– Kai sat on the back doorstep. He couldn’t close the door behind him, that would be rude, but he’d pulled it as close as he could. He leaned back against the wall, eyes on the stars above his head. If Meri could see him, sitting on the ground, in this outfit, it’d be more than a cause for concern. But she was inside, “doing the dishes” with her mother in hushed, angry tones. Really, he wasn’t all that upset. Just tired. The cool air helped clear his thoughts a little, but he wouldn’t feel like himself again until he got home.
Light spilled out from the door, then faded again as it opened and closed. He didn’t look up. Instead, he fished a cigarette out of his pocket. A dry click, a sigh, and the stars were obscured by a blueish haze. He held the packet out to Braska and quietly, somewhat awkwardly, spoke without turning toward him.
“I think I owe you an apology.” he said.
it would have been a lie to say the words did not surprise him. he’d never thought to hear them. not then. and not now. in fact, for a long moment, he wasn’t certain if he’d really heard anything at all. and he simply sat there, still, letting the quiet seep back in. but, of course, he had heard the man. though the words were quiet, they had been spoken.
another moment passed and then he saw it, the subtle gesture kai made, a signal to join him. and he nearly laughed. he? the high summoner? smoke? there was no formal policy against it, only his own. but still, he couldn’t exactly refuse. not now. he wouldn’t risk it. not now that he was so close. and so, without a word, he seemed to sigh- a quiet defeat- as he took the pack from the other’s hand, awkwardly fidgeting with it- with both of his hands- until he’d acquired one and could finally hand it back, setting it on a patch of empty space between them.
he spun the thing between his fingers. and faintly, looking at it, he frowned. he tried not to think about it. and his gaze shifted, out and away, up toward the sky. he took a deep breath and, at the end of it, he finally shifted, turned, and spoke.
“ it’s... not really necessary. ” not anymore. “ but, if you’re offering- ” he huffed a quiet laugh, his head shaking slightly. “ i guess it’d be rude of me not to take it, huh? ”