"Ughh." Kai woke up to a headache ripping his head apart. Memories of the night before came back to him as he sat up in bed. At this actual moment, Kai promised himself he would never drink again- again.

He wasn't sure if the wine was a reason he became so opened and vulnerable to Leo, or it was Leo himself. With Nolan, he never felt this need to share anything that you consider emotional. It scared him to be this unguarded and put on the spot. 

Yesterday, he reminded in Leo's arms until he drifted to sleep quickly. It was exhausting to bring himself to talk about his past. He knew that Leo wouldn't judge him for anything he would tell him. The thought on its own made his heart sprint.

Leo was like this safe place you would come back to rather than run. The more time passed by, Kai started to share more things with him. He wanted Leo to know him. Yeah, that wasn't entirely the wine's fault.

Kai got up from the bed and went for a quick shower. When he opened the bathroom door, he took in that there is someone else in the apartment. He felt his stomach tighten as he came face to face with Leo. 

"Would you mind if I also take a shower? I need to go straight to my classes after breakfast." Kai nodded, and Leo touched his shoulder, smiling. "How are you feeling today?"

"Good, I guess. How about you?" Kai walked back to the bathroom, handing a fresh towel to Leo. "Do you need some fresh clothes? We are about the same size. They should fit." Kai looked back at Leo, who just stared at him like he was about to say something. "What?" He questioned.

Leo's lips formed a small smile and responded after a short pause of hesitation. "No, it's nothing... if you can lend me something fresh, that would be great."

Kai walked to the bedroom and pulled out some fresh clothes. He knocked twice on the bathroom door and passed them to Leo, who already started to undress.

After Leo showered, they sat at the table where Kai prepared some ingredients to make sandwiches. The atmosphere was better than Kai expected it to be, and Leo didn't mention their conversation the previous evening. He managed to relax quickly, hoping that he won't try to talk about it. He wasn't ready for another emotional encounter.

When they finished eating, Leo left the kitchen to grab his bag. His classes were in less than an hour, but Kai's place was situated close to University, so he didn't have to rush. "Another busy day... I wish to stay here instead." Leo sulked.

"You can If you want. I don't mind." Kai went along, knowing that there is no way he could do it. Leo and Noah were in the same department, and Noah was so busy with his classes that they didn't see each other for days. They only exchanged messages about more important events happening, like his interview or Noah's sudden trip with his father to his grandmother, who fell off the stairs. The poor woman will have to stay a couple of days in the hospital for a few more checkups. Thankfully nothing serious happened to her besides a few bruises.

"I can't spend here all day, but maybe I can come back on my lunch break?" He asked hesitantly.

"With your own food, I hope." Kai raised an eyebrow.

"Sure, I can grab something on my way. Text me what you want, and I can get it for you too." Leo laughed and raised his hands, admitting defeat.

It felt empty and lonely being alone. It's crazy how quickly you can get used to another person around. Kai wanted to hold on to this feeling and never let go, but he didn't know what Leo thought about him. Was he even attracted to guys? They never talked about dating, and Noah didn't mention anything either about Leo's previous relationships.

Aura outside the window was brisk. It was freezing. Kai could feel the cold air on his skin coming inside from the tilted window. It's fresh and vivid outside but cosy and welcoming inside. 

Kai decided to work on his selling profile before Leo would be back while smiling to himself at the thought of how he could get used to Leo casually popping into his place. He took photos and uploaded two more paintings on his profile.

The notification popped out on the screen, and Kai noticed that two drawings of the lake, his and Noah's hidden place, were sold. It felt satisfying that someone liked his work to the point that he was willing to spend money on it. Kai couldn't hold happiness and was grinning from ear to ear. Bouncing from excitement, he couldn't wait to share this news with Leo.

There was another thought on the back of his head that was hanging on him like a dark cloud. He took his phone and decided to text Noah first in case he couldn't talk right now.

*Do you think I should go to the wedding? Leo wants to go with me. Is that a good idea to take him there?* With a sigh, he put his phone back on the desk. 

Before getting up, a loud ding signalled a new message. Noah replied to him quicker than he expected. Reaching out, he grabbed his phone while walking out of his workroom. 

