Side Effects of You
Kai sat under the tree, eyes closed, letting the wind blow through his body. It was the only way he could calm himself down over the last few months. Each time he thought about Peyton, he’d get upset with Thomas and Mrs. Black. The rage would fill him, and he’d have to go and sit in nature and return those emotions back to the earth. It was meditation at its finest. Only it couldn’t heal his broken heart. He longed for Peyton, but he was sure Peyton never wanted to see him again. That’s what he had convinced himself of. He did, after all, leave him when he needed him the most.
“Kai? Kai Jang?”
Kai opened his eyes and turned around. Lillian Black was the last person he had expected to see standing in front of him. Seeing her triggered all his emotions again. She exhaled and took a step closer to him.
“Kai, I know I’m the last person you’d ever expect to see,” she said with a defeated smile.
Kai gave her a deep stare and asked, “Why are you here? You send someone to beat me up as well?”
The color drained from her face. Her eyes suddenly became heavy with sorrow. She hung her head for a split second and then looked back up at him.
“No,” she answered. “I never intended for anyone to be hurt.”
“Not physically, but you wanted our hearts to hurt. I get you don’t like me, but I love Peyton, and he loved me. We were going to be so happy together. You couldn’t just give me a chance. What did I do to you besides being born Asian?”
She sighed, “Time and experience have made me bitter and admittedly hateful of other groups. There was a time when I celebrated justice and equality. I wanted everyone to love each other, fellowship the way God intended.”
“What happened? Why’d you change?” There was a certain level of caution in the way he asked the questions.
She sighed as the memories flashed before her eyes, “The year was 1991. Relations between Koreans and blacks soured with the death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins. Then, after that, came the beating of Rodney King. It all changed me.”
“I sympathize with your fight, but I am not your enemy. I love Peyton with my entire heart and soul. I think about him all the time.”
She breathed in and said, “I’m so far gone in my ways. I’ll probably never change. We will probably never like each other, but I will respect you and the relationship you have with my son. He needs you. He’s drowning without you. I am sorry for the role I played in your breakup. I’m sorry for my behavior and the disrespect I showed you.”
Kai asked, “Does he know what you did?”
“He will. I will tell him. Just please go and sit with him,” her voice cracked as she spoke the words. “I’m begging you, not for me but for him. My son loves you. He’s not like me. He sees the beauty, good, and wonder in life and people. I may not agree with his actions, but I agree with his ability to be open-minded to people not like us.”
“So much time has passed. How do I know if he still wants me? What if he can’t forgive me for leaving?”
She blew her breath and asked, “Is he not worth taking the risk to find out?” It was a simple question, but it held so much weight. Was Peyton worth the risk? Were they worth the fight?
“If I go back, you need to promise not to ever try to come between us again. If you do, I will not be as docile as I am right now.” Kai was firm in his argument. He meant every word.
***
Peyton woke up to the smell of sizzling garlic and sesame oil. He quickly climbed out of bed and followed his nose to the kitchen. His eyes instantly sparkled at the sight of Kai in a beater and some grey shorts standing at a tabletop grill flipping some meat. Peyton snapped his fingers. Kai looked at him and gave him a warm smile.
Kai held up one of the many chalkboards that were scattered about the kitchen. It read: Sit! I’m making Samgyeopsal. Before you ask, it’s grilled pork belly. You will eat it and love it.
Peyton smiled and took a seat. Kai walked over to the table. He set down the lettuce leaves, garlic slices, ssamjang, and kimchi. He wrapped the meat in the lettuce and toppings. He went to feed it to Peyton. It felt right to be together. Their world felt whole.
Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment. For the first time in months, Peyton felt peace in his life. He opened his mouth, and Kai fed him. The taste exploded in Peyton’s mouth. It was delicious. It was perfect because Kai had made it.
“Your world,” Peyton murmured, not sure if he was loud or soft spoken.
Kai smiled and then signed “Our world.”
Peyton’s eyes glowed, and then they filled with tears. He wrote on the chalkboard: You learned sign language?
Kai nodded and wrote: A little. I’ve been practicing. Learning for you. For us.
Peyton wrote: You left me.
Kai wrote: I was feeling guilty, and I had to track down Thomas. I’m so sorry for what he did and for leaving. I didn’t fight. I’ll never leave again if you let me back in. I love you, my king. You are my king!
