Kith's actions were far from admirable. Theron had never expected this side of his once best friend.
The change in Kith's demeanor compared to the past was striking, and it left Theron with mixed feelings. He couldn't help but wonder if this transformation was genuine or just a masquerade.
How had time sculpted Kith into this new persona? Theron's gaze drifted back to the dance floor where Kith held court.
Kith was exuding an alluring aura. If he were of the fairer sex, the swaying of his hips would have sent shivers down spines and led to invitations for late-night escapades.
Theron's jaw dropped a fraction when a slender, attractive stranger caught his eye. The man's eyes were chiseled and slightly Asian-looking, leaving Theron suspecting he might have some mestizo lineage.
The stranger was engaged in a sensual dance with Kith, his hands exploring every curve and contour of Kith's body.
Bold and unapologetic, the man openly displayed his lust for Kith. Theron couldn't believe his eyes as he witnessed the man's audacity, culminating in kisses and playful nibbles along Kith's leg.
The stranger's tongue traced Kith's Adam's apple, a gesture that left Theron bewildered. What an impossibly foolish individual.
Theron's eyes widened as the man's hand ventured lower, inching closer to Kith's derrière.
Theron couldn't fathom why Kith hadn't protested or distanced himself from this indecent stranger. It appeared, however, that Kith was not averse to the attention, continuing to move with sensual grace.
The man lifted his head, his lips eagerly meeting Kith's. They kissed passionately, lost in the intensity of the moment. Theron watched in shock, feeling as if he had stepped into a nightmarish world.
Why did Theron feel so irritated by the scene before him? Though the source of his vexation eluded him, he couldn't deny the unsettling emotions welling up inside.
A teasing voice within his mind dared to question, “Are you jealous?”
Hell no!
He rose from his seat, an urge to confront either Kith or the stranger tempting him to intervene. However, he hesitated, not wanting to create a scene that would tarnish their reputations in the pub. The fear of being perceived as Kith's lover or, worse, a jealous suitor held him back.
Another intrusive thought whispered, "If you're not jealous, why are you so perturbed?"
He settled back into his seat, his exhaustion gradually overwhelming him. He paid little heed to Kith, who had wobbled his way to the bar counter. Kith took a seat beside him.
"One more," Kith mumbled, the words slurred. The bartender promptly obliged, handing Kith the requested drink.
Kith downed the shot of whiskey like it was water, exhibiting an impressive fortitude.
"That's strong! But you're the one who'll have to deal with yourself later. Bast*rd," Theron grumbled.
As his eyelids grew heavier, he yearned to sink into the welcoming embrace of a soft bed and surrender to the blissful world of dreams. If he didn't know Kith, if Kith wasn't his future boss, he questioned why he had joined Kith and kept vigil over him, all while wrestling with thoughts of triviality.
Theron's eyelids weighed heavily, and the irresistible pull of slumber threatened to overtake him. As he closed his eyes and succumbed to the tantalizing embrace of sleep, his respite was abruptly shattered by Kith's retching at the bar counter. Theron quickly sprang into action, offering a comforting touch on Kith's back.
"Damn," he muttered.
His eyes squinted as he witnessed Kith's sudden outburst. Hell, Kith was an absolute trainwreck.
Theron stood up and, with a supportive arm, led Kith out of the pub. Kith's steps wavered with each sway, making it an arduous task to guide him. Theron held his breath, and after a while, Kith managed to expel the contents of his stomach.
What rotten luck to find himself in this unsavory predicament once more. The rain was pouring down relentlessly, and Theron checked his wristwatch; it was already past nine in the evening.
He knew he had to escort Kith to the Drawbridge, the location of their parked cars.
"Thher... I love you," Kith mumbled, his voice barely audible, like a soft whisper. Theron shook his head, but Kith persisted in calling his name. "Thher, please, don't leave me... Kiddo."
Kiddo? Theron suddenly questioned himself. It was a nickname he had often used to address Kith. He missed it. He missed the old Kith—the Kith who wasn't entangled in feelings for him, and the Kith who hadn't secretly fallen in love with him.
Theron paid little heed to the other ramblings from Kith as he steadily aided him through the relentless downpour. Kith's weight made the journey slow and challenging, and the slippery conditions only compounded the difficulty in supporting him during their walk.
