notintehkitchen

[Picking up the pup with one hand, he set her aside and got to his feet, gritting his teeth the whole way up. Though he stifled the groan that accompanied the sharp ache, he didn't mask the expression on his face, which clearly showed the pain wearing on him. Catching his breath, his eyes returned to Chibi.]

To my house, then. Not sure I could make it back to the base right now, anyway.

[Or at all, if he was honest with himself. He pushed a sigh from him, knowing he was probably going to have to call Pyro to come get him. Fantastic.]

[It was a strange feeling when Sniper picked her up. To be this lightweight, to have a man who could pick her up without trouble... this was a new experience.

Letting out another sigh through her nose as she heard him suffer, her ears lowered and she frowned. She couldn't say anything he would understand, she didn't know how she could help him not struggle...

Leaning her head upwards, Chibi Momo licked his cheek in an attempt to cheer him up. The moment the action was performed she was already questioning what in her prompt her to do it.]

[Though the lick surprised him, it wasn't unwelcome. RED gave the dog a smile and another pat on the head.]

Good dog.

[With that, he started the long walk toward his townhouse, keeping an eye on where Chibi was. There wasn't anything obviously wrong with the dog, but he couldn't shake the feeling something was off. Surely the pup wouldn't have been barking so frantically on his call, otherwise.

He was quiet the whole walk, struggling to keep himself composed as his arm and leg throbbed painfully. After struggling up the stairs to the porch, he pushed the front door open and waited for Chibi to follow him in before collapsing on the couch, his breath labored. At least the house hadn't changed at all in his absence.]

[A nice pat to the head. Perhaps there were two things not bad about being in this furry little body.

When she was set down, Chibi followed with light footing in order to avoid pressing her paws too far into the cold earth below her. When they reached his house, she began to pant happily and trot up the stairs after him before running into the house to jump onto the nearest couch.]

(We made it! Now you come sit down too! No more walking, it's not good for you.)

[Sniper reclined on the couch, grinning unlike he had in some time at Chibi's excitement in spite of the pain still coursing through him. It hadn't been too long ago that he'd been sitting there and had to encourage the pup to join him on the seat.

After another moment, he laughed genuinely, pulling Chibi onto his chest as he reclined across the couch, giving the dog's ears another good scratching.]

[As she was pressed up against his chest, she had to admit it was a little awkward. Engineer and Medic had done similar things to show affection, but coming from Sniper it was just so bizarre.

Of course he thought she was a cute little dog, not a big fat Pyro.

Leaning her head into his chest, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the ear scratching. He could do this forever and she'd never complain. Dogs had it good.]

Well, I suppose whatever it was that got you riled up earlier is all right now, hm? Ya had me worried for a moment. S'not like you to get like that.

[His scratching went from Chibi's ears to her back. He smirked, the look of enjoyment clear on the pup's face.]

Woke me up, too. Haven't had much of a chance to sleep well these past few days. Got pills for that, too. Actually have been taking those, but it's kind of hard to sleep some nights with Pyro there. She's a bit too, er. Hm. Affectionate, I suppose. Treats me like I'm a dog still.

[His work came to a halt as his hands rested against the wolf pup's back, his eyes affixing themselves to a spot on the ceiling.]

[He was bringing her up again. Did he like to gossip to dogs? Chibi must of been his only friend. Pyro did love to talk to Jell-O when all it could do was squeak back. She wanted to believe that the little creature actually understood her.

Figuring out how to seem interested, Chibi Momo perked up and tilted her head curiously. With slow wide blinks, she nodded her head. There, was that enough?]

(Go on...)

[Sniper understood the look of interest. Having figured Chibi was much smarter than most dogs, as well as having a general trust of dogs anyway— he'd always said they were loyal creatures, far better than any person could be— he was all-too willing to hold a conversation with the pup, even if it was a bit one-sided. It wasn't as though dogs couldn't listen or understand to a degree just because they couldn't talk; Chibi was no exception. The wolf had already proven to be a faithful companion.

That aside, even he had to admit that he had to talk to someone on occasion. With his parents no longer there, Chibi had become that someone, in a way. Another sigh escaped him as he thought about his own dog. Better times.]

It's not so bad, sometimes. [Another laugh, more nervous this time, as he thought about something that surprised him in an odd way.] The ears on the hood are ridiculous, and I can do without her coddling me like some pup, but it's... been a long time since I had someone who wanted to be that close. I never have been any good with this sort of thing.

(Sniper...

I'm not sure what I could say to you if you admitted something like that. You don't mind me so much, knowing that? It makes me really happy.)

[Nuzzling against his chest intently, Pyro wouldn't be able to stop her affections even in this dog form. The longer Sniper stayed in Paradise, the more she grew to become very fond of him in a way she was entirely uncertain about.]

(If I come back as a human, promise me you'll tell me these words someday. There's no reason to hide them. I won't laugh or think you're strange. I want you to be comfortable around me.)

[Though Chibi was being a little friendlier than usual, Sniper thought nothing of it. Maybe the pup was simply showing concern, or hadn't had the best day, either. He gave Chibi another reassuring scratch, shifting on the couch with a pained grunt.]

I'm not like that, mind you. I prefer being alone. It complicates matters, gettin' attached to people. Especially when they're your teammates. Coworkers. We're not friends. I'd rather stay here and not bother with her. Be left alone.

[He sighed again, frustration evident on his face as though he was having a harder and harder time convincing himself of that fact.]

I don't like when she's all over me. Insisting I stay warm at night. She's up making me coffee some mornings. It's irritating.

[And another sigh. Even he could hear the denial in his voice.]

It's the medicine. I'm not thinkin' straight.

[Chibi's response didn't change much. She still wagged her tail and sat at attention. The only difference might be the little cat-like smile on her face.]

