A/N: Hola from the Dominican Republic!
I was determined to get this up on Wednesday as I usually upload every 2 weeks but it just wasn't happening for this chapter. I still felt like I had loads to put in and I didn't wanna rush it.. But it's my birthday tomorrow and we've a lot planned so I have spent the majority of today working on it to get it up!
Anyhoo, hope you's enjoy this one. I know I did ;)
K~
Chapter 6. Déjà vu
"I think we should go on a break."
Slouching on the sofa, still in last night's now creased clothes, Kai groggily peered over his mug of steaming black coffee towards Ray who had just sharply spoken to him from the living room doorway.
He'd been awake all of twenty minutes and only because the other male deemed it necessary to go around the room with the hoover and really drive in that he held no sympathy for him.
His head was pounding. His throat as dry as one of Gandhi's flip-flops, and he could've sworn his boyfriend had just blurted out something ridiculous at him.
Was pretty selfish in all honesty when he was clearly dying over here.
Could Ray not see he was dying?!
He took a deep inhale, the coffee's sweet aroma dancing up his nostrils giving his battered soul some comfort.
It was a chore for him to even speak right now, but Kai just had to hear that again.
A break? Like, break up? Where was all this even coming from?
"What are you talking about?"
Ray's previous strong stance softened as he released the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding and leaned against the wooden door frame.
Nothing got past Kai; he'd heard him first time alright. Why he was trying to make him repeat what was already a hard sentence to say was beyond him.
He'd been mulling over this since the early hours of this morning having not being able to get back to sleep thanks to him, and only further adding insult to injury when he had to get out of bed again half an hour later once Kai had passed out to clean up his vomit.
Having not even received a 'thank you' for that, Ray could only presume that Kai didn't even remember spewing everywhere just a few hours ago. Which meant he probably couldn't remember how forceful he was with him either when he had finally returned home...
Amber eyes would usually soften at the sight of the other but they currently held a firm gaze as Ray held his nerve and stood tall.
It wasn't that he enjoyed seeing his boyfriend in any sort of anguish, but he couldn't lie, seeing Kai in his delicate state this morning did bring slight joy to him.
He deserved it. The way he acted last night was disgusting. It just convinced him all the more to stand by the decision he had finally managed to make.
Hungover or not, Kai needed to hear it.
"I'm going to go home for a few days... To go see my family and clear my head for bit," he stated matter of factly. "I think we need to be apart for a little while 'cos right now, this isn't working."
Ray would've been lying if he said this wasn't at all upsetting for him, but he had to be direct and firm with his tone.
This was serious.
Kai rolled his eyes.
God he really didn't need this right now.
"So what, you're breaking up with me? All 'cos I got a little drunk last night? Damn, Ray, that's dramatic, even for you," he jabbed in a bored drawl, turning his head away from him and completely brushing off the entire situation as just another one of their little tiffs.
Ray's mouth dropped open as he scoffed.
"A little?!" He gestured towards the front door. "Kai, I heard you tell the door to shush after you slammed it shut. I'm surprised you even remembered where you lived considering how trashed you were."
Still avoiding eye contact Kai nonchalantly took a sip of his coffee like Ray hadn't just spoken, the mug conveniently hiding his bashful smirk.
Yeah, he remembered doing that now actually. What an idiot...
Getting no verbal response Ray continued.
"Do you remember what else you did?"
A slight look of concern washed over the other as his focus trailed back to him in the doorway.
There was more?
"What did I do?" Kai firmly asked but with clear apprehension in his voice.
Ray swallowed.
He knew that Kai would never forgive himself if he told him that he had genuinely hurt him last night, physically, so rather than rub salt in that wound he chose to redirect.
"You puked all over the living room floor."
Kai's eyes trailed back over the spotless wooden flooring before frowning at Ray like he'd just lied to him.
Ray tutted upon seeing the clear scepticism.
"I cleaned it up, obviously!"
Kai looked away from him again, somewhat embarrassed.
".. Well.. thanks.." he muttered sheepishly. ".. Sorry.."
"Forget about it..." he brushed off, taking a moments silence before proceeding to take the bull back by the horns and reinstate his decision to him.
