Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It began, as most things at Camp Half-Blood often did, with Beomgyu and his two best friends.

Yeonjun was the eager accomplice, and Soobin, well… Soobin was along for the ride whether he liked it or not.

Whenever some mildly reckless (or occasionally impressive) stunt went down, you could bet the trio was involved in one way or another.

So, Taehyun really should have known better than to get involved with them last night. Especially when they had secretly tried to throw a mini party inside the Dionysus cabin.

None of them were children of Dionysus, yet somehow, they had free reign over the place. How? Nobody knew. Maybe Mr. D was chill with them like that.

Taehyun should have ignored Beomgyu’s (his friend on a good day) pleading, and his doe-eyed look when he convinced Kai to attend the gathering.

He should have stopped Kai from getting excited about a secret night of fun, a promise of demigods simply hanging out before their lives outside the camp separated them again.

It was the last day of summer at camp, and they wanted to make it memorable until the next summer they meet.

Taehyun should have known the alcohol was the first warning sign.

Now, the morning after that infamous night, Taehyun felt himself almost crumble at the fact that his best friend didn’t seem to remember the events of the night before.

Whether that was a blessing or a curse, he hadn’t decided yet, even as he slumped into the seat next to a groggy Kai on the bus leaving Long Island.

He sighed as he felt Kai’s head resting against his shoulder.

This was going to be a long bus ride.

Last night

After Beomgyu had successfully wrangled a promise from Kai that they’d attend the gathering later, Kai wasted no time pestering Taehyun about it.

Taehyun was reluctant, of course. A secret party was risky enough, but holding it in a cabin where the god it’s named after is somewhere in camp? That was asking for trouble.

Still… what was he supposed to do when Kai looked at him with that bright, excited sparkle in his eyes? Say no?

So, when he finally nodded, Kai practically bounced, wrapping him in a warm, enthusiastic hug.

That one, Taehyun admitted, he didn’t mind at all.

They soon found themselves on the steps of the Dionysus cabin, which, despite the “secret” label, did not exactly look secretive.

Music spilled out, gentle but lively, and the laughter and chatter definitely made its way to the Big House. Chiron wasn’t storming down the path though, so Taehyun assumed the centaur had given them a free pass.

A beaming Soobin greeted them at the door.

The gentle son of Iris gave them both a side hug before handing over two plastic cups. Taehyun peered suspiciously at the liquid inside but relaxed when he realized it was just sparkling soda. Soda was fine.

Inside, the cabin had been transformed.

Streamers and fairy lights hung in playful chaos. Purple and pink glows danced across the walls and painted faces with mischievous light. People were gathered in small clusters, chatting, laughing, and occasionally swaying to the music.

It wasn’t a deafening party, but it was alive and vibrant enough to feel like something special.

“So much for a simple gathering, huh?” Taehyun muttered.

Taehyun hugged his cup close, letting his eyes wander as he took it all in. He wasn’t usually a fan of crowds, even lively ones like this. The noise, the movement, the energy.

It all made him feel a little off balance.

Kai, on the other hand, thrived in it.

His grin was wide, his eyes alive, his body already leaning toward the center of the room. Taehyun supposed that, being a son of Hebe, Kai probably had a natural magnetism for social energy.

Or maybe it was just Kai being Kai.

“Come on, Tyun!” Kai tugged at his arm, weaving through clusters of demigods.

He let himself be dragged along, noticing little details as they passed.

Donghyuck was leading some chaotic game near a wall, encouraging half the cabin to hop on a table, while Jaemin kept a chaotic score sheet and laughed at his own messy handwriting.

Someone had tipped over a cooler, spilling punch across the floor, and instead of panic, there were giggles and playful shrieks as people slid carefully around it. Mark stood nearby, trying to restore order, but failing spectacularly.

Finally, the duo gravitated to a quieter corner of the cabin.

However, the peace didn’t last long.

Beomgyu and Yeonjun found them and handed them each new cups, the faint blush in the liquid giving away its contents. Alcohol. 

“Trust me, you’ll enjoy it,” Beomgyu said, grinning, eyes gleaming with mischief. “And now… truth or dare?”

Before Taehyun could protest, Kai’s eyes sparkled in excitement.

They were led to a small circle of demigods, already mid-laugh, mid-challenge, and mid-dare. Taehyun sipped cautiously from his cup, feeling the warm burn and the faint buzz of adventure creeping in.

Soon, Taehyun and Kai found themselves joining the circle.

Most of the players are demigods Taehyun knew, so he didn’t feel entirely intimidated, even if the faint buzz of alcohol and the unpredictable energy in the room kept him cautious.

Kai, of course, dove in immediately, grinning and throwing himself into the first round without hesitation.

“Truth or dare?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement, clearly loving the attention.

Taehyun hesitated. Truths felt safer, but dares… well, with Beomgyu and Yeonjun likely involved, who knew what kind of chaos awaited?

Taehyun sighed, holding his cup a little tighter. “Truth,” he murmured, opting for the less risky route.

Jisung (bless him) asked Taehyun an easy question, something about his thoughts on Beomgyu’s obvious crush on Soobin.

The tipsy Beomgyu yelped, nearly spilling his drink, while the rest of the circle erupted into giggles.

