Chapter 18 - Bittersweet
It was a usual morning in the Hiwatari/Kon household.
Kai being up and showered first even though he'd given himself the day off, and Ray sluggishly following in his footsteps as he got ready for a gruelling shift at the restaurant.
With the air being a lot clearer between the two of them after their first therapy session yesterday with Dr Lange which was followed by a cute pizza date afterwards, Ray had slept the heaviest he had in a long time. All uncertainty of their relationship slowly draining away with every bite of pepperoni and laugh into a glass of coke.
If it wasn't for the fair hand lightly shaking him awake this morning he'd be running late right now as his alarm clock hadn't even stirred him.
Whilst there seemed to be no obvious tension between them Ray couldn't help but feel something was off between them still. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Kai just seemed not really with it this morning. He'd even go as far to say he was a little, distant?
It was no secret the Russian wasn't a huge conversationalist, even less so before his morning coffee, but it'd been like talking to a wall since the two of them had got out of bed.
He could sense something was bothering him, obviously had something on his mind, but whenever he asked 'what was up' Kai assured him it was nothing and he was fine.
They'd made progress yesterday hadn't they? Why didn't he just tell him what was wrong?
"Hey what time did you say you'd be home from work tonight?" Kai then asked from the kitchen as he made himself his first coffee and Ray tied his shoe laces out in the hall.
"6:30.. for the third time.." Came the reminder as Ray straightened himself up and reached for his denim jacket on one of the coat hooks.
Why did he keep asking? And how many times did he have to tell him?!
Kai sent him a nod though it was more to himself as he leaned against the counter and took a sip of the heaven in his mug, engraining the time into his mind and going over all of his elaborate plans and tasks for the day that needed to be completed before said time.
Blitz the entire house; Do the dishes; Laundry; Pick up his suit from the dry cleaners; Stop by the grocery store to get all the ingredients for dinner tonight; Candles! Don't forget candles..
Get a hair cut; Stop by the florist on the way home; Start dinner; Shower; Change into suit; Cologne; WINE!
Pick up a bottle of wine from the grocery store too which was before the hair cut right?.. and candles! God he can't forget the bloody candles.. maybe he should write a list.. Ooh he did like a good list..
"Earth to Kaiiii?" Ray sung out waving his arm at him as he stood half way out the front door.
"Hn?!" Crimson eyes shot across his cup as he was brought back to the room and having noticed the door was open figured Ray was leaving for work now.
"Oh, have a good day at work babe." He said lifting his mug up to him.
Ray just tutted, shook his head at him and walked out the house closing the door shut behind him.
The sun was bright out though wasn't providing tanned skin with much warmth as Autumn was in full swing now.
He'd need to start wearing his thicker jacket soon and part of him wished he'd grabbed it just now but he knew as soon as he got to work and the lunch time rush was under way he'd be sweating buckets in that kitchen.
He sighed through his nose a little.
Whilst Ray enjoyed his strolls to work as they gave him time to ponder, his overthinking wasn't always welcomed.
They had promised each other they were both going to be more open and honest moving forward, so what was the deal with this?
Maybe Kai just needed a little more time...
He was due for his own personal therapy session tomorrow with Dr Lange so maybe she could get what was wrong out of him.
She got more out of him than what he'd anticipated on sharing that day that was for sure.
Whilst the whole reason they were there was because of what he'd done with Mariah, and he knew it was more than likely going to get brought up at some point, having to admit to his feelings in front of Kai was something he hadn't really wanted to do or had expected for that matter.
He'd like to say he hadn't given the girl a second thought since he got back, but it had been hard not to when she was trying to call and text him every other hour of the day.
Was she just trying to cause trouble again? Couldn't she take a damn hint?
He felt shady as hell having to keep his phone on silent all the time so had to just block her in the end. Growing tired of the 'Please call me back. We really need to talk' messages.
No, they didn't need to talk at all! What else did they really have to say to each other?
That bridge had royally been burnt now, there was no going back after what they'd done. There was no grounds for salvation of any relationship... not even friendship.
He took a glance at his phone to check the time, his feet in turn starting to walk quicker as he'd slowed his pace with his mind wandering.
All that mattered now was him and Kai. He just wished he knew what the problem was now..