"..I'm not breaking up with you Kai, I just, think we need some space from each other. Otherwise it'll just get worse and worse between us and I don't want us to break up… do you?"
Ray's expression was solemn as he spoke. His eyes fixed on Kai as he waited for an answer.
Kai had never seen Ray like this before. He was so.. serious.
Had he really fucked up that bad last night to the point he didn't even want to be around him anymore?
Everything was still a huge blur. He did sorta think they were okay now... Apparently not.
He brought the mug down from his face and rested it on his lap. His own expression now slightly guilt-ridden as he stared into the coffee.
He could feel Ray's eyes all over him as silence now filled the room. He knew he must've really messed up. Ray wasn't usually this uptight over nothing.
But wanting to leave?
His eyes then met the part of his shirt where three buttons once were.
What the fuck happened last night?
"Well? Do you?" Ray pressed as he was losing his patience. Kai's silence, in his mind, saying it all right now.
Did he really not give a shit to even try to pretend he wanted them to stay together? Clearly he was making the right choice to leave after all.
Kai tensed, opening his mouth to speak but then slowly closed it again.
If he was honest with himself he didn't even know what he wanted anymore. He loved Ray. Of course he did. Well. In his own little way. But he'd be lying if he said he was truly happy with him at the moment after the last several weeks.
"... I think some space will do us good," he finally managed to muster.
Ray folded his arms.
He'd completely avoided his question. Of course he did. Kai was only ever direct when the ball was in his court.
Normally Ray would bite and straight ask him again, but he'd just about had it with Kai's shit for one weekend, and quite frankly he couldn't be bothered repeating himself. His response wasn't going to change the upcoming events anyway.
"Will you be able to take me to the airport then?" he asked, a bout of anxiety now swirling in his stomach as he knew what was coming next.
Kai slowly nodded.
"Yeah I guess. Why, when are you planning on leaving?"
Ray pressed his lips together. There it was.
Maybe booking a last minute flight whilst exhausted and upset this morning wasn't the best idea he'd ever had. But regardless, he'd made his decision, and was going to stand by it regardless.
"... At six."
Ray braced himself, his eyes were now on anything but Kai.
Piercing crimson eyes however shot up and focused on nothing but him.
"What? Today?"
He got a slow nod in return
"Well fuck me, Ray, you just couldn't wait to get away from me or something?!" he barked, slamming his coffee mug down onto the table in front of him.
"Why didn't you just pack your shit and fuck off before I even woke up and really add to the drama?! Am I really that bad to you that you need to run off the same damn day?!"
With Kai's voice ringing in his ears Ray snapped and raised his own voice.
This guy had no right to shout at him right now, especially after last night.
"As a matter of fact Kai, yes, lately you have been!"
Pushing aside how shit he was feeling right now Kai bounded up from the couch and held his arms out.
"HOW?!" he shrieked back at him, "What the fuck do I do to you Ray that's so goddamn awful?!"
That's it. Ray was done protecting him and his feelings.
Roughly lifting up his t-shirt he then pulled down his bottoms just enough to show him one of his hips.
"You see this? LOOK!"
Kai's eyes obeyed and immediately went to his tanned bare skin that appeared to have a large purple-black smudge across his hip.
He frowned, his whole demeanour softening instantly upon seeing that the other was hurt.
"What happened?" he asked, everything from his face to his tone faltering and flooding with concern.
He didn't get it? What did that have to do with him?
"YOU happened, Kai!" Ray screamed at him, "I told you to stop and you wouldn't!"
"I-I did that?" Kai stuttered as his gaze was now transfixed on the discoloured flesh. "H-How-"
"-Don't wonder why I'm leaving," Ray carefully pulled his bottoms back up over his bruised hip and let go of his shirt.
Like seeing his skin was a prompt, a brief snippet of the two of them stood close together in the hallway last night then played back in Kai's mind. He'd remembered Ray telling him to stop but figured he was just playing hard to get.
When did he grab him hard enough to cause that though?
… That must've been what caused him to slap him… Shit, he remembered that now too…
"Ray, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean t-"
Ray lifted his hand.
"Just.. Save it..."