Taehyun, however, answered without hesitation. Everyone in camp already knew the push-and-pull game between Soobin and Beomgyu. It was practically written on the camp’s lore.

“I think they should get their shit together and kiss,” he said bluntly.

Yeonjun immediately pointed at him, eyes shining with drunken enthusiasm.

“See? Even Taehyunie thinks so!” he cheered.

Beomgyu buried his face in his hands, muttering something incoherent, and a few others snorted or elbowed each other, clearly entertained.

The game rolled on with easy laughter, flushed cheeks, and a haze of warmth. Nothing too serious yet, just the tipsy energy of demigods letting loose and waying slightly as they passed cups around while they stumbled over their words.

Kai had already been dared to sing a ridiculous song at the top of his lungs. He complied without hesitation, flinging his arms wide and howling along with the lyrics, making half the circle clap, cheer, and join in.

Taehyun shook his head, trying not to smile, but failed anyway.

Kai’s energy was contagious, even if it came with the potential for utter embarrassment.

Soon, the dares grew bolder.

Renjun had to do a mini dance in the center of the circle, nearly toppling over from laughter and a wobbly stance. Chenle smeared a dab of frosting on Donghyuck’s cheek, who retaliated with a giggling swipe. Jisung attempted a breakdance atop a small table, wobbling dangerously but earning cheers from the tipsy circle.

Beomgyu and Yeonjun orchestrated much of the chaos, whispering mischievously, slipping sly nudges, and watching Taehyun like a cat watching a mouse.

When it came to him again, Taehyun braced himself.

Whatever he chose, truth or dare, would inevitably be twisted by Beomgyu or Yeonjun. Still, sitting there, watching Kai beam with every challenge, a reluctant tug of excitement settled in his chest. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad as long as Kai smiled like that.

From beside him, Kai whispered in encouragement, “Just go with it, Tyun. Trust me.”

Taehyun exhaled, letting some tension slip. Too late to back out now.

“Dare,” he said finally, the word tasting like both thrill and dread on his tongue.

Beomgyu’s smile was impossibly sweet and impossibly menacing all at once.

“Kiss the prettiest person in this circle.”

Well, shit.

Taehyun froze, the words echoing in his head. His chest thumped like a drum, and for a moment, he could feel the alcohol warming his blood, loosening his usual caution.

The circle leaned in, eyes wide, grinning, murmuring, nudging each other. A few elbows jabbed, “C’mon, Tyun!” Chenle teased.

Kai was practically vibrating next to him, eyes sparkling. “You got this, Tyun. Just… go with it. Have fun!”

Taehyun’s mind raced. Fun? Fun? This is insane.

He took a tentative sip of his drink, hoping it would steady him, but instead it made him feel just slightly looser, bolder, even as panic prickled the edges of his thoughts.

The circle’s chatter grew louder, all teasing and playful. He could feel the warmth creeping up his cheeks.

Kai leaned closer, whispering with a grin, “It’s just a kiss, Tyun. Just pick someone. You’ll be fine.”

“Fine… right,” Taehyun muttered under his breath, voice barely audible over the excited hum of the circle.

He tried to steady his shaking hands, feeling the tipsy warmth in his chest blur his anxiety into a strange, daring mix of fear and thrill.

Everyone was watching now, breaths held, faces expectant. Whispers and giggles filled the air like static electricity. Even Beomgyu, flushed and jittery from the drink, was practically bouncing, eyes glinting with mischief.

Taehyun took a shaky breath, scanning the circle once more.

Just… pick. Don’t overthink it. You’ll survive this.

But the truth was, he didn’t need to overthink. There had always been one person on his mind. For years.

He turned his head slowly to the left, and the tip of his nose lightly bumped against Kai’s.

Like everyone else, Kai was waiting for Taehyun to pick someone.

Kai was smiling at him, cheeks flushed, eyes bright and shimmering like stars. Even tipsy, even in the middle of this chaotic, laughing, shouting, slightly drunk crowd, he looked impossibly beautiful.

Like he always did.

Taehyun’s gaze drifted lower, to Kai’s lips, and before he could stop himself, before his overthinking brain could protest, he leaned in.

The kiss was soft, fleeting, but it sent an electric jolt straight through him. Warm, dizzying, and terrifying all at once.

Kai blinked, surprised for just a fraction of a second, before smiling.

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no…

Taehyun pulled back quickly, cheeks flaming.

“Uh,” he started, suddenly a bit more sober, “truth or dare, right? Let’s… keep the game going.”

Kai blinked at him, eyes wide for a heartbeat, but then the corner of his mouth twitched into a teasing grin.

“Right. Game,” he agreed, though there was an unmistakable spark of curiosity in his gaze.

The circle, oblivious to the inner turmoil, erupted into chatter again. Renjun nudged Taehyun playfully, clearly oblivious to the weight of the moment.

Taehyun forced a laugh, shaking off the heat creeping up his neck.

He focused on the game, picking a safer truth this time, answering lightly and jokingly, careful not to give away the secret that had just bubbled to the surface.

Kai stayed close, eyes flicking to Taehyun often, smiling that same starry, curious smile, but Taehyun kept his composure, determined to act like nothing had happened.

Act normal. Keep playing. No one needs to know.

And yet, despite his best efforts, the warmth of a kiss he couldn’t forget lingered, just beneath the surface.

