“Che, General Tiedoll, we really don’t have time to be sitting out in the open like this to…draw,” Yu Kanda huffed, trying to keep his annoyance in check, although it was very difficult to do so. General Tiedoll merely hummed in reply.
“Oh, Kanda, you have to learn to take a break every now and again. It’s good for your health,” Tiedoll smiled to himself, hidden from Kanda’s line of sight, “And it’d help you to not look so sour all of the time.”
Kanda glared, grumbled, but did not spit back a retort, even though he thought his master’s philosophies were a waste of time. There was a war going on, after all, so he didn’t have the luxury of being able to “relax”. If you don’t want me to look so “sour”, Kanda thought bitterly to himself, Maybe you should stop being so careless with your hobbies.
“You have to learn to enjoy the little things in life, Kanda,” Tiedoll went on, the joking tone dropping from his voice. “You’ll be amazed how much your outlook on life will change once you can do that.”
Kanda’s scowl softened a bit in contemplation. What is that suppose to mean? He wondered, but did not ask, as he did not want to risk being talked down to, even though he knew his master would never purposely do that. He also didn’t want to risk seeing any glimpse of pity in the old man’s eyes, as he had seen before in his youth.
The more he thought about it, the bigger the picture became for Kanda. Sure, some may say he hated everything, but that wasn’t entirely true. There were some things he liked–even enjoyed. He liked soba a lot. He could appreciate an interesting flower when he came across one, though he kept that appreciation internalized. He liked being able to spend time outside after having been locked up in his childhood. He also liked–
“You know, Kanda, from that look on your face, maybe I was wrong to assume you did not enjoy the little things,” General Tiedoll abruptly spoke. “In fact, I’d even wager you are starting to enjoy the bigger things in life, too.”
“What are you talking about?” Kanda asked, annoyed at the cryptic comment.
“I can’t say for sure, but,” General Tiedoll stood, stretched out his sore muscles, and moved to stand in front of Kanda. “The look in your eyes…They have not always been that soft. I wonder, what were you thinking about just now? Ah, you don’t have to answer. I’m just happy to see that you’re happy.”
Kanda took a step back, eyes widening a fraction in surprise. He hadn’t realize his face had changed at all while he was thinking. General Tiedoll’s sudden comment through off Kanda’s train of thought, just as he was about to recall his time spent with you. Kanda’s eyes narrowed as his gaze fell to the ground. Did spending time with you make him happy? He wasn’t sure; he didn’t hate being around you, and preferred having you join him on missions than someone like Lavi or Moyashi.
“If I didn’t know any better,” Tiedoll spoke up once more while he gathered up his art supplies, now finished. “I would guess that you were in love. This old man can’t wait to see the day where his dear Kanda finds someone special!”
“Whatever,” Kanda mumbled under his breath, picking up their luggage and following after his master when he started down the dirt path. He didn’t think he was in love, but how could he be sure? He couldn’t remember what being in love felt like, other than painful. You didn’t make him feel pain, though, so was it really love? Or was he just letting the general’s words get into his head? Maybe so, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about you regularly for the rest of the day.
Toad's Cave 