sure in the house. But under his shirt like he was James Bond? Did he really feel like his life had turned into some action movie?
"Think a few sessions of therapy wouldn't be such a bad idea... Or, just have a damn drink."
Ray nodded a little mindlessly, focus completely on Kai who was out in the crowd with everyone, a painted smile on his face for them to avoid the actual truth that he wasn't okay. Not by a long shot.
As Tala's words began to seep a little into his head, nursing the drink in his own hand, a light bulb seemed to flicker over his head.
"Or, we get this party really going." He sent with a cheeky grin over his shoulder at the redhead.
The expression was returned with a wolfish smirk of his own, leaning down onto the counter and tone coming out somewhat alluring.
"And what did you have in mind?"
Ray didn't answer, just wiggled his brows and sent a wink before he finished off his drink and sauntered on over to Daichi at the DJ booth.
Kai told him to behave but when did he ever listen to him to start with?
"What can I do for ya?" Daichi smiled down to him from his perch in the DJ booth.
"Wouldn't suppose you have this song, would ya?" Ray asked, pulling up his phone and briefly scrolling through his playlist before showing it off to Daichi above him.
"Sure do."
"Red lights too, if you please." Ray sent coyly, pocketing his phone and sneaking off to the stage.
Deep in conversation with a small group of staff members, Kai hadn't really noticed the song change, Daichi blending the original track with the request perfectly though the lights changing caused his gaze to trail over to the stage.
'Ohh my god...' Whatever someone had just said to him didn't even make it to his ears as Ray had his full attention now. He'd told him to behave...
I don't wanna keep you waiting. That's why you blame it on me, oh. You just giving me your secrets, and I wanted to, yeah. 'Cause this was on you, baby and it's only true, yeah.
Ray took in a breath as he stood center stage, hand on the cool metal of the pole in the front; was like riding a bike once he was on just go.
I'm gonna feel it, feel it so strong. This is making me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye. I'm gonna feel it, feel it so strong. This is tryna make me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye.
With the song hitting a hard beat, his legs kicked him off the floor, spinning himself around it flawlessly that earned him a little round of applause but he was far from done.
I wanted you-ou-ou-ou, you-ou-ou-ou. This is making me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye. I want you-ou-ou-ou, you-ou-ou-ou. This is tryna make me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye.
Tala smirked around the rim of his glass, eyes on the show and darting every now and then to Kai stood out on the main floor with his attention solely on one person and one person alone like he'd been glued to the spot.
Though Tala doubted Ray had anything under his clothes tonight.
Uh, even if I wanna play this, 'cause that's what they're expecting from me, yeah. I will never burden it and this is about to. 'Cause this was on you, baby. And it's only true, yeah.
With the song playing, the lights dimming even more into a sultry and alluring red, Ray stood in front of the pole with a hand above him as he slowly dropped to his knees, head turned to the side and his free hand running up his chest.
I'm gonna feel it, feel it so strong. This is making me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye. I'm gonna feel it, feel it so strong. This is tryna making me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye.
A few whistles went out amongst the crowd, cheering and egging him on while Mariah and Hilary sent sly looks to one another before parting from the crowd to go up and join him on the stage.
I wanted you-ou-ou-ou, you-ou-ou-ou. This is making me alive. We don't even have to say goodbye. I want you-ou-ou-ou, you-ou-ou-ou. This is tryna make me alive. We don't even have to sayyy…
Taking the two hands that were offered out to him, he let the girls dance around him, helping them spin and grind along his sides and front till all he had in his arms was Mariah while Hilary moved to the pole behind them.
Contrary to the red light currently engulfing the entire club, a pang of green had flickered within the boss as he watched on.
Kai knew deep down he had no reason to be jealous. Mariah was far from Ray's type considering all she had upon her chest. But seeing his arms wrapped around her curvy waist had him feeling a type of way.
"He's so amazing!" A voice praised from the crowd and of course Kai silently agreed.
Seeing him twirl around the pole again before bending to touch his toes putting the shape of his ass on full display the twitch in his pants meant that he agreed too...
With a different song having gone and blended in right after the first ended, meaning his little stint was done and over with, Ray left the two girls on the poles as they twirled around on the stage and he came off.
