The next two and a half months passed slowly as I spent as much time as I could with Kai. I stayed in his home for 2 weeks after the incident but felt it best to go back to my apartment once we knew he would be okay. He missed the first 3 days of work after that and Juniper came with me to handle orders and other paperwork so that I could run the front and ensure that we were still making money. My bakery case was a bit limited at that time but I would sell out of everything, needing to run to the back to grab more every day. It helped fill my soul to know that my baked goods sold as well as they did.

We ate every dinner together, Kai still making my lunches to eat at the cafe and I would come in on the days I had off to keep him company. He was lonelier than he had ever let on and was slowly opening up more about that to me.

I had convinced him to see a therapist twice a week and I adjusted to taking my medications at the same time he did to show him that it was okay. We went on walks three days a week, never far as he couldn’t with his back, and we had found a park we loved and would spread a blanket under a pine tree, Kai coloring as I read. I had simply established a routine for us, a way to get him out of the daily life he had been living before and it helped him slowly come out of his shell. Every Sunday we went to a local farmers and crafting market and would buy small things that caught our eyes before getting food and people-watching. Kai had bought me a beautiful necklace with a sun on it that matched the moon one he always wore during one of our outings and I had found a small, knitted cow that he kept going back to stare at. He had wanted it desperately but refused to buy it for himself so I surprised him with it, making his entire face glow with happiness. The small knitted cow was now his prized possession and it sat in the middle of the coffee table in the living room at all times.

After dinner, I would head home to my apartment and get ready for bed, and as soon as I was tucked in and comfortable he would video call me to watch a movie together through a screen-sharing app on our laptops. We always fell asleep during these calls and one of us would wake up to end it. All in all the life we were sharing was lovely, a true, deep friendship that I wouldn’t have traded for the world.

I had just packed up my car and was getting ready to head to Kai’s house for the camping trip I had promised to take him on when my phone started to ring in my pocket.

“Hello?” I answered with a smile as I leaned against my car.

“Shiloh, what the hell do I wear to camp?” Kai sighed.

“You haven’t packed yet?”

“Um… no.”

“Oh my god. I’ll be there in 5 minutes,” I sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m used to you by now. Just make sure you have a backpack waiting and are comfortable enough to let me dig through your room.”

“I am. Just get here. I… um… I miss you.”

“You saw me an hour ago?”

“Well never mind then I don’t miss you.”

“Don’t be so sassy,” I snorted, climbing into my car, “I miss you too. I’ll be right there.”

“See you soon.”

What a dork.

The real Kai is the best.

So silly.

Sweet.

With a smile, I headed to Kai’s house, humming softly to myself. I pulled into the driveway as Connor pulled up out front and I climbed out quickly, walking over to say hi. Connor was beyond excited to stay with Juniper without Kai around and it was clear that he had plans for tonight.

“Be good,” I laughed, walking with Connor to the porch, “be safe.”

“I can’t get her pregnant idiot,” Connor pushed me softly.

“STIs moron.”

“We’ve only been with each other. I’m not all that worried. But thanks.”

The front door opened and Kai came rushing out, scooping me into a hug as I giggled, wrapping myself around him.

“Hi,” I nuzzled his shoulder, “you’re so touchy these days.”

“Shut up about it.”

“Never,” I pressed my lips to his ear, “I love that you’re so touchy. It’s nice. Doesn’t this hurt your back?”

“No. You’re so light. Also don’t whisper in my ear like that. It…”

“Fine, fine. Hi,” I leaned back, “again. For the 4th time today.”

“Hi,” he squeezed my thighs softly, still holding me.

“Alright, well seeing as I’m invisible, I’ll just go inside and find my girlfriend. Maybe she’ll hold me,” Connor clicked his tongue softly.

“Would you also like me to carry you around like this?” Kai smiled at Connor, still refusing to set me down.

“No, that's weird. You’re my brother.”

“Shiloh is my friend. It’s not that weird.”

“Right. Just your friend. That’s why you wear matching necklaces and are going on a camping trip together under the stars and you’ve been panicking for days about how to go about it. But yes. Friends,” Connor laughed to himself and headed inside and I could feel my face grow warm as Kai blushed furiously, quickly setting me down.

We stood there awkwardly for a moment before heading into the house and I followed Kai to his bedroom. I had never been in his room in the months we had spent together and I stared at everything in surprise.

His room was bright in comparison to the rest of his home. The walls were a soft lavender, his bed was covered in small pillows of various shapes and pastel colors. There was a large bookcase in one corner, full of books on anatomy, medical practices, and history. His long white dresser was at the foot of his bed, covered in small succulents and fake mushrooms. The final thing I noticed was the small fairy lights he had hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in a soft pink glow.

