Chapter Text
Despite Kai’s provocative comment, when he exited the bathroom and settled down to on the bed he only gave Kyungsoo a chaste kiss before laying back and falling asleep. Kyungsoo remained awake a little longer, laying on his side and gazing at Kai in the gray light. The only sounds were of Kai’s light breathing and the soft ocean waves. Facing facts, he examined not just the situation but also his honest feelings. He had fallen for this man. Fact. This man had fallen for him. Fact. Was that difficult for Kyungsoo to believe at times – hell yes. But Kai was an honest, smart, mature man and the truth was they were good together. Kyungsoo was ultimately practical. Finding someone special, finding love, and Kyungsoo acknowledged it was love, was rare. When you found that you would be a fool not to accept it. Kyungsoo was not a fool. Calm now in his heart, and lulled by the rhythmic sounds of waves he at last fell asleep.
He was the first to awake refreshed the next morning and was amused to see how adorably boyish Kai looked starting to stir, one arm flung over his eyes to block out the sun streaming in thru the sheer curtains heralding a beautiful day. Remembering his decision from the night before Kyungsoo sat up and poked Kai in the side. I wonder if he’s ticklish. Kai gave a startled yelp and moving his arm from his eyes blinked up at Kyungsoo groggily.
“Wake up sleepy head.” Kyungsoo said and then boldly leaned down to place a light kiss on Kai’s mouth. Kai looked a little stunned not yet awake and not expecting that. “I need some coffee and I can’t wait to look around.” Kai’s face bloomed in a beautiful soft smile. “Well, let’s go then.” Glancing at the clock on the bedside table which read 8:30am. “The breakfast buffet will be set out and I bet a lot of the family is up already.”
Dressing quickly in swim trunks and light shirts they made their way to the main house. Kyungsoo could hear voices and laughter from the lanai. Kai’s oldest sister was seated with their father and several cousins or uncles and aunts (Kyungsoo didn’t have it sorted yet) under the pergola enjoying the mild morning weather. A side board just inside was laden with sumptuous brunch options. Fresh fruits, pastries, chafing dishes containing eggs and bacon. A silver pot kept coffee warm and next to it was an espresso machine.
“Would you like an americano?” Kai aske Kyungsoo. Kyungoo’s eyes grew round “You know how to use one of those machines?” Kai smiled. “Actually I do.” And he proceeded to make Kyungsoo an americano and himself a latte. He waited expectantly while Kyungsoo took the first sip and after his nod of appreciation quipped with a smirk “See, I am useful in all sorts of ways.”
After breakfast Kai took him for a tour of the property ending at the pool patio surround on 3 sides by flowering bushes and on the 4th side, over a low wall, a clear view across grass and then a sandy beach, the ocean. Small birds chirped in the foliage and though the sun was already warm, the breeze kept the temperature bearable. Kai tugged his shirt off and tossed it next to a lounge chair. Flopping down he stretched his arms over head and sighed. “Ah man, it’s nice to be on vacation.” Kyungoo tried not to stare at the defined abs and golden limbs splayed with relaxed abandon so near to him. The man was irresistibly gorgeous.
A little more reserved, Kyungsoo sat down on the lounge chair next to his and noting a basket with towels and lotion nearby, snagged the bottle of sun screen lotion. He felt a little shy as he shrugged off his shirt. But just because he didn’t have abs like Kai didn’t mean he wasn’t attractive. His body was well formed and trim and Kai’s hands itched to caress the creamy white skin. “Here, let me help you with that.” He said indicating the sun screen.
“No thank you,” Kyungsoo said primly, reaching over his shoulders and behind his back in an effort to attain complete coverage.
Kai watched amused. “You missed a spot.”
Kyungsoo looked skeptical and suspicious, “I don’t think so.”
“Suit yourself, I can see it getting pink already. It will probably blister and be a real pain.”
“You’re a real pain,” Kyungsoo shot back but looked uncertain. “Fine.” He handed the lotion to Kai and turned his back. Looking over his shoulder at Kai. “You know you need to wear sunscreen too, even though you are naturally tan, I recommend everyone wear sunscreen.”
“Yes sir doctor sir. You’ll help me too, then right?”
