Chapter 3. Thirsty.

A tuneful knock at the door broke Kai's concentration from his desktop computer.

It was Monday morning, and being the early riser he was he'd already made a good start on his work for the day and had been assessing various spreadsheets for about an hour now.

Tearing his gaze from the screen he took a glance over at the clock on the neutral painted walls of his home office and a slate brow raised at the realisation it had only just gone 8am.

He didn't think the guy would be starting on the yard this early... Keen.

With his attention returning to the computer screen Kai continued to quickly type out some data as he called out to Ray who was getting dressed for work in their bedroom adjacent.

"Could you get that? Go through all of your ideas with him and I'll be down in a second."

Appearing from the bedroom out on the landing Ray was fastening the last button on his white polo shirt as he started to make his way down the stairs and get the door.

"Kay, hurry up though 'cos you need to negotiate the price, you're better at that stuff than me."

Waiting patiently outside chewing on some gum and with his hands casually in his pockets, stood a tall slender male sporting dark beige cargo pants and a fitted khaki green t-shirt.

Aside from two thin strands framing the front of his face, most of his red hair was currently hidden underneath a black baseball cap that he wore backwards.

He wasn't overly built in stature but nowhere near considered lanky either.

Turning slightly to take a gander, blue eyes landed back on the black sports car parked on the block-paved drive that he'd already eyed up when he first got here. He pulled the corners of his mouth down as he admired it once more, clearly impressed.

Private reg too. Nice.

As the front door opened the redheaded male turned back around and confidently spoke as he held out his hand.

"Mr Hiwatari is it? I'm Tala, here for the back yard?"

With a warm smile, Ray took his hand in his own and shook it before correcting him.

"Oh no I'm Ray, his partner. Kai will be down in just a second. Let me grab that design brochure and we can go through what we've got in mind. Do come in!"

Leaving the door open for him Ray walked back through the hallway and made his way into the living room where the glossy catalogue was sat on the glass table still.

Having stepped inside after wiping his feet on the mat, Tala closed the front door behind him and took a quick scan of his new surroundings, staying put in the hallway not wanting to intrude.

Upstairs after another quick log of numbers, Kai stood up from his desk and stretched a little before picking up his empty coffee cup and leisurely made his way down the stairs. He'd get back to that mess later, but first, he needed more caffeine.

At the sound of footsteps and seeing a figure now in his peripheral vision Tala turned his head to his right and his eyes couldn't help but widen some at the male currently towering over him as he stood on the last step beside him.

Damn... well hello there...

Holding out his hand in the same fashion as before he questioned, "Mr Hiwatari?"

With no hesitation Kai took the hand being offered to him and briefly but firmly shook it.

"Please, just call me Kai."

He had to deal with enough formalities at work; he didn't need to continue them at home.

Not giving the encounter a second thought he then stepped down the last step and moved swiftly past the other male who was now a few inches taller than him and headed to the kitchen to pour himself another coffee.

As he passed Tala caught the scent of Kai's cologne and his nostrils instantly flared to try and savour the fragrance. His thin lips parting slightly as icy eyes sized up the man that was now stood by the kitchen sink rinsing out his mug.

Holyy shi-

"-So shall we go outside and we can go over some ideas?"

With a genuine kind smile Ray stood with the brochure held to his chest and ushered Tala to walk towards the French doors that he must have opened whilst his attention was elsewhere.

"Uh y-yeah, sure!"

Rubbing the back of his neck as he was brought back to reality, Tala returned a sheepish smile of his own to the Chinese male and began to follow him, giving one final gawk at Kai in the kitchen before making his way outside.

x-x-x

Propping the pencil up behind his ear Tala flipped the notepad around to show Ray what he had just spent the last few minutes sketching out.

"So like this?"

Golden eyes sparkled with delight as they scanned over the drawings. Everything they'd discussed just now flawlessly illustrated before him and a swirl of excitement fizzed in his stomach.

"Yes! That's perfect! It's just what we had in mind."

Or what he had in mind rather as Kai had pretty much left the design process completely up to him whilst they one-sidedly discussed it last night.

"Awesome," Tala said as he took the pencil again from behind his ear and jotted down some more notes.

Everyone always liked his plans first time. The other males comments hardly came as a surprise.

"So I know the pond isn't where you originally wanted to put it, but it would work a lot better towards the far right due to how the land is levelled out," he added, gesturing to the area he was referring to with the pencil before flipping through the pages to double check everything over.

