Kai looked toward Liam after they pulled into the parking lot. "This is... the parking lot."
"No shit," Liam chuckled. "It looks like one."
"Yeah," Kai replied. "It's a big parking lot."
Kai wondered why he had to be so awkward. He felt embarrassed after the fact that he found it necessary to introduce Liam to the parking lot, like he had never seen a parking lot before.
Liam got out of the car and looked around. He saw a large tree in the distance, tucked away between two separate buildings at the apartment complex. He walked to the tree and leaned against it, then lit up a cigarette.
Kai got out of his car and followed him. He looked up and frowned.
"What?" Liam asked as he took a drag off the cigarette.
"Smoking kills," Kai said.
"You told me that before," Liam said, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Thank you, Nurse Kai."
Kai frowned and crossed his arms against his chest.
"Come here," Liam motioned toward him.
"Why?" Kai asked as he approached him.
"Just come here," Liam stated.
Kai stopped a foot away from him. He looked up at him. He didn't want to get too close, as he found the smell of cigarettes disgusting.
Liam pulled him closer and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. He took another drag off the cigarette, then flicked it onto the ground. He looked down at Kai.
"You smell repulsive," Kai commented.
"Thanks," Liam smirked, putting out the cigarette with his foot.
"You're welcome," Kai chuckled.
Liam tightened his grip around the blonde and pulled him close. He smiled as he looked into his eyes. He could, but he wanted to be closer to the small blonde, and he also didn't want to overstep his boundaries. He could already see Kai's face turning red. It was adorable. He had never met such a cute, timid man before, and he was all for it.
Liam had also never felt the need or desire to be so gentle with another human before. It was as new for him as it was for Kai.
"Kai," Liam said softly.
"Y-yeah?" Kai stammered.
"Can I kiss you again?" Liam asked with a grin.
"Uh," Kai began. "I, uh…"
"I'm just messing with you," Liam chuckled.
"Asshole," Kai shook his head.
Liam ran his hand through the blonde's hair and sighed. He wanted to, but he was going to drag everything out and make it painfully slow for Kai since the reaction was amusing. Plus, in a way, he didn't want to do anything to upset the blonde, even though he would never admit to that.
He would wait until Kai was bold enough to ask. He wondered how long it would take.
Liam hugged Kai gently and looked down on his back as they embraced.
Kai sighed contently. The hug was nice. The hug was warm. It reminded him of coffee. He liked coffee. Maybe he also liked hugs from Liam. He may have liked them more than coffee.
Liam pulled away and looked into Kai's eyes. "Hey."
"What?" Kai asked, his voice somewhat shaky.
"Your ass," Liam smirked. "It does look fantastic in those jeans."
"Prick." Kai frowned and walked off.
Liam had the urge to smack his ass as he walked off, but he refrained.
Liam followed close behind, staring at Kai's ass unapologetically, as Kai walked up the stairs to his apartment. When the blonde got to the door, he looked back toward Liam.
"Oh, you followed me," he stated.
"Yeah," Liam said. "Why wouldn't I?"
Kai shrugged and unlocked the door. He then went inside and felt himself becoming nervous again. "M-Make yourself at home."
Liam snickered and walked in behind him. The first thing he noticed was the tall glass shelving unit containing various anime figures. He walked up to it and placed his hand on his chin as he looked at the contents.
"Why am I not surprised?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes on one with blue hair that looked like a maid.
Kai looked away and smiled. He knew exactly what Liam was looking at. He knew what everything in the shelving unit was. They were his most prized possessions.
The blonde walked up next to him. "Which one are you looking at?"
"The maid," Liam stated, pointing toward the figure. "You would look good in that outfit."
"Fuck off," Kai muttered.
Liam laughed, then noticed there were several figures in the blue-haired maid. She was in various poses, one of which was holding a weapon and looking angry. He also noticed some of her in different clothing.
"Is that your anime crush or something?" Liam asked with a smirk.
"No," Kai said, shaking his head. "She's just adorable."
Liam looked over toward Kai and narrowed his eyes. "Not as cute as you."
"I'm sure." Kai frowned.
Liam turned his attention back toward the figure case. He seemed to be intrigued by the collection.
Kai was thankful. Liam changed the subject. He wasn't sure how to respond. He felt awkward when he was complimented. It made his heart skip a beat and his body feel as if he were going to melt into a puddle of nothing.
Liam looked over at the shelves on the opposite wall and walked toward them. There were new in-box figures lining the shelves. He smiled when he saw what was contained in one of the mint-condition boxes.
