trying to be human

however, once the two of you are alone, his restraint dissolves. away from watchful eyes, kite proves to be remarkably the sweetest gentleman ever - kisses, cuddles, anything that brings you contentment.

he also enjoys sketching comparisons between you and animals - often depicting the two of you as elegant swans gliding together.

⸝⸝ b = best friend (what would they be like as a best friend ? how would the friendship start ?)

as a best friend, the bond between you is not overtly affectionate, but kite definitely has a soft spot for you. (though he would promptly flick your forehead if you ever dared to say so aloud) your friendship exists in that peculiar space between daily bickering and a loyalty he rarely gives anyone else.

it traces back to your childhood, when you two happened to run into each other one day. once you discovered your shared interest in animals (or maybe because you kept trailing after that quiet boy), the connection came naturally. after that, sticking together just kind of. . . happened.

⸝⸝ c = cuddles (do they like to cuddle ? how would they cuddle ?)

yes. he absolutely loves it. if his job didn’t keep him constantly on the move, kite would happily spend every spare minute melting into your calefacient embrace.

he’s also surprisingly good at cuddling. his sensitivity to aura makes him attentive to your needs - whether that means absentmindedly playing with your hair, holding you close as the big spoon, or reassurance after a particularly hard day. 10/10 cuddler.

⸝⸝ d = domestic (do they want to settle down ? how are they at cooking and cleaning ?)

this man is absolutely husband material, no debate. although he wasn’t great at domestic stuff growing up, kite’s a fast learner when he puts his mind to it.

moments spent doing simple things together - cooking, cleaning, just existing in the same space - are some of the nicest ones. though, of course, he’s still a man constantly tied to his work. unfortunate, really.

at least the cooking helps make up for it. maybe.

⸝⸝ e = ending (if they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it ?)

very badly.

if he ever ends up with someone, it means that person reached the deepest place within him - one he holds in the most sacred and treasured place in his heart. a bond so precious he’d abandon everything else without a second thought.

as such, he would not end it unless he had absolutely no choice, particularly if remaining together would merely cause harm to you.

if it ever came to that, the loss would weigh on him for years. he would carry the melancholy and longing on his own, with little inclination to accept another relationship afterward.

⸝⸝ f = fiance(e) (how do they feel about commitment ? how quick would they want to get married ?)

a great deal of time. kite would need considerable time before reaching such a decision. even while dating, marriage is something he has rarely - if ever - seriously considered throughout his life. his hesitation comes mainly from nervousness rather than doubt.

still, he genuinely looks forward to a future with you - the man simply needs time to arrive at that commitment in his own way.

⸝⸝ g = gentle (how gentle are they, both physically and emotionally ?)

is that even a question? kite pours every bit of tenderness he’s capable of into you, both physically and emotionally as though the gentleness absent from his usual stoic demeanor finally has a place to exist.

pretty much self-explanatory.

⸝⸝ h = hugs (do they like hugs ? how often do they do it ? what are their hugs like ?)

if it’s you, then yes.

kite generally follows your comfort with affection. if you enjoy frequent hugs, you’ll likely find yourselves embracing throughout the day; if you prefer less physical contact, he respects that just as easily. the only drawback is that he rarely initiates them himself - more often, you would be the one to start.

his hugs, in simple terms, feel safe. even if they are not particularly warm physically, they carry solacing reassurance - like being somewhere no harm can reach you.

⸝⸝ i = i love you (how fast do they say the i-word ?)

like i said, kite is a nervous one (to you, that is), so expressing something that significant doesn’t come easily to him. unless the moment is forced by circumstance - such as a life-threatening situation - or you say it first, it may take quite some time. part of him quietly doubts whether he truly deserves you, which only makes the words harder to say.

when he finally does say them though, the moment tends to fall somewhere between awkward and unexpectedly sincere. kite is a simple man in many ways, but a confession is not something he could ever handle half-assly, now can he ?

⸝⸝ j = jealousy (how jealous do they get ? what do they do when they’re jealous ?)

i don’t think kite is not the type to become jealous easily. perhaps around a 2/10 at most.

he places genuine trust in the person he loves, so jealousy is not something that arises often. he is also mature enough to recognize harmless teasing or jokes and would not allow himself to be baited by them.

that said, a 2/10 does not mean never. if someone grows a little too familiar or overly touchy with you, kite will notice. his reaction may be wordless, but the subtle tension in his demeanor makes it clear that the situation has not gone entirely unnoticed.