"So that's all I need to know really in regards of design. Materials used will differ depending on how much you guys want to spend. Do you have a budget in mind?" Tala rested the pencil on his bottom lip as he glanced back up at Ray for an answer but it wasn't him who responded.

"No. There isn't one."

At the new but familiar assertive voice joining the conversation outside, both Ray and Tala's heads shot towards Kai who stepped towards them, holding out his hand to the redhead in silent request for the notepad.

Tala immediately obliged and handed it over to him with a faint look of apprehension on his face and placed the pencil up behind his ear again as he tried to look nonchalant. He loosely folded his arms across his chest as he waited for approval from, he presumed, the one with all the cash.

He wasn't entirely sure why but the guy made him feel a little unnerved. Now he was up close it was clear from his demeanour that Mr Hiwatari wasn't someone to mess with, and it was also clear it was he who called all the shots around here.

Tala just really hoped he liked these drawings; he could do with a nice pay cheque.

Taking a leisurely sip of his coffee, crimson eyes briefly scanned over the sketches before simply handing the notepad back to Tala a moment later.

"We want nothing but the best, so spend whatever is necessary," Kai added coolly.

Ray stayed silent as he bit the inside of his cheek and threw Kai the dirtiest side eye knowing full well it was going to cost a fortune.

Their conversation of 'haggling the price' last night clearly a complete waste of time.

Kai's poker face expression didn't give the redhead much peace of mind of what his thoughts were on his designs, and though he was a little taken back by his blasé response in regards of budget, he took it as a 'good to go' all the same.

"Well, that's great then. That's all I need for now. I'll go ahead and get things started," Tala said looking to them both and noticing a clear tension between them.

Taking out his smartphone he then started dialling numbers right away to start placing the orders for various materials, throwing a polite smile before distancing himself from the other two.

With his attention now away from them, Ray's facial expression said it all as he turned to face Kai.

"Really?" he asked hushed through gritted teeth.

Kai shrugged as he quickly thought.

"He, uh... owes me a favour, it'll be cheap, don't worry."

"How can he owe you a favour, Kai? You've only just fuckin' met him," Ray questioned in a low hiss.

"Shhh..."

A low growl then escaped Ray's throat as he pulled away from the index finger that Kai had pressed on to his lips.

If Tala wasn't stood right there he might have just punched that smug smirk off his face.

"I'm leaving for work. Text me the price he says," Ray then ordered in a curt whisper.

Swallowing his pride he then reached up to place a quick kiss on Kai's cheek in an attempt to keep up appearances before calling over to the redhead.

"Good luck dude! I think you're gonna need it!"

With the phone to his ear Tala looked over his shoulder and smiled, covering the mic with his free hand as he called back.

"Don't worry, I like a challenge!"

Baby blues then gave a wink before turning his back again to continue the phone call.

Ray's false smile was short lived as he threw another unimpressed look Kai's way before heading back inside the house with him following just behind him.

"Make sure you ask him every so often if he wants a cup of tea or anything," he bit as he grabbed his denim jacket off one of the wooden coat hooks in the hallway.

Kai leaned against the wooden door frame, casually folded his arms and cocked a brow at his boyfriend's, in his mind, ridiculous request.

"He's here to work Ray, not drink tea."

Hospitality had never been one of his strong points.

Pulling on his jacket Ray looked at him with a bored expression.

"For once in your life Kai will you just do as you're told? You're meant to do things like that when people are doing work for you. It's courteous."

Picking up his house keys off one of the metal hooks in the hallway he then muttered under his breath.

"What's also courteous is to discuss budgets with your boyfriend, but it's fine don't worry about it."

Ruby eyes rolled. "Have a good day at work, babe."

"Make him tea."

"I'll make him tea."

He was so not going to make him tea.

Ray, clearly still annoyed but not wanting to start a domestic when they had company, begrudgingly placed another quick kiss on Kai's lips before walking out the front door.

Kai, completely unfazed by the entire situation, went back upstairs to his office.

x-x-x

Conveniently the home office window faced out onto the back yard and every so often Kai would stand up from his desk and have a check up on the redhead working outside. Not to ensure his wellbeing or anything but to simply see if he was doing his damn job… and, if he was completely honest with himself... the guy was sorta good to look at too.

His thoughts of the other were clearly mutual as he would have had to have been blind to not notice the way Tala's eyes had practically bulged out of his head once he appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

He smirked at the recollection. Was nice to know he still had it.

