XXXIV

Throughout the drive to his house, Kimi kept quiet, busying himself with searching through his soaked items. Ren kept his attention on the road as he drove, bobbing his head to the tune that played from his bright red headphone. When they got closer to the street, Ren pulled down his headphone and searched for a parking spot.

As soon as Kimi noticed his confused frown, he cleared his throat and pointed to the side of the road. “You can park it close to the pavement.”

Ren hummed in surprise, his brow arced. “Really? Isn’t that against the law?” he asked as he drove the car closer to the pavement.

“Well... no one really cares,” he said as Ren turned off the engine.

Ren scoffed, smirking lightly as he shook his head. “Come on.” He unlocked the doors and pulled his open.

“Um... where can I drop these?” Kimi said, raising his wet cloths.

“You should have left those in that taxi.” He puffed air out of his mouth and looked behind. “Uh...” He reached back, picked up a stray porcelain bag and handed it to Kimi. “Put them in these.”

Kimi quickly shoved the cloths into the bag. He pulled the door open and stepped out. Dull sunrays caressed the front yard of his little house. Seeing the neatly trimmed mini-lawn made him bite the corner of his bottom lip, remembering his mother.

“Well do you have a spare key or do I have to break the door?” Ren said monotonously as he walked to Kimi, his narrowed eyes on the door.

Kimi glared lightly at his face that was shadowed by his raised hood. “Even if there isn’t a freaking spare key I wouldn’t let you do that.”

Ren raised his middle finger at Kimi as he walked to the door and Kimi reciprocated the act, whispering a swear word under his breath. Kimi followed behind Ren with a stiff gait. When they got closer to the door, he shuffled past Ren and walked briskly towards a gnome that was by the door.

“Cool,” Ren said as he watched Kimi pick up the gnome and pull a key out of its mouth. “Aren’t you guys ever worried that someone will take the key and break into the house.”

“Only if they freaking know how to twist their tiny fingers,” Kimi mumbled as he unlocked the door.

Kimi pushed the door open and ushered Ren in with his hand. As he stepped into the house, it felt like he hadn’t seen the house in ages and sighed slowly. Kimi lifted a confused brow at the electronics that were still on, slowly walking through the short hallway to his room.

“Make yourself at home while I pack.”

Ren hummed, shoving his hands into his pockets. He inclined his head and studied the interior of the house as Kimi walked into his room. The hallway was filled with the sound of shuffling and humming electronics as Ren moved further into the house.

Ren studied the the naked hallway that had no decorations or any of that sort. It was just bare, yellow walls and a single yellow bulb that coated the hallway in warm light. He cocked his hip and ran his eyes up and down each wall. When he spotted a single item that was laying against the wall, he walled to it with wide strides, his curiosity piqued.

“What... the hell is this?” Ren muttered lightly, squatting to pick up the item. He gave the item a weird look, his eyebrows raised. “Is this a broom?” He studied it like it was an alien. It was an item of multiple, brown, thin sticks that was held together by a twisted rope.

Ren turned it around in his hands. He made a comical expression as he weighed it in his hands.

“Hmm...” Ren wanted to place the broom back were it had been resting against when he spotted a deep hole in the wall. He poked the hole with his finger and brought his hand to his face when he got a dusty feeling on his fingers. “What’s this?” he said softly, squinting at the sooty substance.

Ren gently placed the broom back to its former position, rubbing the tips of his fingers together. He brought his hand to his nose and sniffed. Ren frowned, confused at the lack of smell that the thing had.

Could this be a claret infused substance? he thought, eyeing the house as he stood. How could it have gotten here?

Ren silently mulled over in, lost to the world when Kimi walked out of his bedroom. Kimi cocked a brow at Ren’s deep, thoughtful frown, zipping up the bag in his hands.

“Ren? You alright?” he asked, walking to the kitchen.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I just... It’s nothing,” Ren said, hastily cleaning his fingers on his trouser.

Kimi hummed nonchalantly as he made a beeline to the cupboard. He crouched and pulled it open. He moved plastic containers around as he read their labels, searching for one item. As Kimi found it, he gripped it tightly and stood.

“What’s that? Moringa?” Ren questioned, pointing at the container.

“Ground camomile leaves,” Kimi said, struggling to unzip his bag and hold the container at the same time. “Fuck!” he hissed as the container slipped out of his hands and fell, spilling onto his toes. “No, no, no. Shit! Shit!” he said, crouching with a worried frown.

“Man are you okay? It’s just tea,” Ren droned, resting against the counter.

“Just tea? That was fucking—!” He swallowed his words, biting down on his anger. I can’t lash out on an idol just because of some fucking curse of clumsiness, he thought, glaring seriously at the spilled tea. Fuck my bad luck.

Ren exhaled lightly and crossed his bulky arms. “If it means that much we could go straight to a mall and get another.”

