For a few quiet seconds, it looked as though Kai would hide from her again. It was habit at this point. The emotionless mask fell into place, his eyes hardened, then...the shifter sighed, plodding over to sit next to Cherry on the couch and rest his head on her shoulder.<br/>Damn the fact that they hadn't been this close in years. She'd seen him vulnerable before, one more time wasn't going to hurt. "I don't have a handle on shit, Cherry. Never did. Know how to pull triggers and change my face, but that's it." The admission was easier than he'd thought it would be. He supposed it was because it was simple truth. Kai couldn't remember a time in his life where he'd felt as though he had a handle on things. There were illusions of control, of safety and routine, to make him and everyone believe he could take care of things, but...<br/>Kai pondered over her question. Again he hesitated, considering every lie he could tell her before being truthful. He almost laughed. Finally, someone he didn't have to lie to, and he'd already missed his chance to be with her.<br/>"I don't know." That was the truth. It had to be, because Kai had no other answer to give. "She's a good driver, good fighting instincts, now she's a vampire thanks to you. Ugh." The shifter drew out the noise of frustration, scooting slightly further away from her so he could comfortably lay his head in her lap. "I don't know why, really."<br/>He'd missed this. The quiet nights talking in his room at PM with the lights dimmed, days spent with Cherry's Coven and the good-natured ribbing they always got for Cherry bringing a "human" into their private space. Murmured promises in the dark they both knew they couldn't keep. It hadn't mattered then. Just that the promises were made.<br/>Whatever had driven them apart seemed inconsequential and irrelevant to Kai at the moment. There was only the feel of her soft breathing, the smell of her all around him, and those crimson eyes that drowned him whenever they made contact with his. Not to mention her lips. Soft, full, kissable lips. Kai resisted the urge to pull her down for a kiss and complicate things further.<br/>He spoke softly instead. "I've missed you."