"This is amazing! You are a great artist Kai." Leo was in the process of checking each drawing, each canvas from the piles leaning against the wall.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it," Kai smiled shyly, looking at Leo, who absorbed all his attention. He acted like a child, amazed by new toys. Kai wasn't sure what was so exciting in them, but it was nice to see him smiling, so he watched the changing expression on Leo's face.

"I love it! You could start selling them. I know you were texting with Maya about some freelance jobs. I think you would do great." He glanced at him smirking while reaching for one particular canvas that Kai did not want Leo or anyone around him to see.

"It's true, you have a nice aesthetic, and you move smoothly between the styles," Noah added, nodding in agreement with Leo. "You are creative."

"Thank you. It's been on my mind since Maya suggested it to me. I may start complementing my portfolio soon." He said, "I also looked for some part-time jobs to gain some working experience." He replied without taking his eyes off Leo as he studied the picture he had painted with Nolan. He was getting so nervous that his heartbeat could be heard probably by his neighbours, his palms now covered in sweat. 

Leo took his eyes off the beautiful landscape and focused them on Kai instead. After a few seconds, he gave him a small, understanding smile and put the canvas back to the pile. At that moment, Kai felt naked. Leo seemed to read each thought in his mind as every emotion Kai felt. 

"This one is interesting. What's that?" He picked another painting showing yellow stripes mixed with reds and greys blended in various rainbow shades. "It's so weird but amusing at the same time." Leo focused on Kai, searching for some reaction or explanation, but Kai was only sitting there and watching him, occasionally giving him a small smile. 

"It's called abstraction," Kai smirked. Leo attempted to say something back but got interrupted by Noah. 

"I remember this one. You painted it at the beginning of our last year at uni." He was holding a new can of beer, this time leaning on the other side of the door frame. Kai didn't even notice when he was gone to get it. His smile disappeared from his face as the wave of the memories overtook him.

"You will get very drunk soon. Remember that you are not that young anymore." Leo laughed, and Noah just shrugged. 

"I'm still in my twenties, so fuck off. I can hold my liquor." They both laughed, and Noah proudly took another sip from the can.

Kai was sitting on the sofa with Leo on the other end, both of them slowly drinking their hot teas. After returning from Kai's work studio, they agreed to continue watching Pirates of the Caribbean before they all went to sleep. 

Noah passed out five minutes later, and they moved him to Kai's bedroom.

Kai's mind was spinning, flying to the places and thoughts he would rather avoid. More likely, forget as if that would be somehow possible. Leo looked collected, focused on the TV, peacefully enjoying his drink. 

Kai noticed that Leo's eyes were blue now, not green. It's pretty amazing how occasionally eyes can take a different colour depending on the lighting. 

"You are staring." Leo pointed to Kai, who was contemplating on colours perspective and dependence, not caring whether Leo would notice or not.

"Oh, sorry." Embarrassed, Kai focused on TV instead, even if he had no idea what is happening on the screen anymore. 

"I don't mind, though. You can look if you want." Leo chuckled, half-amused by Kai's reaction, which made him wonder why Kai got so flustered. 

They became good friends in his eyes, and Leo felt confident among people he knew. Maybe Kai thought otherwise, and Leo was ahead of himself? He got along well with people, but something about Kai made him feel attached to the man much faster than usual. Kai was quiet and distant but polite and kind. He felt the urge to take care of him, make Kai trust him. 

Kai inviting him to his house wasn't something that Leo could expect soon. He let him in a bit more than the others in their circle, but he was sure it was because he is close to Noah and the two are practically family to each other. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here sitting on the sofa in Kai's apartment drinking tea like best friends.

"I know it's out of nowhere, and also it's a bit embarrassing, but you know that you can trust me? You can always call me if you need anything. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it because I think it's something wrong with you. I want to get to know you better, and I need you to know that I'm here for you as a friend." Leo finished his sentence much more quietly than when he started talking. 

Kai froze with a cup of tea halfway to his mouth while Leo nervously continued. "I think it doesn't sound well. What I'm saying is that you don't need to be reserved with me. I can see that you are keeping me on distance. Noah told me that you don't feel comfortable with strangers, so I get it. I hope you will feel at ease with me around. You can truly trust me, Kai." Leo took his tea, hoping to hide his awkwardness and waited for Kai's reaction.

"Umm... thank you? I'm not any good with people, and I'm sorry if I made you feel not welcomed or anything." Kai said while he put the mug back on the table.

"No, not at all. It's just we know each other for a while, and I don't want you to think that I'm some random person in your life who will leave you soon." Leo said.

"Did Noah told you something?" Kai frowned.

"About what?" Leo stared curiously.

"Nothing, forget it. I'm happy to hear that. I also want to get to know you better." They stayed in silence, a small smile climbing on Leo's face. He hadn't felt that nervous about anyone for a while now. He truly cared about Kai, and he needed him to know about that.

"That was awkward. I'm sorry." Leo scratched the back of his head and turned away from Kai as he felt his cheeks rose in pink.

"Only a bit." He chuckled, amused. The mood lifted as a new kind of bond developed between them.

The movie ended, and Kai started moving from a comfortable seat, trying to untangle from a blanket covering him. 

"I'll bring you extra cover if you want to stay overnight." He pointed at the fabric in his arms.

"That would be nice." Leo grinned, looking up at Kai. "Only if you don't mind."

"I've got one drunkard in my bed already. Why would I mind one more?" Leo glared at him as Kai went to the bedroom, and after a couple of minutes, he came back with a pillow and blanket for Leo. 

"I hope that Noah won't be too hangover to give you a lift in the morning." Saying this Kai, turned around to look at Leo.

"Don't worry about it. I can always walk to the bus stop and go back on my own." Leo undressed, wearing only boxers and keeping the shirt on, climbed under the blanket.

"Okay.. I'll leave you alone then. Good night."

"Good night," Leo said while watching Kai leave.

"Oh God.. my head." Noah walked into the kitchen looking tired with tousled hair, wearing Kai's clothes. He sat at the table in front of Noah.

"Do you want some water and maybe pills for your headache?" Kai asked, smiling widely at how pitiful he looked. Noah nodded, staying silent. While he sat at the table, he rested his forehead on his palms, eyes closed.

"I guess I won't be getting lift home anytime soon?" Leo asked."No. I'm not moving." He murmured under his breath. "You need to wait or walk."

"Here is your water and a pill. I'll make some porridge." Kai left a cup of water and pills next to Noah, who stayed frozen in place.

"You shouldn't drink so much." Leo chuckled and took a sip of coffee Kai made for him earlier.

"Mhmm"

"Why you are so quiet, Noah?" Leo looked at Noah from underneath, resting his cheek on the table. Kai was silently laughing, pressing against the kitchen counter continue holding his coffee.

"Shut up, can you?" Noah muttered sharply.

"No need to be rude," Kai said. Leo chocked on his coffee, continuing after Kai. "We are just worried. You don't look good."

"I can see you both are having great fun teasing me while I suffer. Thank you very much. I'm going to lay down." Noah got up, headed groaning towards the bedroom.

"Why are you going to my bedroom? Go home!" Kai said behind him, but Noah just closed the door and ignored the laughing boy. "He doesn't know when to stop. When he will learn."

"Never. Noah will never learn. He is a hidden masochist." Leo laughed at his assumptions. 

"I may agree with that one," Kai added.