Confession
"You... what?" I asked softly, and only the fact that I was already sitting kept me from sliding to the floor with a thump. I couldn't possibly have just heard what I thought I did. It had to be a dream... a very bizarre dream. But Kazuki repeated the words, his face so painfully earnest that all I could do was nod. Kazuki liked me? There was no doubt he believed the words. Which, I suppose, made them true. Still, the very thought of what he'd just told me had my head reeling. "Since when?"
"Since...," he started, and I saw his cheeks pink. "I'm not sure when," he finally continued, his eyes sliding away from me in that moment. He knew when. As earnest as he'd been before, now his dishonesty was blatant. I began to wonder if Kazuki could truly decieve anyone. But I let it go. To find yourself attracted to another man was bad enough. No need to compound the pain for him by pressing what was obviously an uncomfortable matter.
"So you... like me," I said softly, relaxing a little when he didn't just pounce me. Not that I really expected such savage actions from Kazuki, but it was still comforting to know that whatever he thought this was, he didn't just view me as something to screw. I was so focussed on Kazuki, that I jumped a little when Moonlight hopped into my lap, sharp little kitten-claws kneading my jeans. Kazuki flinched when I jumped, looking away again, and I sighed. Clearly, this was going to be something that had to be sorted through, if he was going to stick around.
I leaned my cheek on one hand, the other petting Moonlight's soft fur gently. But the kitten had other plans, and in the midst of this serious conversation, I found her chasing my fingertips, nipping at them in what was obviously meant to be play bites, though her teeth were making short work of my skin. I ignored the punctures, not wanting to lose track of this conversation, but before I could continue, Kazuki had risen, hurrying to get a wet paper towel before returning. "You should see to this," he said, taking my hand in his and dabbing oh-so-gently at the little nips. I hesitated, then decided to let things go at that. Clearly, we both needed some time to adjust to this.