With heightened awareness Kyungsoo suppressed a shiver as Kai massaged his back and shoulders with the sunscreen. Clearing his throat, he reached to take the bottle from Kai and motioned for him to sit before him as he returned the favor. Kai’s skin was smooth, supplely covering defined muscle and Kyungsoo felt a little breathless. As he met Kai’s gaze, the hot look in his eyes made Kyungsoo shiver and he unconsciously licked his lips causing Kai’s eyes to move abruptly to focus there. The spell was broken when some of the younger cousins came rollicking into the pool area and cannonballed into the pool sending a cooling spray over both of them.
While the day passed in pleasant leisure, still the two of them felt drawn like toward each other like magnets. They took every opportunity to perform small acts of kindness that were really just ways to be close and feel the other’s touch. Holding hands, offering a hand fed bite of food to the other, drying of the others hair after a swim. Underneath it all hummed the tacit understanding of where this would all lead later in the evening. To Kyungsoo, each touch seemed to feed a fire in him until he felt almost feverish in anticipation.
In the late afternoon, Kyungsoo enjoyed snorkeling with Kai’s middle sister Eun Jin and by the time the time for the evening meal approached almost the entire extended family had arrived and settled in. As Kyungsoo and Eun Jin walked companionably back along the beach their masks and flippers dangling casually from their fingers she explained the Kim family tradition. The first night everyone is here we have grilled seafood on the beach and make toasts with this local wine that pairs so well with it. We play music and dance on the beach and shoot off fireworks over the water. It’s the kickoff party for the vacation every year. It’s so fun no one wants to miss it or the vacation and spending time like this, it really keeps the family tight. Everyone will be there, well, except our cousin Lisa. She missed her flight, but you’ll meet her tomorrow, she is kind of disorganized, sweet though. And everyone will all want to meet you.”
Kyungsoo’s looked at her, his eyes widening and he swallowed nervously.
“Don’t worry!” Eun Jin laughed. “Everyone will love you. Your biggest problem will be trying to find time to be with Kai as everyone will want to talk to you, and let me tell you, our family is a bunch of talkers!”
Eun Jin had spoken the truth about the Kim family loving to talk. Talk, joke, toast, sing – they were a noisy, happy bunch. Kyungsoo was spared from intense interrogation by the almost constant presense of Kai at his side. Looking gorgeous in a short sleeved Hawaiian shirt and shorts, with his tall good looks, bright smile and easy laugh he stood out even among the Kims, a good-looking family on the whole.
Kyungsoo felt giddy, in small part to the chilled white wine that he actually liked, and in large part due to the presence of this godlike man that rubbed his fingers as he held his hand and seemed to always be looking at him. Kyungsoo’s cheeks were pink and his body thrummed quietly. As the sun sank beyond the waves, someone lit the bonfire and plates of grilled seafood were passed. Slightly charred and seasoned lightly, so fresh and succulent, a perfect complement to the wine. Kyungsoo found himself at the edge of the circle of light thrown by the fire, leaning back into Kai’s side. Kai bent down to brush their lips together, and then surprised Kyungsoo by dribbling cool wine into his mouth. Kyungsoo swallowed in surprised and opened his mouth to say something but whatever it was he forgot as Kai deepened the kiss. Kyungsoo sunk delightfully into it press his body against Kai’s larger, warmer one. As they drew back from the kiss and gazed into each other’s eyes Kai smiled with a tenderness that made Kyungsoo’s heart ache. Kai rose gracefully from the beach and taking Kyungsoo’s hand pulled him up to stand with him. Kai kissed him again, and as the breeze lifted the hair from his forehead, Kyungsoo opened his eyes and looked up at Kai and past him at the star sprinkled night sky. They were so small a part of the vast cosmos and yet Kyungsoo felt it would take the whole wide universe and more to contain his love for Kai. Softly he drew back from the kiss and tugging at their joined hands, he led Kai away from the beach toward their cottage.
