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Ten months.
That's how long the boys have been trying to bring the old Kaelix back to them. The countless clothes Freo made and food he cooked for Kaelix was abundant, all of his favorites, and while Kaelix thanked him, the empty look and small smile remained. The photos Seible showed him during nights when they both couldn't sleep were numerous, most of them pictures of Kaelix himself singing and dancing with a genuine smile on his face. Sometimes he showed pictures of the four of them together, playing around at the live house and out on the town.
Seible could see the curiosity in Kaelix's eyes behind the blank look on his face, each time saying a soft 'You guys seem like great friends.' Each time Seible would reply with a smile of his own and pat to Kaelix's hand as he broke more and more inside. Then there was Zeal. Calm, steady and grounding Zeal who was somehow everywhere he needed to be before Kaelix even knew he needed help with something.
His presence was like a rock, assisting Kaelix with making meals, picking out outfits for the day when he couldn't decide and making songs while Kaelix was in the room, silently watching the computer with some sort of fascination. Like what Zeal was doing is something only a genius could. It reminded him of their beginnings when Kaelix would give the exact same look but back then it had spark behind it. Now the fascination looked duller then it should.
But they never gave up, no matter how much time passed and how no progress seemed to come from their efforts. What they didn't see is Kaelix trying again. He noticed everything the other three were doing and, granted, was extremely confused. He knew these boys, he had apparently lived with them for years and he assumed they were just friends. So why did it seem like they were trying to be more?
He noticed the way Freo looked longingly when he thought Kaelix wasn't paying attention, seeming like he had a thousand words to say but decided to never voice them. He saw how Seible's smile as they looked at pictures together began to get dimmer with each time Kaelix said they were great friends. He saw how Zeal's songs got more melancholic and slow, the song 'Corroding Heart' seeming to have an emotion poured into it that he couldn't understand.
So one day Kaelix decided to try on a whim. The others were out, having decided on an early day for business and leaving Kaelix home, having told everyone a long time ago that the bouncer was stepping back from the livehouse in general. He went through the motions, making breakfast, eating it and going to watch TV. But when he came out of the bathroom later on and passed the hallway mirror he paused, slowly turning and looking into it.
Kaelix saw someone looking back. It was his face - the face he sees in the photos Seible and the others show him. At the same time, he didn't recognize the one staring back at him. "Ya-ho..." Kaelix whispered, saying the phrase which Zeal repeated to him all the time, explaining it was something Kaelix always said in the past. His voice was different, rougher since he hasn't spoken first in a very long time, only doing so when someone speaks to him first.
"Ya-ho," Kaelix said again, straining his voice to make it louder, stronger and more certain. He even added a small grin to it, trying to mimic the ones in the photos and videos of him singing back then. Sadly, Kaelix felt nothing. Just seeing a boy trying to copy a ghost of the past - someone he doesn't think exists anymore. However, he decided to not give up, feeling compelled to do 'something' to make the others happy and show gratitude, even if it's not real.
So the practice continued secretly, until one afternoon he came downstairs, hearing the three in the kitchen, rowdy as ever. Slowly Kaelix peered around the corner, knocking on the wall and getting all attention on him. Kaelix was greeted with soft hello's and waves and then the moment came. He took a deep breath and spoke, forcing his voice to be clear like he's been doing everyday.
"Ya-ho..." Kaelix said, the words sounding awkward and distant even to his own ears. There was silence for a long few minutes, the others gaping in shock at what happened. Freo looked away to collect himself. Zeal's eyes softened and he smiled and Seible’s eyes filled with tears, shocking Kaelix into apologizing. "I-I'm sorry, I just...I've been practicing and wanted to do something nice. I didn't mean to make you upset." He said, yelping when Seible ran over and grabbed his shoulders.
"No. No don't you dare apologize, Kaelix Debonair," Seible said, voice choked and still fighting back tears. "I'm not mad or upset, I'm crying because I never thought I'd hear you say that again. Your signature way to greet us. Even if you don't feel anything while saying it," Seible said, voice trailing off as he started crying at the realization Kaelix was just doing it to make them happy.