The second the front door had closed Kai turned to the sink behind him and flicked on the tap.
He'd start with the dishes, and then clean round the living room. Get all downstairs sorted and tidied first and then up.
He took a glance to his Rolex.
10am.
Loads of time.
He'd already part set up the dining room knowing Ray usually never went in there and had Tiffany pre-order a nice bouquet as he didn't know shit about flowers.
The itinerary was in place, he just had to make sure he kept an eye on the time and didn't get side tracked with anything.
Mission 'Perfect night in' is a go!
x-x-x
The lunch time rush was slowly but surely coming to an end, Ray having been whisked off his feet the moment he'd walked in this morning as his sous chef Marie had been sent home due not feeling so good.
Wiping his forehead with his arm he took in a deep inhale to catch his breath as he stood at the stove preparing one of the final orders of food that was due to go out a few minutes ago.
"Hey Ray, there's a girl out front asking to see you."
The restaurant's head waiter Carlos picked up and balanced three plates of food from the counter on his arm as he spoke across to him.
"I told her we're really busy and if it could wait 'til you get off at five thirty but she said it was urgent." He added with as much of a shrug as he could give without tilting the plates too much.
Ray cocked a brow as his head lifted from the steaming wok he was currently stood over and stirring the contents of.
A girl? What was Hilary doing here? Ugh he really didn't need whatever this was right now. He was multi-tasking here as it was.
"Just, give me a second.." His voice then trailed off, focus going on another pan now as he reached over for a plate from the stacked pile behind him.
"Is she out front? Tell her to go round the side out back."
Carlos sent him a nod before taking his leave from the kitchen, pushing on the swing door with his back, dark brown eyes then locking with golden ones as he turned back around and approached the girl again whilst sill balancing the plates on his arm to be served to customers.
Mariah shifted in her oversized white hoodie, taking a glance around at the overwhelming amount of people currently sitting in the restaurant. Members of staff dashing back and forth in front of her making her feel both out of place and just generally in the way.
"He said he won't be long." Carlos informed her before quickly explaining further. "You need to wait out back for him though, he won't be able to talk to you out here. Go out to the left and through the metal gate, there's a small courtyard, wait in there."
Mariah silently nodded to him though it was missed as he'd already dashed off to serve the dishes of food to customers.
She hadn't wanted to do it this way. Not that she'd wanted to do any of this at all, but since she couldn't get a hold of him on his phone or through any of his social media she'd had no other choice but to book a flight from China and come all the way over here.
Making her way down the dingy cobbled alleyway she followed Carlos's directions and head round the back of the restaurant.
Hesitantly pushing open the metal gate with an eerie creak she stood in the small courtyard and took in her surroundings.
There was a white wooden door that looked like it was due another coat of paint wide open, and with the smell of food and sounds of voices calling out orders pouring out of it she could only presume this led to the kitchen.
She waited for what felt like an eternity, a wave of nausea coursing through her every time she heard Ray's voice talking with the other members of staff.
Laughing and joking..
It had been weeks since she'd so much as even cracked a smile and whilst she didn't want to be the intentional cause of any more of Ray's heartache this wasn't just her pain to bear anymore.
Eventually gold met gold as Ray came to step out of the doorway, his heart sinking instantly the second he processed who 'the girl' was and stood there frozen in place.
Everything around him lost all traces of sound, smell, and even his vision began to constrict; the world under his feet feeling as it were tilting beneath him.
What the hell was she dong here?! Everything was slowly building back up with Kai and if he knew she was here it would surely set them right back to square one!
"Mariah.." He managed to say, though his throat had completely dried up.
"I need to talk to you Ray.."
Whilst her broken tone lacked urgency it drowned in grave solemnity.
Shifting where she stood she willed her feet to walk, gingerly shuffling closer to him where she felt safe.
She just wanted him to hold her, tell her that everything was going to be alright but seeing that Ray had instantly retreated from her, taking a step back, she knew that wasn't going to happen.
"Ray.."
"What do you want Mariah?" He cut off in a low growl, avoiding looking at her completely.
Part of why he couldn't bring himself to even take a glimpse of her was due to his own guilt. He'd never felt like such scum remembering how he'd just cast her aside like used goods the second he'd cum inside her.
