A Month Of Kaider

Five: Better Than Any Gift

Cinder laughs with Cress.

The two of them exchange a fond smile as they watch Kai and Thorne argue about something even whilst baking. Well, whilst Kai bakes and Thorne tries to help here and there.

Cress giggles as Thorne trips Kai, who accidentally squirts icing all over Thorne's hair, making him groan and aim a light punch at Kai, only to miss entirely.

"They're so immature," Cinder comments.

"We're spying on them," Cress points out with a shy smirk.

Cinder has to mentally thank Kai for his people skills and for introducing her to Cress.

Kai had met Cress at a programming course that Cinder had refused to accompany him on, working on her design project instead. It turns out that this had been a good idea because she hadn't had any time to work on it after he'd come back.

Cress had stayed mostly hidden behind Kai the first time they'd met but the tiny girl had quickly warmed up and it soon became a routine for her to braid Cinder's hair on every occasion.

"Yeah but we're just making sure they don't burn the place down." Cinder waves a hand, trying to justify their current situation.

Cress giggles, "Kai can cook better than you."

Cinder makes a face, pretending to be annoyed. "You're meant to be on my side!"

The two of them giggle as Thorne runs a hand through his hair and makes a small Mohawk. Kai seems to care more about the teaspoon but apparently approves the choice, if Thorne's grin is anything to go by.

"I can't believe he's following orders..." Cress shakes her head as Thorne roots through the cupboard to find a packet of chocolate chips for Kai.

"Maybe it's because he's doing it for you." Cinder smiles at Cress, who blushes immediately.

Thorne had actually joined their group through Cinder, when the two of them had gotten detention for fighting. Not fighting each other, but fighting alongside each other and breaking someone else's nose. Although they'd both sworn it was a complete accident.

Kai's moral compass had struggled to cope with Thorne at first but the two boys had soon come to an agreement, even if it did involve an awful lot of arguing. It's not as if it was serious conflict, just friendly bickering.

Kai and Cinder had also secretly vowed to help Cress' obvious crush on Thorne turn into something more. They'd had to recruit Winter, who'd happily joined them, the three of them trying their best to be subtle.

It's not long before the boys are done, Cinder and Cress having to pretend that they weren't spying on them. The girls head back to the living room, where the boys join them after a few minutes. The four settle on watching a Disney film that Cinder's never heard of, settling into the sofa with minimal complaints and chucking the cushions to the other end of the room to make more space.

Cinder shifts a little as Cress takes charge of the remote, her unbelievably precise pausing skills deemed to be the best.

"What did you bake?" Cinder whispers to Kai as the film starts.

"I'm fairly certain you could tell from the ingredients we were using," he murmurs back.

Cinder elbows him with surprise, "Did you guys know we were watching?"

"Thorne didn't but I saw you," Kai says under his breath. "Could you speak any louder?"

"How?" Cinder asks, blushing sheepishly and replying in the same, hushed tone.

"I can always see you." Kai gives her a cute, lopsided grin and squeezes her hand.

Cinder softly kisses his cheek and rests her head on his shoulder, smiling to herself. The fluttering in her heart does not go unnoticed but the movie does, Cinder making a mental note to watch it again when she's not too busy thinking about the boy she's leaning on.

His hand finds hers, their fingers intertwining as if connecting had always been their sole purpose. Cinder flexes her fingers, loving the pretty much smooth skin of his hands as opposed to her own, slightly rougher hands.

The four of them don't move until the film is over, an hour and a half later. Cress jumps up first, pulling Thorne up with her. He grumbles but kicks Cinder, who kicks him back and pulls Kai up.

"Let's see if our amazing culinary skills have paid off, yeah?" Thorne suggests, but it's not really a suggestion, sounding more like a a voiced mutual agreement.

"It's beautiful," Cress breathes as Kai pulls the cake out of the oven and sets it on the table.

"Why, thank you." Thorne smirks, bowing and tipping a non-existent top hat.

"Yeah, you must have put so much work into it," Cinder says, trying not to sound as if she's exchanged her larynx for a sarcasm manufacturer.

"Blood, sweat and tears." Thorne clutches his chest dramatically.

"I hope not, that wouldn't taste very nice." Cress pulls a face and makes Thorne beam.

"There's that sense of humour!" he says excitedly. "I knew you had it in you."

They grab their plates and head back into the living room, still discussing something Cinder doesn't bother to decipher as they go.

Cinder smiles at that but turns to Kai.

"What is it?" Kai asks her gently.

"Thank you."

"I'll make the icing better next time." He grins.

Cinder shakes her head, "That's not what I'm thanking you for."

Kai looks confused, "But I've not given you anything else."

"I'm not talking about a gift or anything," Cinder explains.

Kai looks confused, raking his fingers through the locks of hair falling onto his face.

"You've given me friends," Cinder whispers, and wraps her arms around him.

Kai envelopes her in the warmest embrace before smiling, both of them getting lost in each other's arms.

"It really is my pleasure," Kai murmurs, the words reaching Cinder as soothing vibrations.

Despite being aware that they could easily overbalance and knowing that Thorne or Cress could walk back in at any moment, neither of them move, instead remaining lost in each other's affection, matching smiles on their faces.

Day five complete, yay! Hope you enjoyed, see you tomorrow :)