the ruler & the killer

@km-davidson

first male heir in decades. true alpha. true leader. 57 duels won. triggered at thirteen, reigning by eighteen. currently twenty-four GOES BY: The Alpha. King of New York. The Promised Prince. Fear Personified. The Big Bad Wolf. 9999+ wolves and counting

5,865 posts

"While I was wearing enemy colors?" she teased, "I don't think you had it in you." And, after she'd nearly made a fool of herself with that soda she'd been drinking at the party, after she'd made that sorry excuse to leave early since she needed to get home, and he'd managed to distract her long enough that fireworks had gone off anyway. It certainly hadn't been the New Year's Eve she'd been expecting, but she hadn't been expecting much of anything. Truly — and she wasn't being sappy with the thought — it'd gone far better than she ever could have hoped for. Her own life complications would complicate things eventually, but, for now, she could pretend that they lived within some secret life where it'd just... never come up.

Granted, hiding secrets was far easier whenever half a country laid between them, but, for now, it wasn't exactly like he'd be with her every night despite the fact that he'd be in the city over the summer. Her family business wasn't even technically a lie. Kaden merely felt a bit Sopranos-esque whenever she described it as such while knowing the actual truth behind her words.

"I'll be nice though," she breathed near his ear, her own arms having naturally wrapped around his neck when he'd pulled her in, "Pinky promise and everything." Fuck, she still couldn't quite believe that he'd be living in the city soon enough. It'd be an excellent test, trying to figure out if things still worked whenever they weren't long distance. If it did, she could only hope, and pray, and beg the universe that he'd manage the miracle of being drafted by the Yankees. She hoped. She hoped. She hoped.

"But, only if you're extra nice to me," she teased, "Of course."

"I didn't," he smirked. It had been the last act of his past self trying to preserve himself against the destruction known as Kaden Kingsman. Going after someone who didn't even like his team. She'd have to eventually, though. Just as he was changing for her, she was also doing the same. It went unsaid, but Kyle knew. Because this would work. Kyle had to make this work, and who knew. Maybe down the line, he'd be able to tell her what he was. If she had already struggled to remain in the relationship with him, then what would make her leave at that point? Something that affected her less than his distance?

Kyle kissed her then. The entirety of his body settling into a rhythm of contentment with this girl in his embrace. From the way that she kissed him back, to the pressure he applied right back to her. God, if he could remain like this for the rest of the night, he'd sign any deal he could to make it happen. Even with the city blaring around him, it wasn't enough to extract her. Until his smile couldn't be contained. A smile that quickly formed into a boisterous laugh. "Only when you deserve it, you little shit." He kissed her once more, starting first on her forehead, then the tip of her nose, then her lips. "Okay, let's get going before someone stabs me for standin' in the middle of the sidewalk."

A smile naturally came to her lips with his words, but it didn't quite reach her cheeks. Kaden couldn't help but feel the importance of the moment, and it weighed heavily upon her chest as she waited for the growing tension to mount into whatever statement or confession he wished to make. She had ideas, of course, hopes even, but Kaden was also no fool. Kyle had been upfront from the beginning where his attentions laid, and although she knew her existence was more of a distraction than if she hadn't existed at all, she'd tried her best to never be too much of a detriment for the most important thing currently in his life: baseball. Still, despite the growing tension in the air that she couldn't shake, she felt it dissolve almost immediately as the true point of his words came forth, as his hands held gently to her own, and he almost tried to convince her of his request.

Ridiculous, really. As if she hadn't wished for him to ask such a question for perhaps a pathetic amount of ages.

"You're such an idiot," she teased, smile growing for only a moment so that she didn't torture him by allowing his question to hang in the space between them for too long, "Obviously, yes." An idiot only because the fact that it was a question seemed a bit silly. Kaden understood the reasoning behind the official asking of the question, but, at this point, she couldn't help but feel it was a given, "We've done distance this entire fucking time," she continued, "I'm not scared about that. We'll make it work." And hopefully, hopefully it wouldn't be forever. Hopefully things would work out in their favor.

