[ Merciless! Kyoko's cheeks flushed darker with the compliment.
The question made her pause though, looking down into her lap, where her folded hands were starting to fidget. ]
... If... Shinji's okay with people knowing, then I guess it's fine. But, if you happen to tell anyone after this, and I'm not there to witness it, could you maybe... just... let me know?
[ There was another pause, as Kyoko debated that, and considered her words. ]
I... don't think I want to be kept a secret or anything, though. [ That would surely feel worse than this tickle of anxious nerves. ] And I don't want to keep you--or you and Shinji--a secret either. But what we have, right now it's still... it feels kinda delicate. [ Like she could break it easily, or like she could break easily. ] If somebody asked me to explain it, I don't know if I'd be able to do it properly, so... I think, for now, I don't want to be surprised by outsiders knowing about us.
[It wasn't a word that Kai would have thought to use, but maybe it was a good one. They were all still settling into things, figuring out what was actually overstepping and what they were just afraid was overstepping. He didn't miss those little, cautionary glances that would happen when he'd go in for something soft. Finding their footing was enough of an experience without outside whispers.
Kai sighed a little, dipping his head gently against hers. Saying they could mind their own business would not actually make the worries go away.]
Mmm. I'll let you know if I let something else slip.
I think Cliff would've figured it out anyway though, if he keeps popping up.
[ A small, soft breath eased out of her when Kaito tipped his head against hers. Kyoko leaned into it a bit--not enough to nudge, just settle in a bit closer, eager to soak up that comfort. ]
... That's true. You don't... think he'll avoid us after this, do you?
[ Her hands were fidgeting a bit in her lap again, fingers twisting lightly. ]
Scolding somebody I don't know well is... probably kind of a bad habit. And I should have found a way to just talk to you quietly, instead of making everything difficult. If Cliff doesn't like me now, that's one thing, but... I should have thought more about the effect on you, and Shinji too.
Pretty sure Shinji's on the same page as you. And...I mean... yeah, things could have gone better. We're talking about it though, I know where you're comin' from.
[And the parts that had hurt, well. There was still a part of him that couldn't honestly blame her for it.]
[Kai gave a little nod in turn. Cliff was definitely the one who'd gotten the worst end of the situation, but... Kai reached over, carefully taking hold of those fidgety hands in her lap.]
... You need one too. [He gave her hands a soft squeeze.]
I shouldn't have put you in that position in the first place.
Right. [ There was another quiet nod, before Kyoko went on. ] And you'll call me out like this too, right? If I do something out of line like that again.
[ There was a little moment of hesitation--would this even be wanted?--but then Kyoko leaned up to press a very soft kiss to his temple, staying close afterwards as she murmured to him. ]
Getting hurt isn't something you deserve. I don't want that.
[The level of gentleness there was so unexpected that whether he would have wanted it or not wasn't even a factor. It was taking him a moment to process this, the surprise lingering on his face as the confusion rippled to his core. How... huh? No. That felt incorrect. What had he been trying to say?]
... You're... You're not gonna hurt me by being mad.
[ Was that too much? It didn't seem like it was an unwelcome gesture, but maybe she should've held back after all? Kyoko worried her lip a bit, fretting. ]
But... not understanding you did hurt, right? So, if there's something like that, I don't wanna just leave it alone.
[ That sweet look in his eyes as he leaned in had her relaxing, though a warmth stayed gently in her cheeks. Good, then, they were both good. ]
Thank goodness. But then, if I mess up again, I'd want to get to this part as soon as possible, you know? So, you still have to talk to me right away, if I don't realize something is wrong on my own.
[Surely this had shown they could, right? Kai thought so. This... this was good. He pulled back just enough to press a small kiss of his own to her cheek, because that had been very nice. Sorry he didn't appreciate it more in the moment.]
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Just attractive people.
But... would you have preferred I didn't say anything about it?
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The question made her pause though, looking down into her lap, where her folded hands were starting to fidget. ]
... If... Shinji's okay with people knowing, then I guess it's fine. But, if you happen to tell anyone after this, and I'm not there to witness it, could you maybe... just... let me know?
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Sure, but I could easily just... not say anything if its gonna make you uncomfortable for people to know. S'fine.
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I... don't think I want to be kept a secret or anything, though. [ That would surely feel worse than this tickle of anxious nerves. ] And I don't want to keep you--or you and Shinji--a secret either. But what we have, right now it's still... it feels kinda delicate. [ Like she could break it easily, or like she could break easily. ] If somebody asked me to explain it, I don't know if I'd be able to do it properly, so... I think, for now, I don't want to be surprised by outsiders knowing about us.
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[It wasn't a word that Kai would have thought to use, but maybe it was a good one. They were all still settling into things, figuring out what was actually overstepping and what they were just afraid was overstepping. He didn't miss those little, cautionary glances that would happen when he'd go in for something soft. Finding their footing was enough of an experience without outside whispers.
Kai sighed a little, dipping his head gently against hers. Saying they could mind their own business would not actually make the worries go away.]
Mmm. I'll let you know if I let something else slip.
I think Cliff would've figured it out anyway though, if he keeps popping up.
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... That's true. You don't... think he'll avoid us after this, do you?
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Told 'im he could just come in whenever so I guess... we just gotta wait and see.
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... I really am sorry. It was inconsiderate of me, acting that way.
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You don't have to be sorry for caring, Kyoko.
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[ Her hands were fidgeting a bit in her lap again, fingers twisting lightly. ]
Scolding somebody I don't know well is... probably kind of a bad habit. And I should have found a way to just talk to you quietly, instead of making everything difficult. If Cliff doesn't like me now, that's one thing, but... I should have thought more about the effect on you, and Shinji too.
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[And the parts that had hurt, well. There was still a part of him that couldn't honestly blame her for it.]
If anybody needs an apology, it's not me.
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... You need one too. [He gave her hands a soft squeeze.]
I shouldn't have put you in that position in the first place.
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Something warm and quivery swelled in Kyoko's chest. Carefully, she turned her hands to rest more snugly in his. ]
... You didn't mean to. I know that.
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[He looked down at their hands, brows knitting slightly.]
... But I'll try.
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[ Her thumb traced lightly against his hand. ]
But since I can't promise for sure I won't mess up like that again either, I guess that kinda puts us in the same boat.
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Guess so. But if you'll be listening to me, then I'm gonna be listening to you too. It won't be too bad if we can make it back to this, right?
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Unless I deserve it. We'll find out.
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[ There was a little moment of hesitation--would this even be wanted?--but then Kyoko leaned up to press a very soft kiss to his temple, staying close afterwards as she murmured to him. ]
Getting hurt isn't something you deserve. I don't want that.
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... You're... You're not gonna hurt me by being mad.
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But... not understanding you did hurt, right? So, if there's something like that, I don't wanna just leave it alone.
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Don't worry about that, [he murmured low as he tipped his head to hers again.]
This is already enough to be good.
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Thank goodness. But then, if I mess up again, I'd want to get to this part as soon as possible, you know? So, you still have to talk to me right away, if I don't realize something is wrong on my own.
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Mmm. Gotcha. We'll get it sorted.
[Surely this had shown they could, right? Kai thought so. This... this was good. He pulled back just enough to press a small kiss of his own to her cheek, because that had been very nice. Sorry he didn't appreciate it more in the moment.]
'M glad we talked.
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