Chapter 8

Victoria walked away, leaving a trail of tension in her wake. Observing the uncomfortable scene, Kanan couldn't help but ponder what might lurk beneath the surface. The strained exchanges from the man assumed to be his brother. The words from his mother left Nathaniel and the younger girl in visible discomfort. The situation left a sense of hesitation, recognizing that some aspects of the unfolding narrative remained shrouded, guarded by a boundary Kanan couldn't breach. The situation was a complicated web of emotions and relationships, with Nathaniel at the center of it all. The burden upon his shoulders was a weighty presence, each step carrying a heaviness of unspoken challenges.

"I've been wanting to meet you. I'm Emily, Nathan's cousin." She joined them at the table. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Hopefully, it's all positive," Kanan answered. "I'm Kanan, Nathan's friend." Kanan didn't hesitate to use his newly found nickname.

"And by the looks of it. It looks like I've won the bet," Emily smiled.

Nathaniel said, "She practically lives at my house. She saw the suits and made a bet you'd choose the navy blue one."

"I seem to be the key to bets recently," Kanan said. He took the opportunity to piece together a piece of the puzzle. The makeup and accessories he saw belonged to Emily. "So what's the prize?"

"He does whatever I want," Emily answered. "Let's go to the beach, all three of us." Despite Nathaniel's unspoken words, the shifting of his body carried a shadow of reluctance. "Please," Emily pleaded.

"Emily," Nathaniel said in a low, soft voice.

"What do you think, Kanan?" Emily turned to him.

"I haven't been to the beach in a while. I don't mind, but if Nathan isn't up for it..."

Emily pleaded with her eyes, desperation flickering in the depths of her gaze. "Fine," Nathaniel gave in.

As the night unfolded, the background faded away during the conversation. Emily radiated a youthful charm with an infectious energy that lit up a room. As Kanan observed their interaction, it was evident that what they had was special. A tinge of jealousy presented itself within Kanan; Nathaniel was different. He knew that nothing could beat a relationship built over the years and a connection that made them seamlessly understand each other. She was much more open yet kept a lid on things. Kanan was grateful for her presence. He uncovered the finer details of Nathaniel's life- a yearning for travel and his latent talent for painting, which, unfortunately, hadn't met a brush in years. She crafted memories with her camera throughout the night, capturing moments in vibrant photographs. Emily shared her enthusiasm for a long-desired photoshoot, coinciding with Kanan's growing love for photography. In a lucky turn of events, she extended an offer for the job, blending their shared passion into a collaboration.

~~

At the end of the "Happy Birthday" song, they quietly slipped away from the celebratory gathering, leaving the festivities behind. Emily, disheartened by the departure, held back her goodbyes until the final moments. The night ended at Nathaniel's house, Kanan staying as he knew Nathaniel had more than one drink, and he didn't want to drive Nathaniel's car home.

"You can stay in one of the rooms upstairs," Nathaniel guided him to the second floor. "I'll show it to you." It was a realm of refined luxury, as expected. The hallway invites you to explore the lavish secrets that unfold within-To his left led to one of the bedrooms. Kanan's dwelling for the night had soft, neutral tones and a king-sized bed draped in fine linen and plump pillows.

Kanan removed his jacket and laid it on the bed as Nathaniel knocked at the door, signaling his entrance with the promised clothing for Kanan. "Thanks,"

"About tonight," Nathaniel started. "I didn't expect much from my brother, and I hate that you had to experience that. He shits on me whenever he gets the chance, but with you, it's different. And my mother..."

Kanan patted the space beside him on the bed, inviting him to have a seat. "I have a journal back home, Life Adventures: All or Nothing. I started it a month or two ago. I've been wanting to travel the world." Kanan started. "Truth is, I just want to try different food. Is there anywhere you want to go?" Seeing what happened weighed on Nathaniel's mind, Kanan steered the conversation towards something lighter, hoping to convey that he no longer cared about what happened. The situation was distasteful, but the past discomfort was now gracefully set aside.

"Anywhere is fine," Nathaniel replied.

"Should we just explore and see where we end up?" Mid-conversation, a subtle yet deliberate intertwining of fingers occurred. Though caught off guard, the touch brought a tingling sensation and surprise, which Kanan didn't pull away from. He glanced downward, eyes drawn to the unexpected connection between their hands. Yet, as quickly as the surprise registered, his gaze was met not by Nathaniel but by the straight-ahead view he maintained. Kanan decided to play his game. He didn't know what Nathaniel was up to, but he drew closer to him. "If you wanted to, you should've asked. I would've done more than hold it." Kanan whispered in his ears, bringing the back of Nathaniel's hand closer to him, capturing Nathaniel's undivided attention. "Or maybe not. I'm just joking around. If it makes you feel any better, I'll hold it for as long as you need."

"Yeah," Nathaniel said softly. "You should freshen up and get changed. I'll be next door." He gently pulled his hand away.

Upon opening the door, Kanan told him, "Just to let you know, I care more about what you think of me than your family."

