SOCIALLY AWKWARD

11. Kodzuken

"Never throw me a birthday party ever again, I'm begging you," grumbled Kenma as he plopped face down on his bed.

"You know you love it."

"I don't."

Ameri laughed.

"I'm serious. I literally hate it."

"Mhm, 'kay, this was the last one. Promise."

Kenma groaned, knowing very well that this was a promise she would certainly not keep. "Why do you even bother? I don't even get surprised anymore."

"That's not the point of surprise parties, dummy."

"What is it then?"

Placing the last of Kenma's gift bags inside his closet and locking it, Ameri crossed the room and climbed to sit on his back. He immediately tautened, and she smiled at how endearing his reactions to physical contact were still, even after three years together. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she started gently massaging his muscles to ease some of his pent-up tension.

"To get together with friends and catch up," she replied. "We don't get to see them as often anymore."

"I don't know half the people you invited."

"It's to help you get better at socializing. If you're serious about starting your own company, you better get used to it."

Kenma sighed, shifting to rest his cheek on the mattress as he melted into the bliss of her ministrations. "That's exactly why I want to start my own; so I don't have to deal with anyone."

"That's not how it works, babes," Ameri chuckled. "But you're improving. And I'm proud of you." She left a peck on his temple.

A faint smile pulled at his mouth before he nudged her, and Ameri lifted her hips for him to turn around, landing again on his stomach once he was on his back. Their fingers entwined as she stared down at him, teeth worrying her bottom lip as the intensity of his feline irises set her soul ablaze.

Tugging at her hands, he brought her down for a kiss, savoring the taste of chocolate lingering on her lips. The longer their tongues danced, the more their movements grew needy as his ravenous hands assertively ghosted over her thighs and sides on their way to the straps of her dress, toying with them. It never failed to amaze Ameri how easily and quickly he could switch from flinching at her touch to thawing her under his own, but it was always satisfying. Much to Kenma's dismay, however, Ameri stopped him before they could wholly lose themselves in one another.

"I haven't given you your present yet."

Kenma raised his brows. "I thought you were my present."

"I just said that 'cause I didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone else."

"Does that mean I should be worried then?" Kenma asked lightheartedly as he sat up, Ameri laughing as she settled beside him, handing him a gift bag she had fetched from her duffel bag.

"Happy birthday."

Ripping through the yellow tissue, he dug out a box containing a brand new webcam.

"It's the only thing missing in your setup," she sheepishly said. "I thought since you're already streaming your games, might as well start recording yourself? And maybe start a Youtube channel someday?"

Kenma remained silent for a moment, eyes glued to the device as he flipped it between his fingers.

"It's just a suggestion, obviously," Ameri added upon noting the hesitation on his face. "No pressure."

"I-I'll give it some thought."

"Okay," she smiled brightly. "You want to try it out at least?"

Kenma nodded, and she dragged him towards his desk. He plugged the webcam and set it up before turning on his PC and sitting on his gaming chair, Ameri finding her place on his lap.

As he clicked away to configure the device, Ameri piped, "Oh, when you eventually warm up to the idea, you'll have to find a new username that'll be your trademark."

"Why? What's wrong with mine?" asked Kenma, a bit offended.

"'Applepi'? Seriously? You want the world to know you by that?"

"It's not that bad. And I've had it since I got my first console."

"Well, it's time to move on," Ameri said. "Anyway, I was thinking something more catchy..." she trailed off, giving him an eyebrow wiggle he was all too familiar with.

"You've clearly already thought this through. Let's hear it."

"Kozuken!" she yelled, but her face fell when it did not excite him as much as she'd thought it would. "You don't like it?"

"It's predictable."

Crossing her arms, Ameri spat defensively, "Well let's hear what you have then!"

"I have nothing. I'm fine with my current username."

"Ugh, whatever, just turn this on already."

Once the tab with the camera popped on the monitor, Ameri beamed at their reflection. "The quality is amazing."

"It is. Thank you," he whispered, placing a kiss below her jaw.

"Stop it, you're so cute." She blushed before returning her attention to the screen. "Okay, let's practice."

"Meri," he drawled, throwing his head back in frustration.

"Come on, it won't hurt." Adjusting the camera so that they were both at the center of the image, Ameri shuffled to sit upright before draping an arm across her boyfriend's shoulder. Pretending to address a live audience, she hit the record button and started, "Hello everyone, welcome to Kodzuken's channel—"

"Kodzuken? Where did the D come from?"

Ameri snorted, shooting him a mischievous look, and Kenma sighed helplessly. "I don't know, just a slip of the tongue." She shrugged before reiterating, "Kodzuken, has a nice ring to it, though, don't you think?"

"I don't know. It doesn't make sense."

"Does it have to?"

Kenma pondered it for a moment as he held Ameri's expectant stare. It did not make sense—none of it did. And it did not have to.

"Okay," he smiled, "Kodzuken it is."