"Yeah, I'm good. Just a headache," Kaz assured him. Sure, it was a half truth, but it was good enough. He didn't like lying to Vaughn, even if it was only a little, but he wasn't going to run to him spouting his insecurities over their new…relationship? Was that what they were now?
Vaughn’s frown grew slightly at Kaz’s words. “Why are you lying?” He suddenly asked. He was always good at seeing through people, and he didn’t like to be lied to. He didn’t get onto the bike yet either. There was no way Kaz was getting around this conversation.
"I…" Kaz began to argue, but sighed as he pulled his helmet off. "It's Kaon, okay? That's it, there's nothing to it," he muttered, a small frown on his face as he looked at Vaughn. "What, do you think I won't drive safely or something? Because I've driven with headaches before."
“I’m not concerned about your driving, Kaz. I just don’t want to start off our relationship with little lies,” Vaughn said, tone laced with obvious stress. He really meant it. He wanted this to work out, and it wouldn’t if lies were involved.
"It's just stupid shit, you know? Little voice in the back of my head telling me you don't really care. I know…I know he's wrong," Kaz said, though he sounded more like he was trying to assure himself than Vaughn. "I just…I don't want you to worry about me. That's all." You know you want him to worry, you self-centered little runt. You want him to worry and baby you because mommy died and no one's loved you since you were 15, his mind teased, causing his headache to grow slightly more painful
Thorn's stomach growled. She let out a quiet laugh, "I hope so too. I don't know if my stomach can take much more of this."
Lana drummed at the edge of the table with her fingers. "So…what should we talk about?" she giggled after a while.
Vaughn’s frown turned a bit sadder as he listened to Kaz. “Oh, Kaz… Of course I care about you.. I promise I do. And either way, you know me, I’m always going to worry about you.. Just try not to let it bother you,” He said, now getting on the bike and giving Kaz’s shoulders a squeeze.
Thorn laughed, "Oh, I don't know."
Kaz sighed. "I know, I just…You know what, never mind. Let's just go get your meds," he said, putting his helmet back on and getting back on the bike
"Let's see…" Lana gazed off into the distance. "What's your star sign? I love astrology."
Thorn thought for a second, "I'm a Virgo. What about you?"
"I'm an Aries," Lana said with a smile. "What do you know? I guess we're compatible."
Thorn smiled back, "I guess we are. Well isn't that lucky for us."
Kaz sighed. "I know, I just…You know what, never mind. Let's just go get your meds," he said, putting his helmet back on and getting back on the bike
“Never mind?” Vaughn asked, now back to frowning “What?” He wanted to let Kaz know that it was okay to tell him things. That he wasn’t going to hate him or anything like that.
"Yep," Lana said, leaning against the table. The waitress returned with their food.
Thorn looked at the food with wide eyes. It looked so much more appetizing than her normal food, "Wow."
"Okay, go for the spicy tuna roll first," Lana said, picking up her chopsticks. "Those are the best."
Thorn picked up her chopstick and grabbed the roll. She ate the roll and smiled at Lana, "This is really good!"
"I'm so glad you like it," Lana said, grabbing one of the rolls and popping it in her mouth. "A lot of people hate sushi because it's raw fish."
"I don't care. It tastes really good," she grabbed another roll and ate it.
Lana smiled at her enthusiasm. "Try one of the fried crab ones. They're amazing."
Kaz sighed. "I know, I just…You know what, never mind. Let's just go get your meds," he said, putting his helmet back on and getting back on the bike
“Never mind?” Vaughn asked, now back to frowning “What?” He wanted to let Kaz know that it was okay to tell him things. That he wasn’t going to hate him or anything like that.
"It doesn't matter. I'm just being stupid. C'mon, you gotta put your arms around me or you'll fall off," Kaz answered, ignoring the concern in Vaughn's voice
“Kaz,” Vaughn insisted, deciding to try one last time. He gave Kaz a slightly pleading look. He knew that this would just claw at him for the rest of the day. He wouldn't be able to concentrate.
Kaz sighed, turning around so he was facing Vaughn on the bike. "What do you want me to say? That I'm not worried? That I'm not just a little scared that this might end up just like what happened with Finn?" he asked, his voice growing tight at the mention of his ex. The ex he had almost died over
“Kaz, you know I’d never hurt you like he did. I promise, this will not be like your other relationship,” Vaughn said softly. He knew that Finn had cheated on Kaz, hurt him terribly and used him. He squeezed and rubbed Kaz’s knees and lower thighs, looking at him in the eye with sincerity.
"I'm not…I know you would never hurt me, I'm just scared that I might hurt you," Kaz finally admitted quietly. "I'm busted, Vaughn. I'm a smashed windshield held together with dried alcohol and blood. I'm not…I'm not good enough for anyone anymore."
Lana smiled at her enthusiasm. "Try one of the fried crab ones. They're amazing."
Thorn grabbed one of the fried crab. It tasted even better than the first, "How did I go so long without ever having this?"
“You’re precious to me, Kaz. You think I’m any better? We’re both broken, and it’s okay. Please believe me when I tell you that you are enough,” Vaughn said, voice growing quieter towards the end. He tilted his head so their foreheads were touching. One of his hands left Kaz’s knee and covered his palm, rubbing gently. His fingers brushed Kaz’s wrist, where he knew that scars would be.
Kaz felt something warm surge through him at Vaughn's words. Did Vaughn…really want him that much? "I…I believe you," he finally said softly, tensing reflexively at the touch to his old scars
Lana smiled at her enthusiasm. "Try one of the fried crab ones. They're amazing."
Thorn grabbed one of the fried crab. It tasted even better than the first, "How did I go so long without ever having this?"
"You've definitely been missing out," Lana said.