@tewwor / GENKI: 'you've made me happier than i could know.'
BULLETS, BLADES, BATS, AND BUZZARDS alike never got the drop on him quite like her. Sure, her all-too-skillful tendency to pop up isn't anything to scoff at, though this is different. You'd think a door appearing at the edge of someone's gaze would be bad, but those people haven't seen Kai struggle to accept praise. It's an Achilles heel — within reason. Sweet nothings from strangers weren't any different than sand on the beach to him. Each as inviting as they were abrasive.
This isn't that. No, no, it's far from cutting words and sleight of hand to conceal the knife. Not being able to read the room didn't matter as much with Genki. His heart never doubts her, not even once. It's why, whenever she talks, his insides twist; his psyche buzzes with warnings and cautions, and sometimes he wonders if she could hear them whenever he wasn't prattling on. Despite all that, despite himself, he will never believe she lied because that twist in his gut isn't anywhere near as sweet as his tender moments with her.
His head jerks as he turns, nose raised in a facsimile of arrogance. It's not even close to the real deal, not even on a good day. The soft twitch of nervous fingers. The air of restlessness threatens to throw sparks at any moment — not the first time, FYI. Nothing could be more telling than the loose smile hanging off his lips that's far too wide to be cocky. The only thing going for him is his shades, making it a bit trickier to see his eyes dart about. He talks, if only to avoid bursting into flames from containing all that hot air at once.
❝ My, my, ya that smitten wit' me? Hm? ❞ Pay no mind to the way he knits his fingers into hers. Look away! ❝ ... I'm happiest with you, too. ❞ She sees him and for once, that doesn't make him afraid.
some meme I ain't gon find,