TRUST ME | Brothers Conflict | ✔

09

Kaname kept glancing at me, suspicion in his hazel eyes. In the dim lit room, the shadows made his eyes seem a dark shade of brown, the green and yellow specks invisible.

"Is there something on my face?" Kaname asked me, and our gazes met for the first time since we had started working.

Surprised, I averted my gaze, wondering how long I had been staring.

"There's this green streak on your nose and those scratches on your cheek," I explained, grateful for the mess Kaname had made of himself.

"Where?" Kaname was rubbing his nose with the sleeve of his jacket, missing the streak.

I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help myself. Quickly, I leaned forward, using the sleeve of my shirt to swipe over the streak on the bridge of Kaname's nose.

He stiffened, but he didn't withdraw which I took as a good sign. Finding it impossible to meet Kaname's gaze, I focussed on the streak, rubbing until the green had disappeared.

"There you go." I withdrew my arm slightly, observing my work and deeming it well done. At that moment, our gazes met again and locked. Although my legs were cramping under me and my back protested against the uncomfortable position I was in, I couldn't move. Frozen, I stared back, hoping that Kaname couldn't see through my actions, couldn't read the emotions in my eyes.

Regardless of the proximity, we were still worlds apart -and I shouldn't forget that.

"Thank you," he whispered, sounding as breathless as I felt.

"O-of course," I stammered, suddenly capable of moving again. In a flurry of movements, I sat back again, scooping drapes in my arms with a fake grin. "You're welcome," I added as an afterthought.

Kaname hadn't budged, still sitting with a drape over his crossed legs, his head tilted in a gesture that roughly translated to curiosity and confusion. Then, he smirked, lifting to his feet as well.

"We can bring those to the others and take a break," he suggested, fleeing the scene before I could answer. The end of a drape billowed after him, hanging around the corner for a long moment before disappearing as well.

I ran after him, almost tripping over the drapes I was holding in my arms. Barely avoiding smacking my face against a wall, I turned around, noticing that Kaname was waiting for me just outside the door.

"Did you just almost fall?" he asked for confirmation, a somewhat mocking smirk on his face.

"Don't you dare laugh at me," I scoffed, but Kaname had already started chuckling, pure mirth in his expression.

"I'm sorry," he apologised, the words left meaningless as he couldn't stop guffawing.

"You're awful," I huffed, but there was no anger in my voice.

"Why, thank you, [L/N]."

"Shut it, Kaname."

Outside, a boy was handing out onigiri, smiling brilliantly and showing the lack of front teeth. Most people were sitting around the table again, talking and gesturing wildly. On the other side of the field, most stalls had already been set up. A small group of people was still working on a few wooden skeletons, waiting for the drapes we were carrying.

Well, the part where Kaname had helped me had been fun and complaining about it wouldn't change anything. Perhaps, I could persuade Kaname to let me tag along the next time as well. Admittedly, if I took off more days from work, I would be fired. In combination with the upcoming rise in rent, I would be in a bind if I lost my job.