Kaisel
A swell of joy rises so suddenly in response to Koa's words that for a moment Kaisel's footsteps feel too light to be natural. Gravity vanishes for a few strides, and his feet feel separate from him with the way the road turns into clouds. "Thanks," he beams in response, hands fitting together behind his head with a carefree nature as they go. "That means a lot cuz." He has always been afraid to be considered a disappointment to any member of his family, and while he still struggles to fall in line with all their expectations and ideals, his ultimate goal is to do them all proud.
Koa has always seemed like the golden boy, and while Kaisel has never really had hope of achieving the same, he's ever tried to mimic the patterns of success Koa found. It's been a bit of a freefall breaking out of the mold even more, but he's let his heart guide him like a sail caught in the wind. He has always struggled to accomplish what Koa has, because he is not Koa. Finally being able to trust more in his own direction has made certain things easier. It's also made other things considerably more difficult, but Kaisel has rarely shied away from a challenge. This sort, the one that doesn't keep making his chest ache with an unease he can't shake, is much more manageable than all the slightly suffocating versions of before. The hairtie on his wrist presses in with a continuous presence, and it's that very one that has made the flip of his world feel like it's finally gone rightside up, however upsidedown it might look to his kin.
The offer Koa gives, threaded with the permanence of a promise, loosens the knot of worry still trying to braid itself around Kaisel. One of those newly difficult challenges. The grateful nod then turns into a belly laugh, deep with happiness and edged with only the faintest flicker of nerves. Suddenly, the hairtie on his wrist feels like it's biting. "YEAH, exactly!" he crows out, squirming away from Koa's attack for a moment before leaning back in and returning fire with a knock of his own elbow towards the back of Koa's head, his still angled out like wings where his hands hold each other behind his head. He hopes to bury the flare of guilt at hiding something more from Koa by turning into familiar habits and motions.
Softer then, trying to parcel out what truths he can, Kaisel exhales steadily. "It's gonna be soon, that I ask her, so I hope you have a suit that fits you." He glances sidelong at Koa, trying to measure how wounding that had been. "I don't wanna do it without you," he admits, quieter still. It's a boy's voice that says it, asking his braver, stronger, better older cousin to be there with him on a very important day.
Rolling his shoulders back suddenly in his own version of trying to shed this heavy cape they keep donning, he tilts into what he assumes will be a much easier and safer topic. "Soooo, you and Soh?"
Koa has always seemed like the golden boy, and while Kaisel has never really had hope of achieving the same, he's ever tried to mimic the patterns of success Koa found. It's been a bit of a freefall breaking out of the mold even more, but he's let his heart guide him like a sail caught in the wind. He has always struggled to accomplish what Koa has, because he is not Koa. Finally being able to trust more in his own direction has made certain things easier. It's also made other things considerably more difficult, but Kaisel has rarely shied away from a challenge. This sort, the one that doesn't keep making his chest ache with an unease he can't shake, is much more manageable than all the slightly suffocating versions of before. The hairtie on his wrist presses in with a continuous presence, and it's that very one that has made the flip of his world feel like it's finally gone rightside up, however upsidedown it might look to his kin.
The offer Koa gives, threaded with the permanence of a promise, loosens the knot of worry still trying to braid itself around Kaisel. One of those newly difficult challenges. The grateful nod then turns into a belly laugh, deep with happiness and edged with only the faintest flicker of nerves. Suddenly, the hairtie on his wrist feels like it's biting. "YEAH, exactly!" he crows out, squirming away from Koa's attack for a moment before leaning back in and returning fire with a knock of his own elbow towards the back of Koa's head, his still angled out like wings where his hands hold each other behind his head. He hopes to bury the flare of guilt at hiding something more from Koa by turning into familiar habits and motions.
Softer then, trying to parcel out what truths he can, Kaisel exhales steadily. "It's gonna be soon, that I ask her, so I hope you have a suit that fits you." He glances sidelong at Koa, trying to measure how wounding that had been. "I don't wanna do it without you," he admits, quieter still. It's a boy's voice that says it, asking his braver, stronger, better older cousin to be there with him on a very important day.
Rolling his shoulders back suddenly in his own version of trying to shed this heavy cape they keep donning, he tilts into what he assumes will be a much easier and safer topic. "Soooo, you and Soh?"
You was talkin' shit in the beginning
Back when I was feelin' more forgivin'
I know it piss you off to see me winnin'
Back when I was feelin' more forgivin'
I know it piss you off to see me winnin'
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
