Picture Me & You- The Perfect Two

58. Back to Square One

(A/n: have I ever said I love the version of Pete and Beam I have in thia book? I do. With all my heart.

Even Pick. I'm not a fan of Off Jumpol. Or the characters he played in either of the two Bls he acted in with Gun. I actually hate both Pick and Khai. But this Pick... I love the character growth I gave him. And I do not love easy. Especially when I vowed to loathe for an eternity🤣

But the character growth Pick and Pete had in this book sometimes amazes me)

~~

He laid in his bed, staring quietly up at the ceiling.

"Hey, don't you wanna get up and come out? Let's go see the sky for a change. It's beautiful outside"

He blinked. Then with a face devoid of any feeling or expression, he turned to his side, giving his back to the person.

Pete sighed. It felt like being back to the times he helplessly pinned over a clueless Kao.

Only, this Kao was even oblivious to his existence at times, let alone his unconditional love. But then he thought he couldn't whine and still call it unconditional, can he?

This was not about Kao returning his feelings when he already knew those feelings were returned with just as much sincerity. This was about Kao. Only about him. And his struggle with his trauma.

Kao returned home two weeks ago. Two painful weeks it had been since he stayed quiet and did not look at anyone. He did not talk. He did not show any emotion. He had to be forced to eat. He had to be hugged and coaxed to be put to bed and then he had to be handled when he woke up a crying and sweating mess.

And it broke his heart over and over again. He swore to himself he'd so whatever it takes to bring back his Crazy kitten. No matter how hard or how long it takes.

.
.

"Well, if you don't wanna get up and eat then should I have this cake all by myself?" Beam tried coaxing the boy who laid quietly, staring up at the ceiling.

But he got no response.

Beam sighed and sat on the bedside. He shared a look with Lyla who tried and failed to smile at him. She walked closer and put her hand on Kao's forehead. "Baby Kuma, mommy will feed you, come on..." And then she pulled a lifeless Kao up who did not even protest. He sat quietly like a mechanical robot and let her force his mouth open to feed him the soup she made.

"Why don't you go down and have your lunch?" She asked Beam. "Go on. I'll clean him up after this"

"No... let me or Pete-" Beam stopped, sighing.

"That is out of question Beam" she said with a pained face and Beam looked away with pursed lips.

He felt so helpless.

He sighed and walked out, putting an arm around Gift's shoulders as he went out. The girl who stood by the door just let him drag her downstairs, her face sad.

.
.

Pete sighed when a dejected Beam came down the stairs.

Their eyes met and Beam shook his head before turning to pat a pouting Gift's head. "I'll put food on the table. Let's eat" He said and turned to walk to the kitchen, only stopping to see the guest settled on the couch beside Pete.

He blinked. "Forth?" He cleared his throat and looked around, not really understanding why he suddenly felt nervous. Was it because now the anger and hatred he felt for the man was replaced by guilt of accusing an innocent person? Or because despite all that happened, that bastard of a man still claimed to love him?