After a few more rounds of daring and teasing, the circle finally began to wind down.

Laughter still lingered in the air, but the intensity of the game had faded, replaced by warm chatter and the occasional hiccup from the tipsy demigods.

Taehyun let out a quiet sigh of relief, his nerves finally easing, though his pulse still thudded from the adrenaline and the earlier, impulsive kiss.

Kai nudged him, grinning. “Come on, Tyun. Let’s go see the others.”

Together, they wandered around the cabin, weaving through the scattered groups of demigods.

Some were sprawled on couches, giggling with flushed faces, others were leaning against walls, cups in hand, exchanging whispered jokes. The soft pink and purple lights made everything feel dreamlike, almost unreal.

Taehyun kept a careful distance from the more chaotic antics, but he found himself smiling anyway, watching Kai interact with everyone with that effortless charm.

Eventually, the party drew to a close for them. With a wave to Soobin, Taehyun held onto Kai’s arm lightly as they stepped out into the cooler night air.

“I’ll walk you back,” Taehyun told the giggling boy beside him.

The path to the Hebe cabin was quiet, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the faint hum of the camp at night.

Kai leaned a little too heavily on him, a soft giggle escaping every now and then, clearly tipsy but still impossibly charming. Taehyun kept a steadying hand on his friend’s back as they walked the short distance, his own thoughts a jumble of nerves, adrenaline, and something else he wasn’t ready to name.

They were almost at the cabin when Kai suddenly grabbed Taehyun’s wrist and spun him behind a tree, out of everyone’s sight.

“What-“

Kai’s grin was mischievous, the familiar sparkle in his eyes multiplied by the night and the closeness.

Then, without another word, he leaned in and kissed Taehyun. This time for real.

It was soft at first, gentle, then insistent, warm and intoxicating.

Taehyun’s mind went blank, heart hammering, but he found himself melting into it, even as a small, frantic part of him screamed that their kiss shouldn’t be shared like this.

Not when they were both drunk.

When they pulled back, Kai’s expression was perfectly calm, almost serene, as if nothing monumental had just happened.

“You’re the prettiest for me, Tyun.” he said softly, giving Taehyun a teasing little smile, and walked into the Hebe cabin, leaving Taehyun standing there, utterly stunned.

Taehyun’s knees weakened, his heart still racing, and he blinked a few times, trying to process what had just happened.

Diving head first into Tartarus felt like the best idea at that moment.

Chapter Text

Taehyun barely slept.

The memory of the kiss, and the chaos of the party, kept running through his mind on repeat.

He was grateful, at least, that he’d already packed and been ready to leave camp before the party even started. The thought of sorting through his things while untangling his emotions was unbearable.

When he finally managed an hour or two of sleep, it was fitful at best. By the time he forced himself to get up and prepare for breakfast, his stomach was a jumble of nerves.

He didn’t know what it would mean to see Kai again after last night. To look into Kai’s eyes after they’ve shared a kiss. Or two.

On the way to the dining pavilion, he bumped into demigods from the party, exchanging quick smiles and awkward greetings.

For those he had actually played Truth or Dare with, he made a pointed effort to avoid their eyes, not ready for teasing or questions about last night.

At the pavilion, he grabbed his food quickly, offering some to his mother, Hecate. Then, taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and walked toward the table he and Kai usually shared.

Kai was already there, eyes half-closed, munching on a piece of bread.

When he noticed Taehyun, he gave a small, sleepy smile before closing his eyes again.

“My head hurts so much, Tyun,” he groaned.

“You shouldn’t have drunk so much, then,” Taehyun replied, forcing a calm smile, though his chest felt tight with nerves.

“I know,” Kai pouted, chewing thoughtfully. “I drank so much I don’t even remember most of the party now.”

“Huh?”

“I only remember going there, and everything else is blurry.”

Taehyun froze for a moment, unsure how to feel. Relief. Sure, but it’s tinged with something else, something he hadn’t expected.

To Kai, the kiss that Taehyun had imagined for years had never happened. He didn’t remember.

The vivid memories of last night, the very memories that kept Taehyun up, was blurry for Kai.

Taehyun briefly wondered if there was a ritual that could make him mask the disappointment he felt.

When Taehyun was born, the Fates must have been in an unusually goofy mood.

Not only had he fallen for his best friend, but he also had to spend every single day with him. Not only at Camp Half-Blood, but also in the city.

He and Kai had met at camp when they were kids, their bond growing naturally, effortlessly. By the time they were old enough to start university, it made perfect sense for them to rent an apartment together.

Close to school, close to each other.

Because it made sense.

Because they were best friends. Because only demigods could truly understand demigods, and it was easier to be themselves around one another.

Until last night, Taehyun had been doing a surprisingly good job at keeping the line clear: best friend only, no crossing over. But that kiss…

The kiss had shattered his careful control.

Now, as Kai slept against his shoulder, soft and warm and entirely oblivious, Taehyun’s thoughts spun out of control.

How was he supposed to get over that kiss when he would see Kai every single day? 

He could feel the heat creeping up his neck, heart hammering, and his chest tightening in ways that were entirely unfair.

He had survived a chaotic, tipsy night at Camp Half-Blood, he had (sort of) survived a game of Truth or Dare, and now… now he had to survive living with Kai while trying not to spiral into emotional ruin.

