Cloak and Dagger

CHAPTER 2: CONFIANCE

The cool night air whispered across the balcony as Kia leaned against the railing, lost in thought. She jumped at the sound of a voice behind her.

"I didn't expect you to be here."

Turning, she saw Kura filling the doorway, his tall frame silhouetted against the warm light from inside. Her secret refuge wasn't so secret anymore.

"What? I thought you came out for the fresh air tonight, didn't expect that it would be here," she quipped, trying to hide her surprise.

Kura chuckled, the sound unexpectedly warm. "Oh sorry, was this your spot that I wasn't aware of?" he asked, stepping onto the balcony.

"Could be," Kia shrugged, studying him. She'd never really talked to Kura one-on-one before. He was always so quiet, buried in his games or music.

"I'm usually the only one here."

"Well, it's nice out here," Kura said, joining her at the railing. "I can see why you like it."

They stood in silence for a moment, the city sprawled out below them, a tapestry of twinkling lights.

"So..." Kia ventured, "No game night with Cole?"

Kura shook his head. "Needed a break from the screen. Sometimes you just need to... I don't know, breathe a little? You get me?"

Kia nodded, surprised to find herself agreeing. "Yeah, I get that. It's quieter out here. Easier to think."

"Exactly," Kura said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

As they talked, Kia found herself relaxing. Kura wasn't as intimidating as she'd thought. He was actually... kind of funny, in a dry sort of way. As the conversation went on, the both of them felt comfortable enough to slowly drop the awkwardness between them.

"So, what do you think about when you're out here? There's not much out here other than, you know, think stuff." Kura asked, genuinely curious.

Kia hesitated, "Oh that, you know. Life. The future. Whether I'm good enough for all of this. You know how it goes, and I'm sure you had instances like this."

"You are..." Kura said quietly. "Good enough, I mean."

Kia felt her cheeks warm. "Thanks," she murmured.

"I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean it as you're good in your job and-"

"Kura?" Kia said as her brow rose.

"Right, I should shut up." Kia could only chuckle a bit at the boy.

"What about you? What's going on in that quiet brain of yours? You know that you're not usually one to approach someone all of a sudden." Kia said as she tugged a small smile.

Kura laughed. "Mostly wondering why I'm so bad at talking to people."

"Hey! You're doing okay right now, and that's what matters dude," Kia pointed out.

"Yeah? Well, you are easy to talk to."

"Well, I suppose I just am." Kia smiled as she turned away from the view in front of her.

Their eyes met, and Kia felt a light flutter in her chest. She felt comfortable in that moment. She'd never really thought about Kura that way before, friends and everything. They always kept their distance from one another.

The wind picked up, and Kia shivered. Without thinking, Kura shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Oh, you don't have to—" Kia started.

"It's fine, just keep it," Kura said. "I run hot anyway."

Kia pulled the jacket closer, breathing in the faint scent of cologne. "Thanks," she said softly.