By accident, Theron stepped on something slippery, causing both of them to stumble and fall. Kith ended up sprawled on top of him.
A lightning bolt streaked across the sky, followed by a resounding thunderclap that sent shivers down his spine. Theron closed his eyes as the rain continued to drench them.
Despite the discomfort, he couldn't help but smile as he felt Kith's unmoving body resting on top of his. They remained in that position for several minutes. Kith's body radiated warmth, providing a stark contrast to the cold, damp concrete beneath them.
With a gentle touch, Theron reached out to feel Kith's neck. Kith's body emitted an unusual warmth, especially in such frigid and rainy weather. Theron surmised that Kith might be running a fever. He couldn't fathom why Kith's body temperature felt so elevated when the environment was so chilly.
Determined, Theron carefully lifted Kith, contending with the relentless wind and Kith's considerable weight. Together, they slowly made their way towards the Drawbridge, where their cars were parked.
After securing Kith's motionless form in his own car, Theron heaved a sigh of relief. He decided to leave Kith's car temporarily. Tomorrow, he would explain the situation to Kith and return to collect it. Given his limited knowledge of Kith's life and the unfamiliarity of Kith's address, it seemed the safer option to bring him to his own place for the time being.
Theron parked Kith's car on the side of the road, and as he drove away, he couldn't help but glance at Kith through the rearview mirror. Kith lay in the back seat with his eyes closed, shivering. Theron had a jacket in the car, which he retrieved and used to cover Kith's trembling body. As he carefully placed the jacket on Kith, he heard Kith softly mumble his name. Theron smiled to himself, reflecting on the peculiar turn of events.
Time had passed, nearly two years, and he still couldn't comprehend why he remained entrenched in Kith's mind. What mysterious thread of connection bound them together, preventing Kith from severing ties with the past?
The puzzle deepened as he questioned why his image continued to be the beacon of Kith's heart. How could Kith still harbor affection for him when it was an open secret, even to himself, that he couldn't reciprocate the love that Kith had offered so willingly?
He contemplated the unfathomable tenacity that seemed to keep Kith's feelings alive, despite the lengthy passage of time. In his mind, he had drifted away from Kith's heart over these two years. He believed Kith had let him go.
But then, as he listened to Kith's whispered words of "I love you," he was pulled back into the moment. The spell of the past was broken.
He silently left the backseat, moving to the driver's seat as he felt the weight of Kith's groans still echoing in the car.
His gaze lingered on Kith's features, the gentle curve of his lips and his smooth, angelic face. It was a face that revealed no hint of the storm within, except when he was in deep slumber. But when he awoke, Kith transformed into a formidable creature, a tiger with claws sharp as sickles.
The memory of Kith's offer that fateful night resurfaced in his thoughts. He pondered the what-ifs. Would he have accepted it if circumstances were different, if he hadn't felt so burdened by his own struggles? It was tempting, for reasons he kept locked away.
He restarted the car's engine and continued to drive. Each passing minute pushed him further, closer to home. The weight of Kith's feelings remained in his thoughts, and he couldn't shake it.
As he neared their destination, he couldn't escape the looming decision that had to be made. He exhaled, taking another deep breath, and parked the car by the side of the road. In the stillness, he debated Kith's offer, weighing it in the balance.
Gradually, he extracted Kith's motionless form from the back seat and carried him into his own space. The room became a sanctuary for their silent presence.
A jolt of energy, much like a lightning strike, coursed through him as he gently lowered Kith onto the long sofa. Their shared history flashed before his eyes as he stared down at Kith's sleeping form.
Theron had a task ahead. He needed to prepare some warm water to cleanse Kith's body. In due course, he returned with a towel and a bowl of hot water, ready to tend to his inebriated companion.
With care and respect, he undressed Kith, gently wiping his body dry before allowing himself a moment to freshen up. The exhaustion that had clung to him began to dissipate as he walked toward the bathroom.
Emerging anew after a short while, he was clad in fresh attire and wore the mask of rejuvenation. Theron hoisted Kith onto the bed with tenderness, then laid beside him.
The room, with its silent occupants, bore witness to the return of old friends—once inseparable, their lives entwined by shared moments. The day's trials had melted into the annals of memory, and Theron closed his eyes, surrendering to the comforting embrace of slumber.
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Thank you for giving this chapter a shot.