Stop Running. Ken x Reader

       Sitting on the very edge of your seat, you clutched the armrests and stared at the screen unblinking. The final moments of the movie were about to unfold and you couldn't believe what you were seeing. Even more invested in the movie than you were, Ken suddenly grabbed your hand without realizing it. His mouth was slightly open and his whole body was stiff. He looked like he might very well jump out of his skin at any moment. As the sound of explosions and gunfire echoed through the theater, Ken whispered two words in amazement. “No way.” A flash of light covered the screen, and as it faded, the credits rolled. “They ended the movie on a cliffhanger.”

Ken sounded absolutely devastated. After waiting so long for this movie, it had ended leaving more questions than answers. Squeezing his hand, which was still tightly entwined with yours, you tried to look on the bright side. “I guess that means they'll be making another movie then.”

Only now realizing that he was holding your hand, Ken started to blush. Not sure what else to do, he awkwardly  placed it back in his lap. “Y-yeah, but we should wait for the credits to finish, just in case.”

“Good thinking.” The two of you waited eagerly for something important to happen after the credits finished, but there was nothing. With the screen now black, the lights lining the walls of the theater slowly brightened. At this point, the only two people remaining in the room, were you and Ken. “I guess they didn't want to risk spoiling the next movie.”

“I guess.” Finally standing from his seat, Ken reached his hands towards the sky and stretched. As he did this, he noticed that the two of you were completely alone. There wasn't even a single employee left in the room. Surprised by this, he quickly glanced around just to make sure he hadn't overlooked someone. “Everyone else left?”

“Yup.” You nodded. “I think most people left as soon as the credits started. They must not be true Featherman R. fans like you are.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” Blushing again, Ken started to make his way out of the theater. Now that the movie was over, he wasn't really sure what to do. He could have just walked you back home, but he wasn't ready for you to leave. After all, the two of you hadn't really spoken while watching a movie, so it could hardly be called spending time together. Ken would simply have to figure something out, and soon. Realizing he had been thinking in silence for quite some time now, Ken cleared his throat. “That movie was pretty good.”

“Pretty good?” He had to be joking. That movie had been one of the best you'd ever seen. Even if it had ended in a less than ideal way, there was no chance that Ken only thought it was “pretty good”. His feigned lack of interest was probably just an attempt to make himself sound more grown up. “I thought it was amazing. I'm really glad you took me.”

Though he didn't look at you, a wide smile mushroomed over Ken's face. “I'm glad I did too.”

“Why don't we go back to my house for a little while?” Just as reluctant for your time together to end as he was, you had made the suggestion before you thought things through. Afraid you might have sounded desperate, you quickly came up with an excuse for inviting him over. “All that action made me super hungry. And I think there's some leftover pie hiding somewhere in the kitchen.”

Honestly glad you had come up with a plan, Ken wasted no time agreeing to it. “Okay, let's.”

“I was hoping you'd say that.” Taking his hand in yours, you gave him a little tug in the direction of your home. You knew he knew the way, so he didn't need you to lead him there. Still, this was a good excuse to hold his hand. For the next ten or so minutes it took to get to your house, Ken remained perfectly silent. Judging by the look on his face, he was deep in thought. About what, you had no idea. As your home came into view, you broke the silence. “I half expected Koromaru to be waiting for us.”

Looking a bit more relaxed than he had before, Ken nodded. “Yeah, me too. He follows you around almost as much as he does me.”

“I wouldn't go that far.” Giggling at his exaggeration, you opened the door and stepped inside. “Make yourself at home. I'll try to find that pie.”

“Okay.” Despite what you'd said, Ken followed you into the kitchen. He looked completely lost and out of his comfort zone. Unsure what to do in this situation, he took a seat at the table and stared down at the floor while you searched.

“Loosen up Ken.” Pie already in hand, you placed a large piece directly in front of him and gently kissed his flushed cheek. “You looked panicked.”

“I'm not panicked.” Eager to have something to occupy his hands, Ken began shoveling the dessert into his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in months. He was eating so fast, you doubted he even knew what type of pie he was eating. There was just no way he could taste something when he wasn't even bothering to chew. “I'm just thinking.”

“Oh, I see.” You knew full well that he was lying, but you decided to just go along with it. If he was nervous, for whatever reason, you pointing it out wasn't going to help the situation. “I was going to suggest we finish eating in my room, but it looks like you're already just about done.” A bit amazed that his plate was already empty, minus a few crumbs, you chuckled. “I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat anything so fast in my life. You must have been seriously hungry.”

Mouth full of pie, Ken swallowed so suddenly that he almost choked. “Your room?” Apparently, those words were the only ones he had heard you say.

“Yeah.” You nodded. “I've got a TV and a game system in there.” Confused by his wide eyed, red faced expression, you continued to explain. “I thought you might want to play a few rounds of something before you had to leave.”

“Oh, right. I see.” Quickly standing to his feet, Ken placed his dirty dishes in the sink. You could tell by the way he was carrying himself that he wouldn't be standing there much longer. “I-I'd like to do that, but I just remembered that I have somewhere I've got to be.”

You knew it was another lie, he was just running away because he was embarrassed. You thought about stopping him, but you simply couldn't make yourself do it. “Oh, okay.” Before he had a chance to leave, you stood up and tightly wrapped your arms around him. “You can't leave until you hug me back though..”

“I can do that.” Ken was blushing so badly he could have been used as a portable space heater. Still, he managed to return your hug with only a minimal amount of hesitation. Despite the slight bit of hesitation, his hug was tight and heartfelt, not to mention absolutely adorable.

“Good.” Giving him one last squeeze, you reluctantly lowered your arms and took a stop back. You didn't want to let him go, but you knew if you held on any longer, you wouldn't have been able to stop yourself from kissing him again. One of these days, you weren't going to let him run away when things got too awkward for him to handle, but today wasn't that day. This one, last time you would let him leave, but next time he tried to do something like this, you would have a plan to keep him close. “I'll see you soon then.”

“Yeah, probably tomorrow actually.” He nodded, knowing all too well that for one reason or another he would end up spending time with you the very next day. Eyes turned away from you, Ken slowly shuffled his feet from side to side. “I-I'll call you tonight. If that's okay.”

“Of course it's okay. That is why I gave you my phone number after all.” Already look forward to his call, you started to smile. “I'll talk to you then.”

“Yeah, talk to you soon.” With a nod, Ken rushed off, not stopping until he had turned a corner and was no longer in your line of sight. Feeling he was now safe, Ken slowed down almost to a halt. “First she kisses me, then she invites me into her room. I don't understand girls at all.” Brows pressed together, creating a worried expression, Ken sighed. “I've got to talk to Junpei about this.”