[Voice]

[notintehkitchen]

It feels great to be back in my own body! I've missed using my hands so much. Now I can eat bacon and open things again! Really, those two things are very important!

[There is a squeak in the background.]

That's right, Jell-O says he is happy to see his mother back too. I wonder who was taking care of you while I was gone?

[A few more squeaks come across the feed.]

No one? Did you behave yourself?

[There is no more squeaking.]

I'm taking that as a no. Alright, who's brain matter do I have to clean up?

Comments

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[Walking up to him, she then noticed the smell of an unclean man. It was a rather common smell around the base but being around two Snipers now, she noticed who tended to reek the most.]

You should take a bath, it'd be good for your aches and pains. Do you know what a hot spring is, Sniper?

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[hasstandards]

[He continued to keep his eyes off her, scratching his scruffy face.]

I do, but I'm not that dirty.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Nonsense, the aroma in the air tells otherwise.

Don't worry, I can help you bathe. Hot springs are very good for you. They have a very high mineral content.

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[hasstandards]

Help?

[Given his current mood and the lump building in his throat, that came out a bit more nervous than he'd intended.]

I'll bathe if ya want, but I don't need your help. Got it?

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

You won't bathe properly in your condition.

[Shrugging, she continued on.]

Don't worry, in my country when someone is naked it is not something to be shameful about. When we are all naked we are equals.

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[hasstandards]

I've done it once like this. I'll be fine, I promise.

[He let the fact about her country slide without comment, as the only thing he could think of in response was, "What kind of a mental place is Japan, anyway?" With that pause, his eyes returned to her- they were on her face for a moment before he caught himself glancing elsewhere again.

Yes, he was going to chalk up that behavior to the medication, as well.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

How can you get your back? That's one of the most important spots.

[Placing a fingertip against her chin, she tapped it there lightly with some thought.]

I always used to wash others backs back home, in return they washed mine. You know that say, I wash your back, if you'll wash mine? We follow that rule literally.

[It was wonderful how she didn't mention most of the time that the sexes bathed separately unless it was some sort of sleazy get away to make love.]

I just thought it'd be nice. I haven't got to go to one and do it properly in years. Nowadays I would just scare everyone back home if I went to one. They would stare at me in a mean way. If I take one with Sniper he won't do so! I know it!

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[hasstandards]

[Sniper's brow knitted together as he tried— very hard, mind you— to think of anything aside from sharing a space with Pyro while both of them were in the buff. Even ogling her in the dress was an improvement.]

That's not the way we do things in Australia, pumpkin. It's not proper of me to see you, er. Nude.

[And as he said that, another thought crossed his mind, one he tried to squash immediately for its brazenness: what if she wanted to bathe with him as some way to reciprocate what he'd unintentionally admitted to her? It was that impression he'd not wanted her to have— that he cared, or felt anything for her beyond polite acquaintanceship. He swallowed stiffly; that was ridiculous. It was her he wanted to spare the embarrassment. He wanted nothing to do with her.

And yet, he listened to her question with eager ears, wanting to appease her in some way. She had taken care of him in the hospital, fed him, clothed him... kind of- it was only fair he return some of her hospitality. He'd put his foot down if she got the wrong idea, he decided, but until then...

He caught himself staring again, cursing under his breath.]

Well, I... suppose once couldn't hurt. Just because ya haven't had one in years.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you agreed! There's no reason to be shy, I've seen you plenty of times naked before!

[Running off to get a set of towels, Pyro also grabbed Sniper a change of clothes she knew he probably desperately needed. When she came back, she was holding a box of soap in her mouth and shampoo, conditioner and washrags on top of the towels in her arms.]

Mnnn rfffreaffy! Lesssh goh! leshh goh!

[Running about him in circles excitedly, she finally came to a stop and continued talking in a muffled voice.]

I'llll cleeen juu upft rveall guffdft!

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[hasstandards]

Fantastic. Can't wait.

[The sarcasm that laced his voice was hardly dulled by the visible wince he had as he was reminded of the many, many times she'd already seen him in the nude.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

ohhhhkeeeee! Jshump ohn muh backft!

[Squatting down a bit, she seriously expected him to ride along with her by using her as a vehicle of some sort.]

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[hasstandards]

[He rolled his eyes.]

Ya think that's a good idea with my leg and arm the way they are?

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Spitting the soap box out of her mouth at that question, she glared.]

Oh, that's right. Hm. I'll carry you properly then. I just need to go get a backpack.

[Going to the coat closet, she searched about for the one she often used to bring back bacon in. Upon finding it, she began shoving everything inside. Zipping it up when finished, she placed it on her back and went over to Sniper.]

Come into my arms.

[Attempting to pick him up as gracefully and gently as she could, when she had him up in her arms she looked at his long lanky legs and realized she could have a bit of a problem if she didn't keep him up high enough. With legs like that, they could drag on the ground... ]

All comfy?

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[Though he started to protest vocally as she picked him up, Sniper didn't fight too much, concerned he'd end up injuring himself and setting back his recovery by another week. With the way things were going, he couldn't afford that kind of misstep.

He rubbed his hand down his face, knowing he wasn't getting out of this bath thing now. He just had to take control of the situation. Put his foot down. Not break her heart or anything, but make her aware he wasn't interested in anything like that with her, and that what he'd thought he was admitting to Chibi was... something else entirely. The plan was still a work in progress.]

As much as I'm goin' to get, I expect.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[With that, she nodded and headed out the doors. Surprisingly where they were going didn't seem to be quite far off. For Sniper, this would save him the embarrassment of anyone in public seeing him being carried by a woman.