⸝⸝ k = kisses (what are their kisses like ? where do they like to kiss you ? where do they like to be kissed ?)

kite’s kisses are soft and full of admiration. he especially favors kissing the side of your forehead and on your knuckles - places that feel natural to him and allow him to show his adoration without growing too flustered.

he would appreciate it if you returned the gesture in the same places (or perhaps on his cheeks). kisses on the lips - though he does love them - tend to feel. . . more distracting than he would ever openly admit.

⸝⸝ l = little ones (how are they around children ?)

with his naturally stern and distant demeanor, kite is not someone children usually approach easily, nor does he make much effort to appear especially friendly.

however, he does not truly dislike children. beneath that reserved exterior, kite is remarkably patient - and quietly compassionate, especially toward those who have little or nothing to rely on.

rather than ‘coddling’ them, he would slowly and subtly teach them how to stand on their own - how to fend for themselves, how to read people’s true intentions, how to navigate a world that is not always kind.

in short, he is not someone children would naturally gravitate toward - no “fun,” by their standards - but someone they would come to respect, and perhaps, in time, trust.

⸝⸝ m = morning (how are mornings spent with them ?)

kite is something of a mix between an early bird and a night owl; his schedule can be unholy, though he often wakes fairly early due to the nature of his work as an ecologist.

he is not the type to wake you unnecessarily unless both of you must be up for the day - more often, he would quietly watch you for a moment, place a gentle kiss on your forehead, and go about his routine.

if you happen to wake around the same time, he would likely prepare coffee and a simple breakfast while the two of you share occasional conversation as you eat.

⸝⸝ n = night (how are nights spent with them ?)

as mentioned earlier, his routine is largely unpredictable - some nights he turns in early, while others stretch well into the early hours of the morning.

when he happens to be working through paperwork, he often prefers having you close beside him, or resting on his lap - one hand absentmindedly strokes your hair or cups your cheek while he continues working.

and if he returns from work after you have already fallen asleep, he would simply lie down beside you, murmuring a few soft words accompanied by a quiet sigh of exhaustion as he pulls you into a gentle embrace.

as for sleep, i firmly believe kite is an exceptionally silent sleeper. there is hardly any movement or sound at all to the point that one might almost forget he is there - even while he lies right beside you. whether that is comforting or not is up to you.

⸝⸝ o = open (when would they start revealing things about themselves ? do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly ?)

kite values transparency in a relationship and it helps that by the time feelings are confessed, you would likely already know him well through the companionship and genuine trust you share.

in general, he can be fairly open. nevertheless, certain parts of himself - his thoughts, goals, feelings - would still be revealed little by little rather than all at once.

it is less a matter of secrecy and more a matter of habit. he simply finds it more natural to show who he is through his actions rather than words.

⸝⸝ p = patience (how easily angered are they ?)

i’d say around a 5/10. from what’s shown, kite isn’t particularly good at controlling his emotions - especially when it comes to what he values, which in this case is you.

while he can stay relatively calm most of the time, once your safety is involved, do not expect to walk away without at least some distance forming between you - or, at worst, an argument.

⸝⸝ q = quirks (unique little habits or oddities they have that make them them ?)

he tends to fix your gear very frequently - be it your tie, coat, or anything slightly out of place (read: within his sight). emphasis on very. it happens so often he can be discussing a plan with his teammates while absentmindedly adjusting your collar without even sparing a glance, and somehow it still ends up perfectly in place.

kite also has a fondness for seeing you wear his hat - the one that’s been with him for as long as anyone can remember; which, in his own way, reflects how much you mean to him without a single word said. though, sometimes it’s not always that deep - sometimes he simply likes seeing you with something of his.

⸝⸝ r = reunion (how would they act or feel after reunite with you after time apart ?)

kite is a man devoted to his work, so physical distance is almost inevitable - unless you happen to be part of his research team.

even so, you are rarely far from his mind. he thinks of you more often than he lets on, quietly holding onto that sense of longing - your presence, your touch, the familiarity of you.

and when that period of distance finally comes to an end, he returns with small souvenirs he believes you would like, along with a handful of fascinating stories to share.

not overly expressive, but there’s a certain softness in the way he - before anything else - is already reaching out, adjusting something on you like he always does.

⸝⸝ s = security (how protective are they physically, emotionally, or socially ? how do they react to threats ?)

kite can handle flirts, jokes, and similar things just fine; but threats are an entirely different matter - especially when you are the one being targeted. the moment that line is crossed, his demeanor hardens; whatever warmth he had fades, replaced by a sinister edge that makes him all the more intimidating; regardless of how harmless the threat may seem.

physically, he’s highly protective - especially when it comes to those he values. he positions himself without drawing attention to it, placing you just out of harm’s way while keeping his focus forward.

emotionally, though his care is more restrained, he keeps a close watch - not fussing or making a spectacle of it; it simply isn’t his language - and remains present, prepared to anchor you when it truly matters. kite isn’t a man of many words, but he understands when his presence alone is what you need to make up for what he cannot voice.

socially, whether you’re truly overwhelmed or not, he’s already stepping in - either shutting it down or handling it himself on your behalf. even if he misses it at first, he has a keen enough eye to pick up on the subtle signs and adjust accordingly.