Their casual beach clothing slipped effortlessly from limbs with words of encouragement breathlessly murmured into each other’s mouths. Bare, warm, ocean scented skin pressed together. The taste of salt on skin, wine on tongue. Kyungsoo dizzily closed his eyes for a moment. He’d only had a couple of glasses of wine, yet he felt intoxicated. It wasn’t the wine. He was drunk on Kai. It felt almost dreamlike. He opened his eyes this was no dream the tan male was still there under him as Kyungsoo rode him pushing down for to leverage to drive Kai’s cock more firmly into him.
“Holy fuck” he mumbled disoriented. And then “FUCK!” again as Kai thrust up into him squarely hitting his prostate. He could barely think, only feel.
Kai reached up drawing him forward, entwining their fingers and pulled him down for a deep kiss. All coherent thought fled from Kyungsoo’s mind as Kai rolled them over bringing Kyungsoo underneath him. Those hips that had been so good at dancing in college, were still good. Kai was pounding into him now, hiking one of Kyungsoo’s legs over his shoulder and the other around his waist.
“Oh Soo, oh fuck you feel so good.” Kyungsoo could only watch through half-lidded eyes as the gorgeous man above him glistened with effort. It felt so good. Reaching between them Kai enveloped Kyungsoo’s cock in his hand and jerked in counterpoint with his thrusts.
“Ahhh” Kyungsoo moaned and came copiously all over his own chest and Kai’s hand. As he clenched around him, a groan was also drawn out of Kai as he came moments later. Finally ceasing his thrusting, he lowered Kyungoo’s legs to the bed on either side of him. Still holding himself on his arms Kai gazed down at Kyungsoo dazedly with a mixture of satiation and wonder. With one hand he reached up to caress Kyungsoo’s cheek and push his sweaty bangs off his forehead. Leaning down he placed a series of brief, gentle kisses on Kyungsoo’s lips. Kyungsoo could barely keep his eyes open he was suddenly so tired and pleasantly spent. Kai continued to place small kisses over every part of Kyungsoo’s face and neck until Kyungsoo waved him away and whined tiredly.
Kai chuckled. “Okay my grumpy little penguin.” And disentangled himself to fetch towels from the bathroom. He gently cleaned Kyungsoo and then rolling him to his side settled behind him, the big spoon. He gave Kyungsoo a few final kisses on his ear before snuggling his chin in his neck and draping and arm and leg over him and sighing, settled quietly to sleep.
***
Kyungsoo woke up alone. His brow wrinkled perplexed. No one to the right of him, no one to the left of him in the big bed. If not for the obvious signals from his body that he’d had sex the night before, the surrealness of the whole situation might have convinced him it has been a dream. Kyungsoo groaned and got up from the bed and padded naked into the bathroom.
“What the…?!” He gasped. His chest and torso were liberally decorated with hickeys and love bites. Yeah. Definitely not a dream. Where was Kai? He would give him a piece of his mind, how was he supposed to wear his bathing trunks with these marks so blatantly proclaiming the activities of the previous night? Sighing he decided a nice hot shower was just what the doctor ordered and then coffee. “Oh hell no!” He exclaimed as he discovered more love bites on the inside of his thighs. How was he going to face Kai this morning. And Kai’s family! He stuck his head completely under the shower spray.
***
Wearing a long sleeved swim shirt and swim trunks that almost reached his knees Kyungsoo cautiously made his way along the walk way and in the side entrance of the main house. Through the screen door leading from the kitchen to the lanai he noted what appeared to be the whole of Kai’s family gathered already enjoying breakfast. Peering out, Kyungsoo could see that Kai was at one end of the table facing the interior, dressed in a simple open necked blue button up and white cotton pants rolled up at the ankle reveal bare feet. He seemed to almost be glowing in the morning light. Kyungsoo was transfixed as Kai’s mouth opened in toothy smile and he laughed a goofy laugh in response to something someone said. Raising his hand to own mouth, Kyungsoo felt the slightly chapped skin there that was a not unpleasant reminder of the kissed they’d shared. Kai’s quick eyes caught the movement and he jumped up, excusing himself from the table and coming in the screen door.
“There’s the sleepyhead.” he said and moved toward Kyungsoo grabbing his hand and drawing him out the door to the table. Various family members greeted him casually, others with their mouths full raised forks or nodded as they continued with various conversations. Kai’s eyes were playful as he flicked the collar of the Kyungsoo’s swim shirt Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo batted his hand away and hissed “Stop that.”
