Growing Together

Chapter 15

Mork had grabbed the house keys of the hook on the wall before he was guiding Pete back out into the hallway. He hadn't really waited for an answer before he was ultimately forcing Pete to step back. Nor did he fully let that defensive wall build within Pete either. "Relax, I don't want to argue with you. I just wanted to talk to you about Kao."

"What about Kao?" Pete asked not being able to help the furrow of his brows. Kao was the one person he wanted to see more than anything right now, yet Mork was holding him out here for who knows what.

"For one, don't you dare give Kao any coffee. His doctor said it would be best not to drink any for now. If I didn't tell you now, I'm sure he would take advantage of your lack of knowledge on this stuff," Mork said which had unknowingly thrown Pete off guard.

"Huh?" Pete said not being able to hide how confused he was. This wasn't exactly what he thought Mork wanted to talk about concerning Kao. He had expected the man to adhere to demanding anything and everything to make this appointment with Kao difficult for him to enjoy alone. He never imagined he'd get this kind of thing thrown at him.

"I said no coffee, no sushi, no raw food. Got it? It's not good for the baby nor Kao." Mork said crossing his arms against his chest only continuing on when Pete had given him a stupefied nod. It was important he made Pete aware of the things the doctor had told them to stay away from. After all, he was serious about what he had told P'Sun. He wanted to give the two the chance to make amends in person.

"Why do you know so much about this?" Pete asked out of pure curiosity when he could finally process the information he was being given.

"Because I've been the one going to all his appointments with him," Mork said matter-of-factly. He hadn't really said it to make Pete feel bad, it was simply the truth even if Pete gave him that guilt-ridden look. "Look Pete, as much as we've been there for Kao, he's only ever really wanted you to be there at his side, and you are. You're here now. So, whip that look off your face and makes this one count." He said gently patting the man's shoulder in an attempt to reassure him that he still had a chance. That's all he intended to say. He wanted Pete to know that he had a good thing here and if he was stupid and careless he would be losing it forever. "Kao loves you way more than you deserve, you know?"

"I know..." Pete said feeling a little sheepish. Sandee had told him the same countless times, too, but somehow it made him feel worse hearing it from Mork. "Thank you, for taking care of Kao for me. I promise I'll try my best to make things right with him."

The sincerity behind those words had Mork's features softening a little before he was letting out a small hum, "Er, that's all Kao's ever wanted." He said simply before he was adding, "Come on, I'm sure we've made Kao worry for taking so long. Besides, Sun and I have to get going too." Mork said as an off note before he was finally leading Pete inside.

As they had walked in, Pete could feel himself losing his nerve. Talking to Kao on the phone was one thing, but facing him was a whole different ball game. He couldn't really help himself from cowering behind Mork as they walked further into the apartment building. He was aware of how nervous he was getting because his defensive mechanism was doing its best to calm him down by noticing the things around Mork's apartment. For example, was Mork always this well off? How can he even afford this apartment? He was sure he was working at the café out of necessity. Who else lives here? Why aren't there any pictures around?

"Pete?" He heard Kao call him which had Pete turn his attention towards him in a heartbeat. He hadn't seen him in so long, that now that he was looking at him he couldn't help but see how different he looked. Kao's chubby face had slimmed a little, his hair had become longer and shiner. Even his lips seemed to have more color than he remembered.

"Why don't you sit and wait for Kao to finish eating," Mork said to help the suddenly silent Pete out before he was motioning for Sun, "Sun and I have to get going. We left P'Kitty to open the café for us," He said to Kao as if he needed to give him a reason why they were leaving him alone with Pete.

Sun had simply cleared up their plates from the table before grabbing his and Mork's coats from the hanger. "Call us when you get home, okay?" Sun said more to Kao than to Pete before he was making his way towards his boyfriend to usher him out of the apartment.

It was a little more than awkward to be left alone with Pete, but it seemed he wasn't the only one feeling it. Pete hadn't really said anything either, he had just stood there in the same spot he had been standing in until Kao asked if he wanted to sit. He couldn't even find his appetite with how much Pete was staring at him. "D-Do you want some?" Kao motioned to his plate.

"No," He said before he was quickly adding, "I, uh, I ate before coming here."

"Pete..." Kao began as he shifted a little in his seat but Pete had only cut him off.

"I know!" He said bringing his hand up to nurse at his neck nervously as he deviated his eyes, "I just don't want to say something stupid even though I want to talk to you... I just really don't want to mess this up because I don't want you to change your mind about me being here."

For some reason, that made Kao smile to hear him say it. Pete was really trying his best as Mork and Sun said, wasn't he? He never thought he'd hear Pete talk like this ever, and it was honestly a little saddening to hear just as equally as it was moving. He wasn't angry like he had been those last couple of days. Instead, he was a little skittish and worried as he had never seen him be. "Pete, I never wanted to deny you the chance to be there for our baby Mini," Kao said honestly.

"What about for you? Can't I be there for you, too?" Pete asked reaching his hand out to take Kao's hand. His fingers had gently played with Kao's, letting their digits intertwined together.

For a moment, Kao had welcomed the gentle touch but his words had him pulling away, "You being here is more than enough for me," He said with a sheepish smile.

"You know, that's not what I meant..," Pete said letting a visible frown settle onto his face. He wanted Kao to give them a chance to be together. He knew he had already fucked it up once before, but he was serious about it. He loved Kao, and he had put them both in a lot of ups and downs to find out just how serious he was about Kao.

Even Kao had ended up frowning, too. How could he answer that? The last time they had come across this conversation Pete had backtracked and taken it all back saying he needed time. "We should go, the hospital isn't close by," Kao said struggling to get up from his seat. A small little groan had escaped him from how taxing just getting up on his own was becoming.

For a moment, Pete lost his words when he saw just how extended Kao's belly had gotten these couple of months. He hadn't even realized he had stood up himself until he was standing in front of Kao. "M-May I?" He asked glancing up at him despite having his arms hovering over his belly.

This little change of subject was more than welcomed by Kao, that he had pulled Pete's hand the rest of the way to cup his baby bump, "You don't have to ask. He's your son." He said not being able to help but stare at Pete's face to see what kind of face he'd make.

His lips had curled upwards into a smile as he looked down at Kao's belly. He couldn't help but be encouraged to trail his hands around the roundness of his belly, both from astonishment and curiosity. He thought it would feel soft under his touch, but it was firm and warm. However, when he felt the little tap against his palm he had been startled and pulled away from Kao when he groaned in discomfort. "I'm so sorry, Kao! I didn't mean to hurt you!" He let out a little worried.

"I'm fine, Pete. He's just kicking, he's been doing that more often these days," Kao said not being able to hold in his laugh as he brought Pete's hand back to his belly so he could feel the movement again.

"Does it hurt?" Pete asked relaxing a little at the sensation of the small taps beneath his hand. It was weird to feel but looking at Kao, it seemed these little motions made him feel so happy, and in return Pete, himself, found himself mirroring Kao's smile.

"It doesn't," He said feeling his smile soften a little before he was looking at the clock on the wall. It was well past 9:30, "But we really should go now."