Here’s a one shot I wrote about Kenji and Nazeera and it’s part of a current one shot collection I’m writing of them aka my comfort couple (I’m literally dying here waiting for their book or even novella especially since Watch Me came out). Hope you like it <3
Kenji literally jumps in the air, waving his hand. Winston cheers him and Brendan as they terribly perform their own rendition of some song I’ve never heard of. I learnt it’s from a movie.
We’re in Ella’s backyard still. Much to Warner’s dismay, we stayed after their wedding ceremony. The moon is high and shining above us. An exhausted Ella is tucked into Warner's arms. He must hate us right now but he’s smiling. Smiling the widest a person can.
Adam hoots and grabs a bottle for a makeshift microphone to join them. I think most of us here are drunk, other than the bride and groom.
And me - I don’t prefer to drink around people I don’t trust that much. There’s nothing deceitful about the Omega Point group, it’s only I wouldn’t put myself in a susceptible position around them yet.
I tilt my head, tracking Kenji’s movements. He’s stumbling only slightly so he mustn’t be too inebriated. Thank God - I was not going to drag him all the way back to the Sanctuary.
My boyfriend staggers my way and grins. He puts the fake microphone close to my mouth,
I lower the thing and smile,
“I think we’re all okay for one night,” Warner announces. We all stare at him but his gaze is on his newly wedded wife. I assume he said something because she blushes and stands up.
“Yeah it’s pretty late guys.”
“Wow, J,” Kenji murmurs. I toss the microphone and wrap my fingers around his wrist.
Winston looks around and winces,
“Hey we’ll be back tomorrow morning to help clean the rest of this.”
It’s not that littered but our extended visit created more of a mess than intended. Warner waves a hand, dismissing us and leading him and Ella back into the house.
The rest of us begin filing out of the backyard and walking down the broken streets. The Sanctuary isn’t much of a walk from here, fortunately - I’m wearing heels that might deconstruct the bones of my feet.
Kenji sighs, not breaking my hold on him. He leans closer,
“Did I tell you you’re so beautiful?”
“Yes, you did. About 10 times in the last hour.”
“You get more beautiful as the hour goes.”
A chuckle falls out of my mouth. I kiss his jaw and lean into him since he rediscovered how to walk properly. Stars light up our path. The others are way ahead of us.
I’m too exhausted to utilize my flying abilities and alleviate myself from my pain so I have to shift my legs uncomfortably. Kenji notices. He stops us in our tracks.
I shake my head, “nothing. It’s just that my feet hurt.”
Kenji blinks, comprehending my words. Slower than usual due to the ethanol in his system. Then he kneels, lifting me up with one arm and taking off my heels with the other hand.
“I’m not walking barefoot, Kishimoto.” I tap his back. Kenji finally drops me and I sigh annoyed as the asphalt pricks at my skin. He’s beaming still and I wonder how much he actually drank.
Kenji collects my shoes in one hand and before I can protest, picks me up in his arms. He ignores my look of confusion and continues on walking.
“Umm, nah I don’t want to.”
“Kenji, you’re tipsy,” I huff.
“You’re going to hurt yourself and me.”
“That’s sweet but you’re still intoxicated.”
“Not that much,” He rolls his eyes, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“Stop arguing and let me be gentlemanly.”
“We’re on a hill.” I protest.
“The two of us are going to go tumbling down.”
He snickers like it’s something funny. Which it sort of is but that’s not going to help.
“You weigh like nothing. We won’t fall.”
I blow out a breath. For some reason, the idea of getting injured is not processing in his head. I twist my neck and spot the familiar lanterns of the Sanctuary not so far away.
I resign, sinking into his chest. It’s quite nice actually, to be carried like this. Kenji hums in satisfaction.
I shut my eyes momentarily. Mull over my day. The wedding was lovely. Warner and Ella were beyond thrilled which is great. It was the biggest highlight out of a very busy month. That and something else.