Kaelix doesn't know why he did the next thing. His body moved before his mind could think, reaching to snatch Seible into a hug, one arm around his waist and the other hand on the back of his head. He slowly petted the brown hair beneath his fingers and appeared to be in shock at himself, suddenly stumbling backwards into the living room and looking at his body. "What did I..." He whispered, looking up and seeing the others staring just as surprised.
"I made pasta, let's eat dinner," Freo said, sensing a change of topic is what Kaelix needed to avoid a potential shut down once again. Seible and Zeal agreed, going to the kitchen while Kaelix stayed where he was, not moving until Freo came over and touched his arm. "Come. Dinner time," He said, voice firm but not harsh as he guided Kaelix to the table and plated food for him.
The night ticked by in peace, all of them deciding to watch a movie together and heading off to bed, Zeal first, Seible after and then Freo and Kaelix at the same time. However, Kaelix couldn't sleep, laying there and watching the clock go from 12am to 1am and finally 2am is when he got up, taking his monkey plush and walking downstairs. He sat on the sofa and covered himself with the leftover blankets, staring out the window blankly until he saw a picture on the bookshelf.
It was on the very top, in a place Kaelix hadn't looked before and in a clearly well-loved frame. He got up and went over, quickly grabbing the item before getting comfortable once more and looking at the photo. It was a selfie of the four of them in the back room of the livehouse, resting on the couches and pressed together looking exhausted. What really caught Kaelix's attention was himself in the center of the photo, resting his head on Zeal's shoulder while Freo was on his lap and Seible was kissing his cheek.
He ran his thumb over the photo, blinking and trying to recall anything from that moment. "What are you thinking about?" Kaelix heard, jumping and looking back to see Zeal at the bottom of the steps, walking over to sit next to Kaelix on the couch and taking the photo. "I forgot to show you that photo. It was opening day of the livehouse and it was amazing with all the drinks made, customers there and at the end you sang a song that captivated the entire room." Zeal explained, eyes on the photo fully and looking at what once was.
'I feel like I used to love something important, but I can't remember what it was.' Suddenly, Kaelix remembered the words he said on the balcony almost a year ago and paused, snatching the frame back and staring as hard as he could, desperate to understand. It took a minute but soon enough he spoke, realization hitting like a truck. "Oh. You guys are the something I loved." Kaelix said, meeting Zeal's eyes with his own.
Zeal's breath hitched at the look in Kaelix's eyes. They were certain and held a clarity that hadn't been present in god knows how long. His voice was full of wonder and a spark of something unknown, something that compelled Zeal to reach out and place his hand right over Kaelix's. "Yeah. Yeah we are the something you loved and you're the something we still love. Your love is so beautiful too. It always burned so bright for us no matter what the situation was." He said, getting everything out before Kaelix faded once again.
"You looked at us like we held the world in our hands any time we did something for you and were there every second of the day for us. You always turned so red when we teased you and kissed you anywhere. It was beautiful, Kaelix. We want it to go back. We want you back so bad and that's why we'll never give up." Is what Zeal said, words frantic and so very honest as he bared his soul for Kaelix to see.
Kaelix just stared, eyes still clear but expression blank as he took everything in. Listening to Zeal's words and trying to process that in a time before that's what he was like. That's the person they're so desperately trying to bring back. So Kaelix looked at the photo again, finger tracing his face over and over as Zeal sat with him, content to just watch. "What did he-" Kaelix began, cutting himself off and breathing in. If he ever wants to be like the one from the past, this is a habit to break. "What else did I like in our relationship?" He asked, stuttering as he spoke in first person about himself for the first time.
Zeal sat back and threw the other half of the blanket over himself, opening his arms towards Kaelix. "You loved cuddling at every possible moment. Hell you practically clung to us all day and whined when you couldn't." He explained, waiting patiently and with a fleeting bit of hope. Kaelix slid closer, leaning in and settling with his legs draped and head on Zeal's chest, listening to the older's heartbeat and shutting his eyes when the arms closed around him.
"You liked sleeping with us too." Zeal said, voice trailing off as he ran his fingers through Kaelix's hair, continuing when he felt the little slump. "You always have the sweetest dreams in our arms." He whispered, falling silent when he heard Kaelix's breathing steady, clearly asleep. Zeal figured he was no doubt exhausted from information overload and that's why but the feeling still left him full inside.