Before Kai could catch golden eyes begin to glisten Ray turned on his heel and went upstairs to pack his suitcase. The damage had already been done, and in his helplessness Kai sat back down onto the sofa with his elbows on his knees, and head in his hands.
x-x-x
Kai waited behind with the duffle bag as Ray walked up to the airport check in.
He watched him show his ticket and passport to the immaculately groomed member of staff that was sat behind the desk and lift up his suitcase on to the conveyer belt to be weighed before being sent off to boarding.
The half an hour drive to the airport was a quiet one.
It had started raining so the intermittent sound of the windscreen wipers made the silence less intense but it was still uncomfortable, even for Kai.
They'd had more words once Ray had come back downstairs after packing which only added to the raging shit storm they were already engulfed in and thus made things no better.
He didn't want him to leave, but then being made to feel like a monster he didn't really want him to stay either.
It was just some space. That was all.
It would be good for them.
Having successfully checked in and received his boarding card Ray strolled back over to the taller male whose expression remained vacant, his gaze low.
"I'll call you when I land, okay?" he reassured, trying his best to sound cheerful as he spoke.
He wasn't pleased about this by any means, but it was too late to change his mind now, right?
Kai passed Ray his hand luggage back and simply responded with a slow nod in acknowledgment.
He really didn't know what to say to him right now. They'd both agreed to this but now they were here it didn't feel right.
Having thought about it all, (and this whole situation really was all Kai had thought about since Ray had blurted it out this morning) surely being apart would just make things worse?
With Kai's gaze refusing to connect with his own, Ray's own eyes glossed over as they began to well up with tears.
He'd tried to stay strong all day. They had both agreed this was for the best, but even with Kai's blank expression he could always tell when he was upset and it broke his heart.
Releasing his grip on the duffle bag he then flung his arms around Kai's neck, burying his face into his shoulder as the luggage fell by their feet.
"I really hope we can get through this," Ray's voice cracked as he sniffled into his shirt.
Automatically wrapping his arms around him, Kai stroked the back of Ray's head and pulled him in tighter. His voice too laced with an uncertainty that he hoped would go unnoticed.
"We will… We always do… Right?" He tried to swallow away the lump that had now formed in his own throat.
After a few minutes Ray broke away from the embrace to wipe his now reddened eyes and at noticing the damp patch on Kai's shirt at the shoulder he rubbed over it with his free hand in a useless attempt to dry it off.
"Sorry about that," he softly laughed.
Looking down at his shoulder Kai passively shook his head and returned a faint smile of his own.
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
Turning round to look up at the digital flight board, Ray then scanned for his flight number seeing what gate he had to head towards and at taking note of the time his eyes started to gloss over once more.
"I should get going…"
Kai mentally cursed the screen above and wondered who he could pay to put 'cancelled' next to his flight number.
Hell, just a 'delayed' would suffice even.
"You don't have to..." he mumbled as he took a hold of Ray's hands. "...Could always just get your case back and we go home..."
Despite how he was feeling right now Ray lightly smiled at the very 'Kai' way of trying to convince him to stay.
Would it really kill him to get on his knees and beg? Clutch at his ankles and let the whole airport know how much he loved him and couldn't bear to be without him?
Yeahh, that would be kind of embarrassing actually...
"No.. I do.." Ray squeezed his hands before letting go of them, "It'll do us both good.. Just a temporary break."
Kai lightly sighed with a defeated expression on his face.
Maybe absence will make the heart grow fonder? That's what they say isn't it?
He racked his brain to try and find some sort of light to all of this but coming up with nothing he guessed he just had to take Ray's word for it.
Picking up his bag from the floor Ray placed a soft kiss on Kai's lips before turning to leave but a light tug on his arm caused him to pause and look back.
"Call me as soon as you land, yeah?"
Kai almost sounded a little desperate in his request, and even though Ray had already said he would he just felt the need to repeat it for extra reassurance.
Ray nodded and turned around fully again to hug him once more.
"I promise, I'll call you as soon as I land… I love you, Kai."
The words had Kai's throat tightening again, and whilst he attempted to swallow that damn burning lump away his voice still cracked when he spoke.
"I love you too, Ray..."
x-x-x
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Usually he loved the silence but that damn clock ticking on the wall was beginning to get on his last nerve.
Had it always been that loud? Maybe it was broken…
Kai drummed his fingers on his lap for a few moments before picking up his smart phone for the sixth time that half hour.