“No... No that’s... It’s specially made for me and—oh fucking crap!” Kimi slapped his head and stood. “My mother hides spares in her bedroom. My freaking forgetfulness.”

Ren held a blank expression as he watched Kimi speed out of the small kitchen, turning to the right. “Uh... Should I be worried?” he asked over the sound of loud shuffling.

“No! Just gimme a sec!” Kimi replied, tossing things left and right.

Ren sighed with a shake of his head. “People clearly never change.”

Ren walked out of the kitchen and moved back to the front door. It didn’t take long and Kimi dashed out of the bedroom, struggling to tug on his bag.

“Is that all?” Ren snorted lightly as Kimi nearly tripped as he turned and tried to lock the bedroom’s door.

“Yeah. Yeah... I got it,” Kimi said with a short breath. He exhaled tiredly and tugged the door shut. He held onto the bag’s handles and shuffled to the front door.

“Let me help. Don’t worry, go to the car,” Ren said, rushing to help Kimi turn off the lights and switches.

Kimi sighed in thanks and rushed out of the house. Ren shook his head as he watched Kimi get tilted to the left and right by the heavy bag. He switched off everything and stepped to the door. On his way out, he gave the hole a nasty look.

Gripping the handle of the door, he thought, I’ll have to tell the rest when I get back.

*

“You could have placed it in the boot,” Ren said lightly as he drove up the hill, sparing Kimi an amused look.

Kimi huffed and tightened his arms around his robust bag. “I do not trust my bag in that boot of yours. Something might freaking happen and I don’t want to stay for twenty-four hours without camomile.” He squinted and gruffly said, “things always freaking go wrong when I’m involved.”

Ren snorted and tightened his fingers around the wheel. “It seems like crap hasn’t been eradicated from your life. Sucks to be you little one.”

“Fuck you. Don’t call me little like you’re not older than me with just three months,” Kimi said sharply, squinting at Ren.

Ren spared a second, raised his hands in defence and returned them to the wheel. “It’s not my fault that you have the cutest voice and you look like a small, puffball.”

“Fuck you.”

“You can gladly do that when we get back.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Kimi and said, “we’re both old enough now and—”

“Stop!” Kimi said, cupping his hands over his ears.

Ren guffawed. “I’m kidding!”

Kimi flipped him off and moved his attention to the trees that they passed. He bristled in his seat when he spotted the parked taxi in the distance.

“What are we going to do about that taxi?” he asked lightly.

“Leave it to Mr. Vdélla. The authorities will believe him. Besides”—Ren stopped as he waited for the gates to be opened—“you’d driven it here in a panicked state and nobody will hold it against you. Especially not the police.”

Kimi hummed lowly and watched the wide, tall gates move open. He held his breath at the sight of the wide and enormous compound.

I’m definitely never ever freaking getting used to this sight, he thought as Ren drove into the compound.

The drive to the front door took up to a minute. Before Ren could even turn off the engine, the helpers were already rushing down the high steps.

“Stop that,” Ren said, looking at Kimi.

“Stop what?” His eyes were still on the eager and determined helpers who were rushing to the door.

“This.” Ren gestured to Kimi’s surprised face.

“Screw me for not being used to royal lifestyle,” Kimi mumbled, opening the door, his eyes narrowed in alertness.

“Master Mikaelis, welcome,” the three helpers said in unison with a bow. “May we help you with your belongings?” they said, still bowing as they stretched out their hands.

“Okay?” Kimi said, his face squeezed in confusion. He handed it to one of them and she carefully took it. “Be careful... with... that,” he said, his eyes wide in shock at the sight of the tiny helper carrying the back like it was nothing.

“Get used to it,” Ren mumbled, placing an arm on the car’s roof.

Kimi rolled his eyes and looked at the stairs. Looking at them made his stomach twist in disgust and he shuddered.

More of those freaking stairs, he thought, looking towards the front door. Where’re they going to? he thought as he spotted Silver, Illiad and Qharis walk out of the house, a few helpers following behind them.

“Hmm. Wonder where those three are going,” Ren mumbled as he noisily shut the car’s door. He used the remote to lock the car and walked to the stairs.

Kimi placed his hands into his hoodie’s pocket and walked slackly to stairs, groaning in dread. He felt lightheaded as he neared the flight of stairs, sweat gathering on his forehead.

“Oh. Hey guys! Where’d you go?” Qharis asked as she walked onto the expensive road.

“Took Kimi to his to get some stuffs,” Ren answered, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at a queasy Kimi. “So where’re you guys off to with those lot?” He gestured at the large baskets that were in the helpers’ hands.

“The hospital,” Illiad said with a small smile. “We’re going to visit Dae-yang and we decided to bring her grocery and flowers.”

“Does your dad know?” Ren asked.

Qharis nodded, smiling widely. “Mum’s coming with us.”

Silver smiled at Kimi. “Kimi are you coming?”

“What?” He removed his eyes from the stairs and was met with four pairs of eyes.

