title; distraction tactics
summary; his defeat is tragic.
pairing; nigel x kuki.
words; 289
The radio is blaring somewhere in the background. It's been turned into one of those mainstream music stations with a love affair for the upbeat pop or the tepid breakup song. At the moment, Nigel decides, it's the former as he watches Kuki gyrate and bounce in her seat to the lyrics.
The playing pieces from the chess game they've been at for an hour wobble.
Nigel sighs, pushing his dark glasses further up his nose. "Kuki," he starts when she bumps the table with her hip and sends a knight toppling to the floor. "Are you even still playing?"
The Japanese girl grins at him when he bends to pluck the fallen piece from the carpet. If this had been two years ago, the gesture would have twisted his insides. But it doesn't, and won't because –
"Checkmate."
The dark glasses slide down his nose and face to hang comically from his ears. "What?" he asks, eyes wide.
Kuki just smiles, again, all shiny white teeth and delighted flush. Nigel stands from his seat to take in the glass board better, scanning the mixed playing pieces of black-and-white kings, queens, pawns, and knights. His defeat is obvious, blatant, and, honestly, rather embarrassing.
His opponent, Kuki, of all people, giggles at his confusion.
"How?" Nigel breathes, collapsing into his chair.
The Japanese girl dances around the table with a silly shimmy before pressing her lips to Nigel's forehead. She chuckles at the blush that quickly floods his cheeks. "You were to busy watching me to really notice," she coos.
Nigel splutters a denial.
a/n:
look, I live~!
I haven't written 1/3 is forever. It was nice to revisit Nigel.
this was originally posted to my tumblr.
- kati.