"Just get out." Ray snapped as he sat himself up, pulling himself around and finding his pants on the floor.
"What, why?!" She shrieked at him as she jumped to her hands and knees behind him.
"Just go..." He said as he climbed off the bed, snatching up his pants and taking them to the bathroom without looking back at her.
Mariah stared and gaped as the bathroom door closed, the anger and rage building back within her as she jumped off the bed and snatched up her clothes.
"You are something else Ray!" She spouted as she hooked her arms through her bra straps, "You just wanted to go and get your dick wet; I see how it is!" She snapped loudly.
He'd then taken off the next morning without a trace, getting on the first bus to the airport and catching the next available flight back to Japan.
Mariah deserved something for all that she'd done, but no one deserved that kind of treatment. He wasn't raised to treat anyone like that.
"Just.. spit it out, I have to get back to work." He pressed.
Mariah braced herself.
She wasn't sure what made her take her next actions, perhaps the fact he was still refusing to look at her, but she stepped to him anyway, took a hold of his face with both her hands and pressed her lips against his.
All that she'd said to him whilst they were in China she'd meant every word. All of it. And everything she'd said to him during all the years they'd spent together before that.
She loved him, always had loved him, and always will.
Love makes you do stupid things, and she had plenty of regrets but loving him would never be one of them.
Ray stood frozen, both time and his heart stopping.
At the pressure on his lips his eyes automatically fell closed for a second before he pushed her off of him in a flash.
"Have you lost your fucking mind?!" He spat, the back of his hand coming up to quickly wipe his mouth, his eyes now slitting, running up and down her person in disgust.
Whilst he may have admitted to Dr Lange he'd always have feelings for her he never specified what feelings. Turns out, in this moment, with his chest heaving and his eyes locked on her now, that feeling was pure hate.
His upper lip curled back, almost like a snarl, wanting to turn and just leave her there without a word; She didn't deserve words after that!
Mariah had caught her balance fine from the shove back, though stared back at him now with watery eyes.
She'd seen that look before during the many years she'd known him, but it was never aimed at her. He'd never looked at her like that; Like she was the absolute scum of the Earth.
She instantly broke off her gaze from his, feeling awfully uncomfortable now.
She knew what she did was wrong. She shouldn't have deleted Kai's text messages, shouldn't have hidden Ray's phone, and she shouldn't have kissed him just now.
She knew all of this but all she ever wanted was him! Couldn't he see that?! The entire time they were in China together she had thought he'd felt the same!
All the day's they'd spent together, and then that night when they'd crossed back over that line again made her feel that everything was solidified.
But that wasn't the case clearly. Like she'd said to him he was just wanting to get his rocks off.
"I'm.. I'm sorry I just-"
She dared to take another glance up at him, only to see his back was facing her now and was heading back through the door into the kitchen.
"Ray, wait! Please!" Her voice cracked as she whimpered out.
Like nails raking on a chalk board, his ears burned at hearing his name come out that poisonous mouth of hers again. His back tensing as his blood boiled.
"Leave me alone." He bit out in warning, not even bothering to turn back and face her.
He didn't care what she had to say now. He wasn't going to fall for her tricks again. Wasn't going to fall for her lies.
"B-But Ray.." Mariah stuttered as the genuine tears began to slip down her tanned cheeks.
Did the fact she'd come all the way over here mean nothing to him?
Whilst she accepted her wrongs, it takes two to tango and Ray had to accept his responsibilities also.
"Why are you doing this Ray?! Why are you trying to completely ignore me?!" She bit out in her frustration.
Ray's brows furrowed together, he had half a mind to just keep walking and leave her standing there like he had originally planned, while another part forced him to step up to her.
It was now or never that he had to draw the line he should have made a long time ago, make it clear to her that what happened would never happen again and that whatever she felt for him, whatever he felt for her, needed to be squashed out in the here and now.
"You really have to ask that? You really couldn't take the hint and just leave me be?" He hissed out low in her face, "I have been trying to clean up the mess I made of my relationship with the man I love, so excuse me if I didn't have time to entertain snakes like you." He sneered.
Mariah took a slight step back as his face neared hers, his words dripping in poison.