Unlike the first time, he made it off the stage without tripping over himself, though had a thin film of sweat on his skin and in need of another drink.
He shot a look to Kai still stuck amongst the others, winking over his shoulder at him before heading right back to the bar where Tala was at.
"You're gonna catch a fly in your mouth, close that up and give me something good." Ray chuckled as he approached.
Tala smirked to him as he sent three claps of applause before reaching for a glass.
"Wasted behind the bar you are, my friend." He complimented, turning to the bottles of booze behind him and picking up some rum and tequila.
"Think I know why Kai shoved you behind here though and not on stage..." His voice trailed, gesturing up to the windows to his office above.
"Guy would've never got any work done."
Ray chuckled to him, "You're too kind. Really though, getting too old for all that." He seemed to wave off when a hand came down on his shoulder and warm breath tickled the side of his neck.
"And what did I say about behaving?"
A smirk wound up Ray's lips, head tilting back to look at Kai behind him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Oh come on, when have I ever listened to you before?"
The hand on his shoulder squeezed a little before he came to perch on a bar stool beside him.
"Touché..."
Tala grinned to himself at the sight of the two love birds. He was happy the two of them had squashed whatever the hell was going on. Nothing like a good evening alone together fucking until the sun comes up to fix things.
"So, sir, my I interest you in an alcoholic beverage yet? I can't help but notice you seem a little, thirsty?"
"Hn? Oh, no. I'm fine. Thanks though." Kai waved off again. Yes, he was thirsty but not for a tall glass of whiskey this time around.
Ray frowned a little, ignoring the drink Tala passed over the bar top for him as he took the one step to get over in Kai's space where he sat.
"S'matter baby, that wasn't enough to loosen you up?" He purred in a low and seductive tone, hands not caring where they traveled or the fact Tala was standing right there either.
"Need a private session, hm?"
Kai let a small smirk grace his lips before side eyeing Tala who instantly turned on his heel to go pretend to look busy elsewhere. Not that he had to as this evening was just for staff, but to give the two of them some privacy at least. He didn't need to hear them mutter sweet nothings to each other.
"You can definitely pencil me in for later..." Kai sent back in the same tone, hands resting on Ray's waist as he stood between his legs, "But as for now I'm fine.. I'm, loose or whatever, look." He shimmied his shoulders for some kind of effect though Ray still didn't seem convinced as he looked down at him.
"Alright, fine." Ray sighed with an eye roll, "Guess I'll just drink for the two of us then."
"Go ahead." Kai allowed, reaching for the glass Tala had sent over and handed it to him.
"I'd just recommend you stay off the pole now or we might have a replay of last time with you on the floor."
Ray took it almost too happily, "Oh please, I wasn't on the floor. You caught me." He said with a little smile dancing on his lips.
The smirk below grew and the fair hands traveled a little lower, resting on Ray's ass where he was pulled in a little closer.
"Mhm, and I always will baby..." He purred, tilting his head a touch in invitation.
Ray took it, though kept it quick and brief with just a little peck.
"Good. And I'm here to do the same for you, remember that. Okay?"
"I know, I know." Kai brushed off, still not fully accepting of the other protecting him in any kind of way as that was his job but let him have it.
"Go on and enjoy yourself." He said, gesturing over to where the majority of the people were in the center, "I'm gonna head upstairs for a little bit, check some stuff over."
"Yes dear." Ray pouted like he'd been just shooed off to the kids table, taking his drink with him and went off to go mingle with everyone else.
Once Ray had gone another glass was set down beside Kai at the counter which he looked down to before sending a bored look across to who had poured it.
"Just one..." Tala pouted, quickly placing his hands together in prayer before lifting up his own drink to him. "For me?"
"Alright, fine." Kai sighed, taking the glass and raising it in a weak toast before tipping it back.
"Will finish it upstairs, keep an eye on him for me." He sent as he stood, taking the glass with him and heading off for the back door and stairs.
"Yes sir." Tala sighed some, raising his glass to the males back as he watched him make a quick getaway for his office.
Maybe once the year was officially done with and he had a few shifts under his belt Kai could start to relax a little. He hoped so anyways...
Like he'd been tasked to do, Tala kept his eyes on Ray while dishing out drink after drink to the others and probably more to Ray than he should have but he was a big boy, and Kai didn't say he couldn't serve him any. Made his job easier to watch him too when he never really left the bar either.