His jaw creaked with the pressure he clamped down his words with. Forcing the control he'd worked for years on while willing his nerves to be steady. He was an idiot, that was the thing. The complete definition, because why did it have to take him so long to ask such simple of a question? Then again, the weight that asking one to be another's was more than just a simple question. She was now going to be tied to him, and he to her. The lives they'd spoken about and constructed, Kaden had just confirmed to be latched to him. The relief that left him in a sigh and replaced itself with a lightness to his chest. "Oh, thank fucking God."

A groan grew into a laugh as Kyle pulled her to him. Hands going for her waist where he pulled her in. "I said please, though. Okay. Be nice." When he looked down at her, he took her in. Truly looking at her with the cars' headlights cascading highlights and shadows across her features. She had derailed him from his objective, and he was... Glad. Completely content with this person being his and giving him life, because he deserved it. After what had happened, he was worthy of this. "We'll make it work," he confirmed before placing a kiss against her forehead. "I am a fuckin' idiot, though, 'cause I should've asked the moment I kissed your ass on New Year's."

"I don't think it sounds lame," she replied easily. It'd been such a brief statement in the flood of so many, but she'd needed to latch onto something concrete lest the full weight of everything he'd just so openly revealed knocked her over instead. The upturned corners of her lips remained soft and welcoming, Kaden forcing herself as best as she could to control the wave of overwhelm that she knew would lead her to dissect his words later in a trillion different ways. He'd said what he said. He was also a guy. To get any sort of emotional talk from him was notable already. The last thing she'd do was push back with more questions, to ask for clarification.

The last thing he needed in the shadow of his emotional spiel was to start to feel awkward or unsure in the aftermath.

Her right hand reached for his him, fingertips placed with the loosest of holds against the top he'd worn — doing her best to reassure even more acceptance of his words through the subconscious nature of physical touch. "It means a lot, you letting me meet them," she continued, "And I promise I mean that, even if your mom does scare the shit outta me a little bit." Mainly because she couldn't quite tell behind her eyes whether or not she truly meant the behaviors she'd displayed. Had Shannon and Matt walked away from dinner tonight with nothing but nasty little words to say about something she'd done that she didn't even realize? Kaden truly had no way to know. "And, as I've said a million times—" the sarcasm was unavoidably palpable, "I promise I won't distract you, you know, despite how obviously distracting of a person I am."

Kyle let out a laugh, more nervous in nature than of joy. She was perfect, and as much as he always wanted to exploit that, now wasn't the time. "You're the best kind of distraction," he shrugged sheepishly. Another cliche statement to add to his repertoire. "Not saying you're a distraction, but– The thing is." He took hold of her shoulders, hesitated a moment, then brought his hands down to her's. Taking ahold of them, then letting out a sigh. He could feel his heart taking a hold of his vocal chords. An impending, momentary doom swirling along his spine as he gathered the courage to finish what he was trying to say. He looked straight at her, ignoring the citizens of New York and the city around them for this singular minute. "Be my girlfriend." The hold on her hands tightened with fingers nearly clamming up with his nerves. "I know it'll be hard, and I'll do my best no matter how far I am, but I want you to be my girlfriend... Please."

"Were all your other—" Kaden hesitated, an extra moment of pause where one wouldn't normally exist before she rearranged the question she was trying to ask. There were some words that could be sensitive. Though she wasn't entirely sure that would be the case with Kyle, she wasn't one hundred percent certain where they stood either. He'd been the most contacted person in her contact list by far since the start of the year. At the same time, they'd never had any sort of "official" talks either. Plus, she couldn't help it. Sometimes, she could be awkward as shit. "Other girls they've met, have all of them been into baseball?" Like some sort of prerequisite? Or perhaps that was merely Kyle's type? Or perhaps Syrcause was more of a baseball city than she'd previously realized? They did have a minor league team, after all.

The pause had him looking at her. The suspense killing him, even though he knew what word she was going to say. Girlfriend. Because that was what they were, and that was what she'd be. It was so obvious, that the anticipation of hearing her say was– "girls they've met..." Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. Repeating the gesture two more times before he smiled. "I've only let girlfriends meet my parents," he corrected her. He then added, "Well, in a setting like that and not, like, a game, or something." There was a fleeting moment where he scoped their area, trying to decide if this would be an acceptable street to ask this. The same thought he'd gone over thousands of times at this point. "But... They know about baseball, but they don't get it."