She'd be lying if she said the tone he'd just used wasn't scaring her somewhat right now. She'd always felt protected beside him before, but now.. She was starting to regret even coming here but why should she be the only one being left with sleepless nights whilst he's all snuggled up with the 'man he loves'?
"If you loved him so much Ray you wouldn't have done what you did with me so easily!" She spat in retaliation, the tears continuing to stream down her cheeks.
As the words left her mouth she wanted to take them back almost instantly as the last thing she wanted right now was to rile him up even more. But truth be told she was still holding on to so much anger from that final night they'd spent together that she couldn't hold it back anymore.
She never would have expected that night to be their last, and hadn't expected it to play out how it did at all.
She'd cried the entire day once she'd been told from one of the Elders that Ray had left the village again. No chance of fixing anything, no chance to even say goodbye.
He'd just gone.
Ray's fists clenched at his sides, his pupils getting thinner.
He didn't need her to remind him of what he did, he knew it all too well. He had crossed a line that should never have been crossed, had taken what he and Kai had built up and tore down with his own two hands.
The blame didn't solely lie at her feet, he knew that too, accepted it even, but what Mariah had just said was partly true and that's exactly why he had done it.
It was easy.
Way too easy to just fall back into her in that moment when it was happening because it was familiar, was a comfort he felt his body needed after all the uncertainty with Kai.
He'd be lying to her if he said there was no emotion there when it happened. Like he'd said in Dr Lange's office he probably always will love her, and the feeling of being inside her again may have sparked something, but in the moment when his animalistic side had taken over he could be convinced he loved whoever he was screwing if they were tight enough.
When it was all said and done, when it was all over and the wave of ultimate satisfaction had simmered, there was only one person on his mind, and it wasn't her.
"Why do you think it was so easy? Because you were and always have been. You've thrown yourself at me constantly and I was the idiot who kept allowing it. That falls on me, but don't you dare stand there and act like you didn't know what you were trying to do, have done, all along since Kai and I got together." He seethed with hot angry breaths, his arms trembling with the pent up emotions he felt rushing through him all at once.
He couldn't stop his sharp tongue now. Any guilt or remorse he'd once felt for her had disappeared entirely.
"It was a mistake, all of it was, if I could take it back I would in a heart beat. So, take the hint I've been giving and leave. Me. Alone. I want nothing more to do with you, do you understand? NOTHING!"
What remained of Mariah's heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
Roughly wiping her streaming eyes with her sleeve she sniffled, the mix of anger, her feeling an utter fool for coming here, and gut wrenching heart break swirled within her.
She had to try and get it together though. She had come here for a reason and as Ray had said earlier she just needed to spit it out.
It was now or never.
Whilst it was hard to ignore the glare he was throwing her way and the burning lump in her throat she firmly started to speak to him as best as she could considering her hoarse throat.
"Ok fine! But you have to listen to me Ray! The reason I'm here is-"
"-I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY MARIAH!" Ray screamed at her, hoping the volume would make it into her pretty dense head. "I can't spell it out any clearer than that. Leave me alone!"
Turning on his heel he just left her there in the courtyard alone with tear stained cheeks and red puffy eyes.
He didn't need to deal with any of this, especially at work, though a faint flicker of curiosity dared to spark his interest.
What was so damn important she had to come all the way over to Japan just to say it?
Stepping into the kitchen again the warmth of the food and ovens hit him again and all he wanted to do now was just leave and go home.
He wiped his lips again for good measure but still felt dirty, the heat and smell of this place only making him feel worse.
"Everything ok Ray? You good?" Came a voice from one of the kitchen staff noticing the lead chef didn't look too chirpy now, and they'd all be lying if they said they hadn't heard him tearing someone a new one out there.
"Yeah.." He sighed out though the only good thing that had come from his outing just now was the cool air on his skin.
Brushing it all off and getting his chef head back on he picked off the slips of paper the waiters had stuck on the board and read out the latest orders that had come through. Calling to the entire kitchen in his usual firm but encouraging tone.
"C'mon, let's finish this service alright guys, I need two plates of the Peking duck, four katsu curries, and three of the seafood donburi."
"Yes chef!"
x-x-x
Everything was in place now.
