✧. ┊ gift drabble for @sweet-samnang ! pairings: kenshi x fem!oc original characters: misaki tag warnings: n/a ! song: stand by me by florence + the machine
Kenshi was a practical man, you see, and Misaki was a girl that had a bold personality. Likely considered opposites at best and rivals at worst- but they completed one another, something that they both had yet to see. “Is that outfit practical?” he would ask, so straightforward to match her energy the best that he could. Misaki was across the room from him and she would turn to him, the robes of her clothing eye catching for many reasons. He would never admit it out loud but the colors were very her- but that was both a compliment as much as it was a statement.
Sometimes when it came it Misaki, he didn’t know what to feel. She was like a whirlwind, so straightforward, so bold, and left in her wake was Kenshi- both bemused and perhaps even conflicted by her spirit.
Before he had lost his eyes they would often look at one another from across the room, the tension in the air only heightened by Misaki’s usual jest. “Don’t like what you see, Kenshi?” she’d muse before turning to him, the short of her robes barely covering the supple flesh that lingered beneath as she moved oh so suggestively, just enough to tease him. “I see how you look at me, I know what you want.”
Kenshi would cross his arms over his chest though before shaking his head, the black of his hair swaying softly against the movement. “No, it’s impractical, you’ll get hurt. That’s what I think.”
But Misa would just laugh it off, giving him a soft wink- oh, how she loved to tease him so.
The times after he was blinded however, they were different from then. Of course for the obvious reasons but the subtle, more striking differences were just how close they would end up. Physically speaking mainly but there were times they would find themselves in quiet moments together, perhaps speaking minimally but just enough that they felt content in the interaction. It was these moments, although few, were their favorites.
There was always flirting and there was always teasing but some days there was the sound of rain and the both of them would be sitting quietly. The tension was there but it was different, perhaps even comforting. The pair would have had sake to share but if you knew Misaki then you would know that she was particularly daring when inebriated. This was something that Kenshi, since having been blinded, felt a sort of comfort in. It’s like nothing ever changed nor did she make it any different. Misaki was the constant, if you will, and for that Kenshi might have been considered thankful.
It would start with the usual tension but paired with her touching him gently, her hands not unwelcome to the usually stoic man. It would have started at his fingers when she would hand him the little cup and of course her touch lingered a little too long but neither hated it. It was just left unsaid upon and instead felt. She had such soft fingers and maybe it was the drink but he liked it, it felt safe.
As the rain lingered into the night and both sat at the open door, the warmth of the summer rain among the trees a warm backdrop for the pair, her cheeks would redden from the drink as they sat side by side on the wooden floorboards of the entry way. Training for the day was put on hold but they decided to take the much needed rest as they all needed a moment of respite of course.
“You’re one of my favorite people to be with, you know.” she said then, the words were soft but not mumbled. In Misaki’s way they were straight to the point but this time it might have felt different than before.
Kenshi moved just slightly to acknowledge her words, still facing forward but head turned just enough. His breathing was still the same as the girl at his side turned to look at him.
Long pale tresses covered rose-dusted cheeks from a forming blsuh, her eyes so light and earnest, how they stared up at him from beneath the fringe of her bangs. Kenshi, although blinded, knew this look and wished to see it once more. This time he would have stared back kinder than before and mixed with all of the other feelings, he had felt a bit of shame at the thought.
“You’re so strong, you’ve persevered, and above all else you are an inspiration to train so much harder.” she said, the spark of light flickering behind the bright eyes.
There was a built of guilt maybe that made him shake his head then just before he turned to face her fully. “No Misaki, I should not be your inspiration. You are an equally strong person and you have yourself to thank for that, not myself.”
The rain surrounding them was the only thing in the silence that could be heard. He did not see her eyes flicker with a certain glassy stare but he felt her hands touch his. His own lay flat upon the wood and hers were atop of his, warm against the cool in the air.
“But you are. I see how hard you train and I see just how much you want to fight for our realm. I only want to make you proud and I want…” she hesitated then, the words either being withheld or perhaps misplaced due to the drinks. The silence was heavy as it hung upon the missing word and he felt his eyes lower out of instinct. He had his own word for it but he felt miserable for having mistreating her before.
“Misaki, I am sorry to have been so hard on you in the past. You didn’t deserve that and I do not deserve your praise. I promise, it is your strength that keeps us both going.” He spoke then, his words just as soft. Misaki’s hands tightened around his and in return he turned his hand over to grasp hers as well.
Whatever Misaki was to say was hushed and in the silence that fell over them once more he felt her other hand find his cheek. Just as warm as the hand upon his own he felt her fingers glide upon his face, comforting and just as gentle, and she pulled his face to meet her own. They did not yet touch but they were close, enough to smell how sweet she was at least. Kenshi’s lips stayed in a hard line but Misaki’s were open, enough to catch his scent upon her tongue. A kiss, he thought, he wanted to kiss her but-
Kenshi placed his forehead upon hers and grabbed the hand upon his cheek with his own. Intimate, wanted, reassured even, he wanted to kiss her but this felt safer than anything else.
“You are strong, Misaki, and you are my inspiration. You are resourceful, and you are bold, everything that you are is a strength.” Kenshi said while squeezing her hands so tenderly. “I am just ashamed that it took me losing my sight to see that.”
Misaki smiled then, warm and so inviting, and she could feel her heart beating in her cheeks. “Thank you, Kenshi, I had no idea that you felt that way. You needn’t carry that burden any longer, you have more than freed yourself from those thoughts.”
The rain was the only sound then and the two found their faces turning enough to dare the other for the kiss that they had so wanted. Warm breath caught in their throat, mouths parted and pursed ready for their touch. Misaki closed her eyes and felt him close in. How long had she wanted this? How long had he thought about it, wanting to do it? They were so close-
But then suddenly there was a sound that shook them away from one another, sobering them up enough to hear screaming in the distance. Kenshi held her hand though and Misaki squeezed it in return. It was to let her know that in spite of everything, he would be there.
Moments like these were far and few between but they were not unwelcome. They would just have to kiss another time, when it was meant to be, of course.
Kenshi may have started off confused and perhaps even uncertain of Misaki at first, but in the times that she had shown her strength he realized just how proud of her that he was. And just like now, he would find her strength in himself and she would continue to amaze him.