*I'm not sure, but it's up to you. It may be actually fun, but avoid Elaine at all cost. I'm not sure if I can go with you. I'm drowning in work. Literally, I have papers everywhere around me. If Leo is willing to go, you should take him. It's better than be alone there. Also, I forgot to tell you! Maya and Jake are asking to go together to the theatre next week. Do you want to go?*

Kai put the kettle on and leaned on the kitchen counter, waiting for the water to boil.

*It would be cool to go. Just text me the details when you will know them. It's okay. I know you are busy. I will take Leo with me. I have a feeling he is looking for any reason not to have to study."

He selected his mother contact and called her before he could change his mind. The phone ringed a few times before he heard women voice on the other side. "Hello?"

"Hi, mum. I just wanted to let you know that I will come to a wedding. I will bring my friend with me. His name is Leo." Kai told her. He preferred to make everything clear to avoid any assumptions and misunderstanding, which could put him in a very uncomfortable position later.

"That's good that finally, you decided to come. Leo? Is that your boyfriend? I thought you would bring Noah." Kai felt his face rose in heat.

"Noah is too busy to come, and no, Leo is not my boyfriend. He is my friend." He actually liked the sound of that word describing Leo.

"Okay, I will be expecting you two then. Twins will be happy to see you. When you will come?" His mother asked. He could hear she got busy with something and her voice sounded distracted. A dose of disappointment clenched his chest. He knew this conversation was going to take such a turn, but somewhere deep in his heart, he expected her to be a little happy to see him. Maybe even excited or at least to show interest in this conversation for longer than two minutes. 

"I will talk to Leo and will text you." He heard a knock on the door and the sound of Leo entering without waiting for him to respond. 

"I need to go." They exchanged goodbyes, and he hanged up. 

"I loove Thai food," Leo said, reaching for the food from the plate.

"Can't you wait for me? At least take it to the table and eat it there instead of standing here." Kai shook his head and continued to remove the Chinese Fried Noodles from the container.

"I'm waiting for you, that's why I'm standing here, next to you... but I am also hungry. It just smells so good." He looked at Kai with apologetic eyes. 

Kai shook his head, silently laughing. "Okay, I'm done here. Let's eat now."

Leo's first classes after lunch break got cancelled, and he decided to stay longer at Kai's place before returning to the campus. He was resting on the sofa with his legs pulled to his chest, one of their favourite Tv series on the screen. Kai saw those episodes countless times, but they kept rewatching them over again.

"Today, someone bought two of my drawings," Kai brought two glasses of coke and sat next to Leo before he handed one over to him.

"Really?! That's great. Which ones? Have I seen them?" Leo reacted more enthusiastically than Kai expected, or maybe he did.

"You saw them. Do you remember the pencil drawings of a lake in the woods?"

Leo thought for a second before the picture came to his mind. "Yes, I remember. You had a similar lake on some of the canvas too. I liked them. They were pretty."

"Actually... it's a real place." He hesitated for a second before he continued. "And I would like to take you there. That is my and Noah's place to hide from the world. As long as you keep it to yourself, he won't mind. It's peaceful and beautiful there. You'll love it."

A small smile crossed Leo's face. "I'd like that. Are you sure Noah won't mind? I don't want to intrude in your secret place."

Kai liked the idea. It was his favourite place, and the excitement started burning slowly in him. "I'm sure he won't. Before you came, I also called my mother and told her I was coming to the wedding. Do you still want to go with me?"

Leo seemed surprised by his decision. "I thought you would decide not to go," and he rushed to add when he saw the disappointment in Kai's eyes. "Oh, I didn't mean that! Of course, I'll go with you, wasn't it me who suggested it in the first place? I'm surprised because, from the way you talked, I thought you didn't want to be there."

Kai could feel a heavy pressure weight off from his chest. He breathed deeply and relaxed, knowing he won't have to go alone in the end.

"Yes, but I feel like I should go at least to the ceremony. My family is very traditional when it comes to these big events." He spoke, slightly smiling before adding. "Thank you for going there with me."

Leo gave his thigh a friendly squeeze and smiled warmly. "I wouldn't leave you alone with that witch of your cousin. By the way, we always hang out at your place. Do you want to come over at the weekend to mine instead? There is a movie I want to see. You may even like it."