The warm expanse of his hands went for her waist, bringing them closer to the brick wall than the bustling society that weren't pausing for the magnificent moment that had his heart violently beating away. "And the last time was in high school, so I wouldn't really consider them important," he continued to clarify the importance of tonight. Kyle knew he didn't have to, because if anyone understood the caliber of how dedicated he was to baseball, it was Kaden. "But, you are." He looked down at her, yet felt as though they were the same height. The gravity she pulled him into brought a weight on him that would lay him out flat if she willed it. "Which is why tonight was so important, because I'd promised them– Shit, I promised myself I wouldn't have any distractions until I got signed, but I can't fucking help it. I don't even consider you a distraction, because I actually feel, like, alive. I actually want to enjoy things that aren't baseball, and I didn't even think that was possible. Like," he paused to snort, "That sounds fucking lame, I know. But I've been through so much, and just... I want both of you... I want you."

It took everything within Kaden to not roll her eyes right then and there. The mere concept of them being "too much" felt rather ridiculous as far as she was concerned. Then again, most people didn't deal with adults as intense as the ones she'd dealt with for the majority of her time growing up. When death was always on the table, emotions were often heightened as well. Most hunters thrived under intensity. "Not too much, I promise," she replied with a small grin, humored in her own mind that she even needed to reassure of such a thing, "Could feel myself getting a bit hot under the collar with the Mets line of questioning, but, other than that, all good."

"Good, good," he nodded his head in mock satisfaction. There was a big part of him that always feared that with his parents. It was just with her that he couldn't help himself. "I made sure they toned it down." Kyle squeezed her fingers, ensuring that he truly did care. Whether they cared she was a Mets fan, or not. He'd learned to look past it; they could to. "That was expected, though. And he mainly does that to know what kind of baseball knowledge you've got. All he knew was that you were a Mets fan, I gave him nothing else. So..." He pulled at her, bringing them to the wall closest to them. Away, and out fo the way from the pedestrians. After all, he knew better. "Maybe he'll like you as much as I do."

----

The crosswalk light turned from red to green just as they approached — as if New York City remained perfectly timed for pedestrians and not for the car culture it'd exuded for so many decades now. Her fingers remained entangled with his, his parents having said their goodbyes a few minutes prior so they could have a few minutes of privacy on their walk. Soon he'd be in the city for weeks on end. Soon they'd be spoiled with proximity they'd never before experienced. It'd be a true test of their relationship, of how things could actually go without screens and miles upon miles separating them. Kaden glanced up to look at him, "I think things went okay once nerves were shaken off, yeah?" Hopefully. She could only hope and pray that hopefully.

There was beyond a doubt that Kaden could feel his sweat against her palm. It was the fact that her grace and kindness wasn't commenting about it. He knew he would be if the roles were reversed, but Kyle was so grateful she said nothing. Was this how she felt before meeting his parents? If so, it was a feeling he didn't want her to endure again. "Oh, yeah. Yeah," he responded after a moment's delay. There was enough distance from the hotel for him to ask, but it still didn't feel right. He wasn't some place that was decent enough for them to return back to for years to come. What was even more daunting was that he was already thinking of their relationship in the form of years. "My dad liked you. My ma's a fuckin' weirdo, so I still don't know yet. But, I told you my dad would like you... They weren't too much, right?"

Kyle threw his head back in laughter. Slinking his arm out to hold the back of her chair. “Listen,” he said with a smile. “You got me fucked up if you think I’ll ever go to Canada.” His mother slapped lightly at the table, garnering his attention away to look at her. “You are literally a quarter Canadian, Kyle Matthew. None of that.” He only rolled his eyes, looking back at Kaden as he said, “Mom, we’re white. But, regardless, I’m not gonna play for anyone other than New York. I feel it in my gut.” The look he gave Kaden held his future in it. The conversations he had promising that he’d be in New York. It of course meant the Yankees, but they all knew what he meant. There was a reason why his relationship with Kaden fit so well. “I’ll be here, and I’ll have you guys… I’ll have Kaden.” Now it was his dad’s turn to vocalise a concern which had Kyle rolling his eyes. “Does that mean you’d be willing to accept playing for the Mets now? I mean, New York is New York.”

