Work Text:
"I just don't get it."
"Get what?" Kiros lifted his head, eyes on Laguna instead of the paper he'd been reading over.
“How you know what he’s saying all the time.” Laguna gestured widely toward Ward, who stood unassuming near the door, having just walked in.
“It’s not that hard.” Kiros put down the paperwork and crossed his arms, turning a curious look toward the president.
“But it is though. I look at Ward and I don’t see what he’s saying.” Laguna clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward their bulky friend. He stopped just a few feet away, earning an eyebrow raise from the taller male which he ignored. “I could stare for hours and not have a clue.”
Ward’s eyebrow rose just a bit higher.
Kiros shook his head, a light sigh escaping his lips. "How long have we all known each other?"
Laguna turned his head toward the other, scrunching his features in thought. After a long stretch of silence, he answered. "A while."
Nonplussed by the vaguest answer the other could give, Kiros continued. "And having known one another for well over ten years, I'd like to think we know each other well enough, right?"
"I mean—"
"It's all in the body language and expressions, Laguna."
When Laguna turns his attention back to him, Ward nods in agreement.
"Oh! I understood that one."
Kiros huffed a laugh as Ward shook his head, an amused smile on his face.
The president continued. "But you can read full-on sentences from him. How do you do that ?"
"Body language and expressions."
Laguna, exasperated, whips around to stare at Kiros. "That's not enough of an answer!" He jumps and lets out a rather high-pitched squeal from the hand suddenly on his shoulder, which Ward apparently found amusing if his shaking shoulders are anything to go by.
Upon Laguna's dumbfounded expression, Kiros answers. "He's reassuring you. Out of the three of us, Ward and I have spent the most time together. You were gone for a while, remember? We got separated after that cliff we jumped from. Ward doesn't expect you to understand him entirely when you've been so used to his voice up until fairly recently. And, you've been busy with everything else going on. Running this city, handling the sorceress problem, meeting your son."
Laguna’s shoulders slumped, the hand still resting on one giving a gentle squeeze before disappearing altogether. “I guess I just wish I understood better. But, you know me, my brain is scattered like ash in the wind.”
“An understatement, but we both know you mean well. Eventually, you’ll learn the more time we’re around one another.” Kiros offered a gentle smile, then tapped the paperwork he had put down. “Now, can we discuss some work-related topics? We have a lot to get done.”