It was around 12:45 now and the sun was at its highest. Standing up from his desk once more Kai stretched out his arms and wandered over to the window. It wasn't long before he could feel the sun's warm rays on his face through the glass. It had turned quite pleasant outside.

Well, pleasant for most.

Earlier on in the morning whilst it was still somewhat cool out, to break up his work day he'd intended on venturing out for a run so had changed into some gym attire after Ray had left.

Seeing the blistering sunshine he was now having second thoughts. He hated getting overly sweaty.

Peering down at Tala who was currently digging up a small section of the yard he could see his khaki green shirt now donned darkened patches on the back.

He had been at it for a few hours now without a drink... Suppose if he passes out then he couldn't work...

Heading downstairs and straight to the kitchen, Kai took out a glass from the cupboard and filled it up with water from the fridge's built in drinks dispenser. The glass instantly felt ice cold in his grip as he then meandered through the French doors to outside and into the warm air, making his way over towards the redhead and holding out the glass for him.

"Thirsty?"

Tala's attention snapped towards the voice having just been with the sound of birds and his own thoughts all morning.

Only for you... hellooo muscles...

"Ah, thanks buddy."

He secured the spade upright in the dirt before taking off his garden gloves and shoving them through the hole of the handle before accepting the glass.

He took a few sips, but then as the welcoming icy liquid slid down his throat he then progressed to gulp the entire contents down like it was the first drink he'd ever had. He hadn't realised just how parched he was.

With a sigh of relief Tala then reached for the hem of his green shirt and wiped his mouth with it, Kai's eyes instantly lowering at the flash of skin, catching the indentations of a toned stomach briefly before snapping to have a closer look at the yard after a clear of his throat.

He'd made decent progress in the few hours he'd been here. It was clear that he was a hard worker.

An admirable trait, Kai thought.

Having being used to been around complete slackers most of the time he was quite pleased. If Tala kept up this pace he'd have it all finished in a matter of days.

With the warm fresh air circling his lungs now that he was out of his stuffy office, Kai was reluctant to go back inside to work.

He really did enjoy the outdoors, and like Ray he was really looking forward for the space to be completed. Somewhere for him to just go, and be with his own thoughts for a while.

He wasn't usually one to procrastinate but he just kinda wanted to stall a little. He'd always hated small talk. It was clear things were going fine out here - he had eyes. But, he really couldn't be assed sitting back at that computer.

Ray did tell him to be polite after all, and whilst he had work to do he just wanted to make Ray happy. He wasn't just using Tala to get out of doing those spreadsheets, noo not at all, he was just being 'courteous' just like Ray wanted him to.

God he was such a good boyfriend.

"Soo, how's it all going?"

With a cheeky grin Tala stood with a hand rested on top of the spade's handle and the empty glass in the other as he looked out at the large yard.

"Well, I know I said I liked a challenge but..." he laughed lightly, his eyes now on Kai. "Nah it's fine really, there's no major issues to be honest just a few little obstacles to get over but we'll get there."

Yeahhhh he couldn't do this. Kai was over with the small talk. He'd rather just go out and sweat.

Returning the smile with a faint one of his own he held out his hand for Tala to give him the empty glass to take back inside.

"Well I'm going to be heading out for a little bit. You'll be fine here on your own right?"

Handing the glass over to him and eyeing Kai's attire closer Tala presumed he'd be going to the gym or something.

Nice imagery. Was already a glorious one with how tight that tank top was...

"Yeah yeah, I'll be fine," he waved off. "Just need to finish off the digging for the pond, and then I'll be moving on to the stone placement in the corner. I'll probably wrap it up for today after I've finished that."

Kai gave a nod.

"Alright, well I'll more than likely be back before you leave so… I'll let you carry on."

Turning on his heel Kai began to make his way back into the house before Tala's voice caused him to pause and look back over his shoulder.

"Hey Kai, uh, before you go…" Stepping over towards him he fished out his smartphone and held it out to him. "Would I be able to get your number just in case I need to get in contact with you? I only have your assistants at the moment."

Forever the cynic, Kai glanced down at the phone in front of him before looking back up at blue eyes.

"Why would you need to get in contact with me?" he flatly asked.

Tala stuttered and racked his brain for a response. He'd never met anyone so abrupt before.

"W-well uhm, I probably won't? But y'know just incase there's an emergency or something.. it'd make the process a lot quicker being able to get straight in contact with you rather than going through your assistant…"

Fuuck, he was hard work...!

