"Can I freshen up a little?" Kai scratched the back of his neck, a little hesitant as he stood on the threshold of the room.
Ender nodded, walking back inside to show him the bathroom, "You can take a bath as well, I'll wait downstairs"
Kai stepped in, wide eyes checking everything with curiosity, nose scrunching as he sniffed around. It seemed like a habit of his, Ender observed, ever since the latter had woken up, he unconsciously sniffed his surroundings. He handed a spare toothbrush from his bag of toiletries and pointed out a few items he could use while Kai frowned at them all.
"Don't you have plain old soap?"
"Uh I guess I have one"
Once he was sure Kai had everything he needed, Ender went down to sit with the others, startled when he saw the suitcases piled up near the door while a few of their crew members ran around to get their things. He had completely forgotten that more than half of the members were leaving for their homes today although some of them will be joining them for the next gig in three weeks. He helped them with the luggage and hugged each one of them goodbye.
"Text in the group chat once y'all reach home okay?"
He was heading back inside when Jake came out with his girlfriend in tow. He didn't spare a glance, with a scowl on his face, he walked past Ender.
Ender grabbed his arms, "I'm sorry" he says, moving to face Jake who was now avoiding looking him in the eye.
"Yeah, fine" He shrugged, pulling his arm back and heading toward the car while Ender followed
"Jake" Ender grabbed him again, "Earlier, I told you it was a misunderstanding, he hit the vase and I was startled by the sound,. I know I shouldn't have lashed out at you but I just wish to help him okay?" He then took Jake's hands in his own, "You're like a little brother to me, Jake. Forgive me please?"
It took a moment but slowly Jake gave a small smile and pulled him in a tight embrace, "You know how protective I am about you, I worry about you, idiot! You're too kind for your own good, Endy"
Ender squeezed him, relief coursing through him while he apologized again and again.
"But I'll break bones if anyone tries to hurt you, remember that." Jake says, stepping away to get into the car, "We're just heading out to roam around and maybe do some shopping, wanna join?"
"I'll pass, I'm too tired right now. Maybe we can go out for dinner in the evening?"
"Sure" and with that Jake drove off.
He was checking their stock of groceries when Kai walked in the kitchen, hair wet from the shower, wearing the same clothes that Ender had previously given him.
"Ready to go?" he smiled and Kai nodded, following him out to the car.
"This one is pretty good." Kai comments once he was seated inside, "Much better than the rusting piece of shit we have back at home"
Ender chuckled at that, "Can you drive?"
"No, it's very confusing. The only one who can drive in our entire pack is-" he paused, throat bobbing as he contemplated something, "Lara."
Ender didn't miss that, was that someone close to him? Maybe a girlfriend? He was about to ask but after gauging that reaction he thought it might be a topic Kai didn't wish to talk about. He moved to start the car when his brain caught up to something, "Uh, why did you say 'pack'?
Kai turned to him, bewildered, "Tribe" he says in a tone that comes out more like a question "That's what you call it right?"
Ender nods in understanding, fumbling with his phone to search for directions to nearby outlets.
"You don't know the roads of the place you live in?" Kai snickered
"I don't live here" Ender explained, pulling the car out on the road.
"Wait, so that's not your house?"
"No, we rented it. Our group, we came here for a show" Ender say, chuckling at the confused look on Kai's face.
"And your family?" Kai adjusted in the seat to face him, the intense gaze making Ender feel more conscious.
"My parents died when I was a kid and I've never known any relatives."
Kai's gaze softened, "Mine too, died when I was seven."
"I'm sorry about that" Ender was too young when his parents passed away, he barely remembered his mom's face. However, Kai had been seven, a bit older and he wondered if the latter had any memories of them. Wasn't it better to have memories rather than living with the fact that he never got a chance to know his own parents?
When they stopped at a signal, Ender glanced at Kai who was now engrossed, looking out of the window, observing everything around them with curiosity. He lowered the window, allowing Kai to peek out, Asheville was a scenic city. However, a moment later, he just scrunched his nose in disgust.