I loop my arms around Kenji’s neck and nuzzle the skin of his throat. My heart hammers in response beneath my chest. The wedding was everyone’s main feature, except mine was Kenji. Especially earlier tonight, when he told me he loves me.
And I replied with my own confession. It was the first time I’d properly said those words to someone myself.
It wasn’t a shock really, he has confessed it accidentally like twice before. But it was nice. Euphoric. It cemented our relationship; the reasons my heart is his.
Though it’s so strange to hear those words. For someone to say they care for me. I haven’t been told anything remotely close for almost 19 years. Now I have. Now someone loves me.
Kenji doesn’t let go of me until we reach my door. I briefly kiss his cheek and nudge his shoulders to the direction of the hallway.
“Go take a shower and sleep. Otherwise the hangover won’t lessen.”
He does not look like he is listening. A blank expression, gaze concentrating on my face. Kenji furrows his brows,
“Rest,” I manage to say in between my laugh. His lips curve up at my amusement.
Kenji narrows his eyes at me for a second before stealing a messy kiss. I watch him from the hallway until he fully disappears from sight.
As I ready myself for bed, I happen to take particular note of my surroundings. Specifically the absolute silence. Stillness. Other than the cluster of words in my restless mind.
The empty room weighs more heavily without his presence. I generally enjoy my own time but currently Kenji lingers in every corner of my brain.
Why did I tell him to leave again? I could’ve just let him in my room. I’ve literally spent nearly all of my last two weeks with him, it’s not like he hasn’t before. Hell, half of his closet is in my room.
I wonder if this is what it’s like to love someone. Wishing they were with you at every moment, regardless of how mundane the situation is.
Well with Kenji there isn’t a dull minute.
Is that what love does then? Conditions your days to be fulfilled with the one you care for. Time and place have no effect when you and your beloved are together.
I find myself smiling as I think of him. Oh I’m so enamoured.
Perhaps I should go to him…
As I move to put my shoes back on, I hear a thud followed by a curse from behind my door.
I hurry to open the door and feel a calmness enter my body when I see his grin. He looks no different than 20 minutes ago.
Kenji holds up a half full bottle,
I have to physically stop myself from smacking my forehead.
“Why on Earth do you have another drink?”
“Because,” Kenji steps forward and slams his head against the doorframe.
“Fuck. Who put this here?”
Instinctively, I reach my hand up to his skull, ensuring he hasn’t bruised himself.
He holds up his hands in surrender,
“Uh I didn’t mean to. I got this bottle for you. But I got thirsty on the way here.”
Snatching away the beverage, I pull him inside. Kenji plops onto the bed as I go to exchange the alcohol for a bottle of water on my dresser.
Kenji takes it and chugs the thing in one go. I ask if he’d like some more but he declines. He kicks off his shoes and lowers onto the mattress. Something in me screams with joy when he shows no signs of wanting to leave.
“So why’d you bring me a drink, Kishimoto?” I question, moving to lay beside him.
“What are we celebrating?”
“Life. Us. I don’t know,” Kenji lifts his shoulders again. He twists his neck my way, the beaming smile he wears capable of ruination.
I arch an eyebrow, urging him to continue.
“I thought we could just celebrate. Everything’s so good right now,” Kenji starts.
“I mean, I know the world’s still shit. We have a lot of work. But like…it’s nice. We’re all here. I have my friends, J, you. I’m happy.”
I’m not sure what the correct reply is. That’s wonderful. But the fact that he finds it rare that everyone he cares for is in a safe place just about breaks my heart. He wants to celebrate what should be a common emotion. He’s never been this content.
I really want to just wrap my arms around Kenji and refuse to let go.
I wordlessly place my palm on the side of his face, the desire to comfort him taking over. Kenji’s eyes soften by a degree. He watches me carefully, his joy gradually rising.
“Plus you know, Juliette got married. Like properly. Which is awesome.” He blows out a breath,
“Though she’s barely 18. Which- whatever, you know, their choice and all. But I’m so damn happy for my best friend.”
