Unfading Shadows [2]

49

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"Eternal Scars, Hidden Stars"

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When Kaiden and Rayan returned home, Rayan went directly to his room while Kaiden headed for the kitchen. Ren wasted no time in approaching Kaiden, his curiosity piqued by what had happened. However, as he spotted Kaiden's bruised face, his eyes widened in alarm.

"What the hell happened to your face?!" Ren exclaimed, rushing closer to examine Kaiden's injuries.

"Aww, is Ren-ren concerned about me?" Kaiden teased, sidestepping the question and heading for the fridge. He filled a cup with cold water and downed it in one go.

Ren ignored Kaiden's teasing and followed him like a lost puppy. "Who did you get into a fight with?" he asked. For some inexplicable reason, he found himself genuinely angry at what happened to Kaiden, which only served to irritate him further. 

Why on earth did he care?

Maybe because he wanted to be the one punching him...?

Kaiden gently set the cup down and tousled Ren's hair, offering him a smile as if he were speaking to a young child. "No need to worry, little buddy, I just had to give someone a lesson." he said vaguely, leaving Ren even more curious and puzzled.

Ren brushed Kaiden's hand away, "Who?" he asked with a furrowed brow.

Kaiden fell silent and began rummaging through the kitchen, opening drawers and cabinets in search of something.

Ren watched Kaiden's actions with growing impatience. "Kaiden, seriously, who are you talking about?" he pressed, his curiosity and concern getting the best of him.

Kaiden continued to move around without replying, which only served to irritate Ren further. However, when Kaiden couldn't find what he was looking for, he suddenly remembered that he was in Ren's house. He looked at Ren, and before Ren could repeat his question, Kaiden spoke, "How about you help out and show me where the first-aid kit is?"

Ren wanted to punch Kaiden's face, but since Kaiden was already bruised, he just huffed, "It's normally in the bathroom's cabinet," he instructed and walked behind Kaiden, following him closely. "Aren't you going to tell me?!" he pressed on.

Kaiden opened the cabinet and quickly found the first-aid kit. He placed it on the sink and turned to look at Ren, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Why are you so eager to know?" he asked, trying to suppress a smile.

"Because..." Ren scrambled for a reason he didn't fully understand himself, "because I want to thank whoever punched your face," he replied with a winning grin.

Kaiden chuckled. "Nice save," he remarked, shaking his head in amusement as he searched the first-aid kit for the right medicine to treat bruises.

"It's true," Ren insisted, his frustration mounting.

"Aha," Kaiden replied dismissively, as if he didn't entirely believe Ren's words, which only fueled Ren's anger.

"How about you tell me about it, and I will thank them myself," Ren suggested, thinking that Kaiden had gotten into a fight with a stranger. It didn't even cross his mind that Kaiden might have fought with Rayan because, in his mind, there was no reason for them to fight.

Kaiden sighed and turned to look at Ren, his expression becoming serious. He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he spoke. "Here," he handed Ren the medicine, "Give this to Rayan and make sure he uses them, okay? I would've given them to him myself, but I think you're better at dealing with him," he said as if pondering his words.