Before The End

I can't help but glance at Nazeera many times throughout breakfast, taking note of everything. I want to help her with her...struggles. And I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who does know.

Nazeera, of course, is as calm and confident as always. Her controlled demeanor never defers even once and I'm beginning to think that if she never told me I would never have known. She would've continued doing that for who knows how long.

That thought scares the living shit out of me.
Nazeera notices me staring, well I wasn't trying to hide it. She raises an eyebrow and I gesture to her half eaten plate.

"You gonna finish?"

She shrugs, "not that hungry."

Nazeera looks back at J who's talking about something. Not too sure, my eyes are still on Nazeera. Just thoughts and worries and everything disturbing my mind. Wait why isn't she-
"Kenji." Juliette snaps her fingers in my face.

"Huh?"

She frowns at me, "so are you going to come with me?"

"Yup, definitely." I nod along, still unsure of what she is talking about. "Where are we going?"

"To Nouria's office."

"Oh yeah sure." No idea why she needs to go there but whatever

Juliette looks me up and down then stands.
"Wait, we're going now?" I ask, searching the table. Warner rolls his eyes and Nazeera's chewing on her lip.

"Yeah? Cmon." J puts her hands on her hips, waiting for me to get up.
Except I'm reluctant to leave Nazeera alone. I've been within 5 feet of her since we got here, and I don't like it when she's not with me.

Everything seems so much easier when I'm with Nazeera. Colors are much more vibrant and the glass looks pretty full. Simply knowing I'm in her presence makes me smile more, an instant dopamine boost.
If I could I really would duct tape us together. But she'd probably not agree to that and duct tape me to the wall.

"Alright yeah. Have some patience J." I reply, jumping up out of my seat.
Hesitantly, I lean down and kiss Nazeera's cheek. I'm not sure if she's comfortable kissing me in front of other people yet. She smiles softly and that effortless action fills me with too much emotion.

I finally turn away to head off with J.
Juliette is beaming all the way, she's been so happy since waking up.
Which is great, my best friend deserves happiness after everything.

She needs to talk to Nouria about the status of sector 241 and as second in command, I obviously have an important role in everything. Nothing gets done around here without me.

"This isn't going to take long right?" I yawn while stretching my back.
Juliette smirks at me,
"Why? You wanna get back to Nazeera huh?"

I roll my eyes, "you cannot be talking. You and Romeo made me suffer through worse. My innocence has been stolen."

J scoffs,
"Don't act like I didn't see you in Nazeera's room."

She raises her chin like she has the upper ground here.
"Okay gross. Get your head out of the gutter princess."

I click my tongue, "and we haven't done anything."

"Oh. Did you make her mad or something?"

"Wha- why is that your first thought?"

Juliette raises an eyebrow, "Because it's you."

"Pfft okay, you're just jealous of how perfect I am." I sigh.

Luckily, Nourias office comes into view and this topic is closed for now.
Sam's in there with her and the four of us go over a few things. Juliette's wedding, how to deal with the extra people and supplies needed, the civilians.

I watch the clock tick- maybe I should get my own watch. It's been 74 minutes since I saw Nazeera, and counting time would be easier without ruining my neck to look up every few minutes.

When we're eventually finished, J and I decide to go check out what's happening in the Head tent, then I can go find Nazeera.

It's a pretty cute thing when all my friends from Omega Point squeal and greet Juliette with excitement. Everyone's grinning and hugging her, I can tell how much this affects J. She's almost tearing up.

Surprisingly, I spot two figures in the back. I didn't think Warner would be here or Nazeera, talking with both eyes on J.
A calming sense of relief gushes over me when I see Nazeera.

Her head is slightly tilted and she looks unimpressed with whatever Warners says.
Automatically my legs push me to her.
"Hey." I drop my lips to her forehead.

"Hi." Nazeera smiles at me while Warner makes a face.

"Oh I'm sorry, did you want a kiss too?" I ask, enclosing my arm around Nazeera's waist.

He sighs deeply, "it's painful to be near you Kishimoto."

"Seriously guys?" J pops up and makes a disappointed face.
Warner fixes his tie, "he is the problem here, love."

Juliette mouths something to Nazeera, which I didn't catch.
"You know, we're both right here." I say while Warner stares at Juliette.

Nazeera chuckles lightly as J takes her man away to show him something. We watch them leave and I turn back to the gorgeous girl in my arms.

"How are you doing?"

Nazeera sucks in a breath,
"I'm fine. This isn't a big deal."

"Nazeera."

She finally meets my gaze with a frigid expression. I don't like how this is causing her to be closed off with me.
"Ignoring it isn't going to make it better." I say gently.

Nazeera continues to survey me, and I wish I could read her thoughts. I wish I could change her thoughts, all the negative ones. Tucking a strand of her hair away, I wait for her to speak.
Finally she opens her mouth,
"Since when did you become a medical professional?"

I grin, "I got my Phd last week actually."

She rolls her eyes, a smile goes with it. Nazeera drops her head onto my chest as we witness the rest of my friends...arguing? I dunno, Winston's shouting things and Juliette is cracking up with Lily.
It's nice to see them all like that, joyful and having a good time.

And obviously I love being with my friends and doing ridiculous stuff with them. But there's a superior joy in being with Nazeera, the two of us on the side alone. Her company is worth greater than any other person.

"I would tell you. If I wasn't okay." Nazeera says quietly, looking back up at me.
"I don't actually like doing that. It's just a better...alternative."

I nod, kiss the tip of her nose. She doesn't know how that eased my anxious ridden head. I trust Nazeera to keep that promise.

Her body melts back into mine and we continue to watch. Ian is now threatening Brendan with a chair and Castle just barged in.
I chuckle quietly when he begins to lecture all of them, including Warner who seems like he would rather shoot himself than be there.

"I can't believe I know these insane people." I comment.
Nazeera shoots me a sidelong glance,
"You should really be more self aware, Kenji."