~No new notifications~
Maybe his phone was broken too…
Ray should have landed by now and he still hadn't called.
Why hadn't he called? He said he would call...
Okay chill out. Maybe he got delayed or something going through security... Or maybe his phone died.
Ray wouldn't have had much entertainment just being on the flight by himself, so that was probably it. Used all of his battery playing that stupid candy crush game.
He'd call as soon as he could. He promised...
Sighing through his nose, Kai lowered his phone back down to his lap, his thumb hovering over as he stared at the blank home screen.
What could he do to keep himself occupied for the time being?
~Bleep~
At the tone he threw his phone back up to his face in an instant, heart racing as he read Ray's message that had finally come through to him.
Only it wasn't Ray at all. It was another name that currently sat on his screen.
[T: Evening sexy, have a good time last night? ]
Kai clenched his jaw before shoving the phone face down on the arm of the sofa beside him.
Did this guy have a sixth sense or something?! Jeez!
No. He was not doing this right now. Wasn't even going to entertain the bastard so he could just, fuck off somewhere!
On the tearful drive home after dropping Ray off at the airport that afternoon, Kai had begun to have random flashbacks from the night previous.
Some were clear as day, some a total blur…
Tala...
He remembered seeing him in the restrooms come to think of it so he had turned up after all. And Tyson was there with them at some point too he was sure, so, nothing could've happened like he'd originally worried about.
He still hadn't quite figured out what happened to his shirt though…
Wanting to keep himself busy he opened up his laptop that was sat beside him on the couch and logged in to his Facebook page.
It was pointless him having a profile as he never posted anything but the Bladebreakers made him sign up many moons ago so they could all 'keep in touch' and he'd never had the heart to delete it.
..:: Tyson Granger: BLEURRGGHHHH… - 5hours ago.
Hilary Tachibana + 5 others like this.
With a smirk Kai clicked on Tyson's status update to have a scan of the several comments that had been posted underneath.
He definitely remembered him being absolutely trashed last night.
[Max Tate] : Just. Kill. Me.
[Hiro Granger] : #LIGHTWEIGHTS
[Hilary Tachibana] : LOL! Successful reunion boys? xo
[Tyson Granger] : If you define Kai Hiwatari giving me control of his credit card successful.. then it was pretty successful! :P
He however didn't remember that.
Fuck sake. Why would he give Granger his card?
He'd have to make a mental note to check his bank balance after this...
[Hiro Granger] : Holy shit, how hammered was he?
[Max Tate] : LOL quite. Have you heard from the Chief yet Ty?
[Tyson Granger] : Nope. I think we've lost him. The way he was knocking back those shots? RIP Chief.
[Hilary Tachibana] : Shots?! Omg! You killed Kenny?! xo
[Daichi Sumeragi] : HEY WHERE WAS MY INVITE?!
Kai had lost complete interest in the back and forth once Monkey boy had jumped in so clicked off and continued to idly scan through the pointless drivel on his newsfeed; scrolling slightly faster at every pregnancy and engagement announcement.
Just as he was about to come off the laptop completely his screen was suddenly filled with pink causing him to pause.
..:: Ray Kon was tagged in 2 photo's. ::..
Mariah Wong: Just landed in Beijing! With Ray Kon + 3 others. 57minutes ago.
He felt nauseous with how fast his heart was racing. Not even knowing what to address first.
He'd gone back with them? Ray had never mentioned that. He'd painted it like he was going back home to visit his family - solo. So why was he with them? And why after an hour of being on Chinese soil had he not let him know?
He picked up his phone to check. Tala's message still sitting unread but no others were on his screen.
Like some kind of masochist he clicked on the first of the attached photos and his screen filled with the entire white tiger team.
Mariah was at the centre of the selfie sporting a cheesy grin and was holding out the peace sign with her free hand.
Lee was stood to the right of her with a dark coloured rucksack hung over his shoulder with a smile.
Gary could be seen in the background holding Kevin under his arm, (who knew what was going on there.) And to her left was Ray, wearing his own beaming smile and holding his duffle bag.
He clicked on the next photo and felt his heart stop though was unable to tear his eyes from what sat on his screen.