"I don't like the smell and it's too loud here"
Ender sniffed to check if there was any bad odor in the car but it smelt just fine to him. Coming from someone who lived their entire life in nature, he understood what the other meant.
"Uh-huh that's how cities are, loud, chaotic yet beautiful in their own way"
"Yeah they are attractive but the smell" Kai pinched his nose making Ender laugh
"Maybe you're too sensitive"
On spotting their destination, Ender swiftly maneuvered the car into a parking spot, urging Kai to follow him into the cafe. As they entered and settled into their booth, Ender noticed how people were ogling Kai. He couldn't blame them, he was a pleasant sight.
Once their orders arrive, Kai eats like he's been starved. He sheepishly looks up at Ender who now orders another serving.
"It's alright, eat up" Ender encourages yet he can't help but wonder how Kai easily ate up food that might have been enough for at least 2-3 people. And they definitely needed to stock up on meat, seeing how Kai loved it.
After their breakfast, Ender drove them to the nearest store, although it will just be the five of them in the house now, including Kai, they needed to stock up on groceries since they planned to live here until their next project. While he collected everything they needed, Kai followed him like a little child who was experiencing everything for the first time. He was bombarded with numerous questions about the different items that surrounded them along with more complaints about the smell. He truly was sensitive to smells which is why Ender ended up purchasing some mild air fresheners as well.
He was about to pick one of the bags but Kai beat him to it, picking all three bags effortlessly while Ender watched him in awe. As he opened the trunk for Kai to place their groceries, he couldn't help but stare at the way the t-shirt stretched over Kai's arms, as if it might rip any moment. Ender had never been fond of working out, dance was a workout in itself and he had lean muscles as well but he couldn't help feeling slightly envious coupled with admiration when he saw someone with a good physique.
Their drive back home was filled with light chit-chat, mostly Kai asking questions about things he saw, things he didn't understand while Ender patiently explained it all. Rather than being annoyed, he felt relieved as Kai became comfortable enough to have a long conversation but that was as long as he wasn't the center of it.
Kai carried the groceries inside while Ender followed him.
"So why exactly do you all still live in the forests?" He asked as he began unpacking the things they just bought. There it was, the hesitance, Ender observed. Kai tended to become tense whenever the topic shifted to his life.
"Uh, we protect the forest" he makes a face
"Like a conserver?"
"Yeah sure," he makes another face and turns as if to hide it from Ender, but fails.
Ender doesn't probe more, busying himself with taking things out of the bags. He hands a packet of spinach to Kai, pointing to the refrigerator, "Could you put that in the fridge please?"
Kai frowns for a second before darting towards the fridge, "Oh, I didn't know you keep leaves in the cold box too"
Leaves? Kai is a bit strange, Ender thinks.
Once they were done, Ender brought his equipment down to the living room while Kai settled himself on the couch. There were videos he had to edit and he also had to make arrangements for their next job. As settled down and fired up his laptop, Kai shifted closer, eyes fixed on the device as Ender flitted through the numerous videos of their previous show.
"That's the one who charged at me today morning" Kai pointed at Jake in the video that was playing right now.
"Yeah, that's Jake, and the others; some of them are students at my academy, and the rest of them are part of my dance crew"
"You're not in here?" Kai leaned, squinting at the screen to search for him
"No, I don't dance much now" a deep sigh left his lips, as much as he loved to dance, his body couldn't keep up with the hardcore moves for long.
"But you used to?" Kai glanced up at him, curious now.
Ender escaped the screen and opened another folder containing his older videos and played one of them for Kai. It was a contemporary dance cover of the song 'Fire on Fire'. Kai's eyes were glued to the screen, jaw dropping lower each time Ender did some complex moves.
"I-I've never seen anyone move like that" He comments as the video came to an end. There was pure admiration in his eyes when he looked up at Ender, making a slight blush creep up his neck.
They spent the entire afternoon like that, unconsciously drifting closer as Ender showed him numerous dance routines and vlogs. Kai was completely engrossed while Ender became heavy-eyed, unconsciously leaning on the other's shoulder, he eventually drifted off to sleep.