Ethan knox - September 2120
There's something endearingly chaotic about watching two grown men drunkenly attempt to duel over who pays for another round.
Even more endearing that one of them is my Kai, swaying like a very pretty tree in a very gentle storm.
We've only drunk together twice, and somehow I still forget how badly alcohol ambushes him. Judging by the way he and Finn nudge and wobble at the bar, Finn isn't much sturdier. It's like watching two kittens trying to win a tug-of-war with a cloud.
I spot Noah watching them too.
"Must feel strange" I murmur.
He turns. "What does?"
"This," I gesture toward the Kai/Finn wibble dance happening at the bar. "I'm guessing this is what things used to be like when you guys were younger."
Noah studies the pair for a beat.
"It isn't identical to before," he says, choosing the wording with care. "But… yes. The shift is noticeable. Kai seems unusually relaxed. Happier than he was."
That shouldn't make my heart ache, but it does. Just a small pinch, sharp and tender.
"It must have been difficult for you both growing up."
Noah's gaze drops.
"I wouldn't categorise as both." I say. "I dealt with our father's expectations, yes, but at least I wasn't dismissed or punished over insignificant things."
His words sit heavy in my chest. I swallow a mouthful of my drink, as if it could dissolve the guilt forming there.
My eyes drift to Kai, laughing bright and unguarded, and I picture a little boy version of him. Black hair in his eyes, fingers fidgeting, standing at the edge of a room while everyone fussed over his twin.
That thought alone could crack a stronger person than me.
"Was it hard for Kai?" I ask, even though my stomach is already bracing.
"He acted like it didn't affect him" he says, voice low. "But he's my twin. I always knew."
Of course he did. And yes, it stings, just a touch, that there's a part of Kai I can never know in the same way Noah does. Something woven into the bones of their shared childhood.
"Even now," Noah continues, "Kai still hides a lot. But he's easy to read when you're around."
That flutters through me like warm wind on nerves.
"What do you mean?" I try to sound casual, but I probably fail spectacularly.
Noah considers. "I've never seen him smile this frequently. It's as if something holds him steady while still giving him room to breathe."
I end up smiling into my glass, butterflies doing somersaults in my ribs.
Curiosity nudges me. "Does Finn do that for you?"
"He's different." Noah exhales. "Finn feels obligated to protect me in Kai's place. Our friendship grew from that."
I don't say it out loud, but Finn doesn't strike me as someone who protects out of duty alone. There's a deeper story there, buried under years.
Just then Kai locks Finn into a playful headlock, and I burst into laughter. They look like two puppies trying to wrestle while forgetting how legs work.
Noah laughs too, though there's a flicker in his eyes. Something like longing wrapped in jealousy.
"So how did you all meet?" I ask.
"Our uncle Owen introduced Kai to Finn at the training hall," he explains. "They connected through sparring. I met Finn afterward, once Kai decided he was trustworthy."
"And how did you and Finn get close?"
"We landed in the same school" he says. "He'd walk me home. We talked. And when we thought Kai was gone…" The words thin out, fragile at the edges. "Finn stayed. Every day. Through all of it."
Before I can respond, Kai and Finn wobble back to the table with drinks in hand, laughing and leaning into each other.
Usually that sight would poke the jealous parts of me. Watching the man I love laugh with someone who knew him long before I did.But after Noah's story… it softens something inside me. Finn was one of the few people Kai had to support him.
"What are you two talking about?" Finn asks, dropping into the seat beside Noah.
"I could ask you the same" Noah fires back.
Finn hands him a drink. "Just talking about the past. Like the time Kai tripped off the mat during training and slammed into the bench."
Kai groans. "It wasn't that funny."
Under the table, I give his leg a gentle squeeze. His gaze snaps straight to mine like I tugged a string tied to his heart.
"There was so much blood" Finn continues, delighting in the retelling.
"I needed stitches, you know" Kai protests.
I remember tracing those scars on his skin. He'd told me this story, but now it has faces and voices.
"I only felt bad because Noah thought you were dying" Finn teases.
"Don't exaggerate," Noah mutters into his drink. "I was merely concerned."