“She’s been through enough. Hopefully, there are no more maniacal governments in our futures.”
“Fingers crossed. I cannot go through another damn war. They’re terrible for my sleep schedule.”
My fingers comb through Kenji’s silky strands. He extends his arm and tugs me closer. His hand settles on my back, our noses a whisper away from touching.
Comfort is found in his warm gaze. I like this - just being with him. I’m sure that I could be here and listen to his voice for hours.
“I'd like that too, you know,” Kenji says smoothly after a short pause.
“That whole package. Marriage, a family. It’s the sort of future that’s actually possible now.”
Something indescribable crosses his face for a second as he looks at me. The severity of it makes that fluttery feeling in my ribcage heighten.
“I’m not sure what I’d like exactly. I just want…peace.”
He narrows his eyes like he's attempting to decipher something.
“Peace means different things for everyone.”
“True,” I shrug, tracing the line of his jaw with my finger. Kenji matches my stare and I deliberate on his statement.
I don’t know what I’d want in my future. Well… I’m only certain that I want him. It sounds unnatural to live without Kenji now that I’ve irrevocably fallen for him.
But even that seems impossible sometimes. Life changes and people change. There’s a whole realm of possibility when it comes to the future. Anything can happen. Kenji could get sick of me. We could disagree on a pivotal issue that’ll lead to his affections for me lessening. We’ve been dating for just shy of a month.
…Is it possible to fall out of love with someone?
My stomach churns and I feel ill with this insecure overthinking.
“I’m pleased with the way things are,” I eventually say, clearing my throat.
“With the two of us like this.”
Kenji hums, placing a reassuring kiss on my temple.
We knocked out not long after that conversation. Sunlight spilling onto my eyelids is what wakes me.
I sit up slowly, registering that there’s an empty space beside me. There’s a noise coming from the bathroom. The shower is running. And apparently, hosting a concert. I can hear Kenji’s singing from out here so audibly that I laugh. He’s adorable.
Straightening myself, I rub my eyes. Our conversation from last night creeps in the corners of my mind. Especially the bits I managed to worry myself about.
It’s almost dreamlike to love someone. Our relationship is still arguably new yet I’m definite I want no one else in my life. My once frosty, guarded heart is freed and at the risk of being hurt.
It’s not that I believe Kenji would hurt me, it’s the fact that he can. It's an unusual experience to give someone the important parts of me. He’s the first and only person I’ve felt so strongly for.
I've never been in love before him. So of course my ever so paranoid self would conjure up the ways in which it could all go wrong.
I hold my face in my hands, contemplating if there’s some sort of device to permanently tune out my cruel thoughts. The bathroom door swings open.
Kenji’s grinning as he moves to my dresser. Dark wet strands cover his forehead and he studies the mirror in an effort to tidy them with a comb. He’s also providing a lovely view by being shirtless.
“Hey your conditioner smells so good,” Kenji spins to look at me.
“You might wanna stock up on it.”
“Did you use it or shove it up your nose?” I ask, steadying myself by planting my hands on the mattress.
“That, you may never know.”
Kenji walks in my direction and leans to kiss me. It seems that once my skin comes in contact with his, the webs in my mind stop weaving me into an anxious state.
He goes back to steal my moisturiser. Instead of getting up, I admire his physique. He's so gorgeous, it drives me insane.
“For someone who should be hungover, you’re quite upbeat.” I point out.
“Dunno why. That water you gave me must’ve been some magical shit.”
Kenji opens a drawer of the dresser,
He stops. Pulls out an object.
“Why do you have grenades in your dresser?”
“Oh. Haider gave me those before he left,” I get to my feet and cross the room.
Kenji gives me a quizzical look as he examines the weapons. I cross my arms. That would sound blasphemous to a sane person. Except my brother always gives me weaponry, for whatever reason.
Kenji puts them back, patting the closed drawer.
