A metallic tang lingered in Kazimir's mouth as he leaned over the sink. Wads of crumbled up toilet paper scattered across the counter, stained in mucus and blood. It felt like he'd swallowed razor blades. Just little sips of water were painful to gulp down. Tears stung his eyes as he tried to clean up his mess, ensuring each tissue went into the toilet.

Kazimir wanted to curl up on the floor and die.

Memories rushed back to him from last night, reminding him of all the coke he'd snorted when he got back from the nightclub. He'd told Emmett everything about Jules and that weirdo, Jack. They planned to search around town for him, but Kazimir barely had the energy to stagger into the bathroom. There was no way in hell he'd be able to drive his motorcycle or focus on painting in his studio. All that dominated his thoughts was the pulsing pain in his throat and poor clogged up nose.

After one final blow into a crumpled piece of toilet paper, he tossed it into the waste can and unlocked the door. He peeked out into the hallway, ensuring nobody walked by. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to see him like that. When he was certain the coast was clear, he dragged himself back into his bedroom and plummeted down onto their bed.

Burying his face in the soft pillows, Kazimir closed his sullen eyes and pulled the comforter over his freezing body. Good thing Emmett left earlier in the morning for his shift at the Wallflower diner. He should be able to sleep it off. If only he wasn't so damn strung out, maybe he'd be able to rest.

With a soft groan, Kazimir fumbled for his glasses and phone on the nightstand. New texts from Emmett popped up and he groaned. He planned to drop by his art studio for lunch in roughly thirty minutes on his lunch break. Dammit. Maybe he could lie about going out for lunch with Jordy instead. It wasn't like Emmett would ask his former roommate if that were true, and knowing Jordy, he wouldn't mind fibbing for him.

Kazimir's thumbs danced across his screen, but he hesitated on sending his message of lies. Didn't they promise each other to be honest? He'd be a hypocrite if he went against his word so soon. With a sigh, Kazimir erased his entire message about eating lunch with Jordy and instead, just told the truth.

Not feeling well. Stayed at the hideout. Gonna sleep the rest of the day.

After sending that text to Emmett, he grabbed a bottle of NyQuil from the nightstand drawer, hoping to relieve the pain long enough for him to rest. He waited for Emmett's response, but it never came. Kazimir's eyes weighed with tiredness, and it got harder to keep them open to focus on his screen. Soon, he let sleep wash over him, pulling him deep into dreamland.

Darkness engulfed the city. Stars twinkled in the pitch black sky as Kazimir crossed the sidewalk, passing familiar houses. Deja vu swept over him, and as he approached a street sign, he realized he was no longer in New Syracuse. He was in his hometown.

Something tugged him toward his old house. Even after all those years, it remained the same, unchanged. Unlike their family. A hollow pit in his heart made him consider turning back around, running away like he did before. But he didn't. Not when he heard that laughter, so full of life and glee.

Kazimir lifted the latch on the gate and tread across the freshly trimmed lawn. Oddly enough, he smelled beef stroganoff  Just like his dad used to make for them. Each footstep toward the front door had him on edge, and with a shaky hand, he reached for the knob and turned.

He made his way through the foyer and into the kitchen, the source of the delicious smells. Standing over the stove was his dad, who greeted him with a smile.

"Dad?" Kazimir choked out.

"There you are. Have a seat. I was hoping you'd be back." His dad served him a plate at the table, then fixed himself one.

Kazimir forced his leaden legs over into the chair. He couldn't resist biting into the delicious meal, savoring each bite. How long had it been since he tasted a home cooked meal like his? Not even Kazimir could fix anything as scrumptious.

"You're so skinny," his dad remarked. "You need to eat more."

Kazimir paused mid-bite. "Yeah, you're right. I probably should."

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" Kazimir frowned. "I don't understand."

"Leaving you all alone." His dad removed his cooking apron, draping on the back of a chair. "I never thought... I wish we could go back to that day."

Realization hit him. "I do too. I was such a stupid kid. I-I don't know why I grabbed that gun." Kazimir dropped his fork on the plate, shaking his head. "Dad, I never meant to do it. You know that, right? I love you."

"Then why did you kill me?"

"Kaz." A masculine voice dragged him back to reality.

Tears trickled down Kazimir's cheeks as he opened them, blinking against the sunlight pooling in from the window. It took his eyes a moment to adjust, focusing on the figure hovering at his bedside.

"You okay, man?" Charlie asked, gently touching his shoulder.

Kazimir sniffled, wiping at his runny nose before pulling himself up, hugging his knees to his chest. "Yeah, just not feeling well."

"Yeah, Emmett called me all freaking out just now. Said you ain't answering him and wanted me to check on ya," Charlie explained.

"Oh, sorry, I dozed off." Kazimir rubbed at his tired, bleary eyes, forcing back a yawn. Soreness lingered in the pit of his throat, but it didn't hurt as much as it did. "You can tell him I'm okay."

"What the hell's wrong with ya? You didn't drink much last night. I think I had more than you."

"Sinuses and sore throat." Kazimir shrugged. "I'm just tired. Trying to sleep it off."

"Oh. I'll let him know. Get better soon, little man."

When Charlie's footsteps faded and the bedroom door closed, Kazimir tried to drift off to sleep again. That dream about his father still lingered in his mind. It felt so surreal, almost like he was actually back home and eating a meal he'd always cook for them. If only it hadn't been interrupted. Kazimir wished he could've talked longer with him.

