stardustly | general open post

[ that was better. some of the tightness in his chest evaporated just to see kai like this again. this was good. it had to be, if kai was relaxing and coming closer again. pressing a kiss to his lips.

implying more to happen soon. maybe it would be simpler if neve could simply say this had mattered to him, but doing so felt like admitting kai was partt of this, part of his life. which meant facing possible consequences he didn't want to imagine. the queen would have too much fun.

but he pushed that aside, lips quirking into a smile instead. ]

Are you already thinking about round two?

Maybe and I might even let you join in.

[ A stupid joke, really, but he wanted to try and lighten the air and bring things back to how they were before. Neve cared, he had to, and Kai just couldn't understand why he pushed him away. It made things even more confusing but he'd try to roll with it, attempt to give Neve what he needed.

He just wanted to be what someone needed.

Sliding off the bed again, he stretched a little. ]

Last one to the kitchen has to do all the washing!

[ And he took off without even attempting to make it fair. Winning mattered too much. ]

Wh — Hey! [ he called after kai, perfectly eager to leave the emotionally charged moment behind. it was too much, really. he had to set it aside. for now kai could stay for breakfast, and they could play these games and tease each other and... try not to flirt too much and fail.

he got up speedily, dashing after kai to try and catch up to him in the kitchen.

which was ridiculous, because he could wash dishes with a wave of his hands, so he didn't really need to win.

but it was playful, and light, and he wanted to go back to that too for a while longer. ]

You cheated!

[ A very wide smile greeted Neve when he finally entered the kitchen, a happy dance following not long after. He just really couldn't help himself and wanted to continue to make things lighter around them before it all fell apart because know he knew it really would. Neve spent too much time catching and releasing him, eventually the latter would overtake the former.

Why did he stick around? He should have just stepped away and put things to rest but he couldn't. Even if it hurt, he wanted those smiles and laughter from Neve. ]

You call it cheating, I call it winning! Now, what do you like to eat for breakfast? This is very important and I will judge you.

[ kai was so cute. it only made this hurt more. how badly he wanted to be with him properly, how guilty he felt for allowing even this much closeness when he couldn't commit to him the way he deserved.

it would blow up in his face, eventually. he knew that.

but right now, they both wanted to just be with each other. ]

Oatmeal and fruits. [ deadpan. he's serious. ]

[ The answer earned a nose crinkle, soon followed by a short laugh. Far too fond, fringed with feelings he kept trying not to have. Because each time he reached out for Neve he only came up with thin air. ]

You're a grandpa breakfast type. Why am I even surprised? [ A light tease as he moved around the kitchen, trying to locate things. ]

I prefer eggs and toast. Buttery toast. Sometimes with noodles if I feel like making them.

Are you saying I act like a grandpa? [ is that why youre not surprised, kai??? he's... conflicted about this.

but helps kai find what he needs, pulling out eggs and a pan for him. ]

I have noodles sometimes. Or left over pizza. [ but usually keeps it light for breakfast, and thats his right, OK KAI?? ]

[ A soft laugh left his lips as he set the pan on the stove and began working on the eggs and toast. It felt playful and light between them, something he wanted to last but knew it wouldn't. Love never really worked, a lesson his parents taught him and others in his family's life. He just didn't have a lot of faith in happy endings even if he longed for one so badly.

Eyes flicking over towards Neve he leaned in to give him a kiss. ]

Do you prefer homemade oatmeal or the instant kind?

Homemade! [ he sounds almost petulant. please, kai, who do you think he is?

he likes watching kai in his kitchen like this, making himself breakfast. he starts taking out ingredients for his own, but doesn't really start... does kai want to make this for him? ]

I have all the stuff. I can cut up my fruit or something.

Go sit down. I am taking care of this. [ The words were spoken as he waggled a spatula in the air towards Neve's direction. ] I've made homemade oatmeal before. [ A pause. ] My grandmother likes it.

[ The smirk returned to his face as he set about making breakfast for both of them, casting side long glances at Neve.

Eventually, he placed it all on the table, fishing around for the fruit to cut up to complete things. ]

Your breakfast is served. [ He gave a little bow. ]

[ it's... kind of nice, actually, to have someone else make his breakfast. when it's placed in front of him, it looks perfect. ]

Thank you. [ he takes a piece of fruit and eats it, looking at kai curiously. ] Do you still see her? Your grandmother?

[ Sitting down across from Neve, he gave a little nod of his head as he began to eat his own breakfast. Trying to not be too messy. ]

I do everyday! My grandma and dad live with me. I take care of them. My cousins practically live with me a lot of the time because my aunt doesn't really like the mother thing much.

[ He gave a shrug. ] They aren't - apart of the magical world at all.

[ the oatmeal kai made him is good. after his first bite, he eats another, then another. ]

So you watch over them. [ it's weird, he doesn't know what having family is like, but if he did, that's what he'd want to do. they would live with him, and he'd take care of them, and he'd watch for their safety and well being as much as possible.

even if it meant hiding parts of himself, though he can imagine that's not comfortable in the long run. ]

It sounds nice. Having family.

