Your matesprite, Kankri, and you stood in the Prospit memory, Kankri ranting about Porrim as soon as she was out of earshot. Porrim had expressed distaste over the state of Kankri's sweater, to which Kankri retorted that it wasn't his idea towear the sweater in the first place, and that he would be perfectly fine without it, thank you very much, Porrim, and that he only wore it out of politeness. Porrim scoffed a bit when he mentioned "politeness". Porrim, giving a hearty sigh in response to Kankri's behavior, had left the memory. At the same time, you were wandering around, so Kankri waved you over so he could discuss the contents of his conversation with Porrim, or, more accurately, vent with your occasional input.
"And really," he ranted, "I don't see how it's any business of hers what I should wear. I was perfectly happy without the sweater. Just peachy, in fact. All right, I may have shivered occasionally, but really, I am perfectly capable dealing with such minor setbacks myself, instead of being coddled like an immature wiggler," he huffed.
He looked at you, and you quickly nodded in agreement. In truth, you thought Kankri did more than just shiver a little, it was almost comedic the extent to which shuddered in the cold, but Kankri seemed to regard this sort of admittedly minor suffering as almost a righteous act, and that Porrim's efforts were not only annoying, but an intentional, malicious effort to keep him from…maturing? ascending? You weren't sure, but damn if it Kankri didn't think it was blocking him from doing something.
"And really, not to insult Porrim's fashion sense, but this is the most uncomfortable sweater I've ever warn, though I have admittedly only worn this one sweater. Nevertheless, I doubt sweaters are supposed to be so scratchy and tight," he said, tugging at his collar as if to make a point, "Not to mention, and again, no offense to Porrim, rather ugly."
"Really?" you responded, "I think the sweater looks rather cute on you."
Upon hearing this, Kankri began to blush slightly, bright candy red betraying that he was flattered.
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"Well, red's such a good color on you," you replied, "And besides, it's your blood color, so it kind of defies homophobia for you to wear it so proudly, don't you think? I mean, being proud of something that so many see as a sign you need to be babied, or, on Alternia, actually killed...I think that's pretty cool of you!"
Kankri's blush deepened, and he hid part of bright red face under the collar of his sweater.
"Well, thank you dear," he said, "I…supposed I never thought about it that way. I still don't intend to thank Porrim for making it, as I loathe to give her the satisfaction-"
You let out a hearty sigh. He didn't notice.
"But perhaps I was thinking from, er… the wrong perspective regarding this sweater."
He pecked you on the cheek and gave you a genuine smile, a rare occurrence for the stonje-faced troll.
He turned his head suddenly.
"Oh my, there's Mituna. I suppose I better go over and talk to him, his vulgar language has been especially triggering as of late, and he should have someone watching over him in case he gets hurt."
Although you hadn't spent much time with Mituna, you knew he was capable of taking a lick or two when it came to extreme sports. Nevertheless, by the time you opened your mouth to say something, Kankri had already left.
Though not many enjoyed the company of the talkative troll, you enjoyed every moment you spent with him. Eternity couldn't be long enough.
You smiled.
He really did look cute in that sweater.