"Did he remember, Gin-chan?" Seible asked, Zeal now being the one to look back and see Seible and Freo also walking over, clearly having woken up from the talking. He made a shushing motion and waved the two over, taking care not to jostle Kaelix as they all settled in together on the pull out, with Kaelix being swaddled in the middle of them all. "Please tell me he remembered."
"Only a little bit. Eyes clear and focused too." Zeal said softly, smiling when Kaelix unconsciously pressed closer to him. "He remembered that he loved us and I told him that we still love him and that's why we don't give up. I told him how he used to love us and always slept in our arms and he just passed out. We really can't give up, especially now that he remembered and seemed curious. Like his old self for a second." He said, eyes desperate as he looked at Freo and Seible.
"Shh, we won't give up. Let's all sleep now." Freo said, flinging his arm over Kaelix as Seible settled in behind him. Until sleep came they all just stared at him in varying levels of hope and praying to whatever god they believed in that they'd get Kaelix back again, no matter how long it takes. It was well into the morning when Kaelix shifted, feeling weighed down by something and opening his eyes to be greeted with...a body?
Multiple bodies as he quickly found out when he looked up and around, seeing Zeal in front, breathing slow and steady as he kept Kaelix close by the shoulders. Twisting his head revealed Freo on the other side, arm draped around his waist protectively while Seible held Freo from behind. It had Kaelix confused, not why it was happening but why it felt normal, comfortable even to be held in such a way. Carefully he sat up, untangling himself from their arms and making his way to the kitchen.
A cup of tea sitting in front of him later had Kaelix thinking, staring at the table as he sipped slowly. He remembered last night with almost full clarity, how he remembered that he used to love all of them romantically and how he fell asleep almost instantly in Zeal's embrace. It didn't make full sense in Kaelix's brain, how he was so different to the person in this moment but apparently it was true and happened. So perhaps giving it a try wouldn't be the worst idea.
Freo :
Kaelix decided to start with Freo, somehow finding him the least intimidating out of the three. Maybe it was his stoicism or the way he was content to sit with Kaelix in silence some nights, staring at the stars together. So he waited until Freo was alone at the house a few days later, hesitantly going over and knocking on the closed door.
‘Come in.’ Kaelix heard, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him again, taking in the sight of Freo at his sewing table, clearly having been working. “What’s up? Did you need something?” Freo asked, frowning in worry as it wasn’t in Kaelix’s nature to come to them first anymore. What also wasn’t in his nature is how Kaelix was actually fidgeting, walking over and sitting down gingerly on the bed, looking at the clothing on the table.
“That outfit you made hi-” Kaelix started to say, cutting off when he fell back into the speaking habit and taking a breath. “You know the outfit you made me in the past, the one in the photos from the live house, I mean. Can you try to make it again with me?” Kaelix asked, not meeting Freo’s eyes as he asked in case it was too much.
Freo’s eyes widened and hands trembled as the words sunk in, dropping one of his pins before collecting himself again. “You have gotten skinnier so you will need a new size, won’t you? Let’s get started.” He said, flashing a small smile as he pulled Kaelix up and started taking measurements once again. Kaelix really had gotten smaller, not having the same amount of muscle definition since he stopped working out and eating just enough to get through the day.
“We have to get you eating more and working out again. Not to say there’s anything wrong but I just don’t want you too small. You used to love working out and snacking.” Freo explained as he measured, noting the numbers down as Kaelix listened, a small, fragile smile on his face as he listened to what the person from back then was like.
“Exercising might be good to keep busy.” Kaelix muttered, more to himself then Freo, lifting his head to have his neck measured. “Although enjoying snacking is something I can’t say I fully believe.” He added in, following Freo and sitting in his spot on the bed again. Then Kaelix noticed the abundance of fabric on the shelves and went laser focused on one of them.
A memory hit him then, sudden and sharp. It was of this exact same situation but he was clinging to Freo and pointing at a specific color on the shelf. “Color…” Kaelix said, catching Freo’s attention and seeing him stare at the fabric as well. “That was my favorite color.” He added in, taking a bright yellow bundle off the shelf and running his fingers over it.