[ Eating some, he gave a nod of his head. Since practically the beginning, he always took care of everyone else and not just family, though, he never had a lot of friends growing up. His dad kept him rather sheltered and his oddities never really helped there. ]

You're always welcome to come to dinner one night and share my family all you want. My grandmother would love to fuss over you and make sure you're eating enough. She's like that.

[ Reaching over, he gave Neve's arm a squeeze. ] I'd like you there with us.

[ oh. he hadn't expected to ever be invited. that feels like a big step, somehow. and neve is afraid. what if, worse than kai, it's kai's family the queen goes after? he swallows, torn between wanting to be part of something like that, of at least experiencing it once, and keeping kai and his loved ones safe. ]

Maybe sometime. [ he gave a small smile, not showing the inner turmoil of wanting something very badly and being very terrified that taking it would mean horror and pain for innocent people.

kai has been so kind to him. and patient. ]

You're thinking really loud. [ He commented suddenly, moving easily out of his chair to straddle Neve's lap in his own. Mostly, he wanted the closeness and also it gave Neve a bit of comfort he figure he needed right then. The fae had a lot of things in his past, most of which Kai did not know anything about but he wanted to. ]

They'd like you. I mean it's hard not to after you get past that frown you usually wear.

[ His fingertips softly ran over Neve's cheek, thumb moving along his bottom lip. Sensual maybe. ]

We have family nights each week with different activities. I think this week is bowling. Have you ever been?

[ neve welcomes kai to his lap without complaint, his arms going around his middle loosely to keep him there. his cheeks flushed a bit at the touches, the topic. being invited into someone's family is a big thing, he thinks. it requires a lot of trust.

he presses a kiss against kai's thumb. ]

I've never been bowling. [ as far as his family liking him goes... he has no idea what that's like, but part of him wants to find out so, so very badly. ] You really think they'd like me?

[ With how much his family meant to him, it would be a big deal for Kai to invite Neve into things but he wanted to. Neve deserved to have some real connection in his life and others to care about his well being.

More than just him. His breath hitched at the kiss, his body pressing a little closer to Neve's. ]

I could teach you. Bowling is a lot of fun. I think you'd catch on quick.

[ A softer look flooded his face, his hand moving to cup Neve's cheek tenderly. ]

Of course, you're really easy to like and have this welcoming kind of aura. They'd be head of heels in a snap.

We do a lot of different activities.

[ it made neve nervous, but at the same time, he wanted to know more about kai. he wanted to see his world, to meet the people he cared about, to be part of his life. it made him feel so alive.

he put his arms around kai's middle, humming softly. bowling didn't scare him as much as the thought of meeting someone's family. he didn't think anything about him was welcoming, but if kai saw that in him, it must be there. ]

Okay.

[ he pressed a kiss to kai's jaw, and his chin, and his throat. ]

[ Truthfully, Kai wanted to add Neve to the other parts of his life, blending everything together in a sense of relief. An exhale for how long he had been holding his breath and never letting go too much. Mostly, from the deep seeded fear of abandonment his mother gifted him and his father made sure to reinforce but he never worried about Neve hurting him. ]

We can set something up and I'll let you know. My gran will be so excited. I've never brought a guy home.

[ Extending his neck some, he gave a soft laugh. ] Are you looking for dessert right now? [ Playful and light while he tried to continue to ignore the rest of the world. ] I might want to try my hair pink by the way.

[ i've never brought a guy home, kai says, like its the most natural thing in the world to admit. it only means this is important. significant. that neve is significant.

he buries his face against his neck, pressing soft kisses along his skin. he's grateful. to be let in like this. it's scary, but he loves it, too. ]

You're definitely sweet, [ he mumbles, before easing back a bit. the soft gratitude is open on his face, even if he's talking about something else. ]

I'll do it.

[ There were so many plans already forming in his mind involving Neve and his family, even some holiday things joining the mix. Chinese New Year meant a lot and he wanted Neve to enjoy having a connection and a bond. He knew he would never make it without his family. He needed them to keep him grounded and feeling as if he meant something.

Smiling brightly at Neve's acceptance, he kissed him excitedly. ]

Do you want to try bowling or mini golf first? This is very important, Neve. The choice will mean everything but no pressure.

[ Mostly, just teasing Neve. ]

[ neve smiled into the kiss, happy to see kai eager and excited like this. deep down he was nervous, and scared, but seeing kai this way was worth it. it would be okay. he'd be with kai. ]

Bowling? [ he said like a question, unsure if his answer was the response kai expected.

he didn't think it mattered that much. it would still be an activity with kai's family, and they were important to him. to be invited was an honor. ]

[ Bowling - a perfect choice, clearly shown by the way Kai nodded and pressed a few kisses to Neve's cheek. ]

I think you'll like it. [ A quick pause and then - ] No magic can be used during these games in case you're planning that.

[ Magic did not exist in his family's eyes and he knew of his father's frustration with it because of his mother. ]

We could practice. I could make up fake pins and a ball!

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