Chapter Text
It's a normal day at the dorm, you come back from school and you feel so drained. You head to your room, and Ken texts you.
"Come to my room, I need to ask you for a favor."
You'll never get used to his formal tone no matter how many times he sends you a message. You wish he could just loosen up a bit. Well, maybe he's just like that. After mentally preparing yourself and trying to make yourself not look tired, you head over and knock.
"Hey, can I come in?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
You enter and see he's lying in bed and he seems about as tired as you are, so you show your honest and tired expression too, poor kid. He then speaks up.
"It's been a long day for me, you too?"
You hesitate. I don't want to worry him... but I know he'll read right past me, you reply with a sigh.
"Yeah, super tiring."
"Well then... shall we go to bed?"
His words shock you. Did he really just say that? No, he definitely said it. You can't help but stay silent.
>BEEP BEEP BEEP<
Your alarm goes off, you quickly turn it off. You're blushing and your heart is slamming against your ribs. Why do you feel like this?
[5 days later]
You come back from exploring Tartarus, Ken was passed out after you had to helped him, the Minotaur would've crushed him if you didn't interfere. The team decided after that, that maybe it was time to return. You carry him to his room and set him down on his bed, his chest rises and falls slowly but as your hand is moving away he quickly grabs it.
"Mom... don't leave..."
He mumbles softly in his sleep, and your breath gets stuck in your throat. You have to say something, you don't wanna disturb his sleep but, he seems so distressed.
"Ken, it's just me"
You say it loudly enough to wake him up and he looks at you, puzzled.
"H-Huh where... what happened...?"
"When we were in Tartarus you almost got crushed and well... you passed out, I had to hold that things foot up until Junpei killed him."
My tone is comforting as I analyze his face, he's looking to the side, at the wall before quietly speaking, his voice a bit shaky.
"I almost... died...?"
Your heart breaks at this. He was so scared.
"Yeah... but it's fine, we have your back."
He smiles, then tears come out, he tries to hide them but you still see them as he speaks in a shaky tone.
"Thank you, I-I... I'm not ready to die yet, I need to avenge my mom and... him. I need to put an end to this."
You smile softly at his determination.
"I'll make sure you don't. Besides, I still want to taste the delicious coffee you make for everyone on Saturday mornings!"
You say the last part with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. It seems to have worked because he giggles softly... he's so cute. He then speaks.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anytime soon."
You look at him and see maybe something else is bothering him.
"Are you... okay?"
He looks a bit hesitant, but eventually tells me after about 15 seconds.
"I was dreaming about my mom I... I miss her. I know I can't do anything but I can't stop thinking about how much I..."
He starts sobbing a bit.
"I miss her so much...! When she'd make me breakfast before school, take me out, watch tv with me, help me with my homework."
You lightly wipe the quickly forming tears and look into his eyes.
"Hey, look at me, Ken."
His breath is still shaky and his body is trembling, he looks at me as you hold his face, it makes me blush.
"I know I'm not your mom and I never will be but... I want to do those things for you if you'd like?"
Your face is a bit unsure. What am I saying? You take your hands off his face and your thoughts get cut off as he stares at me with wide eyes and speaks.
"I... I think I'd like that. And I don't want to ask too much of you but... will you also cheer me on at soccer games and play video games with me?"
He chuckles softly, in an adorable way you can't keep your eyes off.
"I try to play with Junpei-San but he's a bit... too loud for me."
You can't help but grin widely as you gently hold his tiny hand in mine.
"I'd love to do all those things. You're my friend, and I'd do anything to help you."
He blushes a bit as he asks this next question.
"Then tonight will you... keep me company, I don't want to be alone. U-Uhm it's okay if you don't though!"
"H-Hey."
You gently squeeze his hand and look up at him warmly as you kneel at the edge of the bed.
"I'll do it."
He struggles to keep eye contact and scratches the back of his neck.
"O-Okay then... thank you."
Your warm gaze doesn't leave him as you get up, and you let go of his hand.
"Just let me change... I'll be right back."
"Th-That's fine."
You change into something more comfortable, and when you come back you see that he did too. You can't help but tackle him with a hug as he sits on the edge of the bed, making sure not to hurt him.
"W-Woah...!"
He exclaims as you do it, and we chuckle.
"Ahahah... sorry, sorry, couldn't resist."
"It's okay, just let me actually get comfortable for a bit"
You get off and let him adjust himself, he gets under the sheets and leaves a bit of the covers open and shyly speaks up.
"You coming in?"
You respond, snapping out of my trance, wondering if this is even real.
"O-Oh, yeah!"
After you get under with him, you two lie on our backs, staring at the ceiling for a bit. Both talking about school, and funny moments with the team, laughing. It's a Friday night, so staying up isn't exactly out of the question. After the sleep creeps up on you and ken there's a collective yawn, and it's agreed upon that it's time for bed.
"Ahaha, well that was fun! Thanks for the invitation, Ken! I'll go back to my room."
"W-Wait!"
As you were about to get up he grabs your arm.
"Y-Yes...?"
"Please stay..."
You chuckle a bit and smile, you notice his blush and you do as well.
"Uhm Ken, what do you mean? Isn't that a bit strange?"
He then pauses, looks away a bit, the hand gripping me sweats a bit. In a nervous tone, he speaks.
"I want to be with... you..."
Your eyes widen, but you shouldn't read into it too much.
"Ah, yeah... me too, you're my best friend y'know?"
"I didn't mean it like that!"
He looks you in the eyes, he seems a bit... worried so you speak in a gentle tone.
"W-What did you... mean then...?"
He's blushing, super red. Despite his nerves, he looks you straight in the eyes. The soft moonlight shining through the window really illuminates your eyes.
"I love you."
Your heart starts beating so quickly it might give a bullet train a hard time to keep up, you can barely compose yourself, but you gently hold his hand that's still gripping yours and look at him. Your voice then comes out, gentle and soft. Your want to protect him. You want to care for him.
"I love you too."
His gaze softens, he's a bit more confident.
"I want you to stay..."
"I'll stay."
You get back under the sheets with him, your arm lies across his belly and you lie your head on his chest. He wraps his little arm around your shoulders and you can feel his chest rise and fall, it's soothing. You hear his heartbeat and you can feel your own matching the rhythm of his.
"Goodnight... Ken..."
you softly say as you drift off, he kisses the top of your head responding sleepily.
"Goodnight..."