Gingerly, Kaelix held the bundle out, Freo taking it with care and placing it next to the sewing machine. “That’s the color you begged me to use the first time.” Freo said, smiling genuinely for the first time in a while. “The begging might not be there this time, but I’ll still do anything for you.” He said, starting to work on the outfit and taking little tips from Kaelix along the way.
“What were the two of us like, Freo? Back then, I mean.” Kaelix asked after 20 minutes of silence, watching Freo’s hands stop stitching for a few seconds before picking up again. The other boy was clearly deep in thought, not sure how to word everything in a way that would make sense to Kaelix in his current state. “Just be honest even if it hurts. Don’t dumb anything down or else I’ll…I’ll never get better.”
“We were the least affectionate in public to be honest.” Freo started, the lump in his throat not going away fast enough. “I don’t like affection in front of strangers but you always teased and grabbed my hand. Made sure to kiss my cheeks when nobody was around and speak softly. We were complete opposites who somehow managed to complete each other. You were the loud to my quiet and vice versa, always standing up for me even when it landed you in trouble.” He said, lips twitching into a smile as he recalled all the situations Kaelix got them in.
The words then stopped, Freo having more to say but holding back since he wasn’t sure how or if Kaelix would react to his next statement. However Kaelix did say to be honest no matter what so that’s what he did, letting everything out. “Now I feel like there’s a piece of me missing. Of course Zeal, Seible and I love each other and you’ve seen us together but it’s not the same without you. Without your arms around me when I’m quieter than normal, without your kisses even when you thought I was asleep. I wish that you were still here.”
Freo finally looked up from his work, glancing at Kaelix and gasping when he saw tears falling down the others cheeks, with Kaelix seeming to not even realize they were there. “I’m sorry. I’ve really hurt you, huh?” Kaelix said, voice cracking at the end as Freo cupped his cheek, wiping away the tears that were still falling. “I’m sorry I’m not the person you fell in love with anymore.”
“You’re right, Kaelix. You aren’t the boy I fell in love with anymore. But you can be again. No you will be again, someday whether it’s soon or far in the future. You’ll come back to us since you’re already trying.” Freo said, moving to stand in front of Kaelix and stroke his hair. “Now come on, we’ve got a jacket to finish.”
Seible:
Kaelix spent a lot of time that week with Freo, listening to stories of their previous dates, events and just mundane chaos that happened in the past. He held on to every word, starting to write them all down so he wouldn’t forget even if his mind slipped too far once again. The stories were all so silly that Kaelix couldn’t help but giggle a few times, with Freo smiling each time he heard it.
His time with Seible happened the week after, on a cloudy night at 3am. The day had been bad for Kaelix, with him being completely shut off and distant, barely responding to anything or anyone as he just stared out the window. Seible couldn’t sleep that night and got up, peering down the stairs and seeing Kaelix still sitting in his spot on the sofa, illuminated by the moon.
Kaelix’s face was neutral and eyes blank, showing no signs of recognition when Seible sat down next to him. “Someone had a bad day.” Seible said, words simple as he reached over to brush Kaelix’s bangs back, white hair nearly poking into his eyes at the moment. Seible knew he shouldn’t be greedy, knew he should just sit there quietly even if his presence wasn’t registered.
However Seible also wasn’t as strong as people thought, so he scooted under the blanket, laying his head on Kaelix’s shoulder and holding his hand. “Bad days are okay, they’re normal for everyone. We’re all proud of you for making it through another day no matter what it’s like.” Seible said, staring at the stars for a few minutes. “I wonder if you know how much we miss you.”
“I know.” Kaelix said, startling Seible into shooting upright and looking closely. Kaelix’s expression and eyes hadn’t changed in the slightest, right now appearing like a ghost of the once bouncy and lively boy they all knew. “It’s not that I don’t miss you three or miss myself. It’s more that I don’t know what I should miss in the first place - what you all want me to miss.” He explained, hand twitching and closing around Seible’s fingers.