⸝⸝ t = trust (how easily do they trust someone ? do they test loyalty or believe instantly ?)

he is anything but a naive fool. as an experienced hunter, trust is not something he gives so easily - it takes time to build, and the same can be said for loyalty. kite would test both from time to time, whether through decisions, actions, or circumstances meant to reveal one’s true nature.

⸝⸝ u = unencumbered (what helps them relax ?)

you. simply you. your presence alone is enough to ease the weight he carries. and if your smile or laughter joins in, it becomes a sweet bonus - the two of you speaking idly of your days while he sits there, inconspicuously taking in the sound of your voice like a melody he could listen to forever.

⸝⸝ v = vulnerability (how do they feel about being vulnerable in front of you ? do they let their guard down ?)

yes, he does. kite doesn’t hand his softer side to just anyone, and he wouldn’t choose a relationship without a great deal of trust already in place. once you have reached that point, however, the walls are no longer as firm with you.

⸝⸝ w = wildcard (a random headcanon for the character ?)

if he could, he’d pat every animal he came across. after all, a large part of why he became a biologist of sorts was his fondness for them, wasn’t it?

but since not every creature is exactly pettable, that habit has slowly transferred onto you - whether he means to or not. a hand through your hair, a brief cup of your cheek, a scratch beneath your chin, and so on.

⸝⸝ x = xray (how easily can they read your feelings or intentions ? how transparent are they themselves ?)

i’d say you are both quite easy and somewhat difficult for him to read at the same time. the latter applies more to the trivial things - small bouts of mischievousness, fleeting moods, and the like. he’s far more accustomed to serious matters, not those casual little shifts where he can simply put his unease to rest.

⸝⸝ y = yes (how likely are they to indulge your requests ?)

it depends.

if the matter is important, then he’ll undoubtedly take it on with the best of his abilities. if it’s more trivial, then he may need a moment to consider.

ironically enough, however, considering the soft spot he has for you - and you alone - the answer would still most likely be yes in the majority of cases.

⸝⸝ z = zzz (do they fall asleep easily ? what are their sleeping habits like ?)

unfortunately, as you may have gathered from certain letters above, kite’s rather terrible when it comes to sleep. stubborn enough to treat rest as though it were some sworn enemy of his own (he’s simply too tied up with reports, documents and work in general to stop)

if he does manage to sleep, it’s rarely in one proper stretch. more often, it comes in shorter intervals - a polyphasic sort of pattern. inconvenient, perhaps, but one that feels ingrained in him - likely shaped by the life he has lived.

He always wanted his smile to be blinding, especially in this dark expanse, so that anyone would think he was a beacon of light, even though he's nothing short of a wildfire that would burn the person's skin away.

But as he swung his legs to the side of the bed, the world tilted ever so slightly. A physical weakness Paris hated about himself, but he was happy to make the trade. As long as it was the stress of being the Vice-Chairman of the Association making him gulp down the pills, oh, he'd swallow them with a perfect smile on his face.

But even Paris knew. This cannot continue for long. He'd been running on fumes. Three more pro-hunter disappearances. Orchestrated by him, obviously.

The stress of smiling and scheming all day while maintaining his Temp-Hunter Agency under the shadows of manipulation and gaslighting had finally caught up to him. 

He played in his mind the schedule he'd prepared for the day. Events, meetings, briefings, takeovers, minor annoyances to Cheadle and whatnot. He arranged every agenda to it's nuances. Like a man obsessed.

His schedule is what he lived for. His smile is what he manipulated with.

 He'd lived his life weaving webs of lies and deception. To spin the web further until he could feel the unadulterated hate of each and every Zodiac directed towards him.

And he was perfectly content with playing along the role of the 'most hated man in the association'.

Until the duvets beside him rustled. 

And suddenly 'hate' was a very strong word.

 He dropped his smile. The 'Rat' persona dissolving under a crinkle in his eyes and a warm lilt to his voice. A warmth fuelled entirely by the shifting of a body under the blankets, a soft sound against the pillows.

"...Paris?" There it was. He was undone by a single sleepy mumble of his name. The lies he was spinning in his head and the 'schedule' he was obsessing over, suddenly appeared like smoke in the corner of his mind. 