Upstairs, with the party going on below him, Kai holed himself up in his office to do what he said he was to go over last minute things. The drink he'd taken a sip out of sitting untouched on the corner of his desk the entire time while he worked and even shot a quick message to Julia just to check on Thomas since it'd been about an hour now that they've been gone.
She must have been asleep though since he didn't get a reply, which was fine, everything was fine. Things were going a lot more smoothly than last time, no reason for them not to be either, only had three more hours till the New Year anyways and then they could close up and all go home.
Somehow those three hours blended in so fast he didn't even feel like he'd even blinked by the time he could hear everyone down stairs yelling and cheering as midnight struck, the New Year upon them now which finally prompted him up and away from his desk to at least get a look down at all that he'd gone and missed since being upstairs.
He would have found it amusing the way Ray was having to use Tala as a crutch just standing there but figuring that also wasn't a good sign, and he'd be left on him to watch over like a child, he refrained from doing so and waited for when Tala eventually did drag Ray up to him and drop him down on the couch in the office.
"Just gonna clean and close up now." Tala informed with his own little slur, a sloppy grin over his lips as his eyes kept darting over to Ray who was in a whole conversation with himself in Mandarin.
Kai too looked over to his little liability and sent a small head shake, expression showing how unimpressed he was.
"Thought I told you to keep an eye on him?"
"Oh I did." Tala waved off, "Watched him down five shots of straight tequila like a champ and then finish off a Long Island." Tala chuckled.
Kai noticeably grimaced at the thought of all that. He was partial to a Long Island himself but tequila was not his thing at all.
"Fuck sake Tal..." He muttered, hand going to his own forehead knowing he was going to have to practically carry Ray to the car.
"Go get him some water or something, see if we can sober him up some before we leave."
A drawled out sound of disgust came from the couch at the mention of 'water.'
"Water's for the weak!" Ray scoffed, which caused ruby eyes to roll.
"Exactly!" Tala agreed before sending a wink to Kai.
[Watch this.] He grinned and sauntered away to the bathroom that was connected to the office.
"Heyyyy, buddy. Want another shot?" He asked in a sing song voice, glass of water in his hand as he approached the couch.
Like he'd been cattle prodded, Ray sat up, room spinning even faster now as his dazed golden eyes tried to settle out on the glass Tala was handing out to him.
"Ooooo, yessss. Gimme, gimme." He begged like a starving child.
"Bottoms up." Tala snickered, having to take Ray's hands and put them around the glass himself so the fool wouldn't drop it.
With a delighted giggle Ray took it down like a shot, smacking his lips a little after as he swayed some more on the couch.
"Good, aye?" Tala urged as his grin took over the width of his mouth, nearly bursting out at the seams when Ray sent a thumbs up at him.
"A-mazing." He slurred back.
Kai was torn between smirking or being annoyed at the scene that just played out before him. Guy was a hot mess right now.
"Well you don't get much trashed than that Ray. You just did a shot of water."
Ray slowly turned his head over to Kai, golden eyes glazed over as it took a good several seconds for his words to sink in and process.
Water?
Looking to the empty glass he then peered up at Tala still grinning like a dickhead before a small gasp came from him at the betrayal.
He... He thought they were friends... Best friends! BAR BROTHERS!
"You biiitcchhh..."
Tala lost it then, he couldn't handle it with his own veins having been drowned in alcohol, laughing and cackling like it was the funniest thing on the planet while the look of utter betrayal on Ray's face was just priceless.
Guy looked like he just caught him bent over Kai's desk with the boss ramming it into him.
"That's the second time you fell for it! Don't blame me!" He howled.
Kai couldn't stop the small chuckle erupting from him then. Ray's expression really was something. Look of heartbreak was that.
"Go get some more down you cos I'm not dealing with you spewing everywhere." He instructed before looking to Tala, "And you, go sort out downstairs, damn menace..."
"Aw, you love us." Tala chuckled, giving an off salute that really was just him hitting his forehead with the side of his hand before staggering out of the office.
Ray pouted, muttering under his breath in Mandarin again at his stupid water glass. Bunch of assholes.
