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“Where did you get that?”
Kaji knew that it probably wasn’t the first thing he should have said when you sat down next to him. A normal person would have said hello, or asked how you were. Or, in his case, with literally everyone else, just barely nod in acknowledgement before turning his attention to his phone.
But he couldn’t help it; it was almost like a bad habit with you. The way his words would tumble out of his mouth before he even had a chance to second-guess, or even think.
He also couldn’t help his tone either. The darker cadence to his voice rumbling out as he noticed the bruise from beneath the skirts of your pretty, pale yellow, gingham dress; a vivid purple that shone way too brightly and obviously for him to ignore.
Really, he shouldn’t care. At least not this much anyway. He knew the occupational hazard of this line of work; bruises were just as common on everyone's skin just like freckles would be. Scars too. Lord knows he has a few littering his skin right now. He also knew you could more than easily hold your own in any fight; he’s seen it enough.
And yet.
Seeing that mark on your skin made the beast within him stir. Made the fist at his side tighten and jaw to clench. He only softened when he saw you wave him off, your usual bright smile soothing the rage within him as you looked over to face him.
“Oh, the same way I always do.” Your smile was crooked, awkward, embarrassed even, and it made his heart skip a beat seeing it. “I hit off my coffee table. I even told myself not to do it just before I did, and well…” You gave a small shrug, clearly not caring about his weird conversation starter or his tone of voice, as you shifted in your seat to face him more fully.
“Your coffee table…” Kaji muttered, mulling over your words as he tried to process what you just said. Maybe because he thought the worst, that some stupid thug had gotten in your way and caused you some trouble, that this more mundane response just couldn’t quite land in his mind.
“Mm-hm! Usually, how I get them! It's the same with the little scars around my ankles, I keep cutting corners a little too tight.” You stated with another shrug, bringing one of your legs up to indeed inspect the few small scars that littered near your delicate ankle.
“Why?”
“Eh, old habits I guess? Your brain just gets so used to doing something that it thinks it can do anything without thinking.” You dropped your leg back down, taking a moment to rearrange your skirts to hide the offending bruise “I’m sure you understand.”
You watched as his brows furrowed, taking in your words. Clearly, something in what you said connected with him, but he was unsure how - or at the very least, he didn't want to bring it up. It made you huff out a small laugh, one that was understanding of the air now around you and an attempt to break him of his racing thoughts.
“Even if you don’t, I do appreciate your concern.” You smiled, eyes growing soft as you gazed at him, appreciating his quiet kindness; after all, he didn’t roll his eyes and comment, or tease you, at your clumsiness. A rarity for you.
Your smile only grew larger, more its usual bright and cheery nature, as you watched his face quickly flush with red. You always thought it cute how easily flustered he got; a crack in his facade of aloofness. Your giggle ran out before you could even contain it, to spare his feelings in the moment, as you watched him quickly turn his face away from you.
“Nice to know you have my back!” You beamed, flicking the stick of his lollipop.
Kaji turned away from you even further, pulling the offending candy out of his mouth in frustration. If you were anyone else, he would growl and say the first insult that came to his mind. But you were you. Instead he pouted as his arms crossed against his chest, holding his head high and away; pretending that you didn’t exist.
“Oh Kaji, don’t be that way!” You whined, though he knew it was all an act, for he could hear the smile still in your voice as he waved off the hand that was poking his cheek.
You relented with another giggle before shifting to sit properly once more. Giving him a small reprieve, which he did appreciate, though he did miss the attention. Everything in his being softened as he gazed upon your profile when he finally found the courage to look at you again.
He couldn’t fully understand why things just seemed so easy and carefree with you. But it did. And Kaji certainly couldn’t understand why you were so drawn to his quiet, almost standoffish nature. But you did. And he couldn’t pinpoint why you didn’t mind when he spoke and did things without really thinking, but you did. Almost as if it all made sense to you, and he truly wished it all made sense to him.
But what did make sense to him, and though he would hate to admit you were right, was that he did have you back.
He always would.