"I need you."
The silence that followed that simple, three word sentence seemed to stretch for hours — when in reality it was merely a few seconds. Topher stood, still facing the cupboards and pretended as if he didn't hear those words, those words he'd been dying to hear for the last few months. Why didn't it feel as good as he thought before?
"Listen, the last thing I want to do is partner up with you again, and i'm positive that's applicable to you, too, but I need you right now. Nobody else can help with this, i've asked the few people I could and there's no way they can do shit. Please, Topher." He trailed off at the end, scratching the back of his neck.
Ah, that's why it didn't feel good. He was a second choice, not wanted but needed in order to help Kai. Just like he'd been oh-so many times before — a second fucking choice.
He let his words sink in, and he couldn't help the pain that shot through his heart when he thought about how he wasn't wanted.
Before shutting the cupboards with a little more force than necessary, he turned around to face him.
He was the same, but so different at the same time. After the months upon months of Topher telling him to grow his hair out - he finally did it. Shaved sides that ended in a nice taper, and rather long jet black hair pushed back off his forehead. A few pieces fell down, landing just above his eyebrows. They looked sharper now, more mature and manly. A few months back he would've teased him about getting them done, he would've called Kai a princess for going to a salon or wherever the fuck he went, and getting pampered. Too bad this wasn't a few months ago.
His black hoodie was a little too large, almost reaching down to his mid-thigh - but not quite. Old joggers and a pair of rather new looking all black sneakers. Same style as before, comfy and simple.
Topher held back a smile as he thought of all the times he had tried to get Kai to wear more colors, but he had always opted for a nice shade of black. The only color he had seen him wear had been green — Topher's green hoodie. The one he was currently sporting right now.