Peyton reached out and gently placed his hand on Kai’s beautiful face. A tear fell from Kai’s eye. Peyton wiped it away. He rested his forehead against Kai’s. He took Kai’s hand and placed it against his heart. Kai could feel Peyton’s heart beating. Every beat was a beat of love, respect, and loyalty to their union.
Peyton leaned back and signed, “I love you.”
The two men leaned in closer together. Their lips softly gazed, and then they kissed. They kissed with every part of their body. Peyton pulled away from the kiss. He pointed at the grill.
“More,” he said confidently.
Kai laughed and nodded his head. Kai looked up, and standing in the walkway was Kendrick. Kendrick’s eyes softened on Kai. Kai mouthed an apology to Kendrick, which he accepted. There was no need to hold on to the hurt and anger. He understood that his relationship with Peyton had served its purpose. It was because of Peyton that he had become the loyal, faithful, and smart man that he was. It was time for him to find his happily ever after, and things seemed to be heading in that direction with Gentry.
Peyton woke up from his sleep. He glanced over in the bed. Kai was still there, sleeping peacefully. He thought it all had been a dream and that he’d wake up to discover his light in the world had once again gone dark. It made him smile to see his light was still there.
He got out of bed and walked to the window. It was still dark out. For the first time in months, he felt inspiration pull at his heart. He pulled the canvas and his supplies into the bedroom. He looked at his sleeping muse and perfect beauty. Peyton picked up the paintbrush and began to paint once again.
Time flew by like magic. Peyton took a step back from his latest masterpiece. It had been hours, and it was nowhere near done, but he could already see the magic in it. He looked up and realized Kai was awake. He was sitting at the foot of the bed, completely naked. His eyes were dark with desire and passion.
Kai used his finger to call Peyton over. Peyton stepped from the painting and dropped his pajama bottoms and pulled the shirt off. He walked over to Kai in his fitted dark briefs. He wrapped his hands around Kai’s waist. Their bodies called to another. He leaned in and they kissed. The passion erupted between them.
As they kissed with this burning hunger, their tongues swiped against one another. Kai slid Peyton’s underwear off his body and pulled him between his legs. Kai lay back on the bed and pulled Peyton on top of him. They continued kissing as their hard cocks brushed against one another.
Peyton kissed and sucked on Kai’s neck. His tongue sent shivers down Kai’s spine. It made his soul tingle. Peyton sat back on his feet and Kai leaned down and took his long dick into his mouth. Peyton’s cock was perfect and tasty to him. He loved having it in his mouth and inside of him. He sucked it with so much love and passion in his heart. Peyton let out a low moan.
Peyton ran his hands down Kai’s back and onto his amazing round ass. He massaged those incredible cheeks in both hands. Every so often, he would make them spread and expose that tight pucker to the cool air. Kai loved being touched and handled by Peyton. There was something in the way they touched each other. It was like they held a secret that no one else knew with their bodies.
Peyton pulled his cock out of Kai’s mouth. He motioned for him to turn around. Kai happily obliged and presented his gorgeous ass to Peyton. God oh God how Peyton missed that ass. He dropped to his knees and gave each smooth, gracious cheek a kiss. His thick tongue swiped across Kai’s rosebud.
“Fuck,” Kai moaned softly.
Peyton slapped those cheeks and watched them shake. He buried his face between those globes. His tongue rolled around the tight flesh, and then he pushed it inside of Kai. He used his tongue to spear it in and out of him. He licked his insides and sucked his pucker. He removed his face and then kissed the ring and entrance before resuming his tongue fucking.
He grabbed those cheeks and darted his tongue in and out of Kai. Despite his hearing loss, he knew Kai was moaning. He could see it in the way the muscles in his back flexed. Kai moved, wiggled, and squirmed with pleasure like some exotic snake. It was electrifying and enticing. Peyton ran his fingers across Kai’s tight hole. He had to touch it again and feel it once more.
Kai looked back over his shoulder at him. He smiled with his eyes and nodded his head. He wanted it as badly as Peyton wanted it. They were thirsty for each other. Peyton pushed his cock against Kai’s hole. The feel of that angry mushroom head against his pucker sent a chill through Kai’s body. He pushed back and Peyton’s dick gently slid inside of him.
“Oooh shit,” Kai moaned.