The fresh flowers, perfectly arranged in a vase upstairs in their bedroom, the bottle of wine sitting on the dinner table with two sparkling glasses placed in front of either chair. The cutlery professionally placed beside each glass placemat..
The food was in the oven, almost ready, all he needed to do was change into his shirt and-
"Hellooo.. Kai?"
Shit! Ray?!
Eyes darted to the clock on the wall when he'd heard the voice call him from the hall.
He hadn't even heard the door open!
And he still needed to light the candles!
Frantically pulling the box of matches out from his trouser pocket Kai pulled one out before striking it against the red strip on the side. The flame flickering immediately and being hovered over the long stick candle in the centre of the table before rushing to the several other tea lights he had dotted around the dining room.
"Just a second!" He sang back in response over his shoulder, clearly getting flustered as he heard the footsteps approaching.
He hadn't realised the time, had been that preoccupied with ensuring everything was perfect he'd forgotten to keep an eye on the clock; and also the flame that was now quickly burning up the match still clutched between fair fingers.
He cursed out loud under his breath before shaking out the flame, disposing of it in a small trash can and quickly lighting another match for the rest of the candles.
On the other side of the door, out in the hall, Ray had head towards the kitchen expecting to be able to just grab a beer from the fridge, but paused at the closed door to read the little sticky note that had been stuck to it baring Kai's handwriting.
'Do not enter. Staff only.'
Huh? He was staff.. wasn't he?
"Kai where are you?" He called out getting annoyed now.
He was in no mood for whatever this was. He was hungry, just wanted a drink and to forget today even happened.
Work had been tiring as it was, and then for her to turn up just added to the mental draining on an already physically draining day.
Kai then popped his head out from the dining room door though kept the rest of his body out of view.
"Hey."
Ray looked back over his shoulder, turning to face him and just sent a look to the floating head.
"The hell are you doing? What's with the sticky note?" He asked pointing back to the makeshift sign on the kitchen door.
"You should go upstairs." Kai ignored the questions completely and gestured over to the stairs with a tilt of his head.
Ray made a face.
"Why? I don't need t-"
"-Just go will you? Be quick." Kai cut him off, quickly tiring of the back and forth himself, slipped back in to the room and closed the door.
He'd done a good thing dammit, go have a look see!
A sound of irritation escaped the other as Ray rolled his eyes and huffed up the stairs like a child that had been sent to bed early.
He could have a shower he guessed, get himself changed into something comfy.
With a push open of the bedroom door golden eyes were drawn to the huge bouquet of flowers sat on his bedside table before then immediately trailing over to the emerald green shirt and crisp black trousers that were hung up on his wardrobe.
He squinted his eyes some trying to read yet another sticky note that was stuck beside them before heading over and pulling it off the door.
'Wear this for dinner. Underwear optional ;)'
A smirk found it's way to his lips before his palm met his face.
God he loved him but he really could not be bothered with this right now..
He just wanted to slump, eat shit and have a hard drink, but by gosh that shirt was beautiful and these flowers!
He turned to the vase again, bending slightly to smell them, the smile still sitting on his face.
Gorgeous..
Meanwhile downstairs Kai took one final look of his little home made restaurant, doing a final check of everything as he buttoned his cufflinks. His own pressed dinner shirt being hung up in this room and changing into it once he'd sent Ray up the stairs.
The candles were all lit.. his eyes did a quick scan. Yep, all lit. Wine in place.
A slight smirk sat on his face, proud of his little set up.
"Are you ready babe?" He then called up to Ray from the doorway.
"Yeah just a second!" Came the reply that seemed a lot more chirpier in tone than ten minutes ago.
He must've liked the new shirt and flowers..
Picking up his cologne from the fire place he spritz at either side of his neck, paused for a second before shrugging and spritzing his crotch.
Just in case y'know?
Hiding the bottle then in a random drawer in the glass cabinet that stood beside the fireplace Kai then turned to the small electrical device sitting on top of it.
"Alexa..?"
Not that he often did, but he felt like a complete tool every time he spoke to this daft thing that Ray wanted so much, sceptical of who was actually behind this secret spy he'd willingly allowed into his home.
With the gadget lighting up, giving him her undivided attention, he continued.
"Play some smooth jazz.."