His thoughts swirled throughout the bus ride, a frantic storm of longing, panic, and absurd hope, until the bus jolted to a stop. Argus’s gravelly voice announced they had arrived at Kai and Taehyun’s apartment building.

Taehyun swallowed, trying to calm himself, but the reality hit him harder than the bus brakes ever could.

This was his life now.

Every morning, every night, every moment, he would have Kai practically within arm’s reach while Kai conveniently was unaware of the kiss.

He glanced down at Kai’s peaceful, sleeping face.

I really, really need a spell to get rid of these feelings.

“Come on, sleepyhead,” Taehyun muttered under his breath, trying to keep his voice calm, though his heart was hammering. “We’re home.”

Taehyun fiddled with the keys of their apartment, hands a little shaky, trying to ignore the way Kai shifted and nuzzled slightly against him as he stood sleepily.

“Tyun…” Kai murmured, voice still thick with sleep. “Do we have to unpack today? I’m tired."

“We’ll unpack later. Let’s just get inside first,” Taehyun said, forcing a smile.

Inside, the apartment was quiet.

Taehyun guided Kai to the couch, gently nudging him to sit while he set down their bags. Kai plopped onto the cushions with a soft sigh, stretching out, completely at ease in his presence.

Taehyun’s chest tightened and he forced himself to look away from Kai’s peaceful expression.

Just best friends. Nothing happened last night.

Taehyun tried to focus on putting away their bags, but every small movement Kai made sent sparks of panic and longing through him. Taehyun cursed silently under his breath, wishing for any kind of spell to erase the memory of the kiss.

Both kisses.

Kai’s sleepy eyes finally met his, blinking slowly. “You’re being awfully quiet,” he murmured, a faint teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Taehyun swallowed. “Just tired, I guess. You know, travel and all that.”

Kai hummed, satisfied with the answer, and leaned back with a contented sigh.

“He doesn’t remember at all?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, damn. I’m so sorry, Tyun.” Jisung’s sigh came through the line, and Taehyun could already picture him pouting, just a little.

Jisung had come to Camp Half-Blood at the same time as Taehyun, both guided into the magical border by the same satyr when they were twelve.

They’d ended up in the Hermes cabin together, unclaimed by their godly mothers at the time. For the first few weeks, navigating a new world of gods, monsters, and camp rules, they had clung to each other.

Jisung wasn’t Taehyun’s best friend, not exactly, but he was close enough that Taehyun felt safe letting him in on things he couldn’t say to anyone else. Jisung felt the same.

Taehyun told him about Kai, and Jisung told him about Chenle.

It was early afternoon when Taehyun called Jisung. Kai had since migrated back to his room, and Taehyun had even managed a short nap.

Now, he was in the kitchen, quietly preparing a meal for the two of them. Nothing fancy, just reliable ramen since they hadn’t gone to the store yet.

He balanced the phone between his ear and his shoulder, stirring the pot absently.

“I mean… it’s good, isn’t it? That he doesn’t remember?” he asked quietly, more to himself than to Jisung.

“Is it?” Jisung replied, skeptical.

Taehyun paused.

“For my sake? No. But for his? Maybe. He probably doesn’t mean it. So… if he finds out what he did while drunk, he’ll just feel guilty.”

“So better you than him? What a martyr,” Jisung teased, a soft laugh carrying through the line.

Taehyun let out a nervous chuckle. “I guess I just don’t want him to feel bad. Not about me. Not about last night. Not anything.”

“Kai?”

Taehyun knocked on the door of Kai’s room a few minutes after ending the call with Jisung, the ramen still hot in the pot. “Let’s eat.”

There was a groan, followed by some rustling behind the door. Finally, Kai appeared.

“Hi,” he said, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. It was the kind of smile that said he was still half in dreamland, but also hungry.

Kai followed Taehyun into the kitchen, eyes half-closed, a blanket draped around his shoulders like he was trying to bring a little of his bed with him to the meal.

“The smell of cheap ramen… how I’ve missed you,” Kai murmured, voice thick with sleep and contentment.

Taehyun chuckled softly, preparing two bowls and sliding one toward Kai. His roommate accepted it eagerly, tugging at the noodles with a hunger that made Taehyun smile.

They fell into the usual small talk, the kind that filled the space between them without needing anything deep. After all, they spent nearly every day together. Whether as Taehyun and Kai the university students, or Taehyun and Kai the demigods.

Eventually, the conversation drifted back to the party.

“I heard Beomgyu and Soobin are together now,” Kai said casually, between bites.

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, processing the news. Last he’d seen, Beomgyu had been causing chaos in Truth or Dare, and Soobin had been busy greeting demigods by the cabin door.

“Are they now?” he asked, voice neutral.

“Yep!” Kai continued, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Taehyun’s head. “After we played the game, Beomgyu got so drunk he just walked up to Soobin and kissed him.”

Taehyun’s chest tightened ever so slightly. That… sounded very familiar.

“Then,” Kai went on, eyes sparkling with excitement, “before Beomgyu got on the bus, Soobin kissed him back and told him they were boyfriends now!”

Taehyun blinked, swallowing the sudden knot in his throat.