“Why don’t you loosen up a bit here on vacation? Won’t that be a bit warm?”
“Well, you should have thought of that last night when you decided to mark me all over.” Kyungsoo said under his breath his cheeks turning pink.
“You didn’t seem to mind last night.” Kai smirked leading him to the chair next to him and lifting several serving dished to offer to Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo realized he was starving. And more he noticed with approval they were all heart healthy but yet delectable choices. He looked toward Mr. and Mrs. Kim at the other end of the table. Her hand was resting on top of his on the table as she sipped her coffee and they chatted together. Their affection for each other tangible. He looked at Kai and saw the same affection and love directed at him.
The breakfast gathering was casual and groups began breaking off to pursue various activities. Kai looked at Kyungsoo apologetically. “Soo, I’m sorry to interrupt our vacation even briefly for business, but I have to answer a few emails. There’s an office space here in library of the main house, do you want me to meet you afterward at the pool?”
Kyungsoo smiled at him, “Kai, It’s fine take your time. I think I’ll come with you and have a look at the books.”
A short time later Kyungsoo was settled in a large chair facing away from the door gazing intermittently at his phone and at the view out the window. A group was playing badminton farther down on the beach. It was peaceful, the sound of the ocean, the muted sounds of the game, and the nearer sounds of Kai typing on the keyboard.
Kyungsoo heard the door to the main house open and then a female voice “Yoo hoo I’m here!” directed to the interior.
“Hey Lisa! So, you finally made it! It’s Kai. I’m in the library just checking emails. Pretty much everyone else is out at the beach.” Kai yelled from the library.
“Kai! My favorite cousin!” Lisa came in to the room and plopped down on the chair facing the desk dumping her shoulder bag on the floor beside her with a relieved sigh. “Where’s Taemin. I saw him in Japan a few weeks ago, isn’t he here with you?”
Kai sent a glance toward the chair where Kyungsoo sat, not visible from the door, but definitely within earshot “I’m not here with Taemin. I’m here with Kyungsoo.”
“You came with the decoy date?! I thought Taemin said after your dad’s birthday you were going to break off the charade.”
At that moment Kai’s parents stopped in the door way to the library, they had come unnoticed from their room down the hall. A panicked look crossed Lisa’s face and Kai’s parents came farther into the room and Mr. Kim addressed his son.
“Kai, what is this about?” Kai’s father said quietly looking confused. His lips were in a hard line and his eyes were unreadable. “Are you not really with Kyungsoo?”
Kai jumped up from his chair and hurriedly approached them. Exasperation and frustration made his voice tight but he only said “Lisa, I’ll talk to you later.” He scooped up her bag and thrusting it into here arms, turned her and gave her a firm push out the door into the hall firmly closing the door behind her.
“Mom, Dad please come in and sit down. I can explain everything.”
Mrs. Kim seemed strangely unperturbed. “Calm down Jun, you don’t need to get excited. Let’s sit down and let Kai explain”.
“I don’t understand how come you are taking this so well. Our son has been putting on some kind of charade. Why would you do that Kai?”
“Dad, mom. I love you and I always want you to make you proud. Having your approval of who I am and who l love matters to me.”
“Well honey we are proud of you and we wouldn’t change one thing about you. We love you.” Kai’s dad said softly. “I am so sorry you felt pressured to the extent that you felt you needed to go to these lengths. We just want you to be happy. That’s all a parent really wants. Does Kyungsoo not make you happy because it seems so real?”
Kai took Kyungsoo’s hand and drew him to stand next to him facing his parents as they sat on the sofa. Speaking earnestly he began “I knew Kyungsoo back in school. To tell the truth, I thought he was cute and a catch back then, no really, I did.” This to Kyungsoo who had huffed softly in disbelief. “But I was having fun with Taemin then and I think it was a case of right guy, wrong time. Recently when we met again, I think on a subconscious level my heart and brain were in synch even though it took a little while to admit it to myself. Now it’s right guy, right time. Kyungsoo’s a good person and I hope you can put aside how we came together because Dad, Mom – I love him.”
