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When Thena made the announcement that Druig had finally asked out Makkari, he was shocked, flabbergasted.
Firstly, he lost the bet. Which sucks, but it happens.
Second, it actually happened. He didn’t think it would. He really didn’t!
Sure, Druig wasn’t the worst person in the world, but he was moody and sarcastic while Makkari was sweet and adventurous. They were polar opposites in personality. He just thought she could do a lot better than Druig. (Granted, he’s thought that about every other guy she’s gone out with, but does that matter?)
Sure, he’s aware that when Makkari was around Druig’s… not as grumpy. And he’s aware that when Druig’s not around, Makkari almost seems to be searching for him. But he still hates the idea of the two of them together.
It’s weird! It’s like your little sister’s dating your surrogate little brother, how is that not weird?
But his own thoughts aside, Makkari was going on a date. And she asked for his help, so here he is, making sure that she looks amazing for her date.
Makkari stared at him over the steam of her coffee, while signing with her other hand, Kingo I didn’t ask for your help. Besides, didn’t you have some photoshoot for your next movie this morning?
“Well I got Karun to clear my schedule for the morning, so I’m here whether you like me or not,” he explained as Makkari let him in.
My date isn’t for another 4 hours!
“I know! We’re really running late on time,” he exclaimed, stepping over the books and things that Makkari left open on the floor, “I would’ve been here yesterday, but then my costar kept messing up their lines and it ran longer, but I am here now!”
You know that I don’t need 4 hours to get ready. I can do everything in like 20 minutes and be fine, she pointed out as she handed him a mug of coffee.
“Ooh, this smells delicious, did you use those beans that I got you from New Orleans?”
Makkari nodded. I also have some muffins from Gil’s place if you want some.
“Yes, please!” After a quick muffin break, he asked, “Where are you going anyways?”
We’re going to lunch and then an art museum downtown. It’s the one that has a bunch of interactive displays, like the Hall of Mirrors.
“Wow, he actually planned something?” And it was things that Makkari was actually interested in, that’s something. “I thought he’d just wing it.”
Makkari chuckled and rolled her eyes a little before signing out, Druig’s actually really sweet, Kingo.
“Maybe to you, not so much to the rest of the world.” Although he’s aware that Druig watches over Thena on her bad days when Gil’s out of town for some culinary thing or when Gil can’t get away from the restaurant, so Kingo guesses that Druig’s nice to them.
Maybe if you didn’t talk about your Youtube videos every time you see him, he would be nicer.
“I just want him to acknowledge that he’s seen them instead of making comments about how I’m only doing it for the clout.” Because if he was only doing it for the clout, then he would’ve made one of those slime videos back in the day. It would get a couple million of views, easy. “Now, where are your clean clothes?”
Makkari pointed towards her bedroom, through the mess of her apartment. He’s told her to try the Marie Kondo method, but Makkari has too many sentimental items from all of her trips over the years to get rid of. And an borderline unhealthy obsession with snacks that seems to be constantly growing out of her cabinet, but really who’s judging? He knows about Druig actual obsession with any snacks he can get his hands on and Gilgamesh’s fascination with weird snack profiles (like peanut butter and squid). Not to mention, Ikaris’ twinkie cabinet (for someone who was a gym rat, he had an odd sweet tooth).
Makkari opened up her closet with an outstretched arm, So what do you think I should wear?
“I was thinking more of a cool, ‘I follow my own beat’ kinda vibe,” he answered as he began rummaging through her wardrobe. He knows it was in here somewhere, he was there when she bought it, ah! He pulled out her red leather jacket, “Like this!”
She puffed out one of her cheeks in thought as she examined the jacket. For a date though?
“Why? It’s not like you have to look like some romcom protagonist just because you’re on a date and there’s no dress code in that art museum. As long as you wear something that you like, you’ll always look gorgeous. Just look at me, wear whatever I want and I look fabulous!” he said, gesturing towards his purple bomber jacket, “Besides, who doesn’t love a leather jacket?”