It was Kaden who spoke first, perhaps the most assertive she'd been throughout the evening though her tone remained nothing other than easygoing, "Except New York isn't New York," she replied, sparing a glance at his father for only a moment before her attention turned back towards Kyle with an easy smile once more. "I mean, as much as I'd love to see you in blue and orange, and I know you have pinstripes and only pinstripes in your blood." He just needed the ability to be able to be drafted by them, to be claimed by the Yankees before he was snatched up by another team and had to wait until free agency years from now to get to go where he wanted.

The breath he took in remained lodged in throat. Stuck there for the duration of what Kaden had to say. He'd never verbally confirmed it, but she was right. He did only have pinstripes. He'd sacrificed too much to allow his dreams to stray even the slightest. Call it him being stubborn, or the soul of the boy he'd diminished in placement of his own life. Hearing Kaden confirm everything he'd insinuated through the months. "She knows, and understands, what this means to me. Just like I know what becoming a doctor means for her. We respect each other... Even if she's a Mets fan," he ended with a smirk.

It took a moment for her attention to return to Kyle, Kaden taking a moment to give the waiter one last thank you as he removed the plate from in front of her. A soft smile accompanied her nod of confirmation, lighthearted in her tone as she replied, "Just imagining you stuck in Canada if the Blue Jays really are that aggressive in pursuing you." Not that anyone could know much of anything at this time, but the whole concept still just felt... rather otherworldly really. Kyle was good, more than good at that, but MLB teams, and draft picks, and discussions with scouts of whom she'd heard names in passing throughout rumors and online gossip on occasion still felt rather overwhelming.

Hell, it made med school interviews sound like a walk in the park. His parents had fallen into their own momentary conversation — something about the hotel? Or the car? Kaden hadn't really been listening in, merely keywords that she'd inadvertently managed to pluck from the conversational volume of their voices. At least she'd have him this summer. Of all the places he could have gone, she couldn't help but adore his coach for helping place Kyle on a local team for the summer ball season. Her lips curved up into a full grin, entirely playful in her tone, "I'll make sure to sneak all the good American snacks over the border for you."

Kyle threw his head back in laughter. Slinking his arm out to hold the back of her chair. “Listen,” he said with a smile. “You got me fucked up if you think I’ll ever go to Canada.” His mother slapped lightly at the table, garnering his attention away to look at her. “You are literally a quarter Canadian, Kyle Matthew. None of that.” He only rolled his eyes, looking back at Kaden as he said, “Mom, we’re white. But, regardless, I’m not gonna play for anyone other than New York. I feel it in my gut.” The look he gave Kaden held his future in it. The conversations he had promising that he’d be in New York. It of course meant the Yankees, but they all knew what he meant. There was a reason why his relationship with Kaden fit so well. “I’ll be here, and I’ll have you guys… I’ll have Kaden.” Now it was his dad’s turn to vocalise a concern which had Kyle rolling his eyes. “Does that mean you’d be willing to accept playing for the Mets now? I mean, New York is New York.”

Kyle shrugged, making sure to keep a hand on Kaden. "I make fun of everyone." Some form of physical presence on her to keep her grounded. Or maybe it was to keep himself grounded. With the more looks that were given to Kaden, a broader sense of possessiveness came over him with her. Sure, they were his parents, and... This was Kaden. He wanted this to go seamless. "I'm workin' on it..." Then his dad added, "Couple of weeks." Because it would be in a couple of weeks. The draft was a big discussion in the family group chat for an obvious reason. Especially after the recognition he'd received from the scouts nearly two months prior. "Yankees or bust."

"Yankees or bust," she echoed in response, doing her best to ignore the small spark of anxiety that such a mindset naturally brought to life and left festering in her gut. It wasn't that she doubted him, but she did fear that other teams saw his potential just as the Yankees scouts had. What if a different team selected him first? After all, there were thirty teams in the draft, and it wasn't like the Yankees had the first pick. Kaden wished she could hold the same steadfast confidence that he seemed to possess. She hoped desperately that, if nothing else, she at least managed to hide her nerves regarding the draft as well as one could expect.

