the way i love you ➵ beomkai

Chapter Four

Beomgyu's inspecting the back of the book when Kai's standing in front of him, only looking up in confusion when Kai's body blocks the lighting above; he's quick to give him a grin, standing up and pinching Kai's cheek. "Didn't think you were coming—hey, you okay?" He's suddenly asking, putting his hand against his forehead. Kai tries not to look disgruntled at the touch. "You feel hot."

"Oh," Kai laughs awkwardly, moving away slightly. "I'm fine. Why'd you want to meet here?" He looks at the book in Beomgyu's grasp. Beomgyu huffs, stuffing the book under his arm.

"Had to come here to get some shit for my research paper. Didn't wanna walk alone, ya know?" Kai nods, not really surprised with the reasoning. "But I'm done now. Let's go."

And then they start walking. Kai feels dread build up in the bottom of his stomach as they near the entrance; he doesn't know if Jiwoo is waiting outside for him or not. He doesn't see anyone pass by the door from the small window, and when he pushes the door open he's greeted with an empty hallway. Beomgyu mutters something underneath his breath before grabbing Kai's wrist, who just faces him with furrowed brows.

Beomgyu lifts up his Kai's wrist and gives him a questioning look. "That doesn't feel uncomfortable?" Beomgyu asks, nodding his head at the sleeve; Kai blinks, glancing down and realizing that the sleeve of his shirt is peeking out of his hoodie sleeve. Before Kai can say anything, Beomgyu is lifting his arm, bunching both of the sleeves up to his elbow; he's grabbing Kai's undershirt sleeve when he suddenly freezes, his eyes widening slightly as he stares at the inside of Kai's arm.

Kai doesn't know what exactly he's staring at until he's turning his arm over. He pales when those scattered, angry marks greet him and he almost snatches his arm out of Beomgyu's already loose grasp but the older boy doesn't let him; instead, he does what he intended to do. He pulls his undershirt sleeve down, making sure it's smoothened out before pulling the hoodie sleeve over it. He swears Beomgyu's eyes are glossy when he gives him a small smile, as if he's reassuring him silently before he's grabbing his other wrist gently and pulling him along the hallway.

Beomgyu doesn't mention anything when they're in the lunchroom, nor does he mention anything afterwards; school drags by, and Kai only manages to focus on two things: the possibility of Jiwoo attacking him at any moment or Beomgyu confronting him unexpectedly. But once the bell rings, signaling their dismissal for the day, neither happens — Jiwoo is nowhere to be found and Beomgyu is waiting for him at his locker, a grin on his face as he chats with Yeonjun.

"Hyuka!" Beomgyu exclaims when he notices Kai walking up towards them and he hopes he doesn't look as startled as he feels. "Took you long enough."

Kai shakes that feeling away and gives him a shrug, gesturing for Yeonjun to move since he's partially leaning on his locker and he opens it once he moves. He dumps his belongings inside, not bothering to organize it before slamming it shut. He blinks at the two looks he gets.

"Yeah, what's up?" Kai asks, beginning to walk towards the school exit. The two follow after him, causing him to be in the middle and he can't help but shrink it on himself.

"Did something happen in class?" Yeonjun asks, almost hesitantly. "You look... sad."

"He's just tired," Beomgyu answers, catching Kai off guard as he looks at him in slight surprise. Beomgyu just ruffles his hair. "Right, Kai?"

Kai blinks, before nodding and grinning at Yeonjun, even giving out a fake yawn. "Oh. Yeah, I didn't really sleep but I'm okay. Swearsies."

Yeonjun snorts, repeating the phrase underneath his breath before he's patting Kai's back. "Try to take a nap in the car, alright?"