Right Here Where You Left Me (KimPete)

Chapter 6

"When you find an old picture of us
And you clear away the dust
I hope you miss me sometimes."
-Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Before he can say anything, Pete already disappeared through the door, closing it with a loud bang. Kim sighed and leaned back against the headboard of his bed. His eyes felt heavy and a few moments later, he was fast asleep.

In the middle of the night, he was awoken. The meds have probably worn off. The room was dark, the only light source was the moonbeam passing through the glass window. Kim slowly sat in his bed, trying to recall what happened earlier. A series of jumbled flashbacks flooded through his mind that are slowly making sense.

A business meeting gone wrong.
Gunshots.
A bullet grazed his shoulders.
Apartment.
Pete.

He stood up on impulse, straining his injured shoulder in the process. The pain seemed to clear his mind and he's very much awake now. He checked his phone and found a few messages from Khun and Kinn, both asking if he's alright. He typed a short message back saying he's okay and he's in his apartment at the moment.

Since it's already late, he decided to just sleep again. But after a few minutes of tossing and turning in his bed, he was still very much awake. Groaning in frustration, he stood up and turned his nightlight on. As the room brightens, his eyes scanned the interior. It's pretty much the same since the day he left. His hand instinctively trailed at the books on his side table. He took one out and something dropped on the floor when he opened it. Frowning, he picked it up. It's a paper envelope, old and a bit dusty. His breath hitched when he saw what's inside.

They're photos of Pete and him. With shaky hands, he scanned the photos. Some were a few years back, almost 3 years ago. They look so young and carefree. His fingers unconsciously traced Pete's smiling face, his dimples visible as he poked Kim's annoyed face that seemed to refuse to look at the camera.
Kim remembered that time. It was taken right after Pete beat him in a gaming match 7 times in a row and whoever losses will grant the winner a favor. Pete insisted they should take a picture together because they never took one.

The next photo was Pete sleeping on the bed, his mouth is slightly open in a cute 'O' shape and Kim used to tease Pete about it, saying that he drools while sleeping. Pete would then chase Kim around the apartment and demand him to take it back, his face turning beet red and Kim would find it adorable.
He can't help but chuckle at the memory.

He took out another photo. He felt his cheeks flush. It's a photo of Pete sitting at the edge of the bed with only his back facing the camera. He was shirtless and his lower extremities were covered in Kim's sheets.

The last picture was him kissing Pete in the cheeks, the latter's eyes crinkled as he smiled at the camera. Kim's chest clenched as he stared at the picture. This was taken a year ago. Back when everything was still okay. Before everything turned upside down and he ended up hurting and leaving the person he swore he'd give the world.
They look so happy and in love, and Kim wanted to scream because everything suddenly felt too much-like someone was squeezing his chest, making it harder to breathe and his throat tightens uncomfortably.

It's funny how something so happy can hurt you so much.
It's so funny, he's crying.

He clenched his fists as warm tears rolled in his cheeks. He isn't someone who's a crier. But something about loving someone can make you do things you don't normally do.

Pathetic.
A part of him whispers.

He remembered Pete earlier. He was here-so close that Kim can just reach out and hold him. He should have. But he didn't. Because when Pete looked at him, it didn't carry the same fondness and warmth he used to look at Kim back then. It was cold and distant, borderline hostile. It was more painful than the bullet wound in his shoulders.