“Whoa,” I whispered.

“Not what you expected?” Kai laughed softly, touching my lower back.

“Not at all. But I love it. I’m kinda jealous.”

“I’m glad you like it. I like pastels, they’re comforting. Anyway, help me pack please?”

“Happily.”

He handed me his backpack and I slowly started going through his dresser, smiling at how bright his clothes were that he never wore around me.

“Oh, do you have a baseball hat?” I smiled at him from my seated position on the floor.

“Mhm,” he went into the closet and grabbed one, tossing it on the bed.

“Good. Okay, what else… ah. Hair ties. Make sure you have your insulin packed in the small cooler I got you as well as your monitor. I can get the clothes. And,” grabbing a pair of athletic leggings, shorts, and a shirt out of his drawer, I tossed them at him, “put that on so we can match but also so you don’t get hot. You also need a sweater. Hm,” I kept digging through his bottom drawer before I found a soft, light green hoodie, “oh this one.”

“You’re so bossy,” he laughed, taking it from me.

“I thought you were used to that by now.”

“I am and I love it,” he twirled one of my curls around his finger and walked out of the room.

After calming my heart, I went back to packing Kai’s bag, ensuring he had doubles of everything even if we were only staying one night. Once it was packed, I carried the backpack to the living room and went out to my car, grabbing a bag with a surprise for Kai.

I found him puttering around the kitchen, checking the food I had told him to buy as he ate a banana.

“I got you something,” I called softly.

“You didn’t need to do that,” Kai smiled, coming over to me.

“I actually did but also… I wanted to,” I held the bag out and he took his surprise out, his eyes growing wide.

“Oh, these are so nice! I knew I was missing something,” he giggled happily and opened the box that contained the hiking boots I had bought him.

“I know we aren’t going far today, but I wanted to make sure that if you enjoyed camping with me, you had comfortable shoes to go on more hikes.”

“With you?” He smiled, taking the boots to the couch to put them on.

“If you want,” I walked up behind him and took the messy bun from his hair, braiding it slowly, “I want you to also be able to do things like that alone.”

“I have been going on more walks alone. It seems to be helping my back actually.”

“I’m proud of you,” I finished the braid and gently ran my fingers down the side of his neck. My hand passed over his pulse point and I could feel his heart thundering under my touch.

I make him nervous.

Good.

“That’s nice,” he whispered.

“What is?” I bent down and whispered gently in his ear, “that I’m proud? Or my touch?”

“B… both,” he stuttered, “Shiloh please…”

“Sorry sorry,” I laughed quietly.

“Y’all are weird,” Juniper called from her bedroom door.

I turned to smile at her and she winked, clearly in on the fact I was trying to make Kai flustered.

“We are not! Well we are but… shut up, Juni,” Kai groaned, “Shi?”

“Hm?”

“I’m gonna pack my stuff into your car. Are we ready to go?”

“Yes, just don’t forget the food.”

“Never.”

I watched him climb off the couch and he began to carry things out to the car as I went over to hug Juniper.

“Be safe, okay,” she whispered softly.

“I used to go camping all the time alone. We'll be fine. I promise. We’re not even going to be that far from here. He’s safe with me.”

“I know. He’s nearly the brother I remember before things went to hell. There are still flashes of that sad, lonely guy he’s been for years, but he’s steadily coming back to himself. Thank you for helping.”

“I don’t help,” I kissed her forehead softly, “I just support his crazy decisions. He tried to pull me into a fountain the other day. I got out of it because of my leg and he looked really sad. It was cute. He wanted to splash around.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Paradise Campground. Then we’ll go over to Belknap Springs. It’s only about 5 minutes apart. We’ll have fun.”

“I know. He’s staring at us impatiently from the door.”

“How long do you think I can ignore him before he comes over and picks me up?”

“Wanna find out?” She giggled.

“Absolutely.”

We stayed there talking for 3 more minutes before Kai came over and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

“Hey. Hey. Pay attention to me,” he rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Why? You’re a big boy. You can do things alone,” I smiled and turned my head to look at him.

“Shi,” he whined, “I missed you today and you’re ignoring me.”

“We literally worked side by side all morning and only spent about an hour apart,” I laughed, leaning into him to take the weight off of my leg.

“Why don’t you miss me when we’re apart?” He pouted, holding me tighter.

“I never said I don’t. I just like making you whine. It’s adorable.”

