7. Awkward Re-introductions

Two weeks pass in the blink of an eye. I go to class, I go to work, I come home overheated most evenings and usually just deal with it like normal. Pretty mundane stuff.

Except for the one new curveball in my life. The Miraculous Kalum and His Hands of Wonder.

I'll be having a totally normal day— or normal for me at least— and he'll swoop in with something unexpected. Not unwelcome... just not expected.

At work the other day my hands were getting sweaty, and this one fucking jar lid would. not. open.

I'm a fairly large dude: not like crazy buff, but almost 6 feet, wide shoulders, you get the picture. This jar wouldn't open.

Kal slides up next to me, asks to see it, and I'm super frustrated so I just thrust it over knowing he'll have the same problem. Nope. He freezes his hand to the lid, flicks his wrist, and pop, it opens right on up.

He at least had the decency not to gloat.

He's also gotten into the habit of casually touching me, which for most people wouldn't be a big deal and for me it's just... new. What I find entertaining though is that he's not even aware he's doing it half the time. We'll be walking home and he'll just hold my hand, or grip onto my arm around my bicep. The first few times I jerked a bit, caught off guard, and he pulled away apologizing for not paying attention.

Eventually I started anticipating the occasional relief, so I just let him do it until he realizes it himself. He doesn't apologize anymore.

I didn't go so far as to tell him I welcome it... but I'm not stopping him either.

I imagine it's not entirely for my benefit, he probably just unconsciously seeks my warmth when his hands are cold, but I'm selfishly beginning to enjoy the results too.

The casual contact seems like such a natural thing for him, whereas it's completely foreign for me. I don't think he realizes how hyper-aware it makes me; every time he holds my hand I can't concentrate on anything except his fingers interlocked with mine.

We've had two more of our 'chill sessions' as we've taken to calling them, and each one has been easier than the last. The third time Kal actually just asked to hang out since we both had nothing better to do, but he ended up laying with me anyway after noticing I was warm.

I'm starting to get used to his hands on me and it's a little less weird to touch him too. Dare I say I'm beginning to look forward to it...

These thoughts come to me in my daydream, in what's only been a few seconds in reality. I'm reminded of this by the ruckus of my friends sitting around me. I re-focus, feeling Kal's hand on me (what sparked these thoughts in the first place). I hear my friends laughing and smell delicious BBQ.

This is probably a bit confusing, so let me rewind a bit:

It's the Fourth of July today.

Independence Day, the all-American celebration comprised of cookouts with family and friends, burnt hot dogs, under-seasoned burgers, too-soft grilled veggies, nasty potato salad, and not enough cookies. Sprinklers, sparklers, illegal fireworks from your rowdy neighbors, and legal fireworks from the city.

In my experience anyway.

This year we decided to have a cookout with our housemates.

Well... by "we" I mean Wren decided we were having one. But we were all happy to join and have our first get-together including Ronan and Kal.

Well... by "all" I mean everyone except myself. Sitting outside on a sweltering, humid July afternoon is usually a no-no for me. But I put my brave face on and forced myself to go out and enjoy it for as long as I could manage.

Aster, Ronan, and I sit together around the metal table on our back porch while Wren plays chef, flipping food on the grill.

Ronan offered to do it, but they're vegan and while that's not normally an issue they admitted to not having any clue how to cook an actual beef burger. He claims to make great grilled pineapple though, so we let him have a turn for that.

I offered as well, but I was vetoed since the others were worried I'd either burn everything or overheat from being too close to the grill. They have a point, so I digressed.

Aster, not wanting a part in it, just sat quietly reading her book as we argued.

So Wren was crowned with the apron and tongs of BBQ Master, and she was making fine work of it. The maroon apron even matches her thick hoop earrings, it was almost as if she planned it.

We were still waiting on the other two, Kal and Jasper. Jas warned he would probably be late since he was coming from his girlfriend's place. And Kal went to grab some last-minute supplies, but he should be back any—

Shit that stings!

A shocking, ice-coated hand presses against the back of my neck.

And there's Kal.

Ronan leaps about a foot out of his seat next to me, howling! Wren nearly drops the tongs, while the others whip their heads in his direction...

"What the hell—

"Why—"

"HA!"

We all bust out laughing, as they notice Kal standing behind us. He had put a frozen hand on Ronan's neck at the same time as mine. His was not as well received.

"Holy shit dude, you gotta stop doing that to poor unsuspecting people!" Ronan complains.

Apparently this is something Kal does pretty often. He'll sneak up behind someone and ice their neck, freaking them out.

"I don't mind it," I reply with a smug shrug.

Ronan's Hawaiian shirt is half unbuttoned, leaving a full view of his leather necklace and chest, but he yanks it tight together as he curls in on himself. "Good, do it to Aiden then. More for him," he gives an exaggerated shiver. "Brrrr."

