Soft steps neared the room, drawing their attention to the door, where Trine appeared. She had put on makeup early that morning, but she’d probably been crying while caring for Katja downstairs, so the dark circles under her usually reassuring brown eyes were prominent again.
“Boys, we need to get going.”
“Okay.”
Kaj got up and walked toward her like an automaton, seemingly alive but dead inside. His broad shoulders and tall, strong frame looked somehow fragile.
Without sharing a word, Trine hugged him when he reached her side, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, but it seemed like a half-hearted effort. She frowned, clearly fighting the tears threatening to roll down her face. Her expressiontwisted, her nostrils flared, and she kissed his cheek. “I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Trine.”
The funeral was beautiful. If you could call it that.
Family, friends, and a bunch of strangers had showed up to pay their respects. Noah was amazed to see so many people in such a tiny church, but he wasn’t surprised. Nikolaj had been kind to everyone. Always ready to lend a hand to whoever might need it. Always warm and supportive. Always present. A hero in all ways.
What was really stunning was the sunset that evening while they scattered Nikolaj’s ashes in the ocean. The sun shone over the horizon, painting the sky and water with an intense shade of orange blended with yellow, pink, and purple. It was like the universe was offering its own 21-gun salute in honor of the life that was ripped away from them too soon.
“You know,” Jesper started, “maybe this is insensitive to say, given the situation, but Nik was a lot more of a father to me than my own dad is.”
“Why’s that insensitive?” Kaj said without raising his head from the back of the couch. “Your dad is an asshole if he doesn’t accept who you truly are.”
“Who you truly are?” Val asked.
Everyone had gathered in the Larsens’ living room, including the band and some of Jesper’s closest friends. Everyone but Katja and Trine, who was trying to convince to eat something.
“Sorry,” Kaj said to his stepbrother, but he was so catatonic that he didn’t seem sorry at all.
“It’s alright, they know.” Jesper shrugged, motioning to his friends. “I’m bisexual, and my dad can’t know because he’d probably beat the shit out of me.”
“He is an asshole then, yes,” Theo agreed.
“Anyway, Nik was the fucking best,” he repeated. “Just wanted you to know that, bud,” he said, caressing his brother’s thigh, squeezing it gently before leaving his hand there. “I hate that he’s gone and that you’re hurting, but you were lucky to have him in your life. We all were.”
A stray tear rolled down Kaj’s cheek.
“You should go to bed. It’s been a long day. You need to rest.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep.”
“You gotta try.”
Kaj took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. “Okay.” He groaned as he stood up.
“Are you guys staying?” Jesper directed at them.
“I think so...?” Val said, looking at the others.
Noah and Theo nodded. There was no way they were leaving when Kaj needed them the most.
Jesper smiled at them and got up. “Are you going to your parents’?” he asked Kurt.
“Yeah.”
“Can I spend the night there with you guys?”
“Sure. There’s plenty of room.”
“Wait, what?” Kaj frowned, the strain in his voice obvious. “Are you leaving? Now? It’s fucking late.”
