These words ring in Kallen’s ears louder than they should sound coming from the other side of a door
“No, sir, it’d be inappropriate for someone my rank to ask,” or a “You’ve already done so much for us there’s no need for you to do more,” should’ve been the proper reply but instead a “Yes,” escapes her lips before she bites down to keep the “more than anything in this world,” from following.
A delighted chuckle is Zero’s response, rich music to her ears, tinged with a hint of surprise. Relieved that he did not take her the wrong way, Kallen feels her cheeks coloring as she dabbles with the idea Zero finds her remark flattering in ways she has never dared to hope. The laughter dies fades and is followed by the scrape of chair legs on carpet and muffled footsteps. Kallen backs away from the door in mounting terror. He wasn’t planning to take her request seriously was he?
The door clicks open and there stands Zero, mask intact, expression indiscernible as usual. Kallen does not know whether to relax or smack herself for her premature excitement. It was impossible for Zero to grant her selfish wish so easily. She hadn’t accomplished anything worthy of such close confidence with him.
“Yes, I would like to see it someday. But not right now. I don’t think I’m ready to handle such a revelation. It’s not important.” It all comes out in a rush followed by a weak unconvincing laugh. Kallen is backpedaling from her now comparably decisive yes, dressing it in excuses and clarifications, and cowering behind them though a shattered window would’ve provided more cover on a battlefield than they did. Her face is flushed again, this time in shame at her cowardice.
“I can’t show you my face just yet,” Zero interrupts her babbling, “but perhaps I can offer you a substitute.”
Kallen tries to utter a surprised token protest but before she can collect her thoughts coherently Zero gently takes her by the wrist and slowly backs inside, pausing to shut and lock the door behind them. They stand facing each other, the silence as firm a barrier separating them as the physical one Zero just invited her through. Kallen is the first to move, stepping forward to trace the lines of on his mask with an index finger, her body lightly resting against his. Her hesitant motion stirs Zero into action. He clasps both her hands with a firmer but not painful grip with one hand while reaching toward her face with the other.
Kallen stiffens when his nimble gloved fingers brush past the skin of her right temple and hook under her thick headband. A few quick tugs and it mask her eyes - the elastic uncomfortably tight around her face - a makeshift blindfold. She detects the rustle of fabric and the click of something light and hollow being set on a table to her left. Her hands are released following the words, “You may now resume.”
She gropes clumsily forward, her thumb immediately colliding with a nose. A surprised grunt causes her to snatch back her hands in embarrassment but hands encircle her forearms guiding them back upwards sliding over chin, lips cheekbones, the nose again, eyelids and forehead. Her fingers comb through long bangs slightly wet with perspiration and it occurs to her hot and uncomfortable it must be under his mask. No wonder his public appearances the Black Knights are so short and he prefers instead to command them from a distance and she is filled with exhilaration by this rare chance to be in his physical presence. Hesitation is now replaced by the bold realization this opportunity is a precious gift as Kallen finds his lips again and with fingertips alone guides them to her own.