There, as clear as day, was Mariah, hanging off Ray's arm like a leech, placing a kiss upon his tanned cheek and by the fanged smile couldn't have looked happier about it.
He'd lied to him. Ray had straight up fucking lied to him.
This wasn't about wanting to see his family at all, it was so he could get away and be with HER!
Kai grit his teeth and took in a few deep breaths to calm the burning rage that was brewing inside him. His hands shaking as he clenched them into fists, keeping them squeezed tight to refrain himself from launching the laptop across the room.
Why would Ray do this to him? Was he really that awful of a partner to him?
His phone then dared to ping again and after snatching at it another sneer was sent down to it.
[T: Helloooo? U there?]
[K: Not in the mood Tala. Leave me alone.]
[T: Sheesh. U two fightin' again?]
Ohhhh he had no idea...
[K: I said leave me alone.]
[T: Ookayy! Well if u need a shoulder to cry on I could always come round?]
Kai wasn't sure exactly what made him do it.
Perhaps just being so deep in his foul mood after seeing the love of his life looking all cosy with that, he really had stopped giving a fuck anymore and called on Tala's bluff.
[K: Do what you want. Doors open.]
He didn't truly think for one second that the redhead would actually appear at his house considering how late into the evening it was now. The guy was all fucking talk after all.
His persistent flirtations were merely that. Flirtations. They held no substance, it was all just to pass the time and Kai was just playing along with him.
Tala had been joking. As had he.
However, fifteen minutes later his front door opened.
Tala hadn't been joking.
Snapping his head over just as he was about to take another sip from the drink he'd poured himself, Kai looked him up and down where he stood completely soaking wet in the doorway. Droplets of water dripping from darkened red strands that stuck to his face.
"It's raining?" he dumbly questioned.
Tala shot him a scowl before reaching around himself to pull off his black hoodie over his head.
"Nahh I just thought it'd be a great idea to jump in the shower fully clothed before coming over here.. Dickhead. Yes, it's fucking raining," he spat stating the blazing obvious as he let his drenched hoodie fall to the doormat.
Even with his earlier annoyance still swirling round him, Kai couldn't help but snort at the others misfortune before going for that sip of his drink.
"Don't start with me Tala if you know what's good for you," he warned, unsure now as to whether he was pleased for some company or not.
A scoff came from the doorway.
"Why, whatcha gonna do? Drown me with your tears?" he mocked, "Too late, I'm already piss wet through because of you, so go get me a towel or something, man, come on," Tala pressed as he pulled on the wet t-shirt that clung to his skin.
"You do know that no one actually asked you to come over here, right?" Kai reminded, a smug tone lacing his voice as he stood up from the couch and leisurely head for the stairs.
When he'd stepped past the wet dog in the hall, Tala didn't hesitate to slap his ass and keep his eyes on him, peering up the stairs as he ascended to prolong the view.
"Yeah but we all know you wanted me to so don't try pretend that you didn't!" he teased calling up to him. "And ta da! Here I am! Your knight in shining armour looking like a drowned rat for you!... You don't appreciate shit, Hiwatari."
Kai returned back down the stairs a few moments later with a towel that he chucked at Tala's head.
"Calm down, witch of the west, you won't melt..." he retorted, carrying some spare clothes into the living room and setting them down on the arm of the couch.
"Suppose you'll want a drink or something too, right?"
Tala roughly rubbed the towel over his hair to dry it off as he joined Kai in the living room.
"Yeah something strong. It's cold as fuck out there." He then put up his hands in defense with the towel being held in one of them. "I mean, if it ain't too much trouble for you, princess, I know hospitality ain't your strong point."
Kai tutted as he left the living room.
If he wasn't careful he'd spit in this drink...
Now in the kitchen Kai took a glass tumbler from the cupboard and opened the freezer door to take out some ice from the top shelf. Popping out a few of the frozen cubes they clinked together as they made contact with the glass.
He paused for a moment like reality had just gone and smacked him in the face.
Tala was in his house right now.
He'd just strolled through his front door like it was his own and he was now making him a drink like it was just a regular occurrence.
Why did it all seem so, weirdly normal?
Sure he'd had a drink himself already. Had wasted no time in becoming reacquainted with the alcohol cabinet after seeing Ray all cosy with that tramp.
