The Invite

Chapter 7

A YEAR LATER

Up is in the middle of rummaging through the files on his computer in search of that one demo from years ago when the door of the studio slips open and Kao comes inside.

"Hey!" he greets, unable to keep himself from breaking into a smile.

Mann only glances towards the doorway and lifts his hand to wave, too busy going through the song they're working on for the tenth time. Justin rolls his eyes like he knows exactly where this is going, but the grin on his face betrays him. He loves it when Kao stops by.

(Because Kao showing up just to give Up lunch or talk to him about something that couldn't be discussed over text is happening quite a lot—but neither of his friends actually minds.)

"Can I steal Up for a moment?"

Justin shrugs. "I mean, it's not like he's doing anything productive here, anyway. . ." he trails off with a silly smirk.

Up scoffs, but it's Kao who steps further inside to tell him off, standing up for Up even though he knows that all it is just teasing.

"What did you just say about my boyfriend?"

He leans in over the chair to loom over Justin, only to get dragged away by Up, who shakes his head as a reminder that these grown men are just a bunch of kids.

Kao is laughing by the time they step out onto the hallway, and Up can't help cracking a smile on his own.

"What's up?" he asks as Kao leans his shoulder against the wall.

"Well. We were supposed to go out tonight, but my parents are in the city for some errands and they want to come over," he says, smiles softening. "I know last time seeing them was draining, and it's fine if you want to skip, but. . . I was thinking maybe we could all eat dinner together at my place?"

Up looks around. The hallway is empty. He grabs the front of Kao's shirt and pulls him into a kiss, gently pressing their mouth together—just to feel Kao closer.

A satisfied smile stretches across his face when they part; kissing Kao is both his reward and a power-up at work.

"I'd love to," he says, his hand moving to rest on the side of Kao's neck. "Even if we're gonna have to listen to questions about kids and marriage."

Kao cracks a smile. "I already told my mom to tone that down, so hopefully it won't be the case this time."

"It's okay. They're nice," Up says, even though he still feels embarrassed about how their first meeting had been and all the questions they had to answer about their relationship.

FLASHBACK

A few months ago, Kao's parents showed up at Kao's place unannounced; Kao was in the shower and they'd both just woken up, so Up only put on a robe when the doorbell rang and went to open the door.

He still doesn't know who was more mortified—he, or Kao's parents.

Kao had come out moments later, drying his hair with a towel, in nothing but boxers, with a "Who was it, babe?", only to look like he was about to pass out when he walked into the kitchen and saw Up preparing coffee for his parents.

-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-

Back in the company building, he looks pleased to know Up wants to join them, genuinely happy at the prospect of seeing the people he loves in one room—this time in a planned setting.

"Are you gonna cook?" Up asks, swiping his tongue over his lips when Kao nods with a smile. "Hot. I can't wait already."

Kao's hand travels from Up's shoulder down to his chest and back up to his neck. "And. . . stay over tonight?"