Secrets in the Woods- Beomkai

Excuses Excuses

Kai's internal clock told him to wake up 2 hours later. He shifted under Beomgyu and looked at his little angel sleeping. "Cute." Kai picked him up gently, placed him in his passenger seat and buckled him in.

The drive home was euphoric. Kai never really cared about stars before but found himself staring at the night sky with a new perspective. Mrs. Huening told Kai when he was a child, that if he was ever lost, to find his constellation then turn his body so he was looking directly at it. Then all he had to do was go south and he would find the cabin home. Kai thought it was easier to use landmarks in the forest but nodded anyways.

Joshua always found the stars fascinating Kai thought. Joshua was a carbon copy of his mom while Kai was a not-so-mini version of his dad. Joshua was the dreamer and Kai was practical and grounded.

He looked over at Beomgyu and noticed he was awake. Kai grabbed Beomgyu's hand again and told him they were going to be back in 10 minutes. He explained that when they parked, he would check out the cabin to make sure everyone was asleep before he brought Beomgyu upstairs. If someone was awake, he would turn on the kitchen lights signaling Beomgyu would have to sleep in the car.

Beomgyu nodded indicating he understood. "Kai."

"Yes? Whats up?"

"Thank you. You dont have to do any of this for me."

"I know. I want to. Youre my boyfriend!"

"Even before Kai. Thank you for not telling anyone about me and taking care of me. Im not ready to face anyone yet. My mom has been through enough the past 2 years. I dont want her to see me like this."

"Im sure she misses you though."

"I know she does but if she found out Soobin was involved she would kill him. I cant have two parents in jail." Beomgyu started to tear up at the thought of being all alone and Kai noticed it.

"Beomie...hey...honey you wouldnt be alone. You have me. I could just live with you! But I promise it wont come to that. Im going to get Soobin's side of the story and itll be okay! Youll see!"

Beomgyu closed his eyes and smiled. The feeling of Kai's unconditional love never got old. Kai meant every word he said. He had about 3 more weeks to figure out the truth himself and if he couldnt... well Kai wasnt going to let that be an option.

The couple arrived at the cabin and Kai's heart sank when he saw Soobin in the living room. He made sure to the park further back so Soobin couldn't see into the car. The windows were tinted but he feared they werent dark enough in the glow of the driveway lights. Beomgyu unbuckled and crawled onto the floor of the backseat, covering himself with a blanket. Kai took a deep breath and walked out.

"Where the hell have you been?! I was getting worried!"

Kai debates on lying or telling a partial truth. "I saw Chan. He was home from college and we were just catching up." Truth. "He told me to come back this weekend because they'll be half off and I figured it was a good idea. We could buy a lot more." Still truth.

"Right... and that conversation took you 4 hours?" Soobin asked with annoyance.

"I blew a tire on the way back. I had to walk about 2 miles to find a signal for assistance." Lies. Great Kai, youre lying to Soobin now. "It took an hour and a half for it to get replaced. Sorry it took so long."

Kai waits for Soobin's reaction. He seems to buy it which causes Kai to breathe a small sigh of relief. "Please tell me theres leftovers in the fridge."

Soobin smiles and nods. He grabs the plate the saved for Kai and put it in the microwave. Kai sits down on the bar stool patiently waiting for his food. Roast duck, potatoes and corn on the cob. 2 minutes later it comes out piping hot and Kai devours it down. Soobin looks at Kai for a second and takes a big sniff. "Kai what is that smell on you?"

"... what smell?" The sticky mess on Kai's torso was completely forgotten about. He burys his face in the corn on the cob, praying that wasn't what Soobin was referring to.

Soobin leans in closer and takes another sniff. "Gun powder."

Oh thank god Kai thinks. Right... the gun powder from the fireworks. "Yeah right, Chan and I lit a couple fireworks off before I left. He wanted to show me his new selection that just came in."

"Oh. Okay." Soobin shrugs. "Well if youre done eating, please go shower. You stink".

Kai ate the rest of his plate and offered to wash it but Soobin took it and pointed to his bedroom while holding his nose. Before he went upstairs he asked Soobin to go with him this weekend and he said yes.

After showering, Kai changed his clothes and put some laundry in the washing machine. He looked downstairs and noticed Soobin was gone so he decided to walk towards his bedroom. Soobin was snoring really loudly.

Kai walked back upstairs and checked the other bedroom. He heard things he absolutely did not want to hear and quickly sprinted back downstairs in disgust.

He walked back out to collect Beomgyu and carried him up the stairs and placed him in the bathroom to shower. The washing machine was done and the wet clothes were now tumbling in the dryer.

Kai looked out the window and saw vultures circling an area at the east end of the lake. Probably just a dead deer from a wolf pack. He doesnt think much of it and falls asleep. Beomgyu eventually joins him and they spend the rest of the night in silent bliss.