Before The End

The members of Omega Point are quite a spirited group of people. A lot of their conversations consist of arguing and throwing around creative insults.
Kenji told me he thinks of them as his family more than his friends.

I'm accompanying him while he's hanging out with them. The discussion began with weaponry but now somehow they've ended up arguing over Antarctic animals.

"Okay you are all idiots." Kenji slams both his hands on the table, "I'm done with you."

"Us? You don't even know the difference between Antarctica and the Arctic." Winston scoffs.

"That's true mate." Brendan adds, sipping his tea.

Ian crosses his arms, "stop butting in Brendan."

The conversation has lost me. It's amusing though.
Sitting with Kenji's friends isn't bad, they make for an entertaining evening.
I like them, they're well intentioned people. And their bond with Kenji is greatly strong, unbreakable even.

Lily sighs, starts chatting with Alia, who looks all too happy watching all of this.
I fiddle with my fingers, ignoring their words as my mind drifts away to other places.

Watching them sometimes invokes a sense of nostalgia inside of me.

It's been almost 14 years since I've had a proper friend. Someone I'd think of as a sister.

I'm not like sad about it, being depressed isn't going to do me any good. It would just be nice to have that kind of support.

...
Okay, I may be sort of envious of Lily, Alia and the rest of them.
They may not have much but they have that kind of friendship. That unwavering loyalty and connection.

I push back my chair and stand. These thoughts aren't doing me any good either.
I think I've had enough socialising today.

"You're going?" Winston asks me, silencing the table. All eyes are on me.
I nod, wishing them all a good night before walking off.

Why is my room so far away?
I have to follow a winding path of lanterns, which is unnecessarily long.
Footsteps, no, stomps, echo on the floors behind me as they edge closer. Easily I recognise them, they've become all too familiar to me.

Kenji sighs loudly, an unsubtle way to gain my attention.
I turn my head to him, "what?"

He blinks, raises his eyebrows, "nothing, sorry."

My tone was harsher than I realised.
Cringing, I shake my head,
"No- I- That was rude, I'm sorry."

Kenji frowns, steps closer until his face is a whisper from mine.
"What's wrong?"

I stay silent.
Looking at him, the concern in his stormy eyes, the soft look his face makes me feel immediately foolish.
Stupid, for being ungrateful and jealous earlier.
Kenji is more than enough for me.

And I've walked away from him too many times already. Loathed myself a lot for it too.
For not being able to do our relationship properly.

I sigh, pull him into a hug. Kenji goes along with it, squeezes me tightly.

"Thank you." I mumble, voice muffled.
I hear him inhale a quick breath, no reply.

I'm not sure he even understands how much he means to me. I appreciate him a lot, his words, his actions, him in general.
I know I should show it better, tell him more.

I move my head slightly back so I can see his face.
"I'm an idiot." I state in a regretful tone.

Kenji blows out a breath, looking confused,
"If you think you are an idiot, I don't even want to know what I am."

I laugh quietly, place a kiss on his cheek.
He's still inspecting me, and uses a hand to lift my jaw.
"Seriously, you seemed annoyed. Is everything okay?"

I nod,
"Of course. You're here now, you make everything better."

Kenji blinks, a small "oh" escapes him.
I shift myself away from him, smooth down my outfit before looking back at Kenji.

He's grinning now, so brightly that these lanterns around us don't even begin to compare.
———————————————
The Sanctuary is always similar to a graveyard at night. Everyone is eager to rest and recharge. You'd wonder why we're still awake, what with all the work we have to do.

I enjoy being awake at night though, the stillness and minimal sources of light is oddly satisfying to me.
And I quite like strolling around, especially since Kenji's with me.

We eventually reach my room, it's near the outermost part of the Sanctuary. Beside the forest.

Kenji half runs and jumps onto my bed as I shut the door behind me.
He groans, sits up straight.
"This bed isn't bouncy at all."

I follow to where he is and raise an eyebrow,
"You want to bounce on it? Are you 5?"

"Pft no," Kenji scoffs, taking off his shoes,
"A not-bouncy flat bed just isn't comfy."

"Right."
I roll my eyes and drop my head on one of the pillows. Kenji follows suit, rests his head on the other.
Staring at the bland ceiling, finally at ease, I realise how exhausted I truly am.
All at once, my mind goes quiet and my body sinks into the so-called uncomfy mattress.

Suddenly, Kenji's hand crosses over my torso, locks itself against my abdomen. He gets nearer to me, pulls a blanket over us.
I twist my neck to look at him, our noses touch when I do.
His other arm is tucked under his head, a delicate smile playing on his lips.
I can see his hazy eyes, moments from shutting.

Neither of us speak.
I study his flawless face, trace my eyes over every detail. Jet black orbs watch me, a soft stare that outshines the dull colour. A fond look, exuding warmth.

"Kenji?" I say in a hushed tone.
"Yeah?"

I stop for a second before continuing,
"You're my favourite person."

That's one way to explain it.
He swallows, goes slightly pink right away.
It's really cute, his reaction, that I can't quit smiling.

Kenji presses a few kisses to my cheek, while I shut my eyes.
Then turn myself onto my side, as he pulls me even closer. Soundly against his body, in his arms.
Tightly, like he can't bear the thought of me leaving.