As he let out a groan, Kai looked over at him, his expression still that emotionless void. The firelight flickered across Kai's face, casting shadows that only added to his mysterious aura. Leo's heart pounded as he tried to find his voice, but the exhaustion made it difficult to form coherent thoughts.

Kai continued to stir the pot, his eyes never leaving Leo's face. "You finally awake?" he asked, his tone as flat as ever.

Leo nodded weakly, still trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness. "Yeah," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced at the pot, a faint aroma of soup wafting through the air. "What are you cooking?"

"Something to warm you up," Kai replied, his gaze returning to the fire. "You've been out for a while. You need to eat."

Leo's stomach growled in response, reminding him of how long it had been since his last meal. He tried to sit up, but his body protested, the exhaustion still holding him down. "Thanks," he said, the word feeling inadequate for everything Kai had done.

Kai shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Just doing what needs to be done."

Leo watched him for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and annoyance swirling in his mind. Kai's demeanor was cold and distant, but his actions spoke of a deeper sense of responsibility. "Why are you such an ass?" Leo asked, unable to keep the question to himself any longer.

Kai looked at him, his eyes briefly flickering with an emotion Leo couldn't place. "Because someone has to be," he said simply, his voice devoid of warmth but not entirely void of meaning.

The answer left Leo with more questions than answers, but he didn't press further. Instead, he focused on the warmth of the fire and the scent of the soup, letting his mind drift in and out of consciousness. The weight of the day's events was still heavy on his shoulders, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope.

Leo slowly sat up, taking the bowl of soup Kai handed him. The warmth of the soup was comforting, and he sipped it slowly, feeling its warmth spread through his body. Questions swirled in his mind—questions about Kai's past, what had led him here, where he was from, and where his family was. But Leo knew that Kai wouldn't even give him a response.

Instead, Leo stared at Kai, studying him. He didn't think Kai noticed, but then Kai called him out on it. "Quit staring," Kai said flatly, his eyes not leaving the fire.

Leo's cheeks flushed again, but he couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity about the man who had saved his life. "Sorry," Leo muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm just trying to figure you out." While Kai's harsh demeanor made it difficult to connect, his actions told a different story, intriguing Leo despite his own reservations.

Kai glanced at him, his expression still unreadable. "Good luck with that," he said, returning his focus to the fire.

Leo sighed, knowing he wouldn't get answers easily. He turned his attention back to the soup, feeling its warmth spread through his body. The silence between them was heavy, but not entirely uncomfortable. It was as if they had reached an unspoken understanding, a tentative truce in their shared struggle for survival.

As Leo continued to eat, he occasionally stole glances at Kai, still trying to piece together the enigma before him. There was something about Kai that drew Leo in, despite the man's cold exterior. Maybe it was the way Kai had taken charge and ensured their safety, or maybe it was just the simple fact that he cared enough to help a stranger.

Leo finished the soup and set the bowl aside, feeling a bit stronger but still exhausted. He leaned back against the wall, his eyes growing heavy again. "Thanks for the soup," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Kai nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Get some rest," he said, his tone still devoid of warmth but not entirely cold.

As the fire crackled beside them, Leo felt a sense of calm wash over him. Despite the uncertainty of their situation, he knew that for now, they were safe. And in that small moment of peace, he allowed himself to trust, if only a little bit.