When they arrived at their destination, the sky surrounding them seemed to become steamer and steamer. The heat was enough to get Pyro letting out an audible moan that may or may not of sounded a little inappropriate.

When they reached the gated wooden doors surrounding the spring, Pyro set Sniper down and began to undo the lock before pushing the gate open. Inside was a large and rounded hot spring that was surrounded with rocks and a stream of never-ending hot water pouring into the spring.]

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[hasstandards]

[Glad to be on his feet for a change, Sniper did his best to completely ignore everything that was making his face burn: the fact that she knew exactly how he felt about her and he got the feeling she was toying with him, the upcoming situation of them bathing together, the thought of her in that dress and then out of it. That moan she'd let out on her way in took his mind to a very inappropriate place indeed.

He limped through the gate to the spring's edge, feeling the steam rising from it. At least the water wasn't terribly clear. Small miracles.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Dumping out the contents of her backpack near the edge of the water, Pyro hummed away happily. Everything was set up nicely before the young woman turned to Sniper with a shy grin and threw a towel at his face.

Standing back up, she began to pull up her dress off her body before letting it fall to the ground. When it came to the undergarments, Pyro didn't really need a bra, so there was none to be found with. Underwear however, well... Pyro was just getting used to wearing ladies panties again. Before all this she had strapped her breasts down out of paranoia (not necessarily necessity) and worn boxers. Slipping them off, she didn't attempt to hide them or anything. Underwear were just that to her. They were a piece of clothing made so no one could see your privates if you wore a skirt. Come to think of it, she pondered why men wore them now...

Getting into the water, she was overcome with giddy delight as the warmth engulfed her whole frame. As she stood up in it, the water appeared to only go to her navel at the depth she was in.

Wrapping her arms around her front side, she shivered with a pleasure that confused her as much as it made her crave more.]

Aah... Kimochi...

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[Without any sort of warning, Pyro started to strip; Sniper turned immediately, any and all mental preparation he'd made tossed away in an instant. He waited for her to dip into the water before stealing a glance, only to turn his eyes from her once more as he realized she was only half-submerged.

With his back to her, his own movements were mechanical: he started with the sling first, pulling the cord over his neck and removing his arm from it. He slipped his sleeve over his cast, then the other over his good arm; with a moment's hesitation, he pulled the hooded shirt over his head, revealing his bare torso. The sling went back on- he'd have to be careful to not get too much water on it.

There was another moment where he paused, fumbling with the belt of his pants.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[She wouldn't turn around until she heard him getting into the water. It looked like she understood that Sniper wanted some level of privacy so she was willing to give it to him until he removed all his clothing and felt safe in the water.

Bringing her arms up above her head, she stretched before falling backwards into the water and letting herself drown in the hot depths of the spring. When she opened her eyes and looked up through the spring and out into the night sky, she felt very content. This could be a nice way to die. It wasn't the fiery death she craved, but it was hot enough to make her skin tingle.]

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[He resisted the urge to turn at the sound of a splash, tossing his belt aside and slipping out of his pants. With one more peek to make sure she wasn't looking, he took off his underwear. Last to go were his watch and glasses, carefully tucked into his pockets.

Getting into the water when he was unable to walk on his leg or use his arm was tricky, and he hadn't fully prepared himself for the temperature: in comparison to the cold air around them, the water was nearly unbearable, the heat intense at it enveloped his limbs as he eased into the spring. With the water taking pressure off his bad knee, he hobbled a little easier, his muscles relaxing as he breathed in the steam.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[When she finally resurfaced, she seemed to leap out of the water like a giant fish. Shaking her hair back and forth, several droplets of water shook off of her before she turned her slick, wet nude body towards him with a smile.

With about half her chest exposed out of the water, she had gotten further in but not enough to kill the awkward tension he might of felt.]

That's more like it! See, it feels good doesn't it?

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[hasstandards]

[Finding a particularly spot off to the side completely and utterly riveting, Sniper avoided looking at her, listening to her approach instead. Even without seeing her body, he could picture it easily enough, his imagination filling in the gaps. He felt his face flush, and hoped the heat would cover for him.]

Right. Good.

[He took another breath, steam filling his lungs.]

Let's get this done with.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Why did he make it sound like it was a chore? Hot springs were so nice!

Sighing, she came over to him, grabbed one of the washrags and began to lather it in soap. As she came up behind him, her eyes immediately took to the scars on his back she could see through the steam. Blinking, she immediately found herself entranced with touching them.]

Pretty... Sniper's back... can I feel it?

[Lightly fingering over one of the scars before receiving a yes or a no, she found herself transfixed on that certain one.]

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[Her odd request gave him pause; it was interrupted by a brief shudder as she ran a finger across his back, her light caress, wreaking havoc on his attempt at composure. It was regained quickly enough, though he felt his face burn again. She was hard to read- were her actions that of the childlike arsonist, or of the woman to whom he was admittedly attracted on a physical level?

He inched away from her, trying to get out of reach of the fingers that graced him.]

Just the wash, if you don't mind.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Whimpering at his refusal, she backed away slightly and began to press the small cloth to his back. As she scrubbed away, she decided that him hinting no didn't mean she couldn't stare at his beautiful back.

Every so often, there would be an abrupt pause in her movements. She wouldn't say what she was doing outloud, but the panting coming from the mouth and squeaks might give a clue to anyone that wasn't her.

Her cheeks began to feel heavy from sustained heat, the hotness overflowing as she worked on his back while eyeing the scars. Suddenly, she felt her head move forwards without any way to stop herself with her lips pressing up against a long knife scar across his back.]