Seible didn’t move - hell he barely even breathed while Kaelix spoke, not wanting to scare him just in case it was all unintentional. “The person you always speak about sounds amazing, perfect even. Like the perfect boyfriend and person that everyone would be lucky to have. You’re always so quiet and never say why you’re trying to bring me back at all.”
For a long time Seible sat there, dumbfounded at the realization that Kaelix was completely correct. All this time they were trying to bring Kaelix back - their Kaelix. Meanwhile, they never truly stepped back and asked what Kaelix actually wanted for himself. He was dumbfounded but still tried to explain, moving to sit on the coffee table and look right in Kaelix’s eyes.
“I’ll only speak for myself. I’m trying to bring the old you back because…” Seible said, vulnerability breaking in a bit. “I know the person in front of me isn’t you. I know inside you’re there; the boy who curled up in my lap when tired and held me on the rare times I broke down. The one who threw himself in front of me to protect from customers that tried to fight or argue with me. The boy who loved and trusted me so deeply that he gave every part of himself in my hands. That’s why I’m trying to bring you back.” He said, playing with Kaelix’s hands as he spoke. Seible wasn’t an open person and this was probably the most open he’s ever been.
Kaelix moved his hands, moving one up to cup Seible’s cheek and wipe under his eye, clearing away the tears Seible tried so hard to ignore and hide away. But the motion - the gentleness of Kaelix’s touch - did him in, body curling on as he sobbed, the sound broken and full of sorrow. It took only a moment before hands landed on Seible’s waist, tugging him forward until he was straddling Kaelix’s lap.
The collapse happened instantly, Seible wrapping around like a koala and burying his face in Kaelix’s neck. The lap he hadn’t felt in nearly a year surrounded him once again as Kaelix held him close and tight, one arm around his waist and the other on his shoulders, hand resting on the back of his head.
“You’re safe. I’m here.” Kaelix said, unknowingly saying the words he always used to soothe Seible with in the past. “It’s going to be okay, I think. I’ve been talking with Freo more and he’s been telling me stories of what we were like before. Also how I liked working out and snacking somehow.” He said, speaking more then he had in a while, just because he didn’t want to see Seible cry.
“You didn’t like snacking, you still like snacking.” Seible said, nudging a bit in the direction of speaking like the old Kaelix was still there. “Hey, maybe next time Zeal goes out you could go with him. It’s been a while since you’ve really gone out, yeah?” He asked, sitting up on Kaelix’s lap with the suggestion and turning slightly red at the position.
“You’re blushing. It looks pretty on you.” Kaelix said, voice honest as he looked at the pink on Seible’s cheeks, poking one of them as he shot a small, fragile smile Seible’s way. The suggestion sunk in then and Kaelix thought hard. It’s true he hadn’t travelled in a while so it could be good for him, going their old route and all.
“Would you help pick out an outfit? Something that I would’ve worn out on dates back then.” Kaelix aske Seible, staring like he had all the answers in the world. At that moment Seible realized that Kaelix really was trying in his own way to remember and come back home. So he leaned back down, nodding yes as he fell asleep in Kaelix’s embrace like the old times.
Zeal and The Livehouse:
For the next week his time with Seible was also in Kaelix’s schedule, having regular chats and even starting to exercise and snack a bit, much to Seible and Freo’s happiness. The one person who never said anything was Zeal, who was always in the background watching with soft eyes and a proud smile, content to just be on the sidelines.
So needless to say he was shocked when Kaelix came downstairs one day, dressed up in a pair of loose jeans, turtleneck (that Freo made) and warm coat courtesy of Seible’s closet. “I was wondering if I could go out with you.” Kaelix asked, fiddling with his jacket in fear that Zeal would actually say no.
“Of course you can come.” Zeal said, voice soft as he reached out and took Kaelix’s hand in his, an old habit he never broke and Kaelix never denied. “I was going to stop at the live house, if that’s okay with you.” He added in, seeing Kaelix purse his lips but give a little nod of agreement.
Zeal stepped out first, waiting for Kaelix to lead their pace. It was slow-going down the stairs and down the block, Zeal giving directions on how to get to the livehouse again. He watched carefully, admiring the way Kaelix looked around with curiosity in his eyes at all the new shops and restaurants that have opened since the last time he was out on the town and really taking in the sights.