“Shut up. Stop teasing me. Rude,” his face flared making me laugh.

“I will never stop making fun of you. Is everything loaded up?”

“Mhm,” he smiled, pressing his forehead to my shoulder.

“Alright. We should go then. Check-in is at 2.”

“It’s a campsite. Why do you have to check in?” Juniper looked at me confused.

“Gotta confirm we’re taking the spot. I reserved it the minute Kai told me he wanted to go camping for the first time,” I smiled at her.

“I swear you’re the sweetest person,” she sighed happily.

“No I am,” Connor called from the bedroom, coming out without his shirt on.

“Why are you shirtless in my house?” Kai sighed.

“It’s hotter than hell in here. Deal with it,” Connor shrugged.

“I won’t have to. I won’t be here tonight. Don’t destroy the house, be respectful of my stuff, stay out of my room, and call if anything happens.”

“We know, Dad,” Juniper rolled her eyes, “I’m 20, your sister not your child, and I’m safe with my boyfriend. So leave. Now. Take care of each other, and make good choices. Don’t get so excited you forget to check your levels or take your insulin.”

“Shiloh literally won’t let me forget those things.”

“Good. Okay. Have fun boys.”

“Thanks, you two. Seriously call if you need us. We’re happy to cut the trip short to come back,” I hugged them both before going back to Kai, “come on. They’ll be fine. I promise.”

“I trust you,” Kai smiled, softly touching my cheek.

“I know.”

With one last wave we walked out to the car and before I had the chance, Kai ran over and opened the driver's door so I could climb in.

“We aren’t on a date,” I laughed, “no need for chivalry.”

“I just like doing sweet things because it makes you smile,” a gentle blush graced his face and he closed the door behind me, coming around to get back into his seat.

“You smile more than I do,” I stuck my tongue out as I started the car.

“It’s been a long time since I truly smiled, Shiloh,” his voice was soft, nearly impossible to hear.

“I know,” reaching over, I gently squeezed his thigh, “but they’re beautiful when they’re true.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Huh?” I looked at him surprised before turning my gaze back to the road.

“I didn’t say anything,” he cleared his throat quickly.

“Right… okay.”

We drove to our campsite in relative silence, both feeling slightly embarrassed until Kai gasped, looking out of the window.

“This place is amazing!”

“I know! I’ve never been here! It’s new to me too,” I smiled at him as we greeted the park ranger to check-in.

He directed us to the furthest campsite from the road, along a small stream in a clearing of massive pine trees. There was no one in any of the campsites surrounding us, meaning that Kai and I were effectively alone.

After reaching the spot, we slowly began unpacking everything, getting the campsite set up as we talked and laughed, Kai regularly stopping due to distractions around us.

“Ya know it’s easier to set up the inside of a tent if I have my support partner,” I called loudly from the top of my sleeping bag.

“It’s too pretty out here!”

“I know but I actually need your help, I’ve never set up for two people before Kai.”

He finally poked his head in and found me resting on my sleeping bag, my prosthetic off and lying behind me. Kai slowly climbed in, laying on my sleeping bag next to me.

“You have your own spot right there,” I gestured to the other side of the tent.

“It’s better over here,” he wrapped an arm around my waist, nuzzling my shoulder gently with his forehead.

“Kai… what are you doing?” My heart began to race, and I prayed to God that he was unable to hear it.

“You smell good, you’re warm, I can’t… I’m sorry. I’m…”

“I’m… confused.”

“Why?” He looked up at me, before laying his head on my chest, “holy hell your heart is racing.”

“Well of course it is. My crush is lying on me right now," I quickly covered my mouth.

“Your… what?” His eyes grew wide as he stared up at me.

“I… I didn’t say anything.”

“Shiloh,” he whispered, scooting up enough that we were face to face, “Shiloh, do you have feelings for me?”

“Yes,” I whispered, studying his face.

“Why! You can do so much better than me. I’m a disaster. I won’t be able to give you a beautiful life, some big grand world. You can-“

I cut off his train of thought by sitting up and kissing him softly, my heart thundering in my chest at the rough texture of his lips. He gasped softly and shot away from me, his chest heaving.

“Sorry. I… I should have asked I just,” rolling onto my stomach, I buried my face in my arms.

I made a mistake.

He doesn’t feel the same.

I fooled myself.

The tent was deathly silent before I felt Kai touch my lower back, his hand sliding under my shirt to trace my spine.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Shiloh,” he whispered as well and I could feel him kiss my lower back, lingering, “God you smell so good. You’re so warm. But I… I have nothing to offer you.”