Having brushed through his hair, washed his face and sprayed some body spray to mask some of the food smell Ray started to head back downstairs in the clothes Kai had picked out for him.
He'd have preferred to have had a shower and get properly fixed up, but Kai had said to be quick and with the kitchen being off bounds he could only presume they weren't going out and they were having dinner at home.
"Kai?" He then cautiously called out at the bottom of the stairs, the Russian nowhere to be seen again.
The dining room door then opened, his vision immediately fixing on the other male sporting his own deep purple shirt and black trousers.
A stupid smile fixed itself on Ray's face.
Helluuurrrrr
"Good evening, I believe you have a reservation at our restaurant tonight Monsieur Kon." Kai greeted in his best telephone voice.
"Do I?" Ray sent back, placing a hand on his chest in false surprise and adopting the same upper class tone Kai had just used. "I mean this is news to me but alright."
Ray then lightly chuckled before entering the dining room after Kai had gestured for him to go in.
It wasn't often they came to eat in here. Was mainly used at Christmas and birthday's when they had a number of guests over at the house. But the way Kai had dressed it all up he'd be requesting dinner in here every night now as it was just beautiful.
The dark oak table that usually sat eight had just two chairs placed facing each other, along with two glass placemats, two wine glasses, a whole load of cutlery that Kai was going to have to remind which set he used first, and a long stick candle flickering in the centre of it all.
The dark red velvet curtains were drawn to a close, the lights had been dimmed, the wall mounted display had a crackling log fire on the screen and, was that, jazz?
"Kai.." Ray breathed out as he admired their setting for the evening.
It all becoming clear in an instant on why he'd seemed so spaced out this morning. He'd been planning all this for them.
"What's all this for?"
A proud little smile appeared on the Russian's face as he crept up behind him and wrapped his arms around the other's stomach.
"No reason," He replied in the same hushed tone, placing a kiss on his cheek before softly speaking into his ear. "Just thought I'd show you how much I want to make this work with you."
Ray's throat then started to feel a little tight, and his eyes began to fill up some.
It wasn't as if he wasn't aware of how sweet Kai could be, but the instances were so far and few between each one often made his heart burst to the point he couldn't hold back the emotion.
Knowing him from being this cold stoic kid who didn't know the meaning of the word love, through no fault of his own, but to now setting up a little home restaurant in their dining room and making, he presumed from all the cutlery, a three course dinner for them.
"So what are we having?" Ray then managed to ask, the happy lump in his throat simmering down some.
"Hn?" Kai hummed, his lips still pecking soft kisses on his skin, until he twigged what Ray had said and his eyes immediately widened.
"Shit!"
Bolting off of him he quickly retracted his arms from around Ray's waist and darted from the dining room into the kitchen to check on the food in the oven having completely forgotten about it.
Alone in the 'restaurant' now Ray laughed to himself again when he noticed a folded piece of paper over on the oak wood table next to the candle stand.
Picking it up he looked over it before snorting out louder.
'Fancy Menu.' Sat on the top line, again scrawled in Kai's handwriting, and underneath was apparently the name of his makeshift restaurant along with the day he opened.
'Chez Hiwatari. Est. Today.'
What a dork. He thought to himself his smile still fixed in place as he pulled out one of the chairs and eased himself down into it before opening up the piece of paper to read the inside.
Kai had a way with words that's for sure. The starter, main and dessert sounding better than what was on Pierre's menu by a long shot.
'A rich Belgian chocolate fondant accompanied with a summer fruit coulis, dusted with edible gold flakes.'
Ray practically drooled wanting to skip straight to dessert if that's what they were having..
It wasn't long before Kai re-entered in a slight fluster, holding two smallish plates in each hand containing their starter.
Setting one down in front of him, the other where he was sitting opposite, Kai sat back down into his chair and in his best French accent gave him:
"Bon appétit Monsieur Kon."
Swoooooon!
Digging straight in, a comfortable silence fallen upon them, the two had finished their small starter in no time, and having brought through their mains Kai sat himself back down before starting conversation.
"So how was your day?" He asked taking a glance over across the table and placing a fork full of food into his mouth.
Ray's heart had skipped a beat at the question not even wanting to think about anything that had happened prior to him coming home this evening.