Gathering himself up on unsteady legs, the entire room tilting sideways all at once he nearly stumbled over himself and laughed about it before trying to make his way to the bathroom.
"Me spew. Pfft. Can take your monster cock down my throat without spewing just fine..." He ranted to himself in a mock tone, the door shutting behind him after he left.
Though what Ray thought was to himself wasn't, and Kai heard it loud and clear even with the drunken slur to his words. He huffed a laugh to himself, soaking up the compliment and shook his head as he went to go and file away the paperwork he'd left strewn on his desk.
Downstairs Tala was carelessly wiping down the counter as best as his tipsy self could allow before chucking the cloth in the sink behind.
A childlike 'scoreeee' came from him along with both arms sloppily being raised above his head as it made it in the sink.
"Right thas me done." He said to himself before waving up to the glass above.
"I'll see ya lateerrrr!" He slurred to no one considering the sound proofing above and retrieved his jacket and called himself a cab.
Pushing the door wide open with his back it creaked open and he stumbled out into the night, the door swinging back to close but a leather boot refrained it from doing so.
"You feel better yet?" Kai asked with a sigh, leaning near the closed bathroom door as the sound of Ray puking up his New Year's night came from the closed door.
"Noooo." Came the weak reply once the vomiting had stopped, earning another sigh from Kai as it quickly started up again.
"Alright, give it a few then before we leave I guess. Don't need that all inside the car." He suggested, pushing off the wall with his shoulder to occupy himself some more to wait till Ray had nothing left in his system to get out.
Taking a glance at the glass he'd brought up hours ago and left untouched he scoffed under his breath and shook his head, taking it up to go dump downstairs since Ray had locked himself in the bathroom.
The moment he turned the office door opened, Kai's heart coming to a standstill as red hair and violet eyes clashed with his and the glass he was holding fell from his grip, the glass shattering along the floor between his feet but neither looking down or caring as Johnny let himself into the room more.
"Hey bro... Miss me?"
Kai's wide eyes quickly narrowed, body moving to the side to block the pathway from the door to the bathroom as his right hand itched to reach for the gun at his side.
"What're you doing here?" He asked in a low growl.
A snicker came from him as he sauntered further forward. "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too Kai, damn, way to greet your family."
He leisurely stepped over to the windows and peered down, a somewhat impressed look on his face as he scanned the club below.
"Like what you've done to the place, really spruced it up some..."
Kai's body continued to move in a way it blocked Johnny's from getting anywhere near the bathroom, eyes on him like a hawk.
"The fuck are you doing here, Johnathan?" He barked out darker, fighting down the way his body was beginning to shake.
Maybe this was just another one of his dreams. Was already home and in bed asleep. He had to be... But either outcome, awake or not, it wasn't going to end good.
"Weellllll if I remember rightly this place is still half mine, no?" He challenged, tilting his head some feigning confusion before another chuckle escaped him and threw his hand out lazily to the door.
"You got someone in there or something?"
"It isn't, not since you decided to use it for your own sick and twisted games. So again, why the fuck are you here? Don't you think you've taken enough from me?"
"Oh boo fucking hoo! I've taken from you?!" Johnny's volume jumped in an instant.
"How about all you've taken from me, Kai! I've fucking nothing right now! My income, my home, my wife! And over what? Some little slut who twirled for money? It wasn't even me! I had nothing to do with it!"
"And maybe you should look in the mirror for all your problems instead of trying to blame ME!" Kai yelled back at him so loud it shook him to the core.
"I have done EVERYTHING for you, our whole goddamn lives, built this place for you, because you wanted it! But who was the one doing all the damn work around here while you chased tail and drank yourself into a stupor every fucking night?! Oh that's right... Me. Like fucking always." His tone changed, harboring on sarcastic a little and dragged a hand down his face as he let out a chuckle back at him.
"But oh, poor you. Grown ass man with nothing... All about you, aint it? Not about that little boy that's in my care now because you went off and KILLED HER!"
"I DIDN'T DO IT KAI!" He screamed in his frustration, voice cracking on him as the same charge was thrown his way and his plead of innocence he'd sent Nicole seemed to fall once again on deaf ears.