Mr. Kim looked uncertainly at his wife, who was still sitting calmly to his right a small enigmatic smile on her face. “Gigi, what do you think? You are taking this really well.”
“Jun, honey, look at your son. He is glowing with happiness. I’ve known since Kyungsoo made dinner with Ana that there were true feelings for both Kai and Kyungsoo. And we already had a nice talk when Kyungsoo’s mom was visiting. We’re keeping Kyungsoo. All the proof you need is to see how they look at each other. Jun honey, it’s how I look at you.” She cupped his cheek and kissed him lightly on his mouth.
“Crazy things happen every day and I am so grateful that this crazy circumstance brought them together. And I am thankful that they were both smart enough to recognize what was right in front of them. I don’t have to understand everything. I see how our son is with Kyungsoo. And I see them happy. Its more than enough.”
Kai spontaneously leaned down and drew his mother into a warm hug and then extended his arm to include his dad as well. “Best parents ever. I love you. I want what you have as a couple and I see that with Kyungsoo. Do I have your blessing?”
Kyungsoo had been standing quietly apart as the Kim’s group hugged. And now Mr. Kim looked at him seriously and asked “How does Kyungsoo feel about all this?”
Kyungsoo bowed respectfully. “Mr. and Mrs. Kim, I am truly sorry for the distress I have caused. Your entire family has been so warm and welcoming. The circumstances that brought Kai and I together are …unusual. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful man in my life. I honestly never imagined I could have this kind of love. So, Kai,” Kyungsoo turned and gazed into Kai’s eyes. “Let me be very clear. I’m keeping you. And I’m keeping your family.”
Kai was watching him his eyes shining with unshed tears of joy. His smile was gentle and his cheeks were pink as Kyungsoo took both his hands in his own. Looking up into Kai’s eyes Kyungsoo repeated. “I love you and I’m keeping you.”
“I love you and I’m keeping you” Kai whispered back softly as he drew Kyungsoo into a series of soft kisses.
“Well!” Mrs Kim said getting up and extending a hand to her husband. “Let’s leave them now shall we. There is so much to do in preparation for the wedding. Oh! I need to call Mrs. Do and…” Their voices faded away and only Kyungsoo and Kai were left in the library.
Kai took Kyungsoo into his arms and nuzzled his face in his neck. “Finally, you are taking responsibility for me.” he said with a smirk.
Kyungsoo pushed Kai’s hair off his forehead and gave him a kiss there. “We’re taking responsibility for each other.”
“Ah! I just thought of something! I will be able to help you pick out your clothes. I wonder sometimes if you didn’t go shopping after a 36-hour shift when you were mostly asleep. This is going to be fun.”
“I can’t believe you are bringing my fashion choices now. That’s the thing you are most excited about?”
“Well of course not, you look damn fine out of your clothes too. Let’s go back to our villa and let me demonstrate what I mean.”
***
Later that evening though they sat in a group around the bonfire on the beach Kyungsoo looked around the fire at each of the members of Kai’s family. Warmth in his heart burned stronger than any fire. He had found his home with this man.
***********
One year later, Annual Kim family vacation.
Kyungsoo had slept almost the clock around and Kai let him. It was good to see him get so much rest. Sleep was a precious thing for Kyungsoo these days and Kai did what he could to make sure Kyungsoo could get as much as possible. Last year after returning from the vacation, Kai had kept after Kyungsoo until he moved into Kai’s condo. Honestly they both look after each other and not having to commute back and forth between two places let them spend more time together.
Kai loved living with Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo continued to cook to relax and if Kai didn’t love him enough before he would have fallen in love with on the basis of his cooking alone. And Kyungsoo could always distract Kai away from his laptop if he is working too late. Admonishing him to watch his health and inviting deep velvet eyes drew Kai toward other interests very efficiently. Baekhyun convinced them to adopt a rescue dog and they both doted on the sweet-tempered little terrier poodle mix. They enjoyed walking her at any hour of the day or night talking softly and holding hands.
What Kyungsoo doesn’t know is that Kyungsoo’s parents arrived along with Baekhyun and Chanyeol yesterday on a later flight. Tonight, at dinner in front of family and friends, Kai has a very special question for Kyungsoo. He’s going to put a ring on it.