But his inhibitions weren't that low.
Kai just shrugged it off, just appreciating the distraction for now before walking back through into the living room.
Tala, who was a lot drier now having changed out of his wet attire into the clothes Kai had given him, was noseying at his laptop.
It was strange seeing him dressed in his stuff.
"Do you mind?" Kai bit as he picked up the vodka bottle on the floor and poured into the glass before handing it to him.
"Nah, do you?" Tala challenged with a smirk, accepting the glass and watching Kai proceed to pick up his own drink back up from the table. "I'm surprised you're drinking again after last night.. You were pret-ty hammered..."
"Yeah well I've had a shit day," Kai muttered, brushing him off.
Tala chuckled a little, turning back to the look at the laptop screen.
"So I can see… who is she?" he asked referring to the photo Kai had left up.
"Like it matters..." he grumbled as he brought the glass up to his mouth only to pause as Tala raised his hand out to him.
"Hey woah, we need to toast first."
With the glass to his lips Kai blinked and furrowed his brows.
"The hell is there to toast to?"
Tala glanced up to the right as he pondered for a moment, a grin then appearing shortly after as he held out his glass towards the shorter male.
"To being warm and dry."
"You're an idiot," Kai shook his head and clinked his glass with Tala's to humour him before stepping back over to the couch.
"You love it," Tala smirked as he glanced at the computer screen a final time before closing it shut.
"Well she's got a good set of tits anyway whoever she is... I'd fuck her."
"You'd fuck anything," Kai muttered under his breath before taking a sip of his drink.
Quickly making himself at home Tala placed his own drink down on the floor and plopped down onto the large corner sofa two seats away from Kai with his arms spread out at either side of him.
"Nice place you got here," he commented as he gazed around the living room.
"Mhmm.." Kai hummed as a small silence fell upon them.
'Cos this wasn't turning awkward at all...
Turning his head to his left at the French doors Tala's mischievous grin made another appearance as he continued to try and make conversation.
"Real nice backyard too. Bet a total legend did all that for you."
"What are you doing here, Tala? Seriously?" Kai bit as he'd quickly grown tired of the constant banter.
Where was the off switch? He didn't understand how someone could play the joker all the damn time. Must be exhausting.
"Jeez can't a guy just come over and chill? Damn Kai and here I thought we were friends," he smirked as he picked up his drink again and gazed over his glass as he sipped.
Kai sent him a look.
"We all know 'friends' don't pull the shit you tried to last night."
At seeing the redhead again in the flesh, Kai had another flashback come to him whilst he was upstairs grabbing him a towel.
He didn't know whether to feel irritated that he'd taken advantage of him last night or embarrassed that he'd actually let him.
The wolfish grin deepened.
"Ah you did remember then? Must've left a good impression," he smugly said as he placed his drink back down on the table in front of him.
Kai scoffed before sending a sneer.
"Barely, so don't flatter yourself. Like you said I was trashed, so I don't remember much at all."
Tala's smile curled up further into his trademark smirk before he started to prowl towards him on all fours on the couch.
"Hm, well maybe, I could refresh your memory?"
Kai's expression remained indifferent as he watched him venture towards him.
Contrary to last night where he was completely under his spell to the point he could barely hold his own in a simple exchange of sass, he definitely felt a lot more in control of himself this evening.
He had only been sipping on his vodka after all with him still feeling a little delicate.
With Tala now completely in his space Kai shot him an unimpressed look to show he wasn't fazed. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice and let someone with an ego as big as his know how much power he truly had.
He looked straight into blue eyes seeking nothing but the truth. Hoping that lowering his tone to something serious would attract the same from the male opposite.
"Why are you really here?"
He would never admit it, but it kinda bothered Kai that he couldn't quite work this guy out.
For someone seemingly so open, jokey and carefree, Tala still had this mysterious air about him.
He knew he had a girlfriend at home, so what was the deal with that? Sure it was no excuse to cheat but, was he just as unhappy as he was in his relationship? Was he just one of many that he screwed around with?
The redhead had said before that Kai was the only one but did he really believe that now?
Why did he even care?!
