Dare (A Kaisoo Fanfic)

Sixteen

Kyungsoo

I could tell something was wrong the moment I saw Kai the next day at school. I hoped it wasn't that, that maybe he just got in trouble for the car. But it was clear to see something much bigger and much worse had happened. 

"My fucking mom," Sehun said, groaning and kicking his shoe against the ground. We were all gathered in the hallway, Chanyeol, Sehun, and Baekhyun doing what they could to offer us some solace. "I don't know why she's so nosy."

"It's not her fault," Kai said, rubbing his hand against his face in a distressed manner. "I'm the one that set up the lie in the first place."

"Still, that didn't give her the right to out you to your parents," he replied. 

"How pissed were they?" Baekhyun asked next. 

Kai sighed and was silent for some time before he began speaking. "They were angry at first, mostly because I had lied to them. Then came the religious homophobia rant, calling me a sinner and telling me that I was going to burn in hell if I didn't change. I wasn't surprised at what they were saying, but more so at the fact that they could look like their own child in the eyes with so much hatred. It was like I no longer mattered to them...like they were choosing their beliefs over me."

There was a look of helplessness in his eyes that made me even sadder. I took his hand in mine and held it tightly.

"What happened after that?" Baekhyun said. 

"They basically took away any rights and privileges I had and said they would be contacting someone who could fix me, whatever that means. And they said that if they ever saw Kyungsoo and me together again, they'd ship off somewhere." I exhaled heavily and squeezed his hand even tighter. "But hey, what else could I have expected, right? They can do whatever they want, but I'm not changing. I couldn't even if I wanted to."

"So does that mean you're gonna keep seeing Kyungsoo?" Chanyeol asked in a concerned voice. "Don't you think that puts him in danger, too? What if they find his parents and tell them?" Kai became quiet again and glanced down at the ground. 

"Then they find out," I interjected, their attention going on me now. "It's about time I tell them anyway."

"You shouldn't be forced to come out because of my parents, Soo," Kai said with a few shakes of his head. "Maybe it would be better if I just left you alone. I can take whatever my parents do to me, but if they hurt you, I could never forgive myself."

"Hey, don't even suggest that," I said, moving to stand in front of him. "You said that you wouldn't them keep us apart, remember? So keep your word then. We knew this could happen, that this was something we would have to prepare for. I would feel worse knowing we just gave up without trying."

He looked at me for a moment before slowly beginning to nod his head. "Me, too," he said, his voice coming out as more of a whisper. I pulled him into a hug that he immediately returned, sighing and closing my eyes.

I tried to act strong because I knew I needed to. But I also knew that my world had been violently shaken and everything had changed. What I didn't know was how long I could bear it.

Kai

We tried to carry on as usual in the next few days, but the anxiety was still there. I could feel it at every moment of the day. It lingered in the air, prepared to drop its fatal bomb at any time.

My parents were relentless. They tried to convince me that I was just confused and I was being tempted, that I was in a phase, but I knew how I felt about Kyungsoo, how I had felt my entire life. Still, they made me talk to priests and therapists, all of whom treated me like I was sick and needed treatment. All the while, I wasn't allowed to go anywhere without them. They even started dropping me off at school each day and picking me up after. I went to school and church when I wasn't home. I felt like a prisoner in my own life.

But I braved through it for Kyungsoo and for us. I had to. Losing him would have been so much worse than anything my parents were doing to me. Losing him was something I knew I would not be able to survive.

Because of my new restrictions, I found myself thankful for school. That was the one place my parents couldn't find us or spy on us. It was almost like our private hideaway, our one safe space. I didn't know how long it would last, but I didn't want to count the time. I just wanted to spend every free second I had with him.

We were passing the time that remained before first period in Kyungsoo and Chanyeol's classroom.

"So, are you guys excited about the dance?" Baekhyun asked eagerly.

"There's a dance next weekend?" I asked in confusion.

"Wow, you guys really must be on your own planet," Chanyeol said. "Yeah, the end-of-semester dance. It's in like two weeks."

"Oh, we didn't know," I said, looking at Kyungsoo who just shrugged.

"Well now that you know there is, you're going, right?" Baekhyun pressed on. 

"Do you want to?" I asked Kyungsoo, looking at him again.

"Well, sure I do," he replied with a dimly light smile. "But what about your parents? What are you gonna tell them?"

"I'll come up with something," I said, blinking and shaking my head. "Maybe if I lean into their antics a little, they'll let me out of the house for one night."

"We can help, too," Baekhyun offered. "Just tell them you're going with a couple of friends and we'll come to pick you up and drop you off later as evidence. Sehun can drive Kyungsoo."

"Are you sure? That sounds like a lot to ask you guys to do," Kyungsoo asked.

"I'm positive. What's happening to you guys isn't fair, so we should help as much as we can." Kyungsoo smiled at me and I faintly smiled back.

"Okay then, it's a date," I said. He blushed a little as he turned his face and I wrapped an arm around him, pecking his cheek with a kiss.

"Yes, I'm so excited!" Baekhyun rejoiced, clapping his hands together. I just rolled my eyes and shook my head, another faint smile upon my face.

Would my parents buy it? I didn't know, but if I had to sneak out just to be with him, I would. Maybe then they'd see that this was anything but a phase. Maybe then they'd see that I was in love and that nothing they did could change that.