His parents began to go into discussion about the prospective choices of teams. Which ones had shown interest, and the amount that he should be comfortable with. It was a conversation that they had had before, but now that Kaden was present, he felt like they were discussing it so that she'd be aware of what the family wanted. Kyle shifted himself closer to Kaden. Reaching for her hand to intertwine their fingers as his parents marched on ahead of them. He walked in tandem with her steps, letting his parents run their course so that he'd discuss it with her later.

Once the conversation strayed from his own place in baseball to his father grilling Kaden about her own baseball knowledge, his mom began dissecting her in the way he'd warned. The slow and steady peal of the various topics his family deemed important. Again, everything being what Kyle prepared her for. Every time it became too convoluted of an interrogation, he would steer the direction onto his mom and her job, or onto his dad and how he loved planes. Something to take the full weight off of her. With his lingering touches, to the way he made sure to include appraising her with his responses, he was doing his best to make her feel included. "You doin' good?" he asked after the waiter pulled the dishes away.

"And here I thought I was the only one he made fun of for being awkward." Not that she could entirely blame him. Kaden had been nervous as fuck those first few times that they'd chatted on the phone or over Skype. Even after months of talking, she'd been suffocatingly nervous the first time that they'd seen each other again. Who could really blame her? Kyle seemed to not be bothered by any of it. She didn't have the same ability to be unbothered by social pressures. She turned to look at Kyle with a soft smile, "We just need to get you back to New York state."

Kyle shrugged, making sure to keep a hand on Kaden. "I make fun of everyone." Some form of physical presence on her to keep her grounded. Or maybe it was to keep himself grounded. With the more looks that were given to Kaden, a broader sense of possessiveness came over him with her. Sure, they were his parents, and... This was Kaden. He wanted this to go seamless. "I'm workin' on it..." Then his dad added, "Couple of weeks." Because it would be in a couple of weeks. The draft was a big discussion in the family group chat for an obvious reason. Especially after the recognition he'd received from the scouts nearly two months prior. "Yankees or bust."

Kaden rolled her eyes, pairing it with a small shake of her head — both shifts in her expression that were softly tempered by the smile he'd managed to bring back to her features. Kyle's dad moved forward first, offering his hand for Kaden to shake. "Hi, it's nice to meet you," she attempted in the friendliest voice she could muster without it feeling too over the top. It was difficult. Kyle was the first guy she'd dated who wasn't connected by surname into the same lifestyle in which she'd grown up. She'd never not been at least vaguely familiar with parents before meeting them before. After a firm handshake — she'd been taught well from a young age being a Kingsman and all — Kyle's mom was next. It was the far from the first time in her life that Kaden had experienced the momentary awkwardness of the hug or handshake dance, something that led to an immediately sheepish smile before they went for the first, a momentary quick hug that had to be some sort of good sign... right? "I'm so glad to finally meet you both."

His dad was first, of course, then his mother. Kyle held his breath, waiting to see how his mom was going to act. Out of both his parents, it went without saying that his mom was the more overbearing. She was the one that had always been over-protective of him. Even more so when he'd triggered his curse at eighteen. Shannon hadn't been at all thrilled when he'd told her he'd been getting serious with Kaden. In truth, neither of his parents had, but after lengthy discussion and arguments, he'd gotten them willing to meet her and make their own assessment. It was the awkward hug, much to his embarrassment, which he called his mother out on. "Sorry, I forgot to mention that my Ma is awkward as fuck," this garnered a laugh from both him and his dad. A smack from his mom, of course. "What!" She began chiding him for cursing in front of Kaden, Kyle rolling his eyes at it. "She's heard far worse shit from me, but back to the paid programming, yes. We've been really excited for this. Obviously, it's not like I come here often."

The cross between a snort and a laugh sounded from deep in his nostrils. “The farthest north I‘ll go is home. And can you seriously imagine me in a desert?” The arrogance in his tone was quickly humbled by the sight of his parents walking out of the sliding doors of the hotel. His smile wavering only for a second. He turned his attention back to Kaden, a shrug given that was paired perfectly with the shit-eating grin that sliced away any niceties. “Good thing we don’t gotta think of me torturing you all the way from San Diego since I’m staying here.” Kyle inhaled a shaky breath, feeling like it went no where. It’d be fine. “Kyle,” he heard his mother call. Instead of looking the blonde’s way, he kept his eyes locked on Kaden’s. “You’re gonna be fine, okay?”

