Dyson had his back to the rest of the kitchen when Kenzi approached. Although she moved silently, the second she'd stepped out of the bathroom her sent invaded his nose and he exhaled a breath Dyson hadn't even known he'd been holding.
Kenzi's presence calmed him physically, his posture relaxed and his breathing came easier, but inside him was a tidal wave. His wolf scratched and clawed at the walls of his subconscious fighting for control, and every one of his senses were on overdrive, all responding to the same signal- claim, mark, protect. If only she'd know the effect she had on him.
"Hey D-man, it cool if I raid your closet? Just so you know I'm only asking to be polite, I'm gonna do it anyway," She said.
"Yeah," He replied, still rummaging through his fridge. The closest thing Dyson had to something edible was a bottle of mustard a week past the expiration date. Mentally cursing himself, Dyson grabbed a Chinese take-out menu from the drawer where he usually threw them when he was too lazy to cook.
Menu in hand, Dyson walked out of his kitchen to Kenzi holding his gun, and miming firing it at the wall.
"Kenzi!" He shouted, causing her to jump and lose her balance. She clattered to the floor and so did his loaded gun.
"Jesus Wolfie! I swear you're going to send me to an early grave," Kenzi said glaring up at him. Her hair was soaking wet, and she had on one of his button up shirts, halfway buttoned like she got lazy in the middle of it.
Dyson covered his eyes with his hand and rubbed his temples. "Kenzi, didn't anyone ever teach you not to play with guns as a child?" he asked through clenched teeth. This girl would be the death of him.
"Huh. Nope. I think I ditched school the day they had that assembly," She replied, unfazed.
Dyson sat on the edge of his bed and sighed. She was like a five year old, easily distracted, easily entertained and in constant need of supervision. Kenzi crawled over to the bed and climbed up next to him. Her arms were bandage free again, and Dyson opened his mouth to scold her for it, but stopped himself when he saw her red-rimmed eyes.
Immediately his aggravation towards the tiny girl evaporated, and his expression softened. "Hey… C'mere," He whispered, pulling Kenzi into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. "What is it?" Dyson whispered in her ear, but Kenzi just shook her head.
Dyson felt his shoulder dampening and his arms automatically tightened around Kenzi. He leaned all the way back on the bed, and Kenzi shifted, allowing him to right himself on the bed. Once his head touched the pillow, he pulled her gently back down to his chest.
"You can tell me, you know," He whispered, watching silent tears stream down her face.
"It's just… when I left I thought I was leaving for good, and he shows up after ten years of me being free, and suddenly it's like I'm seven and locked in the closest for laughing too loud," Kenzi paused and sucked in a breath, her voice weak and gravely, "Or I'm nine and I didn't come up with a good enough excuse as to why there were bruises on my arm and that only brings more. Or I'm twelve, and he's drunk and my mom's not around and there's no one to stop him from…" She faltered, the tears streaming down her face faster. But she didn't need to continue, her next words were crystal clear and a growl rose deep in Dyson's chest. She was his. His human to love and protect, and no one got to touch her that way. She was supposed to feel safe and happy and not at all like this. That bastard should count his blessings he's dead. Kenzi was his and only his, and Dyson would've made that a lesson he'd never forget.
"Hey… Kenzi, look at me," He paused while she obliged, her eyes like moons against her face. The second she stopped crying Dyson swore to himself he was going to sit her down and make her eat enough to feed all of Asia. "You're safe. I'm not going to let him or anyone else come within fifty feet of you, ever again," he said fiercely, meaning every word. Kenzi watched him with wide eyes. Slowly, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.