Mitsuhide | Kiki | 059

[aideing]

[Kiki's injury had really been a matter of bad luck more than anything. She was too skilled for anything else, and Mitsuhide still felt a little bad to see her with that broken arm; it just seemed rather unfair that of all people, someone like Kiki would end up with it.

(There's also the fact that he hates to see her in any sort of pain, of course, but that's a given.)

Still, broken arm or not, Mitsuhide's not surprised to see that Kiki still intends to do plenty of work, though he has to draw the line when he sees her fumbling with her hair clip, walking over to gently pull it from her fingers.

Honestly.]

You don't mind if I help out, right, Kiki?

[There is no answer that will get Kiki out of this.]

Comments

[succinct]

I'll only say it once. [ but she'll state the obvious, if he needs to hear it. ]

[aideing]

[...Oh.

Mitsuhide pauses for a moment at that. It would be nice to hear, but--]

Only if you want to. I think I understand well enough, if you don't.

[succinct]

Mitsuhide.

[ a pause, only long enough for her to take a breath. ]

I only want this kind of behavior from you. Am I understood?

[aideing]

[...Really, it's exactly what he wanted to hear, said in exactly Kiki's way. And so he moves on instinct, leaning forward to press their lips together again briefly, and then he pulls back just far enough to meet her eyes, and--]

Understood.

[Then this--this everything--is just fine.]

[succinct]

... Which doesn't mean you're allowed to fuss over this. [ she'll glance at her arm, then up at him. Kissing is okay, but she'll ditch him if he motherhens her. ]

[aideing]

[Oh, he gets it for sure. He just pauses at that for a moment--and then he runs a hand through his hair, looking sheepish.]

I wasn't planning on fussing--

[you totally were.]

I'm just a little concerned.

[succinct]

It's just an arm, Mitsuhide. I can hit you just fine with one.

[aideing]

[a-ahahaha]

That's okay! You don't have to do that at all!

[m-mercy...]

[succinct]

Are you feeling more reassured about my health now?

[aideing]

[And she may be giving him the flattest look, but...he just smiles a little, gently reaching out to brush his thumb along her cheek before he lets his hand fall.]

...I am. Of course you'll be fine. You're Kiki.

[succinct]

[ His hand won't get too far, before her own hand halts its progress, fingers trapping his. Like she'd let you get away with that, Mitsuhide. ]

And you're my partner. I'll keep up.

[aideing]

[It's the warmest feeling in the world, he thinks, when Kiki's hand overlays his. So warm, and he is so happy. He really can't help the smile on his face now, even if it is the sappiest expression ever.]

... Ah. You keeping up was never a concern. If anything, it's more likely you'll overdo it.

[succinct]

Then Zen would get angry. I'd rather not.

[aideing]

[And that gets a chuckle, at least, and a wry admittance--]

He might get angry already. We're taking an awfully long time to get back to him.

[and it being a paperwork day, he probably actually wants them there for once.

But Mitsuhide still doesn't move.]

[succinct]

I already warned him that you'd be hovering around me. He's enlisted Obi, whether he likes it or not.

[ and Obi probably doesn't. ]

Of course, if you'd rather go back now, we can do that too.

[aideing]

[.....................]

We'll go back.

[...]

Soon. But...not yet. [NOT YET RUNNING TO ZEN'S SIDE wow who is this person]

[succinct]

[ ... wow. ]

Seeing you not make Zen your first priority is almost concerning.

[aideing]

[why do you have to point it out.]

T-that's not--

[...well it kind of is.]

...He's fine. So it can't hurt to make you my priority instead, right now.

[succinct]

[ because Kiki. ]

I won't object to it, this time.

[aideing]

[And he chuckles at that, fully understanding the implications.]

It won't happen again. [maybe]

[succinct]

[ He'll be rewarded with an eyebrow lift, before she tugs a bit on his hand to bring him closer, and presses a swift kiss to his mouth. ]

If you say that, you're liable to face consequences when it does.

[aideing]

[... oh. are those supposed to be the consequences, because if so--

Okay no, he knows Kiki. When she says consequences, she means consequences. The kiss is still enough to leave him floored, though, even as he blinks at her in surprise.

Aha...of course. It's Kiki. She's always been like this.]

...I've got it. I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again, but I can't promise it won't. [Because honestly...] I can't help but get distracted by you.

[succinct]

Then try not to let it happen when you have other, more important priorities.

[aideing]

Other priorities, yes.

"More important", though...maybe not. Maybe equally important is a better way to put it.

[succinct]

... Should I be proud or concerned that you've gotten a little more confident, I wonder.