"It wasn't me! I swear to you, man! I'm no damn murderer! You know me better than that! You're my brother!" Every inch of arrogance had drained from the shorter man and the watery expression staring back at Kai was one he hadn't seen in a long time.
That pain. That fear. It was the same look Johnny had gave him when he'd pulled him off the man he'd just killed. He was scared.
"You have to believe me..."
Kai's body moved without him even realizing it, towering over Johnny as his own fired up eyes began to water and backed him into the wall with the windows at Johnny's back.
"Look me in the face and ask me if I care who did it... Her blood is on your hands as much as it is his, and mine. You stopped me from getting to her that night, regardless of what you knew or didn't was going to happen to her.
"It's your fault, Johnny, I don't care how you want to twist it or how sorry you are about it... I will never forgive you."
As much as he tried to hold it back Johnny's lower lip wobbled, the water in his eyes overflowing and silently trickled down his cheeks as he kept his gaze up on piercing ruby.
"Kai..."
Like every single mistake he'd ever made had hit him all at once, the pain residing in his chest right now was hurting far worse than the needles had from the tattoo sitting upon it.
"You can't- just- abandon me?" He choked out, more tears falling from his eyes as he sniffled. "I need you bro..."
Kai had to bite into his own bottom lip before it did what Johnny's was, tearing himself away from him before he lashed out at him in the only way he really knew how.
"Don't... Don't fucking do that! You have no right!" He yelled at him as he paced in front of the bathroom door, worried that Ray had passed out in a puddle of his own vomit or would walk out at any moment.
Neither option was good... He had to get Johnny out of there but he wasn't going to put his back to him. Not again.
"You do not get to come to me asking for help after all the bullshit you've pulled! You just don't!" He screamed louder, as if saying it at a higher volume would somehow make this easier but he'd be lying if he said this was easy in any way.
Johnny took in another shuddered breath, the air hitching in his throat as he couldn't even try and hold back his emotion now as it shamelessly poured out of him.
"I know... Fuck! I know man!" He wailed, turning his own back to Kai for a moment and rested his head against the darkened glass as sobs continued to emit.
His voice was barely audible now as he mumbled the realisation he'd come to the moment he'd found out about Ming.
"I fucked up... Bad... Real fucking bad..."
Kai didn't even notice the tears running down his face as he stood there, every pent up emotion running through him and making his body tremble and shake harder on him.
He still didn't know what Johnny wanted from him, forgiveness had never been his strongest suit and he wasn't going to forgive him for this ever in his life. But he needed Johnny gone, out of his life for good. He couldn't handle this anymore, not when he had a family to protect.
With a shuddering breath of his own, Kai's fists clenched at his sides. "What do you want?" He asked in a broken off tone.
Swallowing in an attempt to get rid of the god awful lump in his throat Johnny gathered himself before turning back to face him, his eyes still as watery and his lip still quivering on him.
"Help..." He weakly answered, "I know I've some nerve asking but I don't know what else to do! I just want things to go back to normal! Back to how it used to be between us! Before any of this bullshit!" He gestured down to the club.
"I just need my big brother man... Help me how you were helping Nicole, and everybody else that's lucky enough to still have you in their life..."
"Fuckin shit John..." Kai breathed out, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides more to keep them there instead of reaching for his gun.
As horrible as it was he really hoped Ray was knocked out cold right now, just so he didn't have to hear any of this or potentially witness it.
He wanted things back to how they were too. Had wanted that for a long, long time. Though while he'd been picking up the pieces and trying what had Johnny been doing this whole time?
Nothing. Just screwing his own life up and those around him.
He paid his debt to Johnny years ago, he knew that, and even if they weren't blood related he was still his little brother and even though all he wanted to see was the messed up man he'd turned himself into, all Kai could see was that scared little boy he knew all too well when their lives really did turn upside down on them.
"Alright... Alright..." He finally voiced quietly, no more than a whisper as he nodded yet wasn't sure who it was for at the moment as his feet moved him forward again.
Before he knew it his arms went around Johnny to hold him in an embrace, something they hadn't done in years.
"It's going to be okay. We'll figure this out."
As he saw Kai step into his space Johnny's own arms instantly wrapped around his neck and clung on for dear life. An almighty sob erupting from his throat that he couldn't have held back if he tried with his chest heaving in and out of him as he tried to control his breathing.