Peyton slid inch by inch in Kai’s warmth. That sweet, warm hole opened and took him in. The muscles inside of Kai’s anus pulled him with ease and perfection. He pushed until his pubes came to a rest against those cheeks and his pelvis connected with Kai’s backside. Kai tossed his head back and rolled his eyes. That dick felt fantastic inside of him. It was perfect. It was made for him and him alone.
Peyton kissed Kai down his back as he held still inside of him. Kai leaned back, aiming and needing a kiss. Their lips touched, and Peyton began to move in and out of him. His dick glided in and out of that incredible ass with such a gentle force. Kai dropped his face in the bed and bit the sheets as Peyton moved his hips.
Each time Peyton’s cock slid out of Kai’s ass it pulled thick wet cream from Kai. Peyton picked up his pace and fucked him with more pressure. He gave that talented ass long strokes. They were deep and full of purpose, power, and passion. He wrapped his arms around Kai’s body and held him still as he took his soul. Kai’s moans were loud and passionate. He loved being taken by Peyton. It was the greatest feeling in the world.
Peyton pulled out and flipped Kai on his back. His dick slid back inside of him. Kai wrapped his legs around Peyton’s waist. His nails dug into Peyton’s flesh. Those balls pounded against those cheeks. The bed rocked with them. Their bodies created the most beautiful song. There was nothing but love and appreciation for one another.
As Kai lay there taking that dick he nodded his head. Peyton took that as encouragement to fuck him harder and deeper. He did just that. Kai tossed his head and fired off obscenities left and right. His hole milked and massaged Peyton’s dick. The lips of his ass made a tight seal around Peyton’s cock.
Peyton wrapped his hand around Kai’s throat and took him. Harder and harder he fucked him. His dick pushed through and spread the walls of Kai’s ass. Kai’s cock throbbed and leaked. He wrapped his hand around his erection and began to stroke as Peyton took him over and over again. Peyton lost himself in the pleasure and the feelings of their love. A tear fell from his eye.
Kai wiped the tear from Peyton’s eye. The bed creaked as they fucked faster and deeper. Kai stroked his cock faster. His climax rapidly approached. It overloaded his thoughts and senses, and he blew his load all over his chest and stomach.
“I’m cumming,” Kai cried.
Peyton slammed deep inside of Kai and blew his load. He let out a growl of sorts. His cock twitched over and over as he unloaded months of semen in Kai. Peyton rested his forehead against Kai’s forehead. They shared a sweet and soft kiss.
***
Peyton read the letter over and over again. Each time, he hoped he’d feel something. Each time, he felt nothing. His mother sat directly across from him with sad eyes. The silence was ripping her apart inside.
Peyton finally looked up at her. He balled the letter up. It was almost too hard to believe that his own mother had paid Thomas to scare him away from Peyton. Even though she explained that she never thought anyone would be hurt, he couldn’t help but blame her for his hearing loss.
Lilian wanted to comfort her son and make amends. She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. He quickly pulled away from her touch. His reaction broke her heart. He picked up the chalkboard and began to quickly write down his thoughts.
He held it up: You will take classes on race and sensitivity. Donate to some causes that further Asian communities, and volunteer in those communities, or you will never see me again. You will accept Kai as well. The only time I want to see you is on Mother’s Day. You have no place in my life nor my heart as it currently stands.
She nodded her head in agreement. She hadn’t expected to get off so easily. Peyton didn’t see it as letting her off easy. He saw it as making her face the truth about herself. Sometimes the best way to kill evil is with kindness. As odd as it sounds, it can work. Lilian was going to eventually be kind, and her racist ways would die. That was all he could hope for. She was his mother after all. Could he truly turn his back on her? Could he truly disavow the woman who birthed him, raised him, and protected him from the world? He could, but would that make him better or different from her? Darkness does not erase darkness; only light can prevail in darkness. What the world needed more than anything was more light and love.
“I’m sorry,” she said through her tears.
He wrote: I’m deaf and that’s just one of the many side effects of you.
He got up and stormed away from the table. Peyton stepped outside, his anger was still real. It was going to take time to process the hurt and betrayal he felt from Lillian. He felt himself on the verge of suddenly wanting to explode. Kai walked out of the house and wrapped his arms around him, temporarily scaring him. Kai kissed the nape of his neck and held up his phone. There was a note typed up.
It read: Thomas turned himself in today.
Peyton turned around to face Kai. He looked him in the eyes. They said nothing, but the eyes said everything. They were the side effects of each other.
© Grayson Rose 2025. All rights reserved.