"Busy." He bluntly gave him without meaning to, cutting into the piece of chicken breast on his plate. "Marie was off sick so I was basically running two stations at lunch."
"Ah that sucks.. She alright?" His tone held minor concern. He'd met her once or twice when he'd picked him up from work the odd time. She seemed nice enough.
"Mhm.. Yeah." Was all Ray responded with as he kept his gaze down on his plate, really not wanting to talk about work any more, or the day he'd had in general.
Kai slowly nodded to him, taking the clear hint and left it, fixing back on his own food.
Must've been a pretty rough day..
"So.. you like it?" He then asked after a moment of silence, trying to keep up the conversation and gesturing to the plate in front when golden eyes looked up to him.
"Mm! Yeah! It's delicious babe! You've really out done yourself." He'd sent Kai a smile though his words clearly didn't make the male opposite feel any better as he just gave him a simple nod and looked back down to his plate.
Ray had noticed the half smile and the fact he was pushing his food around some now, he could tell he'd brought Kai's mood down with his and felt awful now.
He reached out to him across the table, crimson eyes glancing to it before a fair hand silently joined it in the middle and intertwined.
"I'm sorry babe today was just.. long.. Tonight's been really lovely though so thank you.."
Kai gazed into the appreciative eyes that were locked on him before sending him another smile and squeezing his hand a little.
"Well get used to it 'cos I'm gonna be doing this a whole lot more from now on." He promised.
It hadn't been all that difficult.
Sure it took him two attempts with that damn broccoli puree but he just never had to do that again..
Having finished off the dessert Ray had looked forward to after seeing it on the menu and it being as divine as it sounded, he exhaled a content sigh as he leaned back into his chair and placed his hands on his full stomach.
"That. Was. Delicious."
Kai smacked his lips together and placed his spoon down as he finished shortly afterwards.
"Mm was alright wasn't it?"
He'd definitely be buying – uh, making that dessert again...
"I'll go ahead and do the dishes." Ray then announced, sliding his chair back as he went to stand up from the table but was stopped by a sudden hand being held up to him.
"Ohh no no.. the date isn't over yet.."
Ray frowned a little in confusion, freezing in place.
"What do you mean?"
Kai eased himself up from his chair, waving for Ray to sit back down which he did and started to head out of the room, Ray's head turning as he followed him walk to the door.
"Give me two minutes okay?"
Ray nodded to him staying put at the table, making himself useful and reached for Kai's dessert plate and placed it on top of his to help tidy up a little.
What else could he possibly have planned for them?
"Hey Ray, come into the living room!"
Hearing Kai's call Ray did as he was told and stood up from the table, leaving the remains of their dinner date behind and wandered out into the hall and to the room adjacent.
Once more a ridiculous smile appeared on the Chinese male's face when he took a glance around the room. A chuckle escaping him as he bashfully approached the other who had a TV remote in one hand, and a bowl of popcorn in the other.
"I thought we could catch a movie too? Unless you had to get yourself home or something.."
Turning to the TV Kai pressed play on the remote and chucked it on the couch, beckoning him over with a tilt of his head.
Ray's lips parted though closed again fixing into a coy smile..
God he loved him!
With Kai sitting himself down on the sofa Ray walked over to join him, snuggling into his side and resting his head on his shoulder.
"Dinner and movies.. wow you must really like me huh?"
Kai just smirked, holding out the bowl of popcorn for him.
"Something like that.."
Taking a small hand full Ray popped it in his mouth before Kai reached for his own handful.
"Don't be getting used to this though," Kai continued, "Dinner is one thing but the cinema is expensive nowadays, that'll have to be once a month kinda thing.. when you've been good."
It was then Ray's turn to smirk.
"Ahh Is that so?.. What if I don't feel like being good though?"
A slate head of hair then tilted to him before walking fair finger's up the other's thigh.
"Well, a bad boy would deserve a different evening entirely.."
Ray then grabbed a hold of the cheeky hand that had crawled towards his crotch and giggled out before taking a pointless look around their empty living room and tried to use Kai's own game against him.
"You can't do that in a movie theatre Kai, god, people might see us.."
His face was then turned to lock with ruby coloured eyes, when the same fair hand wriggled out of his lose grip and lifted to his jawline.
"Shhh.. no one's looking.."