They stopped in front of the building 10 minutes later, Kaelix looking up at it silently. Zeal walked in, going right to the break room intent on getting the jacket he left here by accident yesterday after closing. The room was a mess, but he managed to grab it, walking out and freezing when he saw Kaelix in the middle of the room, walking around slowly.
Kaelix took his time moving around, looking at tables and fixing the chairs into proper positions as he moved. He went to the bar, running his fingers over the wood before going behind the counter, looking at the drink bottles and smiling at the thought of Zeal mixing a fancy cocktail. “Bartender, one drink please.” Kaelix said, looking back with a small grin as he came back out and sat on one of the stools.
Zeal moved almost on autopilot behind the counter, looking at the ingredients carefully. Something with no alcohol because Kaelix hates the taste but something that looks fancy - totally not because he wants to impress. “One Shirley temple for the bouncer, coming up.” Zeal responded, making the drink with more flair then usual - again not like he’s trying to impress or anything like that - and sliding it right in front.
Kaelix tried the drink, face lighting up at the taste as he drank and looked around again, eyes settling on the stage. “All of you show videos of me singing on that stage and I wonder if I could do it again. I mean, I probably sound horrible now.” He said, feeling a pang of something….maybe sadness go through him.
“Pretty sure you could never suck at anything, but not singing for sure. Yeah you might need some lessons and practice again but there’s no way you lose the talent.” Zeal said, hopping to sit on the bar instead of standing. “You have such a spark when you sing, it makes everyone stop and listen. It’s like you belong on a stage instead of being a bouncer here with us. The new bouncer is shit.”
Kaelix saw the scowl on Zeal’s face when he said that, the bitterness coming through loud and clear. He heard the stories on the occasions the others came home with scratches or bruises, about how the new bouncer has almost no reaction time and barely any attention span. So out of impulse Kaelix asked a question.
“Can I stay tonight? Maybe just in the VIP room because it’s quiet and has windows I can see through.” Kaelix asked, spinning the straw in his drink as he looked at the room in the back left, the thought coming to him out of nowhere. “I have to get out more, right? No place safer then with you guys, I guess.”
Zeal took pause, trying to figure out if it really was the best idea. It’s true Kaelix did have to get out more if he wanted to get truly better but The Livehouse is loud and overwhelming in general. Freo and Seible would no doubt skin Zeal alive if anything happened that sent Kaelix spiraling again but in the end he decided to take the risk. “Fine, but you’re helping us prepare for the opening.”
Freo and Seible crashed into each other when they came into the building later on, stopping when they saw Zeal wiping the bar while Kaelix swept the floor, focusing fully on his task. There was no humming or dancing like there used to be when Kaelix had a broom but he was still there working like before. “What the fuck?” Seible whispered, catching Zeal’s attention and drawing the man closer.
“We came to get my jacket and it ended with him asking if he could stay tonight in the VIP room.” Zeal explained, chuckling as Kaelix tripped on a chair and frowned at the object before sweeping around it more harshly. “I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have him get a taste of the past and it might help, so I said sure, but he’s gonna help us prepare.”
Zeal could see the hesitation on their faces, wanting Kaelix to have a sense of normalcy but at the same time wanting to keep working with him alone for a while longer. “Fine. But if I even think that something is wrong we’re getting him out of here.” Freo said, looking at them all. Zeal might be the oldest but Freo is - without a doubt - the most observant and protective.
So they continued to work, Seible setting up the outside signs while Freo worked on sound checks, everyone keeping an eye on Kaelix who looked to be at peace with his little tasks. It was 2 minutes to opening when Kaelix walked into the VIP room, with the others coming over to give hugs and head kisses with assurances that they’d come check up whenever they could.
As people walked in, Kaelix sat back on the sofa, eyes watching the drinks start coming and music start pumping, everyone having a great time. It didn’t take long for exhaustion to creep up and despite trying to stay awake he started to doze, with Seible taking notice and slipping into the room.