Silver frowned lightly. “Are you okay? You look... sick.”

“The stairs. There’s too many of them. I might freaking die from exhaustion climbing up these.” He glared at the stairs and remarked, “there’s no need for exercise when you’ve got these to walk up and down each day of your life.”

Illiad laughed lightly. “We try.” He squeezed Silver’s hand, drawing his attention. He pecked his lips and said, “I’ll just drop the items in the limousine. Qharis?”

“Coming,” she singsonged and followed after her brother.

The helpers bowed in greeting  and followed the siblings.

“See you later,” Ren said, walking up the stairs.

Silver watched Kimi’s grossed expression as he watched Ren move up the stairs. He looked at Ren and said, “you can follow us to avoid that.”

“Yay. Once is better than twice. Freaking yay again,” he said in a comical voice. He sighed and grumbled, “okay. I’m coming.”

“Great!”

Silver motioned for him to follow as he walked to the limousine that was packed closed to the fountain.

Kimi looked up at the sky, reality knocking on his mind’s door. Dae-yang just lost both of her parents Kimi. Don’t be rude. He heaved a calming sigh and mumbled, “this should be as easy as buttering toast.” He looked at the limousine and thought, it’s not. I’m riding in the same space as cadavers. This should be flipping, freaking fun. Yay.

Kimi groaned lightly, willing himself to move to the limousine. He weakly rubbed his nape as he watched the helpers place the baskets in the boot. Illiad shut the boot after the last basket was placed inside it. He eyed the three of them as the chauffeur opened the door for them with a dip of his head.

“Come on.” Silver waved for him to enter the car. “You can sit on the other side if it’s too much.”

Kimi sighed, his throat making a cracked noise. He removed his hands from his pockets and shuffled closer to the car. Bending his head, he gazed into the car and his breath faltered at the sight of the car’s interior. His jaw dropped in shock, his vision heavy and swirly.

Silver chuckled lightly at Kimi’s dumbfounded expression. “Don’t keep that face for long or it’s going to be permanent.”

“I shit you not,” Kimi started quietly, stepping into the car. “This car is more expensive than Rhodes Isles itself.” Being extremely careful, like he was scared that one wrong action and the car will get destroyed, Kimi sat on the leather seat with a snaily speed.

Silver and the siblings watched Kimi as he eyed the little disco-like bulb at the ceiling of the limousine with wide eyes, his jaw slack. He passed his hands across the scale-textured seat and at once retraced his hands like he had touched fire. Qharis smiled a little at this. Silver exhaled slowly through his nostrils, a little grin on his face.

“I can never get used to this,” Kimi said, putting his hands into his pockets. Spotting the others’ expressions, he quirked a brow and hissed, “what? Something on my face?”

Qharis slowly shook her head. “No. It’s... your expression. It—”

“Looks dumbfounded? Scared? Sick?” He scoffed lightly and looked out the tinted window. “All of this freaking riches is alien to me. Sorry in advance if I break a china out of fright.”

“Duly... noted,” Illiad said, laughing lightly. He turned to Silver and smiled at him.

As Silver noticed Illiad’s eyes on him, he glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, trying hard to hold down a smile. “What is it?”

“It’s... He reminds me of you when you started living with us.”

Silver stuck out his tongue at him through the corner of his mouth. He puffed his cheeks and folded his arms over his chest. He bent his head and rested it on Illiad’s shoulder.

Kimi quietly moped at them, his eyes glazed over. As the door was pulled open again, he swiftly looked to the side. Haruna entered the limousine and sat on his side. He quickly slid to the other side, narrowing his eyes at her.

“Oh. Kimi... I didn’t know that you were joining us.” She grinned at him, the skin around her mouth spreading tautly. “Shall we?” she said as the car started moving.

Kimi pressed his back into the seat. He leaned back, his head nearly reaching the headrest. He didn’t even have the right to sweat for his life due to the freezing air-conditioner that was chilling the car. Because of this, he exhaled silently through his open mouth, his gaze on his feet.

Noticing his demeanour, Haruna asked, “is the air-conditioner too much? Should I tell—?”

“There’s no need for that,” Kimi said sharply, unintentionally making his voice come out in a snap.

The Vdéllas gave him a worried look. Haruna sighed lightly, feeling a little bit hurt. Silver took his hand out of Illiad’s, smiling sadly at Kimi.

“Mrs. Vdélla is it okay with you if I sit beside Kimi?”

“Yes! Absolutely.” Haruna made way for him and he sat inbetween the both of them.

Instantly, Qharis shuffled away from her position in front of Kimi, sliding closer to her brother. “Sorry. We were insensitive. We knew that you’re not used to the presence of cadavers yet we forced you to sit with us in a confined space.”

Kimi’s eyes twitched in response to her words. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking out the window.

Everything is freaking fine.

Author’s Note: Hey, hey, hey. How’s it going? How’s your day? Hope you have something to smile at during these weary times. :D