~~

Under the veil of the night, Nathaniel found himself lost in thought that denied him a passage into sleep. Lying in bed, he stared into the darkness, replaying the moments of hours before. Nathaniel didn't expect much. His older brother reacted how he expected, his father, whom he saw from a distance, and his mother's matchmaking persisted despite his personal preferences. His desires and choices often find themselves in the shadow in the pursuit of his mother fulfilling her vision of a perfect pairing. Victoria followed a different script, resulting in a sense of frustration for Nathaniel and a feeling of not being understood.

Then there was Kanan, who deserved so much more. In him existed a soul so kind and caring-becoming a balm to Nathaniel's heart. His kindness seemed more than a gesture but a natural part of who he was. Each word and action became a refuge where he found comfort and joy. It was in those moments of shared laughter that Nathaniel began to acknowledge a feeling that transcended the ordinary. A feeling that started to bloom in the confines of Ethan's store, something he thought was a blooming physical attraction.

At the table, they shared the realization, like a gentle whisper crept into his heart. In the presence of Kanan, his feelings began to stir, surpassing the boundaries of friendship. It was a small flame that Nathaniel knew would blaze over time. Determined, he vowed to part ways after the party. Despite deeming it the best moment to extinguish these developing feelings that unexpectedly developed, Nathaniel, in a bold move, found himself entwining his fingers with Kanan's, surrendering to the emotions that defied his rational intentions. He didn't dare to look Kanan in the eyes, fearful of what his impulse might do.

A mixture of satisfaction and disappointment washed over Nathaniel as his actions ended in a joke. His mind and heart engaged in a conflict, leaving him torn on the path to follow. Tossing and turning, he attempted to escape the clutches of his racing thought. For the first time, Nathaniel found himself preoccupied with someone else following a family gathering that would always leave him in the pits. As he faced impending decisions, a beach day scheduled by the orchestrations of Emily awaited him-hoping to keep his emotions in check, as Kanan's feelings were an uncertain factor in his decision.

~~

In the quiet morning scene, rays of sunshine filled the room. Despite the restless night, Nathaniel felt fully rested as a new day unfolded. With a heart brimming with gratitude, Nathaniel stood in the kitchen after washing up, determined to make a tasty breakfast for Kanan. The clatter of pots and pans echoed as he prepared breakfast, each gesture a silent acknowledgment of all the times Kanan had been a pillar of support. As the aroma filled the air, it was a humble breakfast crafted with care, the least he could do. Plating the breakfast, Nathaniel awaited the arrival of Kanan.

"What's all this?" Kanan said as he descended the stairs. "You should've woken me up to help you."

"This is the least I can do you for," Nathaniel told him. "Just sit and enjoy."

"Is there something special happening today?" Kanan questioned.

"No, I'm just grateful for all the kindness you've shown me."

"My mom always said to be kind, as you never know what someone is going through, it's only natural," Kanan said. "But thank you. Also, I couldn't help but notice how happy you are, probably the happiest I've seen you. A drastic change from last night." Kanan examined the options before him. A display of French toast, eggs, bacon, and fruits is a testament to Nathaniel's efforts.

"I feel great," He couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for his elevated spirit. A radiant smile and a lightness in his steps showed his joy. "By the way, are you a coffee or tea person?"

"Tea," Kanan replied. Nathaniel prepared a cup while Kanan dined at the breakfast table. "It looks good on you, being happy."

A blush crept onto his face. With his back turned to the source responsible, he attempted to hide the involuntary reaction. "Last time, I said I'd be your source of comfort," He brought Kanan his warm cup of tea. "But it always ends with me being on the receiving end. I've been sulky and upset more times than I can count."

"I'm just not good at showing my emotions that stem from a deep place," Kanan told him. "Few things disturb me. I'm always trying my best to be positive despite..." He stopped himself.

It was a rare moment of vulnerability. Kanan, a constant pillar of kindness, allowed the cracks to surface briefly. His typical strong shoulders slumped, and his gentle smile faded. It was a reminder to Nathaniel of Kanan's earlier words about kindness. That even the most compassionate souls carry their own burden. A trace of guilt poked Nathaniel's heart. Here he was, adding his unspoken weights to Kanan, who soothed him, not knowing his struggles, blinded by the warm light he emitted. It stirred a desire to get to know Kanan, unveiling the layers in hopes of understanding and bringing him closer to the person he grew fond of.

A realization struck him - the path to forging a bond like any other required laying his burden bare. A task he wasn't sure he was ready for, yet he wanted the same from Kanan. "How hypocritical," He thought. Nathaniel was betraying his logic for his emotions, and by doing so, he was willingly placing himself in a position that allowed Kanan to become a significant part of his life, a reality he wanted to evade.

"I guess there's more to us than we realize," Nathaniel joined him at the table. "How's breakfast?"

"Better than I thought,"

"I'll have you know that I'm a great cook. Eggs and bacon are child-play." They both laughed, starting the day on a good note.