Alright then. She grabbed the leather jacket from him then pulled out some other clothes from her closet. Before long, she was dressed in a band tee and jeans under the leather jacket. You think this is good?
“Yes! You look amazing!” he cheered while clapping, “What were you thinking about for hair?”
Can you do it for me?
“Of course. Sit, sit.”
Kingo used to do her hair a lot when her mom was busy. She used to request all kinds of braids and ponytails. Anything that had her hair up and out of the way so that she could go run off to play or read. When she was ok with not moving for a while, Kingo would weave beads and flowers into her hair.
But today, they’re going a little more casual, but different from her normal style. He starts by brushing out the ends of her hair.
He can’t sign since both of his hands are occupied, so he makes sure that he looks at her mirror so that she could read his lips.
“You excited?”
Yeah, I’ve been looking forward to this!
Her excitement was so palpable, it made Kingo smile. “What made you interested in him in the first place?”
Makkari sat in thought for a moment. With smooth motions, she signed out, It’s really easy to talk to him. Not just because he knows more than ‘hi’, ‘how are you’, and ‘thank you’. I like hearing what he has to say. We can talk about ancient history and humanity but we can also have conversations about stupid things and I really like that. I don’t get bored with him and I never get tired talking to him.
Is that why they tended to gravitate towards each other whenever they all hung out as a group? Druig would nudge her on the shoulder and Makkari would always smile despite her rolling eyes. Makkari would raise her chin in challenge which Druig would accept in a mirrored gesture.
Even when Kingo didn’t realize that they had feelings, he admitted that they did have this chemistry when they were together. Sometimes that chemistry made it feel like the world around them didn’t exist and it was just Makkari and Druig.
“You really like him, huh?”
She nodded.
Damn, now he really doesn’t regret giving that shovel talk to Druig, if he ever hurts Kari, Druig’s gonna be in a world of pain.
He’s seen her when she’s infatuated and when she was in other relationships and she was radiant and pink, but this was different. She just seemed to be so genuinely happy at the thought of Druig. She looked like she had found something more than just another partner. It was almost as though she found someone that was just meant to be in her life.
“So his muscles have nothing to do with it?”
If it was Sersi, she would’ve gone red. If it was Ajak, she would have kept her calm and insisted that she values personality over appearance. But Makkari was neither of them. The calm smile on her face didn’t flinch, They’re a bonus.
“Mine are still better.”
She snorted a little. And mine are better than both of yours!
“Well I can’t gain any more muscle right now! My director literally said Kingo, stop working out, you’re trying to play an average guy in your next role, not be the next Superman. I know I wanted to expand my repertoire, but that’s just ridiculous.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Hey, it’s an honest concern!”
With a smirk, she just raised her right hand to shake it, Yeah, yeah. Are you almost done yet?
“One second.” A nice bun to make sure none of her features were covered. It was some of his finest work if he did say so himself. “Don’t you look gorgeous? What do you think, Kari?”
She looked at her hair, admiring his handiwork, I love it!
Kingo smiled proudly, “Now-” Who’s texting him? He quickly scrolled through the messages, “Damn it Karun.”
Do you have to go?
“Unfortunately so.” Kingo let out an exasperated sigh. He thought he still had another hour, but Karun said they wanted him in now, “We’ll Facetime later. I wanna hear all of the details.“
She nodded before pulling him into a hug. Thanks for your help, Kingo!
Ding!
Makkari had sent him a picture. It was of her and Druig, posing in front of an interactive art display with a caption: We match! :)
Ooh, he knew the leather jacket was a good choice. He wondered if Thena had given her little brother some advice on how to dress for this date, because he normally sees Druig in like dark academia style. But the leather jacket was a welcomed change.
Wait, was that a smile on Druig’s face?
Kingo zoomed in. Wow, he’d never thought he’d see that on Druig’s face. But more importantly, Makkari was looking absolutely radiant beside him. Kingo smiled as he zoomed out to see the two of them.
As long as she’s happy, he supposes he can try to think of Druig as a surrogate brother and a brother-in-law.