“Good for them,” he said as he forced a faint smile across his face.

He met Kai’s half-asleep gaze across the table, watching him chew thoughtfully, completely unaware of the whirlwind of emotions Taehyun was trying to shove down.

Yeah… good for them.

Taehyun tried to focus on the noodles again, stirring absentmindedly as the steam curled in front of his face, but every subtle movement from Kai made him acutely aware of the space between them.

“You know,” Kai said casually. “I remember some bits from last night.”

Taehyun froze, fork halfway to his mouth.

“You do?” he echoed carefully, trying to sound neutral while his heart hammered.

“Yeah,” Kai continued. “Like… that ridiculous dance Renjun did in the middle of the circle, Chenle frosting Donghyuck’s face, Jisung spinning on the table.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Classic chaos. You were… surprisingly calm through all of it, though. Very observant.”

Taehyun swallowed hard, trying not to betray how much he’d been thinking about other things from that night, the things Kai hadn’t mentioned, the things Taehyun couldn’t say aloud.

“Observant,” Taehyun repeated quietly, forcing a small, casual shrug. “Someone has to make sure chaos doesn’t get out of hand.”

Kai’s grin widened, but his voice softened. “It was fun. Even the messy parts. Everyone laughing, the lights, the music… I remember that. I remember laughing a lot. You remember that too, right?”

Taehyun nodded, picking at his noodles.

“Yeah. That part was… fun.” He kept his tone measured, careful not to give away the storm of nerves and longing simmering beneath the surface.

Kai’s gaze lingered on him for a beat, half-serious, half-teasing.

“You were watching me a lot too, though. You had fun watching me embarrass myself, didn’t you?”

“You were hilarious.” Also beautiful, but Taehyun dared not mention that.

Kai’s grin widened. “Good. I’m always glad to bring energy.”

The conversation drifted to lighter things. The ridiculous antics of the other demigods, the leftover chaos of the party.

Taehyun tried to act casual, but every glance, every smile, every lazy smirk was a reminder that the kiss from last night wasn’t entirely behind him.

Roommate. Best friend.

Taehyun needed to remember that.

Chapter Text

Finally, with enough food in their bellies and a little more sleep under their belts, Kai and Taehyun decided to tackle grocery shopping.

Taehyun led the way out of the apartment building, Kai following behind him.

After about five minutes of walking, they reached the store. Taehyun pulled out the carefully prepared list from his pocket, and they went aisle by aisle, methodically checking off items.

While Taehyun inspected each ingredient like he was analyzing materials for a ritual, Kai smiled at anyone and everything in the store.

Once everything on the list was accounted for, Kai made a last-minute decision. He wandered down the aisle with a grin, returning with a few bottles of alcohol.

“To celebrate our first day back,” he said.

Taehyun shrugged, giving him a half-smile. “Fine. I guess that’s harmless.”

At least there’s no Beomgyu or Yeonjun involved this time around.

Once they stepped out of the store, a sudden chill hit them, making Taehyun rub his arms lightly.

Kai noticed immediately.

“Here,” he said, shrugging off the jacket he wore and sliding it onto Taehyun’s shoulders. “Can’t have you freezing.”

Taehyun blinked, heat rushing to his cheeks. Which, he swore was due to the cold air.

“Thanks,” he muttered, warmth spreading from more than just the jacket.

Together, they started the walk back to their apartment, the quiet teasing, playful nudges, and subtle touches making the simple task of carrying groceries feel unexpectedly electric.

By the time they reached their apartment, their arms were full and their fingers slightly ached from the weight of the grocery bags.

Once inside, they kicked off their shoes and dumped the bags onto the kitchen counter with a shared sigh of relief.

Kai immediately flopped dramatically onto the couch. "Wake me up when it’s dinner time,” he called out, one arm hanging off the side like a limp noodle.

Taehyun rolled his eyes, already unpacking the bags with practiced ease. “You mean wake you up so you can sit at the table and eat the food I make?”

Kai raised a lazy hand in the air without even opening his eyes. “Exactly, my dear roommate.”

“Or you could help,” Taehyun muttered, but he was already organizing the fridge.

Vegetables in one drawer, drinks on the side, and everything else in labeled containers. The familiarity of the act brought comfort, though Kai’s presence only complicated the comfort part lately.

“Fine,” Kai said after a moment, sitting up with a little groan and heading to help. “Tell me where things go and I’ll be your humble assistant.”

“You? Humble?” Taehyun arched an eyebrow, handing him the ramen packs.

Kai smirked. “Okay, pretty assistant, then.”

Taehyun dropped a can of soda.

Kiss the prettiest person in this circle.

You’re the prettiest for me, Tyun.

Taehyun braved a look at Kai, and sighed in relief when Kai didn’t comment any more. Kai just hummed to himself as he loaded dry goods into the pantry, but Taehyun could feel the heat rising to the tips of his ears.

Once everything was put away, Taehyun headed toward the stove.

“I’m cooking dinner,” he announced. “And no, you’re not helping. You nearly set the kitchen on fire last time.”

“I only microwaved the spoon once,” Kai grinned as he leaned against the counter, chin in his hand. “You’re so dramatic.”

“You’re lucky you’re pretty,” Taehyun mumbled to himself.

