Kai sat silently in the car, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound between them. Bast kept his eyes on the road, but every few seconds, his gaze flickered toward Kai.
Kai stared out the window, pretending not to notice.
Finally, Bast broke the silence. "Did you eat lunch?"
Without turning his head, Kai muttered, "Yeah. I did."
A few more minutes passed before the car pulled into an unfamiliar parking lot. Kai frowned, confusion flickering across his face as he read the sign.
Hospital?
He whispered under his breath, "Why are we at a hospital?"
Bast put the car in park, unbuckled his seatbelt, and turned to him. "Let's go inside."
Kai blinked. "Why are we here?"
Bast didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached over and grabbed Kai's wrist gently but firmly. "Come on."
Kai tried to pull away. "Wait. Bast—"
"We didn't use a condom last night," Bast said, calm but serious. "You need a check-up."
Kai's face went bright red. "I-I don't need that!"
"You do," Bast said, already opening the car door. "I booked the appointment. The doctor's waiting."
Kai's heart thudded in his chest as he reluctantly followed.
He couldn't believe this was happening.
Kai sat on the examination table, shoulders hunched, eyes down. He tried to hide his face behind the curtain of his hair, his cheeks still flushed.
Bast noticed and chuckled softly. "You don't have to be embarrassed," he said. "I booked the entire wing for privacy. It's just us, the doctor, and a nurse—no one else will see you."
Kai stayed quiet, fingers gripping the edge of the table.
A moment later, the doctor entered, clipboard in hand. "Mr. Vaughn, Mr. Haruto," she greeted politely. "We'll need blood samples from both of you. Since the encounter was unprotected, it's standard protocol to run a full panel."
Kai's heart skipped. Blood? He hated needles.
A nurse appeared and gestured toward a small room. Kai followed reluctantly, his steps hesitant. Bast walked beside him, calm as ever.
When Kai sat down, visibly trembling, Bast took the seat beside him. Without a word, he reached over and gently took Kai's hand, lacing their fingers.
"Don't worry," Bast murmured, voice low and reassuring. "I'm right here."
Kai nodded slowly, trying to breathe through the nervous energy in his chest.
The nurse worked quickly, drawing blood from them both. Kai winced, gripping Bast's hand tighter.
"All done," she said with a smile. "The results will be ready tomorrow. Mr. Vaughn, I've scheduled your follow-up."
Bast nodded coolly. "Thank you."
He stood, pulling Kai up with him by the wrist.
"Let's go."
Kai followed, head down, completely drowned in embarrassment.
He couldn't believe this was real life.
The car ride was quiet. Tense. Kai sat with his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the blur of city lights outside the window.
Bast broke the silence first. "Let's eat dinner at your favorite place."
"I'm not hungry," Kai said flatly. "I lost my appetite."
Bast exhaled, eyes still on the road. "Why are you being so stubborn?"
Kai turned toward him, his voice low but sharp. "And why are you acting so normal?"
Their eyes met.
In Kai's, Bast saw a storm—pain, confusion, and something else he didn't dare name.
Bast's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Because you told me to pretend like nothing happened." His voice was quieter now, softer. "I'm just… trying to give you comfort. The way you wanted."
Kai's breath hitched. "Then maybe I lied," he whispered.
Silence followed—thick, fragile.
Bast suddenly pulled over in front of the restaurant. The glow of the sign reflected in the windshield, casting a soft light over Kai's face.
"Let's go," Bast said.
Kai hesitated, looking at the place he used to love. It didn't feel the same anymore.
But as he unbuckled his seatbelt, he caught Bast staring. There was no indifference in his eyes. No coldness.
Bast didn't want to forget. He never had.
Because to him, this wasn't just a night he regretted. It was a line he'd crossed—for love.