You and Nanami were often mission partners, as you were a few years younger and were being mentored by him. All though you often craved his approval, Nanami wasn’t the kind to praise or disparage. He always told you all his judgments were based purely in fact.

But he could see it in you, how every time you did good on mission or learned a new skill, you looked toward him with puppy eyes and a hopeful face. It amused him slightly, to refuse giving into what you wanted. But now you were here before him, body trembling from an excruciatingly difficult mission. He saw how bad you needed it, his words, just to keep going.

“You’re doing good,” he whispered, his body close to yours. You could see the scars on his skin, every little hair on his face. His voice was soothing, like warm tea down a sore throat. He put his hands on your arms, feeling you melt into the praise you’ve begged for for months.