Rating: K

N — Nicknames

This fic is set after S1E5

Rapidly tapping the buttons of the game, Raimundo focused on completing level twenty-seven of Goo Zombies Two.

Omi had left him alone just half an hour ago, no doubt moping from his failed attempt to uncover his studies. How they believed he was studying after the day he had was beyond him. Raimundo would get back to it another day, tonight, however, was game night.

"I wondered where that had gotten to,"

"Ay girl!" Raimundo jumped, his chair falling to the ground as he clutched the table with one hand, the game still in the other. "You trying to give a guy a heart attack?"

Kimiko tried to hide the chuckle, crossing her arms as she watched with a smirk.

"Very important studies I see, Raimundo,"

Smiling sarcastically at the girl, the young man reached for his chair, repositioning it before taking his seat.

"I was taking a break,"

"Sure you were," Kimiko drawled, leaning against the table. "Raimundo just so happened to be taking a break as I came in,"

He flashed her his signature grin while a hand brushed through his hair. "See, she gets it,"

"How long are you wanting it before I can continue?"

"I get a choice?"

"Don't push it, Raimundo—"

"Why do you always call me that?"

Kimiko blinked, confused by the sudden question. "Why do I call you your name?"

"Back home nobody called me Raimundo, other than some of my family, or introducing myself to people I don't know. It's weird hearing it constantly,"

Humming her understanding, Kimiko thought to herself for a moment, questioning, "What would you rather be called?"

She couldn't help but copy the genuine smile which appeared on his face, being so used to the standard smirk of his.

"Rai. That's what everyone called me,"

"Okay, Rai," she tested the nickname. While slightly strange she couldn't help but think how right it was for him.

Smiling at her response, the two fell into a comfortable silence, each with a thought in their own mind.

"Kim,"

Raimundo looked back to Kimiko, hoping his reaction would urge her to continue.

"Friends — well, Keiko, she calls me Kim sometimes," she paused, as if considering continuing or not. "On the rarer occasion, I get called Kimi,"

Her sudden shyness of names was endearing. Raimundo didn't know much about Japanese culture, but he did remember Kimiko once explain to them that being on a first name basis was something that friends did. Maybe nicknames were also the same?

A need to bring her from her shyness rose within his gut. Urging him to continue the conversation. "Can I ask you something?"

Meeting his gaze, she answered with a soft smile. "Sure,"

"During the Showdown, did you shout for me when I fell?"

Her flushed cheeks didn't go unnoticed as Kimiko averted her gaze, instead focusing on the doorway.

"It's not every day you see a friend fall from any height into water,"

"Even though I barely landed in the water," he quickly added.

"We didn't know that," her voice barely audible.

Turning his head, he looked around the small room, smiling to himself at his desired object.

"Kim," he waited for her to look at him before continuing. "Why don't you grab that chair? I'm stuck on this level,"

Kimiko simply smiled in response, moving for the chair she rested it next to Raimundo, joining him at the table.

"What's the level?"

"Twenty-seven."

"I made it to thirty-three on my save, Shen Gong Wu interrupted the rest of my potential progress,"

A chuckle fell from Raimundo's lips. "Oh, how dare you be made to watch me fight an incredibly awesome battle,"

"Exactly. It's just rude if you ask me, a girl has to get in her hours of gaming,"

"Here," he passed her the game, grinning at her wit. Happily watching her attempt the level which had held him hostage for long enough.

Kim and Rai. Yeah, that was something he could definitely get used to.

AN: I'm launching my debut novel this year! I'll be sure to leave updates when I have an official release date!

Also, I don't think Kimiko is ever referred to as 'Kimi' in the show, but she is in my fics hence the addition.

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