The Willett Legacy

“See you soon,” Silas murmured. “…Uh huh.” Silas smiled, amused by the spectacular failure of coherent speech,before turning and making his way down the path toward home. Kai stepped back inside, and instinctively lift his fingers to the spot where that brief kiss still seemed to linger. #KaiGen4

Then, before Kai had time to wonder whether this was the awkward moment where people simply waved and went inside, Silas stepped forward and leaned in, gently brushing a kiss against Kai’s cheek. It lasted barely a second. Warm. Soft. Gone almost before Kai processed it. #KaiGen4

“For having me over.” His smile softened. “And for letting me see Harley.” Kai rubbed the back of his neck. “…And the cold coffee.” Silas laughed. “I’ve had worse.” For another heartbeat neither of them moved. #KaiGen4

By the time Silas had to leave, Kai walked him to the front door, then out onto the porch where the evening air carried the first crisp hints of autumn. Silas looked up at him. “Thank you.” Kai looked at him. “For?” #KaiGen4

Without realizing it they’d drifted from work to books, from books to Brindleton traditions, from those traditions to Tucker’s increasingly bizarre reading recommendations. Time passed so quickly, both mugs had long since gone cold. #KaiGen4

“…Yeah.” Silas smiled. “I can recommend places if you want.” Kai smiled. “You’ve already helped me enough.” Conversation became easier after that. #KaiGen4

Kai looked down into his coffee. “I volunteered at a senior center.” Silas waited without interrupting. “I mostly just…” Kai shrugged. “…spent time with people. Played cards. Helped organize activities. Listened.” “You miss it.” #KaiGen4

“Mhm.” Silas tucked one leg beneath himself on the couch. “I work at the community center. Mostly translating during appointments,workshops, community events… whatever’s needed.” Kai couldn’t help smiling. Silas studied him for a second before asking, “What about you? Before moving here.” #KaiGen4

Silas nodded. “Whenever I can.” He smiled into his mug. “Not every week. Sometimes work gets too busy, but I like helping out where I can.” “What about your actual job?” “I’m an SSL interpreter.” Kai looked up. “Really?” #KaiGen4

The first few moments passed peacefully as they each took careful sips. Eventually Kai found the courage to speak again. “So…” He paused. 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. “You volunteer?” #KaiGen4

By the time he carried the mugs back into the living room, he’d convinced himself he looked at least somewhat composed. Silas accepted his cup with both hands. “Thank you.” Kai settled beside him on the couch, leaving enough respectful space between them. #KaiGen4

Kai's entire face brightened with embarrassing enthusiasm. “Great.” He pointed vaguely toward the couch. “You… go… living room.” 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. “I’ll… bring some.” 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. Silas’s smile only grew softer. “I’ll wait.” #KaiGen4

Kai closed his eyes for half a second. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺? That was the sentence he’d chosen? Somehow he’d managed to reduce the Simlish language down to a single beverage. Silas, to his everlasting relief, merely smiled. “I like coffee.” #KaiGen4

Kai hadn’t planned beyond Harley, that had been the safe part. And suddenly he became acutely aware that it was just the two of them standing in the middle of his hallway. Kai quickly cleared his throat. “Do you…” Oh no. “…coffee?” #KaiGen4

But then Harley abruptly decided she had received sufficient admiration for one evening. Without warning she sprang to her feet, barked once for reasons known only to herself, and tore off down the hallway at full speed. Kai stared after her. “…Traitor.” #KaiGen4

Kai stood in the hallway, arms loosely folded across his chest, watching the scene unfold with a smile. Silas laughed each time Harley missed one of the treats balanced between his fingers, refusing to make it easy for her but never teasing long enough for frustration to replace excitement. #KaiGen4

Kai smiled before he even realized he was doing it. “I’ll text you.” Silas lifted one eyebrow. “I hope so.” Then he was gone, disappearing back through the café door with one last wave over his shoulder. #KaiGen4

Kai didn’t look away from Silas. “I’m not flirting.” “You absolutely were, but stay in your denial.” Silas turned towards them. “I’m heading to work,” he said. “But…” His gaze settled on Kai again. “…I can’t wait to see Harley.” #KaiGen4

Kai watched without really meaning to, noticing how easily Silas smiled, how everyone around him seemed immediately comfortable in his company. Beside him Tucker leaned closer until their shoulders nearly touched. “You’re terrible at flirting.” #KaiGen4

The barista called his name from behind the counter. “Looks like my coffee’s been waiting longer than I have.” He stepped away to collect it, chatting briefly with the woman behind the register, who seemed to know him well. #KaiGen4

“I…” Kai laughed softly at how impossible speaking suddenly seemed. “I want to.” Silas’s entire face brightened so naturally it caught Kai off guard. “Okay.” He nodded once, as though trying not to seem too pleased despite failing rather adorably. “Great.” #KaiGen4

Kai nearly inhaled his own tongue, but before he could send a death glare to his little cousin a voice piped up. “I’d love that.” Kai looked up. “I’d really love that,” Silas repeated. “Unless… you don’t want to.” #KaiGen4

Behind them Tucker watched the exchange for another five seconds before apparently deciding enough was enough. “I think Harley’s way too tiny to go outside for long,” he announced loudly, “but it wouldn’t be a terrible idea if you invited Mr. S over to see her.” #KaiGen4

“No, I said I would.” Kai looked almost embarrassed by his own honesty. “I just... work got busy, then she'd do something funny and I’d think, 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, and then later became tomorrow, and tomorrow became…” He scratched his eyebrow awkwardly. “…a week.” #KaiGen4