(You don't sound very sure of yourself. Why can't you say you want to be friends with me? It won't complicate your life, it might make it better. You'll have something to do besides stay cooped up in this place all day.

Be my friend, Sniper.)

I really need to get away from her. Clear my head. It's all this time in the hospital, and now at RED base. You know she's got me up in her room? I can hardly get down the stairs, mate. I've got no privacy.

[Sniper's hand left Chibi's back, fingers pushing themselves under his glasses and against his eyes. Most irritating wasn't her treatment of him, but how he was reacting to it at an unconscious level. As much as he fought and denied it, some part of him was truly enjoying the extra attention he was getting. He wasn't used to that kind of treatment. He recognized it in himself, but was doing a poor job at stifling it.]

This wouldn't've happened if she still had other REDs around. Just my luck the doc would go and vanish. I can't tell if she treated him like this, or if I've just been unlucky.

[Pulling her ears downwards, she let out a frustrated groan before slightly bearing her teeth.]

(You're a very indecisive man. You say one thing but you mean another and then you go about whenever you please switching it. You either like me or not, what is it?]

[Hopping off from his lap, Chibi Momo sat down on the couch as far away from him as possible and curled up into a ball. She was annoyed.]

(I treat anyone I like special.

... I thought you were special.

Now I don't know what it is I feel....)

[Sniper pushed himself upright, caught off-guard from Chibi's reaction.]

I didn't mean you, mate. It's just her I need to get away from. It's complicated.

[Turning her head back to look at him, she yawned.]

(Everything is complicated for you. Am I so disgusting to be with you never want to see me again? I've only ever tried to treat you well.)

Ringo, come on. It's not like that. Not with you. You know you're always welcome with me. With her, there's this... Hm. It's more like—

[He cut himself off, shaking his head. Saying it aloud made it all the more real, but he wanted Chibi to understand. Well, understand as much as a dog could, anyway. If nothing else, perhaps it would empty his mind, he thought. There was no one else he could tell, no one else he would tell. There were certain topics that just weren't proper for discussion with... anyone, really.]

I'm think... [He scratched the side of his face, mumbling something about it being embarrassing. A breath in and out pushed him to continue.] As much as I hate to say it, I'm attracted to her.

[The confirmation of his feelings being shot at her as clear as day was like a literal bullet that made her fall of the couch and drop onto the floor with a barrel roll. When she came to a stop, she just laid there and stared up at him as heat came to her cheeks. Hot, hot heat. Hotter then she had ever felt before without the flames.

Sniper liked her. He liked liked her. He was attracted to her as a woman. He wasn't seeing her as a comrade anymore but as someone to be physically attracted to.]

Edited 2012-01-16 10:46 (UTC)

[He'd expected Chibi to probably continue ignoring him, granted he wasn't sure how much of what he was saying the pup could actually understand. There was a mild relief in talking to the dog, getting things off his chest; however, admitting them did solidify them in his mind. He hadn't felt like that in some time, and as far as he was concerned, he ought not be feeling like that again. Attachment- it got in the way.

He eyed the dog as she rolled on the floor.]

You alright down there?

[Getting up, Chibi Momo hopped back up onto his lap and began licking his cheek like crazy.]

(Mr. Hawk. My heart, the beat of it... I wonder why I can't control it and keep it steady despite being still. You've made my face light aflame without the usage of any fire. You must be magical.

I want to be human again. I want to hear you tell me those words as Momo, not Chibi. If you could do that, I think I could be happy forever and ever. I don't know why, I just know I could.)

[Fending off Chibi's furious affection wasn't easy. Sniper couldn't help but laugh, wondering what had gotten into the pup.]

I suppose that means you forgive me.

[He resumed that vigorous scratching, returning the pup's attention in the only way he knew how.]

On second thought, maybe you oughtta visit Pyro after all. She loves dogs. Will probably give you all that attention she gives me. It'll be easier to avoid thinkin' about her like that if she's not doting on me.

Edited 2012-01-16 11:18 (UTC)

[The licking didn't stop. It was the only way she knew how to show affection as a dog. If she had been back in her human body, she would of tackled him.

As he gave her a good scratch, a big dumb smile crossed her little doggy mouth.]

(You like me! You really like me! I'm happy! I'm happy! Super happy!)

[He pulled himself upright, pushing the little dog from his face once he was in a position to do so. He wiped his face with his sleeve, his grin still there.]

Alright, that's enough.

[More scratching, with a heavier hand this time in the hopes of keeping the the pup off him for a while- not that he didn't enjoy the attention from Chibi, but he was bound to start smelling like a dog after a while, and that would probably come with consequences. He didn't feel like taking another shower.]

Say, Ringo. I know you picked this house and I've got the door in for you, but I'm thinkin' of finding a different place. You know, for when I can walk a bit better.

[Chibi Momo didn't like the sound of that, it brought her out of her content feeling. Whimpering lightly, she shook her head back and forth to show him she disapproved.]

(Why? This place is fine for when you want to be on your own. Moving somewhere else would be a hassle... and then I'd have to find you all over again.)

I'll make ya another door, mate. S'not like I won't tell you where I'm goin'. This is for the best, though.

[His eyes set themselves somewhere on the ceiling as he leaned back, trying to relax his neck and shoulders.]

It's not proper of me to think like that about her. We work together. She's young. I don't care for that sort of business, anyway. Gets in the way of the job.

[... The job he no longer had. He heaved another sigh, frustrated that for every reason he had not to pursue her, his mind tried to work out a reason he should. That was not the kind of justification he needed. It wasn't proper and was against his personal code, and that was that.]

That's why. Goin' somewhere she can't find me, taking some time to clear my head. She knows where this place is. I'm a bit surprised she hasn't noticed I left and shown up to drag me back there already.

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