But then,

“Thanks, I try,” with a wink and wandered into the living room to pick out a playlist, leaving Taehyun standing in the kitchen, half-stirring a pot and mentally screaming.

He did not mean for Kai to hear that.

Dinner turned out simple but good.

By the time they were seated across from each other at their tiny dining table, it felt like any normal night again. It felt like Taehyun and Kai again, without the emotional turmoil on Taehyun’s side.

They cleaned up after dinner in sync, Taehyun washing while Kai dried the plates. They played songs in the background, and for a while, it just felt easy.

Taehyun felt like he was home again.

Then, once the dishes were done, Kai disappeared for a moment and returned holding the two of the alcohol bottles he’d bought earlier.

“Let’s drink while watching something.”

Taehyun hesitated. Just for a second.

Memories of the party flashed in his mind. The stolen glances, the loud laughter, the fleeting touches, the ghost of kisses…

But then Kai held up the bottles and gave him a hopeful look. Eyes a little too wide, smile a little too soft. The very same look that got Taehyun into this mess.

“Alright,” Taehyun said. “One movie. One bottle.”

“Two bottles,” Kai bargained, already heading to the living room.

Taehyun sighed, shaking his head with a smile.

The movie Kai picked was as awful as expected, and maybe that’s exactly why Taehyun let him pick it.

It was some low-budget romcom from the early 2000s.

It was terrible, but in the best way. Exactly the kind of movie that was fun to laugh at after a long day and with some alcohol.

By the time the heroine dramatically tripped over her third branch that was conveniently placed on the ground, they were halfway through their first bottles of beer, slouched across from each other on their couch.

Kai was curled up on one end, hoodie sleeves rolled to his elbows, beer bottle dangling from one hand. Taehyun sat on the other side, legs pulled close.

Their feet occasionally brushed under the blanket tossed between them.

“So… is she crying again?” Taehyun asked with a tilt of his head, frowning at the screen.

“She just found out her love interest is her reincarnated ex-boyfriend who turned into a dog,” Kai said with complete seriousness.

Taehyun blinked.

“We’ve fought monsters that make more sense than this script.”

“Agreed. Your mom’s Empousa from last summer had a better backstory than this movie.”

The first round of beer was light, easy.

Just two demigods trying to live like regular university students, no fights, no celestial bronze in sight, just the soft clink of bottles and the comfort of stupid movies.

Kai laughed a little too loudly at his own commentaries about the movie, nudging Taehyun’s foot every so often. His laughter was infectious. It always had been. Taehyun, for all his brooding son-of-Hecate tendencies, could never quite resist it.

As they cracked open the second bottles, the laughter softened. The space between them shrank.

“You know,” Kai said, voice quieter now, “I do remember some more things from the party.”

Taehyun’s hand stilled around his bottle while his eyes remained on the screen. “Yeah?”

Kai leaned his head back against the couch. “Yeonjun dared someone to eat whipped cream off a dagger, I think.”

“That was definitely Beomgyu. He almost sliced his tongue.”

Kai grinned. “Figures.”

There was a pause.

“I also remember you laughing a lot,” Kai added, eyes on the TV but his tone distant. “Like… really laughing. Like you forgot you were the camp’s gloomy magician for a second.”

Taehyun rolled his eyes. “I’m not gloomy.”

“You are. In a pretty, magical way. You have admirers at every cabin,” Kai teased, wiggling his brows.

Taehyun took his eyes off the screen and threw a pillow at his best friend.

Kai dodged it, barely, and laughed again.

“Seriously, though. I like seeing that side of you. When you’re not worrying about monsters or spells or rituals.”

Taehyun sipped his beer, not trusting his voice.

Because the truth was… Kai always made him feel lighter. Always pulled him out of his shadows without even trying.

But now, it hurt a little more. Because Kai didn’t remember what they shared, and he didn’t know what it meant for Taehyun.

And then, as if the gods wanted to twist the dagger further, Kai turned toward him on the couch, tucking one leg under himself.

“You’d tell me, right? If I did something… really stupid at the party?”

Kai looked at him. Really looked. The movie forgotten. Less playful now.

“Like if I said something dumb or did something I shouldn’t have. You’d tell me, right?”

Taehyun held the gaze. Swallowed hard.

He thought about that night.

The way Kai kissed him. All clear-eyed, soft, he looked at Taehyun like he meant it. Not just tipsy chaos. Something real. But now… nothing. Blank space. A memory Kai didn’t even know he lost.

“I’d tell you,” Taehyun lied.

He mentally thanked his mother for the fact that, unlike the children of Iris, Taehyun’s eyes didn’t shift colors whenever he was hung up on a particular emotion.

Because if it didn’t, Kai would immediately know that something was up.

Kai smiled, leaning back again. “Good.”

And just like that, the moment passed. But the weight of it didn’t.

They finished their beers slowly, watching two fictional idiots fall in love on screen. Taehyun glanced sideways at Kai. He looked so close. So warm.

If only Taehyun had the courage to reach out.

Chapter Text

It was when the second movie was halfway through that Kai suddenly reached for one of the empty beer bottles, spun it lazily in his hand, and set it on the center of the coffee table.

The soft clink of glass against wood pulled Taehyun’s attention. Taehyun narrowed his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Truth or dare,” Kai said, his tone light, casual. But there was something in his eyes. Not tipsy. Not drunk. Clear, almost focused.