As he was now close enough Tala gently cupped Kai's jawline and responded in a breathy whisper, expression appearing to be captivated as he scanned over his features.
"I'm here because I just can't seem to stay away from you Kai..."
Stroking at his cheek with his thumb he parted his own lips and closed his eyes whilst moving in for a delicate kiss but paused when Kai's index finger was placed on his mouth.
"That shit might work on your girl but I'm not that easy."
At the flat unimpressed tone Tala instantly flopped back into a seat next to Kai and threw his head back in laughter.
"Aw c'mon! Wasn't that convincing though!" His laughter continued. "Aw man, you know you almost believed that, come on, DiCaprio hasn't got shit on me."
Kai shook his head trying to remain indifferent but it was obvious by the smile tugging at his lips he found the guy's cockiness amusing.
He'd always usually distanced himself from the loud, 'life of the party' types. He just couldn't stand the arrogance.
Why was Tala so different? Why was he so attracted to his energy? He was sorta like Tyson in a way... except was insanely attractive, had a dark edge about him and had a fair few more brain cells...
Tala's eyes then suddenly brightened.
"Ahh! I know what I should have said! Ask me again, ask me why I'm here."
"Uh, no."
Kai's expression simmered back to that of disinterest.
Did he really come across as the playful type? Didn't think so...
"Oh come on, you absolute grouch," Tala groaned before goading him. "Y'know this is probably why Ray decided to leave you for a slut.. just got sick of looking at your miserable face."
He knew he was treading on thin ice here with Kai's plain expression now transitioning to a heated glare in his direction but Tala couldn't get enough of the fire that sat within those crimson eyes.
He did however love winding him up more. It was just too easy.
Kai really hadn't appreciated that kind of jab right now, but maybe Tala was right? Maybe Ray had just had enough of his 'grouch' ways.
It did make sense. He was nothing like Mariah.
What did Ray even see in him? You don't just go from a bubbly, sickly sweet girl to... him.
It made perfect sense why he'd go back...
He exhaled through his nose.
".. Why are you here..."
Even with the monotone Tala was pleased all the same that he finally decided to play along and quickly got back into character by placing a hand on his chest and dramatically clearing his throat.
He set up the scene again, reaching over to stroke Kai's cheek with his thumb and looked deep into his eyes.
".. I don't know, Kai.. I.. I think I'm in love with you..." he softly said as he held his gaze before the sour look on Kai's face caused him to break into laughter again.
He was so done with his shit, he could tell.
"No? Wouldn't have believed that?" he asked as his laughter simmered back down.
Kai shook his head as he stared off at nothing.
"Not in the slightest.. You? Love?" He scoffed, "That's hilarious."
Tala cocked a brow as he questioned him, "You saying I'm incapable of love, Hiwatari?"
Kai turned his attention to his nails as he bluntly responded, "Pretty sure if you were you wouldn't be sat on my couch... Where does she even think you are right now anyways?"
With his elbow on the back of the sofa Tala rested his head on his hand, a smug expression now sat on his face.
"Well what does that say about you then?" he redirected, which caused Kai's face to scrunch some.
"What? Answer my question."
Tala waved his hand at him.
"Nahh this isn't about me... I think me being here says a lot more about you than it does me."
Kai paused for a second before throwing another scowl.
"What about me?"
"Well you're the one that let me in," Tala stated.
"You let yourself in actually," Kai corrected.
Tala scoffed.
"Whatever. I didn't see you telling me to get out though, and you've yet to tell me to leave..." he countered.
Kai gestured towards the door as he flatly replied, "Get out then."
Tala rolled his eyes with a sigh before a snicker escaped his throat.
"God you're exhausting."
"I'm exhausting?" Kai pointed to himself. "I'm not even doing anything!"
"Ohhh you really are," Tala chuckled. "Why can't you just admit that you want me to stay? You're bored of whatever you have with Ray and that's why you're allowing all of this."
"I'm not allowing shit!" Kai snapped, raising his voice in frustration.
Why did everyone think he was the bad guy all the time?!
"Whatever dude. Lie to me all you want but if you're gonna sit there and lie to yourself then I think you're even more fucked up than I am," Tala candidly said as he reached for his drink and took a decent swig of it before setting it back down.
At least when asked he'd admit he was an asshole, this kid genuinely seemed to have no clue.
