Surprise! A Kai x Aichi Story

9. Rainy Days and Mondays

Kai stared unfocused out of the window, chin cupped in one hand, at the grey sleety French morning. He had been stationed there since getting out of bed.

"Mon Ami, how long are you going to act the statue?" called Gaillard from the kitchen.

Kai started, then stretched, shaking out his dead hand. It must have been awhile.

Gaillard settled on the other end of the sofa, bringing in two cups of steaming black coffee, one of which he put in front of Kai. "You have been moping like this for the two days since you have come back from Japan. I really think you should talk about it. I cannot help if you do not."

Kai sighed and pulled over a coaster, shooting Gaillard a black look, as he settled the mug properly atop it. He had given up trying to make Gaillard adhere to his own views of neatness, cleanliness, and the proper way to do things- like using a damned coaster to avoid rings marring the table. However, he did have a point. Gaillard was a typical Frenchman, entering and exiting relationships with both sexes with utter ease. Moreover, he adored Aichi and absolutely had his best interests in mind. Which thankfully, seemed to include Kai at the moment.

Gaillard said gently, "When I texted Aichi, he seemed quite happy with his vacation with you..."

Kai sighed again, running both hands through his unruly hair, pulling a bit in frustration. "Okay. But it's between us.", filling him in on the outline of he and Aichi's time together, especially his frustration with their last day. "He was so keyed up and ridiculous. I didn't even get a chance to tell him I loved him. I...I. haven't said the words yet, you know? I waited all this time, not wanting to scare him off, and then I missed my chance. At the airport, Miwa and Misaki were there, so all we could do is hug each other like it would be the last time. He cried, my ribs still hurt from how hard he squeezed me. And I have no idea when we will be able to see each other again. I can't tell him on a screen. Or a stupid phone for the first time." He sighed again, looking anguished. "Were you ever in love, G?"

Gaillard had been listening, staring out of the window. He huffed a soft laugh, saying, "Once. As the Americans say, there was the 'one that got away.' But he was meant for another." His eyes refocused on Kai, taking a slow sip of coffee, gathering his stormy thoughts.

"Kai, first of all, you got Aichi to open up in initiating physicality, despite your dubious methods. Secondly, I think that Aichi may have spent your last day together in laughing and teasing not as a way to hold you apart, but as usual, to spare you sadness. I am sure he felt the weight of your impending separation as keenly as you, but sought to lighten it for your sake. That is the Aichi Sendou I know. You are on the right path. You will just need to have a plan the next time you do meet. Kai, you have only been in a relationship for two short months..."

Now Kai laughed ruefully. "You're right, as usual, you're right, even though it feels more like two years. Four years? Almost all of it wasted pining for each other on both sides."

"ALL of which got you here to the present. In a relationship with the man you love. It will come right. It will be worth it. Why don't you call him before he goes to bed? You will feel better. And Aichi will go to sleep happy."

"You always know the right thing to say, Gaillard." Kai took a deep breath, and scrubbed his face with both hands. He drained his cooled coffee and stood up. " Maybe I can figure out a way to surprise him for Valentine's Day somehow. I have a month to figure it out. It would be good to have something concrete to look forward to."

Kai walked over to the sink and rinsed his mug out. He unplugged his phone from the wall charger, mumbling "It's really late there, I'd better text first to see if he's awake. A moment later a grin broke out on his face as his phone dinged back. He grabbed an umbrella and his jacket from the closet and opened the door, pausing to look back, and throw Gaillard a wry grin. "Thanks, Gaillard, how did you get so smart about this stuff, anyway?" He left without waiting for an answer.

Gaillard let his smile die as the door closed. He settled his chin cupped in one hand, staring unfocused out of the window at the grey sleety French morning. Softly, he said, "For the love of the one who got away."