“Is this too much for you, Kae-chan?” Seible asked, brushing Kaelix’s bangs back and poking his nose, laughing at the little scrunch the action got. Kaelix just grumbled out a little ‘I’m fine.’ and closed his eyes, both of them so focused on each other that they didn’t notice the situation outside.
Freo was against the wall, fear building up in his body when he took in the situation. It was a drunk customer pinning him to the wall, getting angry after Freo had politely rejected his flirting attempts. Every time he tried to get away or speak, the man got angrier and angrier and Freo was getting worried that it would escalate so he looked around, seeing Zeal running from behind the bar and spotting Seible talking to a dozing Kaelix. Wait, what if he just… “KAELIX.”
Freo’s shout traveled through the livehouse, causing Kaelix’s eyes to snap open and him shoot up standing, looking around frantically. That was Freo shouting. Freo NEVER shouts. He spotted Freo on the wall and then saw the customer pinning him to it and saw red. Something must’ve changed on his face because Seible waved his hand to the door with a satisfied smirk. “Do your job, bouncer.”
Do his job is what Kaelix did, storming to the door and slamming it open, the object hitting the wall so hard it shocked some people into silence. The crowd parted as he stormed through it, grabbing the man, turning him towards himself and throwing a right hook strong enough that the crack echoed through the establishment, making everyone flinch as he went down.
“You really are fucking useless! Get his ass out of here NOW and call an ambulance.” Kaelix shouted, actually cursing at the new ‘bouncer’ that was standing there like a deer in the headlights. The boy quickly scrambled to do as told, Kaelix spinning to focus on Freo, running his hands and eyes all over the boy frantically. He didn’t even notice Zeal ushering the rest of the patrons out until the place was empty, with Seible going to deal with the cops.
“Furi, are you hurt? Where’s the pain?? Did he touch you???” Kaelix asked in rapid fire, hands travelling under Freo’s shirt until his arms were grabbed gently, pulled out from under the garment and held. Freo was there, pulling Kaelix down and resting their foreheads together, gaze soft as he spoke.
“Shh, I’m okay. It’s okay I’m not hurt, Kaelix. Relax and breathe,” Freo whispered, trying to soothe Kaelix’s shaking by cupping his cheeks. ‘Tell me he didn’t touch you. Please tell me he didn’t touch you.’ Kaelix said, rage present in his voice as his eyes were shut tight. “He didn’t touch me, I promise. You stopped him right before he did and saved me.” Freo explained, feeling Kaelix sigh and relax a bit.
No words were spoken but a yelp was pulled from Freo’s throat as Kaelix bent to lift him by the thighs like he weighed absolutely nothing, legs instinctively wrapping around Kaelix’s waist as he was held tight. “I was so scared, Furi.” Kaelix said, flopping onto the brown couch in front of the window and keeping Freo on his lap in a straddle, eyes shut as he breathed to calm down.
Seible slipped in the door and locked it, walking and sitting on the couch as well, with Zeal sitting on Kaelix’s other side. The silence was comforting, everyone using the time to calm down until a sob was heard, a sob coming from Kaelix as he was buried in Freo’s shoulder. “You shouted and you never shout. I don’t want you to shout and something just snapped. I don’t know what’s happening.” Kaelix said, words breaking as he tried to speak coherently.
“If all it took to bring you back to us was Freo shouting, we would’ve done it right when you started slipping.” Zeal said, trying to lighten the mood and sighing in relief when Kaelix laughed, the sound broken but recognizable. Freo, Seible and Zeal sat and prayed silently, wondering if their Kaelix was truly back to them.
“I don’t think I’m there yet. Not fully at least. Things are still foggy and I don’t feel like myself or see myself in the mirror like I did in the past,” Kaelix said, lifting his head to look at the others, whose faces fell at the words. “I am here though. If you guys are willing to stay then maybe one day I’ll fully be myself again.”
Seible leaned in close, with Zeal following and Freo flopping on Kaelix’s chest, enjoying the warmth and comfort. The silence spoke volumes, how they’d never stop trying since they made a huge breakthrough. How they won’t stop until they have their beautiful, lively bouncer and boyfriend back.
“Oh and fire that damn bouncer. You have me.”
They really did and forever will.