"I doubt that, but I can watch it with you. Do you live alone?" Leo barely talked about anything besides his studies, and Kai realised that he doesn't know Leo as much as he thought he does.

"Oh, yes, I do live alone. It's my grandmothers flat. I'm staying there for free in order to take care of it. She moved in with my auntie. It wasn't safe for her to live alone anymore." Kai could tell that it was a sad subject for him.

"That's nice you can stay there without paying for it. It's expensive to live alone, especially close to uni. How about your parents?" He got up to bring them more drinks while listening to Leo talking.

"They don't mind. Actually, I'm from the town next to your hometown. I figured if you wanted, we could visit my family for dinner. I haven't been home in a while." Kai felt the heat rise in his body as he smiled and silently agreed.

"I hope I'm not a burden to your studies? When you suggested going with me, I just took it for granted. I didn't even think about asking you." Kai looked at Leo, concerned. His worries melted under the wide grin Leo gave him.

"No, you are not a burden, Kai. If so, you are my saviour. I need a distraction from that constant study. I want to go to that wedding with you, and a little break will do good." Leo breathed. Pulling his phone from the table, Leo checked the time and got up with a defeated face from the sofa. "As you know, I wish to stay, truly... but I need to go back to fry my brain even further."

"You are always welcomed here." Kai walked Leo to the door to see him off.

Walking back to the kitchen, the urge of breathing the fresh air became irresistible. Kai grabbed some scratch books and pencils from the desk. He turned around, scanning the easel while reflecting deeply. After the dozen seconds passed, he put them away and picked painting tools together with some canvas from the corner pile.

A thick layer of dust covered the roof of his car. Some leaves fell from nearby trees signalling that Kai didn't care much about his vehicle. He hated driving and done it only when he had no other choices. Yearning for some alone time to recharge, he couldn't have anyone to drop him off.

Groaning dropped the stuff on the backseat. As Kai got into the car, he turned on the engine. The heart rammed in his chest, and his breath elaborated from the adrenaline. That was the first time in months when he drove by himself.

There were a mist and fog in the air creating a mystifying atmosphere. As Kai got closer to the woods, there were many more trees covered in flamboyant colours. It was the end of November, and soon all that magical scenery will be covered by the white duvet of snowflakes. Kai parked his car on the side road where the patch to the lake was the shortest. Once he opened the door, a fresh breeze of icy cold air stroked his face. A shiver ran down his spine, and Kai tightened the grip of his scarf around his neck. Frowning, he pulled the bag with the painting tools and reached for canvas placing them under his arm to lock the car.

As he reached the lake, Kai walked a couple of meters to the right. Deciding that the view is captivating enough, he arranged the stuff around him to have easy access and focus only on painting. He sat on the fishing stool, weathered from the sun and covered in multiple colours of paint, his favourite.

Kai had the habit of absorbing his surroundings with all his senses. He liked to sit and meditate for a couple of minutes before placing first strokes on canvas. Feel the cold air against his skin, wind brushing his reddened chicks, perceiving surroundings. Being caught up in the moment was something that helped to transfer emotions on the groundwork. It was a form of expressing sensations and thoughts. It came more naturally to him than words.

Kai took out the paints and spread them on the palette. The light blue colour was the first to land and outlined the sky. Then came the green of the grass and the dark navy of the lake. It took him the longest to arrange the trees and extract the beauty of the wild coloured bushes that grew around.

The sun started to set down for the day, and Kai had noticed that he spent there hours. Carefully he placed his tools back to the bag and grabbed the canvas with his red, frozen from the cold hand. After placing the stuff back in the car, Kai got in and immediately turned the heating on. Only then he recognised how badly cold he was. Hoping he won't get sick after a long painting session in the woods, Kai drove back home.

In the evening, he texted Leo the plan for their trip for the wedding weekend. They decided to drive there in the morning on Saturday and return the next day after dinner with Leo's parents. As he put back his phone, Kai watched fresh painting laying now on the easel to dry. It came beautifully, catching all colours and visible fog surrounding background trees. Smiling, satisfied with his first real work from months.