It'll Always Be You

[ 008 ]

CHAPTER EIGHT
KHAEL

———

Khael had a restless night.

Giving someone affection by physical means wasn't like him, even avoided it, but that forehead kiss for Ash felt natural and in time. He knew he shouldn't have done it without her permission but he couldn't stop.

He'd been beating himself over it, knowing better than to act without thinking but it had been done and he couldn't take it back. He wouldn't be surprised if Ash was actually awake the whole time and would ignore him for doing something out of line - which he thought was really out of it. But she had nothing to say. The next morning she was already cooking and serving pancakes on the kitchen island counter with Seth and Caleb sitting beside each other, passing the maple syrup in her hands to Seth.

"Sorry, I slept early last night." Ash serves the fresh pancakes she made. "Was more tired than I thought,"

"All good," Seth drizzled his pancake with syrup like a landslide, earning disgusted looks from Caleb. "Khael carried you in like a dead body —"

"I did not," Khael moves to sit beside Caleb but not before playfully hitting Seth, more anxious for Ash's reaction. "Just carried you normally, don't listen to him."

Ash laughed it off. "Well, here's an extra pancake for you. Thanks," The pancake was fluffier than what Seth and Caleb were given to which Seth complained, saying his pancakes were far too thin and small, grumpy that he deserved a fluffy one like his.

Khael released his breath he didn't think he was holding - relieved she wasn't awake.

"So what's the plan for today?" She asked, looking excited.

Seth recommended we go to the movies - to which Caleb said to watch on the television. Caleb suggested going to the park - which Seth complained about it being too hot outside.

Their bickering continued, the noise growing louder and attracting Faith's attention from another room. Her head peaking out from the corner, confused - although she stays back and avoids the fuming Seth and the annoyed Caleb.

Ash stood unsure of what to do and how to react while Khael watched with concern, knowing that Caleb would go too far with his words but not actually mean them and that Seth would take his words seriously.

"Well, if you weren't such a weirdo you would've had other friends than us," Seth stopped responding, mouth closed to a tight line. There was a good five seconds of silence before any of the few tears started falling from Seth's cheek.

"Fine then," Caleb starts to open his mouth to speak but Khael grabbed his hand to stop him. Seth runs off - to his room, Khael guessed.

"Ugh, I'm such an idiot." Caleb groans, regretting his thoughtless words.

"You are," Khael straightforwardly said. "You know how sensitive Seth is with what you just said."

"I know! I know!" Caleb palms his face, clearly disappointed with himself. He looked much more distressed, his fingers raking his hair, figuring out in his mind what to do. Khael didn't want to help, knowing what he would do would be of no help and Seth wouldn't be soothed by him -  only Caleb's apologies.

"I'll go after him," He reluctantly announces. His legs seemingly dragged him to the room but his mind buffering - both plates of pancakes in hand.

Ash turns to Khael, who had finished his massive pancake, and thanked her. "Does that usually happen?"

"Not usually. Just leave it, they'll figure things out by the end of the day." Nodding her head, Ash washes his plates and slowly stops moving.

"So what are you going to be doing for the day?" She asks.