“That’s…nice. Very kind of him to give you explosives. Brotherly love is a wonderful thing.”
“Well it’s normal for us.”
It’s the sort of life I lived, the violence I was raised with. Kenji and I have led two very different lives; the only parallel between us being an excruciating ache. He leans his back on the dresser, assessing me blankly.
Shivers run down my spine at the way he’s trying to decode me. Inky eyes dragging along my face like they can make my thoughts visible to them.
“There’s a lot about me you don’t know,” I start, cautiously. Trying and failing to gain control of this conversation. Kenji continues to wear down my shields with his sincere expression. He looks like he’s truly interested in what lies within my mind.
And what a daunting thing it is, allowing someone to actually understand you. The way you think and view the world. Eyes are not the only window to your soul, but also the mind. The powerful organ that’s capable of destruction; rooting you to reality. The intricacies of your brain reveal your humanity and all the personalities you possess.
Such an intimate part of a person.
But that’s just in my opinion.
“I’m referring to the gritty, brutal truths in particular.”
“I know,” Kenji tilts his head. He then pulls me close, settling his arms around my waist. I catch a whiff of his ambrosial cologne. It smells of jasmine. I think. Whatever it is, it’s now imbued in my brain.
“I’d rather not give you nightmares. Or watch you run away when I finally have you.”
“Nah, you couldn’t chase me away if you tried,” he utters. Brushing his nose against mine. I’m stock still, feeling the nerves unraveling in my body. A serenity engulfs me entirely. It’s a marvel how he can make me feel so much so easily.
I loop my hands around his neck,
“Well, I’m not sure if you heard of my terrible temper. Or my conniving attitude. They’re real crowd pleasers.”
“I’ve heard plenty about you, Miss Ibrahim,” Kenji replies, his voice dipped in honey.
“And it only makes me want to know more.”
Left without a rebuttal, I inquire stupidly,
He utters the words simply.
Like there’s no question about it.
Like it’s not capable of completely melting me.
Kenji lifts his finger to twirl it in my strands.
“All I want is to learn your secrets. To be the one person who you won’t hide from.” His fingers move down, graze across my cheek.
“I’d like to memorise the silkiness of your skin; love every perfect inch of you - mind and body.” Kenji hums, pulling apart my decorum. He’s speaking without hesitation, without a doubt.
“Nazeera, I need you to be so deeply embedded into my soul that no force could ever pull you away from me.”
There have been a few times in my lifetime that I’ve been flustered. And unsurprisingly, they’ve all been because of Kenji. I swallow, feeling everything all at once.
I state it rather than phrase it like a question.
It’s peculiar to hear that. Unreal. And yet Kenji’s standing there and declaring it in so many different terms.
Reassuring me because he understands. That I’m not used to intimacy and being open with anyone. A glowing bliss seeps through my veins. The sort of mirth that should be absurd. But it’s very much alive and blazing in my bones when I see him.
“Unconditionally,” Kenji kisses my forehead.
I hesitate, assessing his features. They're patient. Kind. He’s utterly flawless - sometimes I fear my lonely mind has made him up. Thankfully, it hasn’t. He’s real. And he loves me.
Something akin to bashfulness blossoms in me. A rosy hue spreads across my cheeks. I smile.
My voice is quieter than I wanted.
Kenji doesn’t notice the volume. The words have an immediate, profound effect on him. He sighs like my declaration provided him the air to breathe.
He kisses me on the lips this time. Desperately, eagerly. It incites in me a sense of consolation. Assurance about us, our future.
It’s Kenji. He loves me. That’s a fact I’d be foolish to doubt.
Regardless of the freshness of this love, it’s a constant. I can feel it, grasp the essence of our relationship like it’s a tangible thread. Our connection is something unique. Intensive. Surpassing usual levels of devotion.
It’s as if our hearts have already met. They intertwined effortlessly and are now unwilling to ever separate.
Delight swims through my body.
I’m not sure why I was ever worried.
We’re two people that simply belong together.