"Pretty sure you were crying more than Kai."
"I wasn't crying!" the twins shout in near-perfect unison.
Finn and I lose it laughing.
For a moment, the resemblance between the twins shines through... irritation, pride, synchronised indignation.
"Anyway," Kai huffs, "what were you two talking about?"
"Noah was telling me how you three met" I say, leaning subtly into him.
He leans right back, legs brushing mine under the table. His warmth blooms through fabric and straight into me.
"Indeed," Noah says. "but why don't you tell us how you two met?"
Kai tenses. I feel it instantly.So much for subtlety.
"I told you, we met at the facility," Kai says coolly, though the tension in him is loud.
"That's true. But surely there's more to the story." Noah edges closer.
Kai's jaw tightens. I use my sight and flick my attention toward the future.
And there it is...
[Noah pushing for more answers. Kai snapping back and storming out. Night crumbling like wet sand]
I land back in the present just as Kai starts, "Noah, just leave it-"
I grab his arm gently but firmly, redirecting the moment before it avalanches.
"Well, if you must know…" I jump in with theatrical flair, sprinkling humor like glitter over a crack.
Kai shoots me a look, annoyed but letting me continue.
"I was wandering alone when I heard this rhythmic thumping. Naturally, my legs dragged me toward the gym like they had their own romantic subplot. And there he was, demolishing a punching bag like it owed him money."
Kai softens, but only just a touch.
"I was so mesmerised I didn't see the bench. I flew over it in what I'd describe as an elegant disaster. And when I looked up, there he was, standing over me with his hand outstretched. And, well… history."
I pinch his cheek. He swats my hand away but he's smiling, and the tension dissolves like morning frost.
Thank the stars.
Crisis sidestepped.
Future rewritten.
And I get to keep holding his hand under the table like we're sharing a tiny, private secret in the middle of all the noise.
"Demolishing a punching bag like it owed him money," Finn repeats, grinning. "Sounds exactly like him."
Kai shoots him a glare, but the corner of his mouth betrays him, he's smiling.
"And there I was, thinking he was showing off in front of me" I tease, nudging Kai lightly.
"I didn't even know you were there until you flew over the bench" Kai fires back, trying to sound annoyed.
I punch his arm lightly, playful, and he wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer. That warmth alone could melt a glacier.
Noah clears his throat. "I must say, Kai," he begins, glancing between us, "I prefer this one far more than the other."
"Noah!" Finn shouts, swatting him lightly, clearly offended on my behalf.
Kai lifts a hand to rub the bridge of his nose, exasperated, and I feel that little red flush creep up his cheeks.
Noah, now rubbing his arm from Finn's playful hit, looks around in confusion.
I can see it, both Kai and Finn are squirming because Noah just hinted at Kai's ex, but I can't stop myself from laughing. The whole scene is too perfect, embarrassed Kai, flustered Finn, and a confused Noah.
Kai was right, Noah really doesn't know how to read the room. But I don't mind. Watching all of this? It's entertaining. Pure gold.
I lean in a little, voice soft but mischievous. "Than the other one?" I tease. "And here I was, thinking I was your first love."
Kai freezes for a heartbeat, eyes widening. I swear my heart might just explode from how utterly in love I am with this man.
But even with all this chaos and laughter, curiosity nags at me. I have to know more about this "other one." Kai's ex.
"Noah," I lean in just a little closer to Kai, voice soft but teasing, "please do tell me more about this other one?"
"Ethan-" Kai warns, his tone low, but the corner of his mouth twitches. I know he can't resist watching me grin at Noah like this.
It takes only a heartbeat, but I see it, the tiny gears clicking in Noah's head as he realises oh no, I really shouldn't have said that.
He glances at his watch, suddenly very aware of time, and downs the rest of his drink in one smooth motion.
"Look at the time," he says, standing. "I believe we should head back."
Both Finn and Kai let out little sighs of relief and stand as well. I can practically hear the tension in the air dissipate like steam from a kettle.
I can't stop laughing, the sound bubbling up until it's just ridiculous. As I rise, I lean into Kai, planting a quick, affectionate kiss on his cheek.