He couldn't give him words right now but he regretted everything. Regretted all the bullshit he'd ever bestowed on them and Kai all on his own. Regretted how things had panned out and if he could take it all back he would in a heartbeat.
He knew now, knew that he and Kai were a team. Always had been and always will. He was the man he'd always looked up to, had idolized as a child, and was jealous to all hell of as a man. But Kai wasn't his enemy... He was his brother... And always will be...
"I-I'm gonna do so much better... I-I promise... I-I'm so sorry, Kai... For everything... I'm so sorry..."
"Shhh. I know. I know..." Kai cooed as he held him tighter, chest and stomach clenching as if he was fixing to puke now.
He wanted to believe him, always had before, and like always whenever Johnny promised something it was broken the second he turned around.
And like when Johnny had turned from him, he'd gone and hit the panic button on his phone in his pocket. Was just a waiting game now for when that door slammed open again and Johnny was taken from him for good.
The thought hurt, of course it did, but it had to be for the better. It would be for the better because another second of this and there was going to be a bullet between Johnny's eyes.
"I gotchya. Okay? I'm right here. It's gonna be okay."
Johnny violently nodded his head, eyes screwed shut on him and arms still clung round Kai's neck like he'd fall to his death if he let go. He knew he could count on him. Kai had never let him down before so why would he now?! Regardless of all the mess they'd gone through, he should have known that he'd always be there for him and now he was going to do the same! Anything Kai wanted or needed he was going to do whatever it took to provide. This was it. New year, new him. He was going to turn a new leaf and be the man he knew he could be! Be the right hand man Kai needed by his side!
He sniffled, and violet eyes opened at the sound of footsteps in front by the door.
"Johnathan McGregor you're hereby under arrest for your involvement of the murder of Ming-Ming Anderson, you have the right to remain silent."
Johnny's mouth gaped open, grip on Kai loosening some in his shock.
"No... No, no NO!"
As the officers stepped closer, several guns all pointing towards him he let his arms fall from Kai's shoulder in defeat as another tear trickled down his cheek, glazed eyes locked on crimson.
Kai had already let him go, stepping back as tears ran down his own face. This was for the better. Had to be. He didn't know what else he could do for him. He wasn't sorry though, not for this. He was just sorry it ever had to come to this to start with.
As the cuffs clinked, he turned and looked away, body backing away towards the bathroom door again as he refused to look at Johnny. He couldn't not hear him though. Hysterical screams tearing from his throat as Johnny fought against the officers that had him restrained.
"FUCK YOU KAI! You fucking asshole! Your own brother! YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
He could still hear the raging insults being hurled at him as he was dragged down the stairs and out of the building, and then silence as the metal front door came to a close.
The second he was gone, the screaming no longer being heard, Kai's breath was just as nonexistent as his legs crumbled out from under him and he fell against the wall next to the bathroom. Hands pressed to his eyes as if they'd stop the tears pouring out of him, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as he heaved on his heavy sobs and brought his knees up closer to his chest.
He had to do it. He had to..
It might not have felt the right thing to do but fuck! Of course it was! Johnny was on the run for murder! What could he have really done to help? Slip him some money and helped him escape the country? And then what? He'd still be the same stupid kid fucking his life up even worse, just the judge would be speaking Spanish! He'd done him a courtesy!
Maybe now Johnny could actually get the real help he needs. Won't be doing drugs and drinking every night in a jail cell...
It wasn't long till his sobs finally subsided, furiously wiping at his face to get rid of whatever remained of his tears and just in time for when the bathroom door to his right opened again.
Thank God Ray was out of it at the time, he didn't even know what to tell him.
"You look like shit..." His hoarse voice sent a bit dryly up at him from where he sat on the floor.
An exaggerated scoff came from above as Ray clumsily tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. His eyes struggling to stay open in their exhaustion as he'd dozed off for twenty minutes with his head on the toilet seat.
"And you're still marrying me sooo sucks for youuu..." He drawled, chuckling to himself as a hand rested on the door frame to steady himself.
Trying to focus on the other, glazed golden eyes then squinted some noticing where the voice had actually come from.
"Are you on the floor? Whyy are you on the floor? Are you okay?"