He reached out, intending to brush the stray strand of hair sticking to your cheek. But he couldn't bring himself to. Instead, he settled for smoothing a non-existent wrinkle on the duvet.

"Yes, ?" his voice lost all the predatory menace he usually possessed in the Zodiac meetings. Instead, it was a smooth, airy velvet that made a blush creep up your neck. But it was quickly replaced by a panic in your eyes as she figured out where you were.

"Oh, oh God, Paris! I didn't mean to-- I mean--" Realization cut through your sleepy haze. You'd fallen asleep on his bed. Pariston Hill's bed. On an impromptu movie night with too-much popcorn. You were practically tangled with the duvets. Tangled with him. 

"Is that my 'good morning'?" Pariston chuckled, pulling you closer by the waist until there was barely any space left between his body and yours. Your cheeks flaring a bright crimson as you adjusted in his embrace. "it's a bit chaotic one for 6 a.m. don't you think?"

He looked at your flushed cheeks and wide eyes, the way this was completely new for you. For a second, his 'Rat' mask flickered, almost ecstatic at the idea of making you uncomfortable enough to hate him. The sensation was the most familiar thing to him after all. Even in the sanctuary of his bedroom with his lover, he almost wanted to be hated, like a  sickening knee-jerk reflex. 

It was only thing that made him what he was anyway. Hate.

But the seed of hate in his mind was buried by a soft contact at the corner of his mouth. Shy, hesitant, almost testing in nature. You.

He snapped out of the wicked expanse of his mind. Just to find you leaning up against his chest to press another shy kiss to his cheek. Your cheeks a shade of dusty rose that made his heart ache with the sickening chain of truth. If only she knew,  he thought wearily, what he really was.

"Morning, now, happy?" your fingers found the soft gold strands of his hair. smoothing the golden halo made erratic from sleep. "You're thinking too much again, Pari, you had that look on your face... " Your fingers travelled deeper down into his his hair. The silken strands pooling around your touch. You felt the man you loved relax under it.

Pariston's eyes fluttered shut. His hands coming up to rest against your waist, tracing small, unconscious circles through your nightdress. He had three political careers to dismantle, a stamped memo to misplace, more chimera-ant cocoons to smuggle into the Black Whale and a very angry Ging Freecss to 'handle'.

Yet, as he lay there on the soft mattress, with your nails scratching lightly against his scalp, he didn't feel the familiar feeling of wanting to be the subject of vile loathing to someone else. In this moment, he almost, almost allowed himself the luxury of merely holding you without feeling the incessant need to destroy what he loved.

Almost against every thing he stood for, he snagged his arms around your waist. Earning a soft gasp from you as he brought you into a crushing embrace under the duvets. He needed your warmth, the kindness you had- which was his only tether to his world of lies and manipulation and dirty politics.

"Stay...? just for five more minutes?" Pariston almost didn't recognize his own voice. It sounded like a demon hopelessly in love with an angel.

But as you settled more into him, and he buried his face into the crook of your neck, he inhaled the floral scent of your shampoo and the lingering citrus of his cologne, he wasn't thinking about the Elections at all.

And for the first time, he didn't want the person in front of  him to hate him.

He was just memorising the feel of you in his arms. He was in love. He knew he had to board the Whale. Had to go on a likely suicide expedition to The Dark Continent. Where nature and politics would weave a net of lies so complex for him that he could not bear to think of it at all. He only tightened his hold on you.

He didn't want to go. He didn't want to let you go. He  couldn't bear to watch your face when he told you he'd be gone for  God knows how long.

He nuzzled into your hair. A single tear he'd never admit to shedding- tracking it's way down his cheek, setting into a dark spot on your nightdress.

He wept silently. He was afraid that if he made a single sound, the weight of his world would come crashing down on their fragile peace.

Peace. However fragile or borrowed it may be. 

But the bill was due on Pariston. And with each tick on the clock, his reckoning inched closer. Threatening to singe whatever pieces of his mind that made him love you. Made him capable of love at all, however twisted or broken he may have been. It doesn't matter.

He only closed his eyes harder, pulled the duvets to cover both of their bodies entirely. As if the world he helped twist and break were so easy to shut out. 

In the dim light of comfort under the duvets, he finally exhaled. 

"Stay forever, love" he whispered. It fell on your sleeping ears. 

But you heard what he followed the words with. "please".  almost a broken whisper.

You dreamt of Pariston and yourself, having a picnic under a weeping willow. The sunlight perfect on his golden-halo hair. 

Perfect.

Pariston shed his tears in silence. Mourning a future where he'd never get to plan the ceremony where you'd wear white and he'd slide the ring on your finger.

Perfectly broken.

"Stay forever, love"

Just this once...please...