She nodded. A singular movement, hardly noticeable, and meant solely for his eyes. A shaky exhale left her lips. Her anxiety didn't go along with it. Still, she tried her best to force forth whatever serene confidence she could muster, hoping and praying that she didn't put her foot in her mouth until at least halfway through the night. "I know," she promised, attempting to convince him of some newfound self-assuredness that was desperately far from the truth, that was, before the smallest seed of self-doubt crept in, "...hopefully."

Kyle wasn’t sure what his mom would do. Him and the boys had bets going on if she’d immediately go for the hug, or would opt to shake Kaden’s hand. Kyle anticipated awkwardness, and maybe a shake. “Finally,” he groaned in mock irritation. “We were getting reading to think y’all stood us up.” Starting with a joke as always, he shifted to stand beside Kaden. Displaying her to his parents and trying his best to be as nonchalant as possible. “This is the Kaden, guys.” He placed his hands on Kaden’s shoulders, more to ground the two of them to each other. “Kay, this is my Mom, Shannon, and my dad, Matt.”

“And, what, you think I live in the nice ass house across from a parking lot with crackheads?” Kyle laughed, though the discomfort was there. He could handle the games he played, or the sporadic events he attended or was randomly exposed to. To consistently be overstimulated with sharp sounds piercing his heightened senses? He couldn’t fathom the idea of ever finding peace. “Oh, remind me how excited I am to live in your little paper castle.” He made a circle with his hands, reaching to the top of her head as if to place an imaginary crown made of his fingers. “My queen of shitty piss corners, paper walls, and pissy people.”

"Well.... I guess if you hate it so much, you could always go play somewhere more low key," she teased, smiling for a moment before playfully reaching up to pretend to smack away his hands, "Maybe — I don't know — up in Toronto with all the nice Canadians? Or in the endless Phoenix desert with all the snakes and the scorpions?" He'd been so dead set on the Yankees, and she couldn't blame him, but a warning voice in the back of her mind always questioned with worry as to how he'd react if he wasn't drafted to the team he wanted. What if he was sent clear across the country? What if he hated it? "Or go lounge on the beach in San Diego on your off days. That could be nice."

The cross between a snort and a laugh sounded from deep in his nostrils. “The farthest north I‘ll go is home. And can you seriously imagine me in a desert?” The arrogance in his tone was quickly humbled by the sight of his parents walking out of the sliding doors of the hotel. His smile wavering only for a second. He turned his attention back to Kaden, a shrug given that was paired perfectly with the shit-eating grin that sliced away any niceties. “Good thing we don’t gotta think of me torturing you all the way from San Diego since I’m staying here.” Kyle inhaled a shaky breath, feeling like it went no where. It’d be fine. “Kyle,” he heard his mother call. Instead of looking the blonde’s way, he kept his eyes locked on Kaden’s. “You’re gonna be fine, okay?”

It felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders. One that he'd been completely aware of its presence, but had no clue of how to relinquish himself from its hindrance. Maybe it was the reassurance that, even if his parents didn't like her, which he didn't see happening in the slightest, there was a certainty about what they'd become by the end of the night. "Because I like fucking with them," he chuckled, pulling her closer to him as the automatic door slid open for them. Once outside, Kyle led her off to the side, out of the way of humans. The immediate car horn blaring down the road had Kyle squinting his eyes shut in irritation. "I dunno how in fuck I'm gonna get used to that."

"Oh, you're from Syracuse. Don't act like it's some tiny town." she teased, having nestled closer to the wall of the hotel so that they were out of the way of the pedestrians. After all, the New Yorkers already had to deal with enough with the slow pace of tourists with no spatial awareness blocking the sidewalks. "Besides," she continued, "You get used to it — even with paper thin, landlord special apartment walls." Her own didn't do much to block out the noises of the city, but Kaden had a feeling that she'd grown so used to the noise throughout her life that she wouldn't have been able to sleep without it.

“And, what, you think I live in the nice ass house across from a parking lot with crackheads?” Kyle laughed, though the discomfort was there. He could handle the games he played, or the sporadic events he attended or was randomly exposed to. To consistently be overstimulated with sharp sounds piercing his heightened senses? He couldn’t fathom the idea of ever finding peace. “Oh, remind me how excited I am to live in your little paper castle.” He made a circle with his hands, reaching to the top of her head as if to place an imaginary crown made of his fingers. “My queen of shitty piss corners, paper walls, and pissy people.”