Kai huffed a laugh, pulling back his own hair off his face and picked himself up off the floor. Legs feeling like they were lead and didn't even bother trying to hide it right now with Ray so out of it.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Got tired of standing waiting for you." He brushed off, putting an arm around Ray to steady the both of them.
"Ready to go now?"
"Mhhmmmm." Ray weakly nodded before throwing his arms up round his neck for a moment, snuggling into his neck as he let his eyes close on him again.
"Just gimme a second..."
Even if Ray hadn't known what went on, nor would he ever, Kai's arms went around him quickly and as tightly as he could hold back without hurting him. Needing the comfort it brought on and the reminder that they would be okay regardless of what just happened.
"Okay..." He choked back, swallowing the lump in his throat as his own eyes closed.
The embrace had lasted for a handful of minutes which usually Kai didn't care for but he needed it now more than he'd ever admit. The last hold on him before this leaving him feeling uneasy.
Would probably be the last one they'd ever share with Johnny looking at twenty years minimum...
After a precarious tread down the stairs with Ray's arm draped over his shoulders, Kai eased him into his car and strapped him in. Was like having another damn child but the dopey smile being sent his way melted away his annoyance.
Damn liability...
The drive home was quiet. Ray having passed out again with his face pressed against the cool passenger side window it was another workout to get him in to the house and up the stairs to their room.
It was a slight struggle, but with sleeping beauty finally tucked up in bed, mouth wide open snoring lightly and looking beautiful, Kai huffed a chuckle to himself at the sight. Ah he loved him, but if Ray thought he was going to be getting any form of sympathy off him tomorrow he had another thing coming.
He stretched out his arms, back popping in a few places before rubbing a tired hand down his face. He knew he should just crawl in beside him and sleep but after tonight's events he figured he deserved his own damn drink now.
Stepping out of the bedroom Kai had every intention of heading straight for the stairs but the door opposite, as it always did now, caught his eye.
Seemed forever ago now that this room was just an irrelevant guest room. He'd walk past it without giving it a thought but now, he couldn't step past without at least peering inside to ensure the small bundle inside was safe and sound.
Like he'd been doing all night since Johnny had shown up, his body moved on its own towards Thomas's door and peeked in like always. And like always there he was, safe and sound. Though this time it was a bigger relief to Kai than it ever had been before, just seeing him there. Safe.
Again, body moving on its own he tiptoed into the room and fixed the blankets around Thomas's small frame, brushing the tangled blue bangs from his angelic sleeping face as a faint smile appeared over Kai's lips.
Before he knew it, he'd somehow managed to crawl over the top of Thomas without waking him, back to the wall as his arm draped over Thomas's side and held onto him.
He didn't know why he did, just felt like he needed to right now. Even in sleep let the boy know he was there. Always would be.
Maybe he was a shit brother. But he'd be damned if he was going to be a shit father.
The sound of pans clattering caused his face to scrunch some as Ray was slowly pulled from his sleep.
Ohh he didn't feel so good...
Groggily turning to his left he noticed he was alone, Kai's side of the bed seeming completely undisturbed. Had he even come to bed last night?
Ray's pulse quickened as his mind ran away with itself. Did he do something stupid last night? Was Kai mad with him?! Oh noo... What did he do...
Beside how utterly crap he felt he dragged himself out of bed, giving himself a moment for the dizziness to subside before wrapping himself in his bath robe and shuffling down the stairs.
He was pretty sure he was still drunk right now but he had to find his lover, who loved him very much and wasn't mad.
He internally whined. Pleaasseee don't be mad with him...
The internal whine was quickly exchanged for a confused 'hn' that got stuck in his throat once he finally made his way down the stairs.
The clanking of the pans of course coming from Kai rummaging in the counters and setting out another pan before another, bacon already sizzling and popping in the one up on the stove as the heavenly scent filled the first floor of the kitchen.
Maybe he was not only still drunk but also asleep since he couldn't remember a time he'd ever seen Kai this bouncy and lively so early in the morning. And he was literally bouncing as he cracked some eggs in the new pan he'd fished out.
"Oh, hey. You're up." Was all the greeting he'd been given as Kai moved from the stove to the fridge and back again, another confused and longer 'hnnn' sounding from Ray's throat.
