le chemin du vent

They move together, in time. She wants to be there to catch him, just in case. Kiriko knows that he probably doesn’t need it, but she needs to feel needed. He only grumbles, only offers a little bit in response. It’s okay— she’s been around enough men with heavy responsibilities to know. It’s okay.

Gently, Kiriko begins to clean out the wound propertly. Her touch soft beneath his chin, and lingering on his forehead. Holding the beast still and steady while she tends to the wound, washing away any trace of the attackers lingering left within. Though she’s shy to make eye contact, her gaze does linger on his face. Studying him, acutely aware of herself in the space. Perhaps that awareness is why she moves the way she does— Kiriko making each step silken. “Thank you for keeping me safe.” She speaks quietly when the words finally come, a breath away from Hattori.