Nia looked up to the night sky, wishing she could see the stars. Her parents had lived in the country when she was little, and she could remember watching the clear night sky from her bedroom window and trying to count the stars. Across from her Kid briefly wondered what had her captivated. The night sky was pretty, but the look on her face wasn't from being enraptured by beauty but rather one that a person would have if in pain. He crushed out his cigarette and called to her, "Hey Pip, let's head back in?"

Nia nodded her head a little as they turned and went back into the apartment. As soon as they had entered and closed the door, Cleo began weaving between their legs and meowing. Kid grinned as he knelt down and began petting the kitten. The tawny tabby purred loudly as she brushed against Kid. His smile grew as the feline flopped onto her side then shifted onto her back, gripping his hand between her front paws and lightly nipping at him.

"Hey," he cautioned, uncertain of what she was doing.

Nia glanced back before giggling a little and announcing, "she's giving you love bites."

"Oh yeah? She likes me that much, huh? Who'd have thought I'd earn the love of a kitty," Kid mused as he lightly tickled the kitten under her chin.

Nia giggled a little as she watched the two. She observed as he gave Cleo pets starting from the top of her head and moving all the way down to the end of her tail. She then stated to Kid, "you know we never played twenty questions… kind of a good thing because I realized what I was think of was more 'this or that'."

Well that he was all in on. The male shrugged his shoulders as he responded, "so shoot me a question."

"Red or black."

Kid froze, his shoulders slumped, and he shook his head while thinking, 'Sure hit with the big guns right outta the gate. Why not ask me if I prefer breathing or eating?'

He was silent for almost two minutes before decidedly answering, "Black."

He looked to her, "cats or dogs."

Nia's jaw dropped while she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. Kid smirked at her distress. If she was going to play hardball, he could match her.

"I don't know," she almost whined, biting her lower lip. Kid scooped Cleo up in his arms and looked at the feline as he teased, "you hear that? Your mommy doesn't know if she loves you more than a doggy."

"Hey! You didn't specify Cleo," Nia defended herself with mock rage.

Kid shot her a cheeky smirk while he cuddled the purring bundle of fur. Nia shrugged as she admitted, "in general I don't know but—obviously I love Cleo more than any other animal."

"Of course," Kid agreed. Cleo nuzzled into his neck, purring loudly. Nia's jaw dropped as she watched the two. She crossed her arms as she observed her cat loving on her best friend and grumbled, "furry little traitor."

Kid chuckled as he placed Cleo back on the floor. The feline launched herself off of the floor, landing on his shoulder. Nia's eyes grew wide when she saw the motion while adding, "case and point."

Kid shrugged his free shoulder before looking to Nia for the next question.

"Cabbage rolls or stuffed peppers?"

"Cabbage rolls," Kid instantly answered. He stood up, being mindful of the parrot cat on his shoulder. He almost blushed a little as he admitted, "Stuffed peppers are good too—but nothing tops cabbage rolls."

He looked to her and asked the same question, her immediate answer was, "stuffed peppers."

"Oh? I'm guessing that would be your favourite," he observed. She hesitated before nodding. Kid revealed his favourite food was indeed cabbage rolls. He marveled for a moment at how similar the two dishes were. Both involved tomato sauce, ground meat, usually beef, rice, and sometimes other vegetables like carrots and onions. The difference being the beef and rice filling in his favourite dish got wrapped up in cabbage leaves and baked in the oven. Hers got filled into bell peppers and baked in the oven. Some variations added diced peppers to cabbage rolls, and her favourite was usually topped with melted cheese.

He chuckled a little at the discovery, they had similar tastes in music, flowers and food. Nia looked to him, cocking her head to the side in curiosity. He thought it was adorable how she'd do that, often thinking she looked like an inquisitive dog or cat when she did. He had previously wondered what she was curious about but this time he didn't have to wonder and shook his head at the silent question while verbally answering, "it's nothing. Ask me another."

"Hmm Pepsi or coke?"

"Pepsi. Coke's okay but definitely not the same taste," he answered. He thought for a moment before asking her, "Pink or purple?"

"Pink," was the immediate answer. A fact he mentally noted.

"Live action or anime?"

He blinked a little in surprise before mumbling, "anime."

"Yellow or Orange?"

'Why is he obsessing over colours? Hmm,' Nia wondered to herself before answering, "yellow. Sports or theater?"

"Sports. Specifically boxing or football," Kid replied with a grin, he had an idea of what was coming soon, he sort of hoped he was wrong, but he could understand the curiosity if he wasn't.

"Truth or Dare?"

'Not what I was expecting,' he thought to himself, but still decided to play safe, "truth."

Nia hesitated as if contemplating what to ask him this time before she inquired, "is there something you're still not telling me about when you were thirteen?"

The question made his heart sink into his stomach and his stomach somersault. She could tell he was holding back something from her, but how? So many people either didn't notice or didn't mention it. His eyes became downcast as he considered how to answer. He could chance telling her, but the truth of it was pretty heavy even for adults and she had her own stuff going on. He'd definitely tell her if something came up and he had to tell her—but he didn't want to if he could avoid doing so.

He nodded his head after a while and admitted, "I'm guessing you're talking about my time in Juvie and yes. Something else did happen—but only three people: my therapist, my parole officer, and Killer know about it. I'd rather keep it that if you don't mind."

"Alright," Nia acknowledged. She walked up to Kid, and gently touched his arm as she asked, "do you think you might tell me one day?"

"Maybe. It's—it's heavy even for adults an-"

"You're not a burden. You're my friend," Nia objected. Kid's stomach calmed and his heart felt a little more right again after hearing that. It also gave him insight to why she wanted to play this back-and-forth game.

"I know we're friends, Pipsqueak—but that doesn't mean you need to share all of my weight. Especially not right now. You've got enough going on. You're not the only person I can turn to but sometimes I feel like right now I'm the only one you turn to. That's okay. I know what's going on so it's cool. I'll be your pillar as long as you need me to. Don't think you've gotta be mine in return though," he assured her.

He gently played with her hair before pulling her in close to himself for a one-armed hug. He felt her returning the embrace and basked in it for a few seconds before requesting, "can I ask you for a truth now?"

Nia nodded her head in agreement and Kid asked, "why haven't you been to the hospital? You know I'd go with you."

"I know—but the last time I was in the hospital my grandma died—before that my dad died after causing a bad wreck that involved three other cars before he wrapped his around a telephone pole. Time before that, my mom died. Just seems like it's only bad news in a hospital—or maybe I'm cursed," Nia admitted.

'Ouch,' he thought to himself. He sighed as he nodded a little.

"Grandpa knows that I have anxiety about hospitals—I don't think he'll be angry. We call and text every day," she revealed.

"Alright," Kid agreed, gently tussling her hair, which caused her to laugh a little. The sound caused Kid's smile to grow more, he still saw himself as an asshole, but she was unlocking another side to himself that he hadn't thought possible. He liked who he was around her.