Kai turned his body on the couch to completely face him, their eyes locking.
"Okay what am I doing? Tell me. What am I allowing?"
Tala then grabbed the back of Kai's neck and without warning pulled him in to a kiss, their lips instantly fitting perfectly together like two puzzle pieces, almost like they were meant for each other.
It was like déjà vu.
He wasted no time in completely inviting himself into Kai's mouth, their tongues passionately dancing briefly before he was pushed off and Kai shot up from the couch like a rocket, Tala rising to his feet too seconds after.
"I think you should leave," Kai panted out as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"You sure you want that?" the other asked in a breath, closing the gap between them again and grabbing at slate hair to crash their lips together once more.
Kai melted into it, automatically returning the kiss. He couldn't help it. Tala was like a drug to him, one look, one touch and he was high on desire in an instant.
It was Tala that then abruptly broke off their kiss, tone serious as he spoke.
"If you want me to go Kai I'll go. Just say the word."
Kai's breaths were shallow and his lips had stayed parted from where the other pair had left them. His eyes immediately glancing down to them, desperate for the contact again.
".. Just, one more," was his breathy demand as he took a fistful of Tala's shirt to pull him back in again.
Despite his own lightheadedness Tala smirked into the kiss as he followed Kai's lead. Letting him dominate the kiss, his hands began to wander underneath Kai's shirt which caused the shorter male to see sense and break off from him.
"Right, go," he firmly said as he panted and straightened up his shirt.
"Alright, if that's what you want..." Tala calmly said as he caught his own breath.
He picked up his glass from the table to down the rest of the remaining liquid, gesturing to himself once he'd swallowed.
"What about your clothes?"
"Just keep 'em, it's fine," Kai blurted out in his fluster.
Tala gave him a nod as he set the empty glass back down.
"Mmkay..."
He slowly stepped past him heading in the direction of the door but turned on his heel and came back up behind him, wrapping his arms around Kai's stomach where he sent his husky voice into his eardrum.
"You really sure you want me to leave, Kai?"
God he loved how he said his name...
No, he wasn't sure at all.
It was clear Tala wanted to stay and it was also apparently obvious that Kai didn't really want him to leave.
Feeling his hot breath against his neck caused Kai to melt further into him and instantly tilt his head to expose more of his ivory skin.
Tala took both this and his silence as a secure go ahead to continue and his hands began to wander up the front of Kai's shirt again. His fingers caressing his toned stomach, delicately feeling each line along his perfect physique as he nuzzled his neck with delicate kisses.
Kai urged himself to retract and listen to his inner conscience screaming at him to resist but he let his eyes flutter shut and enjoy the electricity prickle his skin with every single touch.
He felt a hand slip into his sweatpants and begin to explore his boxer shorts. A soft moan escaping him at the firm grip on his now throbbing member within.
The sexual chemistry, the fire between the two of them was mind blowing. The redhead seemed to know how to turn on every single one of his switches to the point trying to get in reverse gear was near enough impossible.
With Tala now working him at a steady pace, Kai gripped hold of the thighs behind to steady his weakening knees, his teeth sinking into his lower lip to soften the sounds escaping him.
"Admit it, Kai. I can read your body better than he can." His voice was low, almost deadly as he purred into Kai's ear.
"I can tell how fast your hearts pounding in your chest right now. I can see how you shiver every time I say your name..."
Flicking his tongue against Kai's ear lobe he nibbled on it lightly, letting his words sink in before going and pouring more fuel on the simmering flames.
"I know how much you want me to kiss and suck every inch of you... You're so used to being in control you just can't get enough of the feeling of having none... being completely dominated..."
"Am I right, Kai?"
At hearing his name in that tone again Kai couldn't take it anymore.
Feeling his tongue on his skin. His warm breath in his ear. What little resistance he had left was crumbling.
He couldn't fight this. Tala's very scent was flooding his senses to the point that the part of his brain that dealt with morals, dignity and common sense had entirely shut down, his raw animal-self taking completely over.
"Upstairs," Kai's voice shook with desperation.
Gripping hold of Tala's hand he pulled it out from his pants before turning to face him. His voice transitioning to a firm command.
"Upstairs. Now."