A Month Of Kaider

Thirteen: Pros Of Packing

Cinder laughs without thinking.

She can't help it.

It's just the absolutely determined expression on Kai's face that sets her off until she's doubled over, gasping, tears squeezing out of her eyes as she laughs.

She doesn't recover for a good while, Kai sort of gazing at her with an amused expression the whole time.

"What did you find so amusing?" Kai asks.

Cinder shakes her head, looking back to the suitcase lying on her bed. "I don't even know."

"Of course you do, Cinder." Kai doesn't force her to say anything, instead going back to folding the few clothes she owns.

"Okay, maybe I do..." Cinder sits down beside him and crosses her legs. "It was you."

"I'm glad to be a source of entertainment for you," Kai murmurs, finishing the last t-shirt.

"You don't have to fold it all, you know?"

Kai shrugs. "It's giving me something to do."

Cinder cocks her head. "What, I'm too boring for you?"

"No, of course not, that's not what I meant..." Kai looks up sharply, almost nervously.

Cinder laughs, kissing his cheek. "I know, don't worry."

Kai opens his mouth to ask something but bites his lip instead, smiling broadly.

"What is it?" Cinder asks.

Kai shakes his head. "It's nothing, really."

Cinder knows that he'll just evade any more questions so she leaves it be for now, looking round the room for anything she wants to take with her.

"How far away do they live?" Kai inquires.

Cinder shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know, they haven't told me yet. It's not too far though, according to Evret."

"Don't worry." Kai smiles. "I'll be there no matter how far away the universe sends you."

Cinder's heart goes haywire.

She stares at him in shock for a solid minute before lunging forwards and throwing her arms around him.

He yelps and topples backwards, his back hitting the floor with a muted thud and Cinder landing on top of him.

She only tightens her hold, burying her face in his shoulder. Kai laughs and settles his arms around her back, lacing his fingers together to keep Cinder stable.

"Thank you," Cinder breathes.

Kai kisses the top of her head. "My pleasure."

Cinder shakes her head. "I've never had anyone say anything like that to me."

"There's a first time for everything," Kai quotes.

Cinder lifts her head up and looks down at him, smiling at the shine in his eyes. She moves her arms slightly, so they're beneath his head, and shuffles so she doesn't accidentally kick him or something.

"Is this what it's like to be in a relationship?" she asks.

Kai raises an eyebrow. "That depends on what kind of relationship you believe we're in."

She runs her fingers through his hair absently, thinking.

"I don't know. I've never had any kind of relationship, to be honest."

Kai nods. "That's okay. What kind of relationship would you like us to have?"

Cinder lets her gaze wonder before returning to Kai. "I don't think this is friendship."