"Let's go outside," she decided, hand clamping onto his with a bit more force than what would have been normal in any other situation. It was nowhere near enough to hurt, but certainly a sign of her (hopefully momentary) anxiety nevertheless. "It's a nice day. Why make them have to walk inside just to walk back out?" Plus, there was the added benefit that any potentially daunting, awkward silence would be rectified far easier if they were already outside of the hotel. The streets of New York always provided some sort of interest, and it'd be far easier to direct with little more than a tilt of the head to start walking towards the restaurant than it would be in the lobby.

It felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders. One that he'd been completely aware of its presence, but had no clue of how to relinquish himself from its hindrance. Maybe it was the reassurance that, even if his parents didn't like her, which he didn't see happening in the slightest, there was a certainty about what they'd become by the end of the night. "Because I like fucking with them," he chuckled, pulling her closer to him as the automatic door slid open for them. Once outside, Kyle led her off to the side, out of the way of humans. The immediate car horn blaring down the road had Kyle squinting his eyes shut in irritation. "I dunno how in fuck I'm gonna get used to that."

"Which way does your mom always compliment it more?" Not that Kyle himself would need to do anything to impress his parents, but, at the same time, Kaden was fully of the mindset that nothing could hurt to help her chances. "If you go with the gel, just don't do a lot — avoid the crunchy feeling," she added as an afterthought, turning so she could turn her attention back towards the mirror hanging on the wall above the desk she'd originally sat against. She too needed to soften and smooth her hair after taking off her sweater to try on the jersey and then needing to take it back off to put her sweater back on. She'd even brought along a small bag — one from which she fished out the rosy pink container of the lip product she currently wore. Kaden shook her hands as they rested by her side, attempting whatever she could to rid herself of the buildup of nervous energy, "Okay. I'm ready.... I think."

“She says I’m perfect no matter what I wear,” he said in a mocking feminine voice. Kyle laughed, going for the bathroom so he could wet his hair and stick some gel in it. There wasn’t much else for them to do. All they could do was go down and hope for the best. “I mean, it’s just the first of many.” The sigh he said with the statement was with finesse. His hair still glistening from the water, surely holding to the degree that was acceptable. “Just get through this one, and it’ll be fine.”

The trek down was quiet. Kyle thinking over every possible outcome for the evening. What questions his parents would ask, if he should step in during certain ones. He took Kaden’s hand once they came to the lobby floor, already making the decision to accept her fully. The days leading up to this, he’d thought about whether he’d be discreet about their budding relationship, but in all reality, what was the point? He already planned on making her his girlfriend once the night was over. Whether his parents approved of her or not. “Okay… I don’t see them,” he said looking around. He pointed towards the lounge seats, “Wanna wait there? Or go outside?”

Kyle reached for her cheeks. Holding her with a gentleness that was a far contrast from what his hands were capable of doing. "We're going to be fine," he told her with all the certainty he could muster. Honestly, it didn't matter what happened tonight with his parents. He'd ask her to be his girlfriend, and that was that. "There is absolutely no reason they'd not like you, babe. Literally nothing. If they find something, I'll legit body slam my dad to the table."

"Don't make me laugh at a time like this," she whined, smiling illuminating her features nevertheless. Though she really wouldn't recommend Kyle body slamming one of his parents if things went south, she could at least easily understand the meaning behind his words: she wasn't alone, they were a team, he was on her side. "Go get dressed, Ky," after all, what had he said? Five minutes? "Before your parents think I stole your virtue."

A quick scan of her features was all he needed. The blush on her cheeks, the slight swell from her lips from how many times he’d kissed her. “It literally takes me thirty-two seconds to put my shoes on.” Regardless, he kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, then, finally, her lips. “Also, technically, you have.” The mischievous grin plastered on his face remained as laughter took over. Kyle pulling away to finish getting ready. From putting the navy blue button up, to the Vans he had. Not too nice, but nice enough. “Shit. My hair.” Because he couldn’t do a hat. He looked over at Kaden, thinking about if he should do his hair or not. “Like this? Or some gel.”

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