We all just laugh at him again, even Aster puts down her book for more than a moment.

Kal steps fully behind me, bringing his other hand over to join his first on my neck. He doesn't cover his hands in ice anymore, but his normal hands are cool enough anyway.

"You heard him, more for you," Kal says.

I'm not arguing. It's much better than the wet towel I was planning to resort to.

"Aster, I brought out a vase if you want to give us a centerpiece," Wren says.

"Sure!" Aster replies cheerfully. She takes out one of the flowers from her braid and by the time she holds it out for us to see it's twice the size! It doesn't stop there either: I watch the blossom multiply and divide, the petals changing shape and color to form various types of flowers. In her hand she now holds a full bouquet, complete with tulips, sunflowers, baby's breath, and some others I'm not familiar with.

The vase is already in the center of the table, ready for flowers, but still missing a crucial part.

"Hang on," Ronan chimes in, reaching out a hand in the direction of our birdbath next to the deck.

None of us have an animal affinity to communicate with the birds, but Ronan insists on having the birdbath anyway: One, so the birds have a safe place, and two, so he has an outdoor water source.

I understand why he insists on it now as I watch the clean water sail through the air— dirt left behind in the bath— and fall gracefully into the vase.

Aster pops the flowers in and gives them a quick fluff, satisfied. "Thanks Ro," she adds before diving her nose back into her novel.

Wren comes up behind her after setting the tongs down and closing the grill's hood. She puts her hands on Aster's shoulders, similar to Kal and I's position, "You did good, they're beautiful, just like you."

Aster's eyes are soft as she tilts her head up to Wren, who brings hers down to give her a peck.

I'm really tempted to say something childish like 'eww PDA'... but honestly they're really good together and I'm happy for them.

I suck in a sharp breath as one of Kal's hands slides down from my shoulder, over my collarbone, and to my chest, leaving a chilly trail in its wake. It rests there, his fingers tucked under the hem of my shirt, tamping down my fiery core.

Kal either doesn't notice what he's doing or just doesn't care that he's doing it. His concentration doesn't seem to be on me, it's still on the others as he asks Wren and Aster, "How long have you guys been together? How'd you meet?"

I take a deep breath, feeling the pressure of his palm, and lean my head back against his stomach.

His thumbs on both my neck and chest begin to move in response. He uses a touch of his weaving to make slow icy circles with them.

So, yes, he knows.

"It's been almost 2 years now," Aster responds.

Wren picks up their story. "I came into the flower shop that Aster and Jasper work at, since Jasper forgot his lunch I was gonna drop it off for him. But Aster was the one who greeted me, and I totally fell for her right then, it was like a movie scene. When I came in I was wearing a super colorful outfit, which she complimented me on and said I was as beautiful as the flowers, I'd fit right in. Her emotions matched, and her honesty was just so refreshing. Not to mention she's drop dead gorgeous."

Aster continues, grinning up at Wren, "She asked me out right then and there, so of course I said yes! But here's the thing... I'm colorblind— she told me later on that the outfit I had complimented her on actually didn't match. At all. She said she just threw something on to run to the shop." She shrugs, "Looked fine to me."

I've heard the story a few times, but I still chuckle with everyone.

"Wow, you're colorblind but you make such pretty flowers, that's some talent!" Kal points out.

"Yeah, I can still see colors, I just don't see them quite the same way you guys do... I've kind of learned how to tell the difference since people help point it out, but it does kind of suck that I don't get to appreciate the flowers I make in the same way that everyone else does. Just like my boots," which are red today, "I love wearing different colors of them and they look great to me, but I imagine they don't always quite match." She ducks her head, and while her green eyes twinkle with humor, there's a touch of sadness lurking just beneath the shy expression.

"Ah, that explains it," Ronan comments. "I do love your boots though! Another question... did you say Jasper works at the same shop? Does he have a plant affinity too?"

"Yes I do, and no, I have a ground affinity," a voice responds from behind us. "I help pot stuff, create healthy soil, that kind of stuff."

He comes around the table into view, "Hey Wren, Aster, sorry I'm a little late. Hope there's still food for me, I'm starving."

He's got a hat on, one of those old newsboy caps, but his red hair still pokes out from under it. Freckles line his cheeks like constellations under chocolatey brown eyes.

"Jasper! You're just in time, food should be ready any minute, let me introduce you to our new house... mates..." Wren trails off, seeing Jaspers shocked expression.

He had come around the table so we could see him, but as soon as he looked over to us he froze. Dead still, not moving a muscle, staring at...

"H-Hey! Long time no see!" Kal exclaims with forced cheer.

Jasper still looks weirdly surprised, "Heeeyyy..."

The rest of us are glancing around at each other, as though hopefully one of us knows what the fuck is going on.

Wren butts in, "Alright explain."