It wasn't long before the bedroom door creaked open again, but this time, Emmett emerged, carrying two plastic bags. Kazimir peeked toward the entry, sighing. He should've known he'd drop by.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Emmett crawled into bed beside him, gently brushing the back of his hand against his cheek.

"Like crap." Kazimir's voice came out raspy. Coughing only hurt his throat more.

"Charlie told me you've got a sore throat, so I stopped by the drug store. I picked you up some meds and ice cream for later."

"Thanks."

Emmett combed his fingers through Kazimir's hair. "I put in some PTO at work to leave early, so I can stay here with you."

"You didn't need to do that," Kazimir murmured. "I just need rest."

"You're more important than work." Emmett gently kissed the crook of his neck, rubbing small circles along his back.

Warmth heated Kazimir's cheeks. "I'm glad you're here."

"Do you need anything?" Emmett asked.

"I'm okay. You don't have to stay here with me all day. If there's any other work you gotta get done, you should do that."

"My schedule's been cleared for the day." Emmett grinned. "I don't mind lazing in bed either. Just let me know if you need anything. Have you taken any medicine yet? I got some throat lounges that might help too."

"I took some NyQuil earlier," Kazimir replied, closing his eyes.

"If you're not better in a few days, I'm taking you to see Sal, alright?"

Kazimir groaned. "No need for that. You're worrying too much. I'll be fine. Just need some rest."

"So stubborn. But I'll leave ya to rest." Emmett leaned closer, kissing his cheek.

When Emmett left their room, Kazimir tried to fall back asleep. No matter how much he tossed and turned, he couldn't get comfortable again. The dream about his father lingered on his mind, how vivid it had been to hear his voice again and smell his cooking. If only he could find a way to resume that dream, just to see his dad one last time.

🖌️

Later that night, Kazimir peeked out the window. Stars twinkled in the pitch black sky, but the moon hid behind the thick stormy clouds. Thunder promised a storm was brewing. He hated how he wasted his day away, sleeping off his sickness. Even after resting, he still felt horrible and wanted to crawl back into bed.

However, he fought his body's protests for rest and made his way down the hallway. A cold draft made him shiver, even with the hoodie he wore. Although his nose was still clogging up, he caught a faint whiff of chicken. Further down the hall, he rounded the corner and entered the lounging room, where buckets of fried chicken covered the coffee table.

Charlie and Rylee lounged on the two sofas, both holding their own personal fried chicken buckets. A horror movie played on the plasma television screen, both with their attention fixed on the murderer attacking a screaming young woman.

"Uh, hey guys," Kazimir said.

Rylee jolted in her seat, almost dropping her bucket of chicken as she turned around toward Kazimir. "Jesus, you scared the hell outta me. Why are you sneaking up on us like that?"

"You feeling better now?" Charlie asked before biting into a chicken leg.

"Not really." Kazimir admitted. "Have you seen Emmett?"

"I think he's in his office," Charlie replied.

"Yeah, him and Alfie's been in there all day," Rylee added.

"I'm sure you're starving. Help yourself to some chicken." Charlie gestured to the table. "I bought plenty for us all."

Despite how delicious it smelled, Kazimir knew it would be too painful to eat. "Thanks, but I'm good. My throat's still kinda sore. Don't wanna irritate it more."

"Oh okay, well, I think Emmett's got some ice cream for ya in the freezer," Charlie said. "Told me not to get into it."

"Alright, thanks."

Kazimir made his way toward Emmett's makeshift office. When he reached for the knob and turned, he realized it was locked. Emmett and Alfie's voices echoed behind the door, so Kazimir leaned close, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. Rylee had said they'd been in there all day. What could they be talking about for that long?

"I don't know about this, boss. Shit might really hit the fan if we do this," Alfie warned.

"Just trust me," Emmett said, dismissing his concerns. "Those assholes won't even know what hit them. We need the supply. I'm desperate. I thought we'd have enough to get through, but I was wrong. We took in too many new clients this month. Goddamn college kids."

What was he planning to do? He wasn't going to get himself into more danger, was he? Messing around with Mayor Kaufman already put him in the cross-hairs, but if he planned to steal drugs from someone, then there were a thousand ways that could backfire on him.

"Just be careful. We don't need another gang war happening cuz you stole the Viper's damn stash," Alfie warned.

Kazimir reeled back, away from the door. That was the last thing they needed. What was Emmett thinking? Did he want to get them all killed?

Just as Kazimir planned to knock and interrupt, the door walloped open. Alfie almost bumped right into him, scowling as he pushed him aside and made his way into their lounging room. What the hell was his problem?

"Hey." Kazimir stepped inside.

Emmett's expression softened as he closed his laptop, pushing aside some stacks of papers. "Hey, sweetheart. You okay? Did you need something?"

"Just wanted to see if you wanted to eat together tonight. Even if I only have ice cream."

"Of course. Ya know, ice cream actually sounds really good." Emmett rose from behind his desk, ensuring to lock his papers up in his desk drawer. "How about we eat in our room, okay?"

Kazimir nodded. "Yeah, sounds good to me."

As they made their way into the kitchen, Kazimir considered asking him more about what he was talking about with Alfie. But he didn't want to upset him. Yet, at the same time he was concerned that Emmett would do something stupid again and get himself killed. What should he do?