Chapter 29: Spend A Day With Dad I

Omniscient Narrative

"You look so good daddy" Austin said as he made a turn motion to his dad with his hand, making Kai turn in a 360 and stroked a pose.

"Thank you baby" Kai laughed as she shook his head and grabbed his phone. "Let me feed you first before we leave, I made lunch"

"Yesss, I miss your food, Joey is a good cook but nothing beats your food" Austin licked his lips and rubbed his hands in a manner making his father smile at him.

Kai padded into the kitchen and began warming the food for he and his son.

After a light lunch, the two men decided it was time to head out.

Kai glanced at the clock and realized they were running a little late. "Tiny, you ready?" he called out, feigning a sense of urgency even though he secretly enjoyed their casual pace.

"Almost!" Austin replied from his room. The sounds of shuffling and the brief clattering of objects filled the air.

Kai couldn't help but smile, his son had inherited his laid-back attitude, often choosing leisure over haste, unlike his other father.

As they stepped into the hot sunny afternoon, Austin's energy quickly enveloped them both. "Did you remember to bring the new mystery book we were talking about?" he asked his father, one thing Austin and Kai shared in common was their love of reading.

"Of course! It's in my bag," Kai responded, slinging the bag over his shoulder.

They got into the car and Kai began driving, they drove past the neighborhood lively with families and friends enjoying the weekend.

And Kai couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he drove with his son in the passenger's seat, he would stare at Austin time to time and a pride filled his chest, the younger man beside him had grown into a thoughtful and engaging young man.

.......

Arriving at the escape room venue, they were greeted by the enthusiastic staff who guided them through the check-in process.

The place was buzzing with excitement, laughter and occasional gasps echoed from various rooms, each filled with groups trying to solve intricate puzzles.

Kai and Austin were shown to their room, witty signs decorating the walls, each one hinting at the challenges they were about to face.

"Welcome to The Enchanted Library—where the books hold the clues to your escape!" the host proclaimed cheerfully as she closed the door behind them, locking them in for the next hour.

The air was thick with anticipation, and Kai could feel adrenaline coursing through his veins.

As the clock began its countdown, he turned to Austin with a grin. "Alright, genius. What's our game plan?"

Austin scanned the room, where bookshelves lined the walls filled with dusty tomes and parchment rolls. "Let's split up and see if we can find any clues. We'll meet back here in fifteen minutes?"

"Sounds good!" Kai agreed, and they set off in opposite directions, poking and prodding at the mystical ambiance of the library.

Kai struggled with a particularly heavy book that felt like it hadn't been touched in years. As he opened it, a flurry of dust filled the air, and he sneezed. Laughter erupted from across the room as Austin caught sight of his father's predicament.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Austin teased, with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Fine, just battling a particularly fierce tome!" he replied, pretending to gasp dramatically as he waved his hands in front of his face.

Their light-hearted banter continued, and as they pieced together various puzzles, Kai felt the gratifying thrill of problem-solving alongside Austin.

Each small victory brought them closer, fostering not just teamwork but a sense of companionship that had always characterized their relationship.

....

As they neared the climax of the escape room challenge, Kai and Austin found themselves at a complex locking mechanism that required both of their passwords to unlock.

Sweat dripped down Kai's brow as he typed hastily, his mind racing through a jumble of numbers and letters.

"Dad," Austin suddenly said, a serious tone breaking through their fun. "Can I ask you something?"

Kai paused, glancing at his son. "Of course Tiny, What's on your mind?"

"It's about Daddy," Austin began, carefully measuring his words.

The mention of his other father sent a slight chill down Kai's spine, he honestly wasn't expecting Austin to bring up his father.

"What about him?" Kai asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Do you still love him?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Kai hesitated, unsure how to articulate his feelings.

"Uhh..." Kai tried to think of the words but nothing came out. "Why the question?" He asked instead.

"I don't know, it's just that for weeks, well...months, daddy has been out of the house more than he has been in the house and you guys don't talk like you used to and you guys seems so distant" the smaller man spoke his mind.

"It's like you're roommates and not husband and husband" Austin shrugged his shoulders, meanwhile, Kai was having a slight panic attack.

Had Austin noticed them drifting apart? Was it that obvious?

"Look sweetie.."Kai started. "I care about Vincent," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, he didn't know if he should be honest with his son or just lie to him to not cause confusion and trouble. "But..."

But lately, the feelings he once had were like fading echoes of a distant song, a melody that now felt hollow.

It was uncomfortable and vulnerable to admit the shift in his emotions, especially in front of Austin, who had been eager to understand the complex landscape of adult relationships.

"Things just haven't been the same," Kai continued, his brow furrowing. "I guess I'm just...trying to figure things out. It's a lot to manage." He decided to be honest. I mean Austin was an adult now, he had to understand that not all relationships work.

Austin nodded slowly, his look thoughtful as he processed Kai's words. "I get it. It's tough. Are you okay though? I mean, above all else?" The concern in his voice revealed a maturity beyond his years, and for a moment, Kai was struck with admiration for the man Austin was becoming.

It was no secret that Austin and Kai were closer than Austin and Vincent, I mean Kai did spend his whole life with Austin ever since the younger man was born, so they had formed a bond, a beautiful bond that Kai was happy they held.

"I appreciate that, Austin. I'm okay—mostly. It's just a different chapter of my life, I suppose." Kai felt so relieved, happy also that he had someone to share his feelings with. Sure he could always talk his friend and his brother but there was something about talking to Austin that makes him feel at ease.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Austin pressed gently. It was his way of checking in, ensuring that his father was cared for, just as Kai had often done for him during rough times.

Kai's heart swelled at his son's concern. "We can, but right now, let's focus on escaping this library. Afterward, maybe we could grab lunch and chat?"

"Sounds like a plan," Austin agreed, a hint of relief flashing across his face. The tension eased slightly as they returned to the puzzle, driven by urgency and the shared goal of breaking free.