"Just breakfast babe, why don't you sit down or something. I'll bring you the coffee." Kai said over his shoulder to him, like he understood Ray's throaty grunt.
Ray did as Kai suggested and shuffled over to the table, plonking himself down in a chair zombie like and resting his head down on his folded arms.
He felt atrocious and wasn't even sure if he could stomach what Kai was even cooking right now. It smelt good, his nose knew that much, but his insides were saying nooooo...
"Happy new year..." He managed to mumble to him.
"Hmmm, you too." Kai sang back to him, once more making Ray question whether he was still asleep or not.
Why was he so damn perky?
Now that Ray was down, the clanging and clinking of the pans only got louder, Kai making sure to be as loud and obnoxious as he could be with a smirk on his face as he danced around in the kitchen.
Getting the eggs in the pan on the stove he bopped over to Ray at the table with his morning coffee, setting it out in front of him.
"After we eat should get a shower, we're heading out for the day." He informed after placing a chaste kiss to the top of Ray's bedhead, pulling away back to the stove.
A groan instantly came from him in response and the delicate head lifted up from his arms on the table.
"You're kidding? Where do we need to go?"
"It's a surprise." Kai answered, leaving the stove for a minute to walk to the end of the stairs.
"THOMAS! WAKE UP, BREAKFAST!" He bellowed up them.
Ray winced as the voice he usually loved to hear went right through him and his hands cupped at his pounding head. So... Loud...
Within minutes another groan came from him as tiny feet came bounding down the stairs.
"Morning Uncle Kai! Morning Uncle Raayyy!"
Ray's hands trailed to his ears and a pathetic whimper came from him. Someone please just kill him.
"Morning Thomas, sleep good?" Kai directed, biting down the smile at how perfect that played out for him.
He was being an ass, he knew that, but after all the trouble he had to deal with sleeping beauty the night before maybe this would teach him to behave next time.
"Yes!" Thomas answered just as enthusiastically as ever, plopping himself down at the table and let out an excited squeal at the tall glass of chocolate milk being put down in front of him.
It wasn't even Christmas anymore!
"Alright, well we got places to be so after you eat I want you dressed and ready to go. Kay?" Kai directed as he ruffled the blue hair.
"Where are we going?!" He asked looking up to him as Kai head back to the stove, "Can we go see Julia again?"
Thomas danced some in his seat, kicking his legs under the table and accidentally caught Ray in the knee. His eyes went wide and a pained sound sat in his throat. Seriously someone just kill him.
"Surprise, so hurry up and eat." Kai answered as he came back over with their plates, setting them out for both Thomas and Ray before going back to get his own.
"And dress warmly, it's going to be cold tonight."
Thomas practically wolfed his food down and before either of them could blink the little whirlwind was back upstairs before Ray had even managed to swallow his first mouthful.
A small whine escaped him as he pushed his food around on his plate and looked to Kai with a sorry look on his face.
"Ok seriously babe, where are we going, and do I have to go cos I feel like crap right now..."
"Told you, it's a surprise. And yes, you have to go. Family outing and all that." Kai answered after getting down his own bite of food, waving off Ray's ridiculous assumption that he would not be going.
"Take some aspirin, you'll be fine."
Ray just pouted at him and went back to scowling down at his food like a scolded child. He wanted to go back to bed not have some family outing. He couldn't think of anything worse right now.
"Easy for you to say you didn't drink at all last night..." he muttered, reluctantly scooping up some eggs and putting them in his mouth.
"Did you even enjoy last night at all? You seemed to be upstairs for most of it."
Kai nodded a little, eyes darting down to his plate as he chewed his next mouthful slower.
It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it, the little show Ray put on was enough to have him enjoying it that was for sure, but that stint with Johnny after everything really had put a sour taste in his mouth that he had been trying to wash away since he woke up.
He didn't want to stay in the house for fear that if he did his mind would wander, or worse, he'd go to the jailhouse and see him. He wanted, needed, a distraction something fierce.
The bit of time it'd give him with his boys was just the added bonus, it also made it where he could keep an eye on them.
He really didn't think Bryan would be coming around for another go, let alone Robert, but those same jittery and uneasy feelings that had plagued him the week before New Years were seeping back in after last night.
The bigger obstacle he was faced with was whether he should tell Ray or not...