She's one of those people that can be oddly intimidating despite her smaller stature, but still, neither of them answers quick enough for her so she sternly continues, "I'm sensing recognition along with other... odd... feelings. You guys know each other?"

It was posed as a question, but it was definitely a statement. She already knows the answer, she just wants the explanation. As do the rest of us.

They speak at the same time:

Jasper stiffly says, "Yeah, we met at a party."

While Kal shrugs and says, "We made out at a party."

I blink.

And blink again.

Then Wren practically shrieks, "Details??? Don't leave us with that. Kiss and tell!"

Jasper stays silent and slides into the seat across from Ronan, who's on my left.

Kal doesn't seem to mind sharing though. "We met at a party last year and made out. That's all, no crazy story. It was fun. How've you been? You've got a girlfriend now, right?"

His friendly attitude seems to placate Jasper a little, his skin no longer a stark white. "Uh... good. Yeah, Mira. We ah... met right after the first time she and I had broken up, so you were a welcome distraction at the time. We're back together though. Sorry, I never remembered your name after that night, I'm pretty sure I was drunk."

"Yeah, it's cool... me too," Kal responds.

Ronan turns and looks up at Kal, winking, "I'm sure he was an awesome distraction! Oh, is Kal a good kisser??" He looks briefly at me, at Kal's hands on me, before turning back to Jasper.

"Uh... Are you Ronan, I'm assuming?" He totally changes the subject.

Ronan laughs, "Yeah, nice to finally meet you."

Jasper holds his hand out, nails painted black, and they shake hands. "Jasper. He/him's fine, or they. Not picky."

Ronan's face lights up, "Same."

Jasper looks up at Kal again briefly, then down, noticing me for the first time I think. Another confused look crosses his face, eyebrows pinched together, and I realize he's also noticing Kal's hands on me. Which still haven't moved.

"Are you guys...?" He trails off.

His question is still understood though, and I'm glad I'm already flushed from the heat.

Kal answers first, chuckling, "No, nothing like that." He removes his hand from my neck for a moment, holding it up, before returning it, "Ice affinity... I help when he's hot, or vice versa."

Jasper tilts his head, considering, then nods dismissively. "Yeah, I vaguely remember that detail... somehow that makes sense."

"Holdup!" Ronan exclaims, whipping his head towards us narrow-eyed. "You guys aren't fucking??"

The bewildered look he's giving us makes it seem like I just told him the ocean dried up. "...No...?" It comes out way more high-pitched than I aimed for.

"Well butter me up and call me a biscuit. I knew Kal had been sneaking off to your room, I just assumed you were fucking around!"

I feel Kal's stomach rippling behind me as he silently laughs.

Part of me wants to laugh it off with him, entertained by Ronan's insistence, the other part of me wants to crawl in a hole knowing he's been thinking that about us. Honestly, I'm not embarrassed about the idea of having sex— we're adults, not teenagers anymore— somehow it's just the fact that not one, but two people so easily assumed Kal and I already were.

Maybe 'embarrassed' isn't quite right... but more aware I guess? It's not like I hadn't thought about it, but knowing others thought it would happen just makes it more realistic.

Ronan's not quite sated, and feels the need to ask, "Why not??"

Oh boy.

My heart pounds and my ears perk up in anticipation of his answer.

"I dunno," he responds, "honestly I like our relationship now. I wouldn't wanna screw that up just to get some. Even if Aiden is quite tempting." He teases, and just to emphasize his point he slaps his hand on my neck a few times.

I notice Wren watching me then, assessing me probably, and her intrigue makes me nervous about what emotions she picked up on— because I know there's quite a few going through my head right now. She smirks at me, before turning back to the grill.

"Foods ready!" She announces.

Kal's hands finally leave me, and the sticky heat quickly rushes back in.

He and Wren grab the plates of burgers, hot dogs, veggie skewers, and pineapple. The rest of the food is already on the table and we waste no time digging in.

Kal grabbed the seat to my right and Wren sat across from him so she could be next to Aster, whose across from me.

The food is delicious, and we joke around while eating.

I had just finished my burger and was poking at some watermelon when I feel a frigid hand on my thigh, under the table.

My bare thigh.

My eyes go wide before composing myself and I steal a small glance at Kal, trying to give him a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look. He's not even looking; just laughing with the others like earlier.

Now here's where I start daydreaming. About how he keeps helping me with stuff before I ask or even realize I need it. About how he's been so casually touching me recently, just absentmindedly looking for my warmth.

He likes our relationship right now.

So do I.

The least I can do is help him out too.

I reach under the table and place my hand over the top of his, gripping his icy fingers, hoping my heat and my intentions both make it to him.

He squeezes back in return.

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[A/N]

GUYS. Aren't they so cute?

Anyway, you've finally met Jasper, now the whole gangs here, yayyyyyyy!