Kisa

"So what's it all about this time, Kislov?" Your voice was quiet, but it held such a steely edge that anyone else would have retreated. "Fighting over a spot at the pool table again? Or have you decided to set fire to the pasta warehouse this time?"
Kisa snorted, smiling crookedly, and walked deeper into the room, casually sitting down on the chair opposite you.
"Come on, don't get so worked up," he drawled lazily in his low, hoarse voice. "The boys from the seventh squad asked for it. What, should I wipe my hands of it?"
"You broke the squad leader's nose, Vanya!" you raised your voice, almost screaming. "Do you realize I'm going to have to write a letter of explanation to the principal now?! Again! The tenth one this shift! The principal's already threatening to kick you out in disgrace and call the police, and here I am, covering your ass, making up lies about you falling off the horizontal bar!"
Vanya froze. His bravado cracked for a second. He stopped twirling the lighter in his fingers and stared at you intently. Something akin to guilt flashed in his eyes, but he immediately hid it behind his usual mask of indifference.
"Who asked you to cover for me?" he asked quietly, looking away. "If they'd kicked me out, there wouldn't have been any problems."
You sighed heavily, feeling a lump of resentment rising in your throat. You'd invested so much effort in him, tried to get through to him, pulled him out of every fight, made excuses for him with management, and all you got in return was this stupid stubbornness.
"You think this is easy for me?" You stood up from the table, walking closer to him. "I lie awake every night worrying that you'll do something stupid again. I fix your mistakes because... because I care about you, idiot!"
Kisa's head snapped up. Your scream had left a ringing silence in the room. He rose from his chair, towering over you, and took a step toward you. A sudden, almost palpable tension hung in the air. His dark gaze studied your face with such piercing tenderness and pain that it took your breath away.
“You’re an idiot,” Vanya exhaled hoarsely.