Crimson eyes narrowed at the poor excuse but it did sort of make sense to skip the middle man in this instance; Tala was on his property after all. But he was literally only going to be an hour at most. He really didn't think it was necessary but...

"Hn, I guess that's fine. I really won't be that long though."

Reluctantly he took the phone, typed in his number and handed it back to Tala. Regretting it almost immediately after he did.

"Cheers. Probably won't ever need it like you say but y'know... Better to be safe than sorry, right?" he said with wink before slipping the phone back into the pocket of his cargo pants.

"Well, I'll see you in a bit, have fun. Oh and thanks again for the drink."

Putting his gloves back on as he confidently spoke Tala smiled again before pulling the spade out of the mud to continue digging.

Giving a small nod in response Kai wandered back in to the house feeling somewhat vulnerable. He hated giving out his personal contact number. It was just so, personal.

After the work was done though he was sure he'd just delete it… Isn't like he'd need it afterwards, right?

Placing the glass down on the marble kitchen counter, he grabbed his water bottle and filled it up from the fridge dispenser before popping his wireless headphones in his ears and made his way out of the front door to start on his run.

x-x-x

Upon hearing a giggle from across the room, Kai looked up from his paperback book to see a ridiculous grin dancing on Ray's face. He was currently sat at the opposite end of their large couch to him with his mobile phone in hand, thumbs quickly tapping along on the screen's keyboard.

It was around 9pm now and Ray had gotten home from work just over an hour ago. Tala had left around four-ish and said it would be about the same time of 8am to start tomorrow. He'd completed what he said he would, which earned him another gold star in Kai's book.

He lowered his gaze again back down to his book, but a few minutes later another chuckle came from the other and with a small frown he couldn't help but pry.

Curiosity very rarely got the better of him, but Ray had barely said two words to him since he got home so who the hell was getting all his attention right now?

"Who you talking to?"

With his thumbs tapping away on the phone screen again Ray didn't so much as glance up as he excitedly responded.

"Oh, it's Mariah! The white tigers are in town at the moment. We're probably going to organise a catch up at some point soon. It's been so long since I last saw them!"

It was completely missed but Kai's eyes rolled in response, his focus returning once more back to his book.

Just hearing Mariah's name had him feeling a type of way.

Sure what her and Ray had ended a while ago but what was stopping them from ever rekindling? That stupid smile plastered all over Ray's face suggested he was having a whale of a time talking to her.

Silly tart.

Finally placing his phone down on the glass coffee table in front of him after it had been glued into his palm for the past half an hour, Ray happily sighed before walking over to the doors and peering out into the yard.

Dusk had started to fall now but with the long summer nights he could still make out some of what had been achieved today.

"Looks good out there so far doesn't it?" he commented, "He's doing a great job. Did he say when he'd be finished?"

~bleep~

At the sound of another text message coming through Ray instantly spun around and picked his phone back up from the table.

Kai's focus remained down on his book.

"End of this week probably. Shouldn't take too long the rate he's going," he replied in a monotone voice knowing full well that Ray's attention was back on the text thread and he was no longer engaged in their conversation.

A few minutes later of expected silence Ray lowered his phone from his gaze and glanced over at Kai on the couch.

"Babe? Did he say when he'd be finished?"

Kai's eye twitched. He couldn't stand repeating himself.

"I answered you."

With him only getting radio silence once more to his crisp toned response he slyly peeked up from his book to see Ray back enthralled with his phone, tapping away some more at the screen.

Kai glared at the oblivious male opposite. He really was going to smash that thing in a minute.

"Sorry babe I didn't hear you, what did you say?" Ray asked in a contrasting chirpy tone.

Kai's jaw tensed. "Well maybe if you put down your ph-"

A polyphonic ringtone then filled the room blaring over Kai's heated response and Ray answered it immediately; throwing the device up to his ear before bouncing out of the living room like a secretive teenage girl.

"Hey you! What's up?"

"-...Phone..." Kai finished to no one.

Shaking his head he carelessly chucked his book onto the glass table in front of him. He was far from in the mood to read now.

Leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, he ran both hands through his slate coloured hair as he took in a deep breath and sighed.

At least they had the weekend together, he figured.

Roll on Saturday.

Oh Raymond. Sweet.. sweet oblivious boy. xD

Thank you for the reviews guys! Ch 4 will be up in a couple of weeks. Hopefully see you there!

K~