Now, Taehyun was sure that the Fates was just fucking with him.

Taehyun crossed his arms against his chest, “We already played this last night.”

“So?” Kai shot back, raising a brow. “It’s fun.”

Taehyun stared at him.

“Come on, Tyun. It’s just us. No audience. No pranks. No forcing anyone to dance on tables. Just you and me.”

Just you and me.

Taehyun could back out. He could yawn and pretend to be tired. Say some magical herbs in his suitcase needs to be unpacked or that he has an urgent ritual to do.

There were a million excuses.

But then again… Kai was looking at him with that hopeful, teasing glint. And that was the thing about Taehyun.

He could never say no to Kai.

Taehyun sighed, slumping against the couch again. “Fine.”

Kai grinned, triumphant. “That’s the spirit.”

He gave the bottle a gentle spin. It wobbled slightly before pointing toward Kai himself. He glanced at Taehyun expectantly.

“You ask first.”

Taehyun raised a brow. “Truth or dare?”

Kai tapped his chin dramatically. “Let’s start soft. Truth.”

Taehyun considered for a second, then asked, “What was your favorite memory from this summer?”

Kai’s expression softened. He leaned back, stretching his legs across the carpet. “Easy. That night we snuck away from Argus’s eye to watch the stars by the lake.”

Kai continued, “You brought your journal to take note of the constellations or something. Said you needed to keep track of them for a ritual. I remember thinking, ‘wow, he’s such a nerd,’ but then the stars looked kind of magical. You looked magical.”

Taehyun’s mouth went dry.

“I mean, not magical magical. Well, you are the Hecate’s, but you know.” Kai scratched the back of his neck, laughing a little nervously. 

Taehyun swallowed. “Yeah. I remember that.”

The silence settled like a blanket between them.

Kai spun the bottle again. This time, it landed on Taehyun.

Kai leaned in, eyes bright. “Truth or dare?”

Taehyun hesitated. His heart was already pounding and they’d barely started. But he squared his shoulders.

“Truth.”

Kai smiled slowly. “What’s one thing you’re scared I’ll remember from the party?”

Taehyun froze.

He tried not to let the nervousness show, but Kai was watching him too closely.

“That’s not a light question,” Taehyun murmured, deflecting.

“I never said we were playing light,” Kai said softly.

“Fine. What if I say I’m scared you’ll remember Renjun doing a weird interpretative dance to attract Jaemin?” Taehyun said, trying to laugh the tension off.

“Then I’ll know you’re lying.”

Ah, there it was.

The rare shift in Kai’s voice.

The voice that was hidden beneath all the sunshine and jokes. The part of him that had been raised a demigod in a world where monsters were real and danger was all too familiar.

Taehyun dropped his gaze. “There’s are stuff about that night I’d rather not talk about.”

Kai didn’t push. Not directly. But he nodded, slowly, like he understood more than he was letting on.

The bottle spun again.

The game went on.

By the time the bottle had been spun five more times, the second movie that they weren’t paying attention to had long since ended.

The room was dim and quiet, and the air between them was thick with tension.

Kai reached for the bottle one last time. It landed on Taehyun again.

He looked up at him, eyes softer now. “Truth or dare?”

Taehyun knew his answer before he even opened his mouth. “Dare.”

Kai’s lips curled into something almost unreadable. Like a cross between a smile and a question.

“I dare you…” he began, voice low, “…to tell me what you’ve been hiding from me since the party.”

And just like that, Taehyun wished a pegasus would swoop in and take him anywhere but in the apartment that suddenly felt too small.

Taehyun let out a nervous laugh, breaking eye contact immediately.

“That’s not how dares work,” he said, standing up to stretch, pretending to shake the stiffness from his limbs. “You can’t ask for truth. That’s cheating.”

Kai raised a brow, still lounging on couch. “I literally said ‘dare.’ You could’ve picked truth.”

Taehyun hated how Kai made sense.

“I thought you’d just make me chug a bottle of hot sauce or something,” Taehyun muttered, avoiding the way Kai was watching him now.

Kai didn’t laugh. “But you didn’t. You picked dare. So, dare is dare.”

“I’ll do something else. Make me do twenty push-ups or shapeshift or whatever.”

Kai sat up slowly, “Taehyun.”

There it was again. That serious voice Kai only used when things were real. Camp-real. Monster-chasing-a-demigod real.

“You always tell me the truth,” Kai said, quieter now. “Even when it’s hard. Even when you think I don’t want to hear it.”

“Not everything has to be said out loud. It was just a memory, anyway.” Taehyun muttered, still not looking at him.

Kai stood, moving toward him. “Tyun, it’s just me. And I’m asking you. For real this time.”

Gods, the irony.

After years of avoiding the truth, of swallowing it down during campfires, hiding it during quests, letting it go unspoken every time they fought side-by-side as demigods...

Now, in their tiny shared apartment, with empty beer bottle, now was the moment he had to face it?

“I don’t want to ruin anything,” Taehyun said, voice low.

Kai stepped closer. “Then don’t.”

Taehyun finally looked up, and he saw Kai watching him like he already knew what he was hiding.

Like he’d always known.

But he wanted Taehyun to say it. And that made the words even harder to say.