He looked back toward the blonde. His face lit up.
"Is that a limited edition, mint condition, sealed in plastic, Uchiha Sasuke?" Liam asked as he pointed to the figure. "That's fucking amazing."
"Yes. How did you know?" Kai asked, tilting his head.
"That's one of the rarest things you can get," Liam chuckled. "I tried to find the damn thing online, but it was so expensive."
"Oh, yes," Kai replied. "That's why you have to watch out for pre-orders and get them while you can."
"Interesting,' Liam smiled. "I don't have that much dedication."
"I pre-ordered some, but my cousin in Japan sent me one for my 17th birthday," Kai stated.
"Lucky bastard," Liam nodded. "You didn't even take it out of the box!"
"Yeah. They lose a lot of value if you take them out of the box," Kai stated passionately. "The ones in the case aren't really that valuable. They are figures mostly given out as crane game prizes."
"You won those from crane games?" Liam asked.
"I play a lot of crane games when I visit Japan," Kai snickered. "They're addictive."
"Like for vacations?"
"Kind of," Kai stated. "Some of my extended family live there, so I visit with my mom from time-to-time."
"Wow," Liam commented. "You're a pretty cool nerd."
"T-Thanks," Kai replied, wondering if that was actually a compliment.
Kai looked over at his couch and smiled. He thought about cuddling with the dark-haired man who was standing before him. He thought it would be nice.
Liam continued looking at the shelves. There were lots of other figures. He spotted a blonde guy with a red cape.
"I don't know this one," Liam stated.
"Oh, that's Goku," Kai replied.
"Ah, Dragon Ball Z?" Liam asked.
"Yeah," Kai smiled. "I'm not super into it, but I have a soft spot for Goku. He's adorable."
"He is, isn't he?" Liam chuckled. "He's jacked."
Kai blushed and looked down.
"Don't get embarrassed," Liam laughed.
"I'm not," Kai protested.
"Uh-huh," Liam said, shaking his head. "Keep telling yourself that."
Kai decided to flop onto the couch. He leaned back and watched Liam as he looked at the shelves.
"What's this guy even doing?" Liam asked about the character.
"He was an orphan that was found by an old master. He has super-strength. His hair is spiky. He can turn into a giant ape during a full moon."
"Wow!" Liam laughed.
"You laugh now, but you would like the anime," Kai stated with a frown.
"I'm not laughing at the show," Liam snickered. "I'm laughing at you. You're such a nerd."
"I am not," Kai puffed out his cheeks.
"Yes, you are," Liam replied. "You said so yourself earlier."
"Whatever," Kai looked away and sighed. "I am."
Liam continued looking at the shelf and saw a picture frame. He looked down at it and noticed that it was a young version of Kai, maybe ten or twelve years old, and a girl that looked like she could have been his sister.
"Hey," Liam stated. "Who is this? Your girlfriend?"
"No." Kai looked over and laughed. "That's my sister, Mika."
"You have a sister?" Liam raised an eyebrow.
"She's pretty. Your family must have good genes or something."
"Yes, I do," Kai answered. "And she has an adorable son."
"What's her son's name?"
"Michael," Kai laughed. "He's four, and he's adorable."
"You guys have cool names, but she named her son Michael." Liam stated it with an amused tone.
"We have Japanese names," he chuckled. "Our mom is Japanese, and our dad is American. She wanted to give him an American name because he doesn't look Japanese at all, anyway."
"I guess that makes sense." Liam nodded.
Liam decided to sit next to Kai on the sofa. He yawned and stretched his arms.
Kai felt a little nervous at the sudden proximity. Liam could have sat anywhere on the sofa, but he chose a spot nearly touching him. He looked over at Liam. The taller man was still wearing his glasses. Looking at him like that made his cheeks flush again.
"Kai," Liam purred in his direction.
"W-What?" Kai stuttered.
"You're blushing," Liam pointed out.
"Shut up," Kai mumbled, looking down.
Liam gently caressed Kai's face and moved it so that they were looking into each other's eyes. He stared at him with a soft smile, leaning closer so their foreheads touched.
"You're so cute," Liam said.
Kai's flush deepened from the comment.
Liam released his touch from Kai's face, much to the blonde's disappointment. He patted his shoulder.
"I'm hungry," Liam stated.
"McDonald's," Kai suggested.
"No," Liam protested.
"McDonald's fries," Kai nodded.
Liam took the glasses off and placed his palm against his face. "Don't start this again."
"Liam," Kai nervously said his name.
"What's up?" Liam asked.
"Will you kiss me again?"