“I kissed you,” Taehyun said, barely above a whisper. “

At the party. And you kissed me again after. And it meant something to me. More than it probably should have.”

Kai didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stood there, listening.

Taehyun thought this experience was more excruciating than all the times he had to gather all his energy for a spell.

“You didn’t remember. So, I didn’t bring it up. Because I didn’t want you to feel weird about it. Or guilty.” Taehyun's hands clenched on his sides.

“You were drunk. And you’re my best friend. I’m not supposed to want more than that.”

The silence after those words were deafening.

“So yeah,” he said, shrugging like his heart wasn’t breaking open in his chest, “that’s what I’ve been hiding.”

A beat.

Two.

“You’re an idiot,” Kai said, and before Taehyun could spiral.

He was stepping in, crowding into Taehyun's space, warm and sure and devastatingly close. And he was smiling.

“I remember some things,” Kai admitted. “Not the whole night, but pieces. Like how you looked when you kissed me the first time. Like how I wanted to kiss you again the second we left that party.”

Taehyun felt dizzy.

“You think I’d kiss you back just for fun?” Kai asked, a little incredulous. “I mean- yeah, I do a lot of dumb stuff when I’m tipsy, but never like that. I would never play with you like that.”

Taehyun blinked. “So, you-“

Kai stepped even closer, “I remember. I just didn’t bring it up because I wanted to see what you’d do first. I wanted to see if you were just as affected of it as I was. I’ve liked you for years, but I was willing to keep it to myself if the kiss didn’t mean anything to you.”

And suddenly, Taehyun was laughing. Breathless and disbelieving.

“Gods, the Fates are laughing at us,” he said.

“Probably,” Kai grinned. “But screw them.”

Then, without warning, Kai kissed Taehyun.

Soft and slow and sober, no more games or parties or foggy memories. Just them.

Kai kissed Taehyun like he wanted Taehyun to remember every second of it.

Chapter Text

Taehyun woke up slowly, warmth pooling across his skin like the sun had climbed into bed with him.

It took him a moment to register where he was.

Not Camp Half-Blood. Not the Hecate cabin.

He was in the apartment he shared with Kai near their university, and he was on his bed. With Kai curled up next to him, snoring lightly with his face buried half into Taehyun’s pillow.

Right.

Last night wasn’t a dream.

They cleared up the living room and talked. About missing camp, about university starting soon, about everything and nothing,  with their legs tangled together on the couch and the weight of the kiss still hovering between them.

They’d kissed again before bed.

Now, in the early light of morning, Taehyun could feel the warmth of it in his bones.

Kai shifted with a little groan, stretching like a sleepy cat and reaching out blindly. His hand landed on Taehyun’s chest. He blinked up at Taehyun with bleary eyes and a sleepy smile.

“Morning.”

It wasn’t the first time that they’ve shared a bed. Of course not. But they have always been friends, best friends, roommates, then.

Not… whatever they were now. Taehyun swallowed. “Hey.”

Kai’s smile softened as he looked at him, and something about the way he reached up to push Taehyun’s hair off his forehead made Taehyun feel like the world had tilted just slightly off-axis.

He wouldn’t be surprised if someone told him that this was a dream being manipulated by one of Morpheus’s.  

“You’re still here,” Taehyun said quietly, before he could stop himself.

“Of course I am,” Kai replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Taehyun’s heart was beating stupidly loud in his chest. He turned toward Kai more fully, meeting his gaze. “So… what now?”

Kai went quiet for a second. Then, “I’m yours. Like, really yours.”

Taehyun smiled, eyes crinkling. “Boyfriends?”

Kai nodded, grinning.

For a while, they just lay there, hand in hand, staring at each other like nothing else existed. Like the world could wait.

Because here, in this messy little apartment above a mortal world that would never understand what it meant to be a demigod, they understood each other.

Taehyun missed Camp Half-Blood.

He adjusted the strap of his bag while Kai practically bounced beside him, excitement humming through his limbs like a second heartbeat.

It was their first day back since last summer, and the familiar scent of pine trees and strawberry fields was enough to make something in Taehyun’s chest soften.

He glanced sideways. Kai was holding his hand. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You nervous?” Kai asked, squeezing his fingers.

“A little,” Taehyun admitted.

While their friends knew they were officially together now (thanks to Jisung’s very unsubtle group chat announcement months ago), this was the first time they were seeing them like this.

Walking hand-in-hand as more than friends, no ‘we’re just friends’, no ambiguity, no guessing needed.

“You think they’ll freak out?” Taehyun asked under his breath.

Kai grinned. “I hope they do.”

They didn’t have to wait long.

“OH MY GOD.”

Chenle’s voice rang out first, coming from the direction of the cabins. He came running, followed closely by Beomgyu, Yeonjun, Jisung, and even Soobin, who had a knowing smile on his face.

“It’s real!”

Beomgyu shouted dramatically, skidding to a stop in front of them. “The prophecy has been fulfilled.”

Taehyun rolled his eyes, but he didn’t let go of Kai’s hand. “There was no prophecy.”

“Could’ve fooled us,” Yeonjun said, his grin wide. “You two have been pining since forever.”

Camp had always felt like home. But now, with Kai beside him and his feelings out in the open, it finally felt complete.