[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]

[When he responded, she didn't know if that was the answer she wanted to hear or not. Even if she had stopped herself from going too far, she felt she wanted something different.

The moment he pulled away from her, Pyro placed her fingertips over her lips and lowered her head. The heat from her face still existed but it seemed to be subsiding slowly, she didn't like that.

With the sound of desperation in her voice, the woman tried to find a way to get her heat back.]

I... we can continue if you'd like. If you don't mind--I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

No, you're right. We don't need to pursue this. It's, ah. Hm.

[He kept his back to her, hearing the tone of her voice and recognizing the hint of longing in it. It only made him burn more furiously- he'd never had much of a way with women... or people in general, to be fair.

He didn't even hesitate as he pulled himself from the spring, the heat that consumed his entire body— both inside and out— only a moment before plenty to fight back the biting cold of the air as he hobbled toward the towels. His body was tense as he dried himself off, his mind elsewhere. It was taking everything in him to fight his own selfishness, his personal standards keeping it at bay. It pained him to admit it even inwardly: in that moment, he wanted her, carnal urges pushing out everything else.]

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

... But if we both like it, isn't it alright?

[She certainly didn't dislike being touched. The feeling of Sniper's hands against her body still lingered on her skin.

Glancing up finally, she showed a look of disappointment.]

You made me feel like I'm on fire. I want more.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[The towel was wrapped around his frame as he limped toward the clothes she'd brought for him. He licked his lips a second time; he could still feel her against him.

He tried to push himself to deny her, to insist he didn't like it or that she was getting the wrong idea; however, as he opened his mouth to speak, nothing came. She already knew exactly what he thought of her, so there was no pretending anything otherwise- not that that stopped him from trying. As for him not liking what had just happened... well, his reaction told her all she needed to know. No hiding that, either.

A deep breath, in and out. He found his voice.]

We're teammates, Pyro. This sort of thing ain't proper between us.

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Who are you afraid of being scolded by here? There's no one to stop you. There's no one to stop us from doing as we please.

[Coming to the edge of the spring, Pyro stepped out and went for her towel. Wrapping it around her body, she tied it in a knot before sitting back down near the entrance of the spring and dipping her legs in.]

Am I not a good kisser? Jell-O seems to like my kisses.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[Sniper fumbled with his clothing, still shaking from the effort required to maintain his composure. It was becoming easier with each passing breath, the flush of his face dissipating. He grabbed his glasses and watch from the dirty pile, feeling more secure behind his tinted frames.]

It's not that. You're ver—

[He cut himself off, taking another breath as he rotated his shoulders, trying not to think of that feeling of a hot flame against his lips.]

Look, even if we didn't work together, this wouldn't be appropriate. You—

[Another cutoff. Suggesting she find someone her age in Paradise seemed laughable, given that most people he'd met were older than her or talking animals. Somehow, he didn't think either of those was any better than the two of them. At least they understood one another, both being mercenaries. She knew how important the job was to him, that he wasn't just some crazed gunman hellbent on murder.

He caught himself rationalizing an unprofessional relationship with her. Shaking his head, he tried again.]

Well, when we get back—

[And another stop- when was the key word there, but it could easily be replaced with if. There was no guarantee they'd get back to Sawmill and their time at all, or if they'd go together or even remember their time in Paradise if they did. It didn't really matter what he did then, did it?

He shook his head again, alarmed at how easy it was to bat away his concerns when the temptation of having her pressed against him danced in front of his eyes. He wasn't weak, he told himself. This was ridiculous.

He was silent another moment, trying to put together a good defense, or a plan, or anything.]

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Kicking her feet into the water as she listened intently, she noticed the sound of hesitation and possible confusion in his voice. When it was her turn to speak, her voice lowered to something less sweet and more adult. It was a rare occurrence in Pyro, one that was usually trapped inside her due to the image she had built up in order to protect herself.

Between Engineer, Medic and now Sniper; those walls seem to be breaking down her childlike personality at times.]

You seem to be having trouble with your words. If you are unsure yourself, perhaps you aren't doing something so bad after all.

Sniper doesn't have to be around me if he doesn't want to. It just seems he does with the way he responded to me. If you thought what you did was a bad idea, wouldn't you not act that way in the first place?

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[He bit back his immediate response; pointing out she had yet to take no for an answer when he requested to be moved to another room or just be left alone in general wouldn't solve anything. It certainly wouldn't undo how he'd reacted to her, nor would it take back the feeling of her body against his, the intense heat between them deadening all other senses.

And she was right, of course- he was unsure, as much as he loathed that feeling and admitting to it. For every excuse he had to avoid getting involved with anyone- her in particular- a reason it was acceptable to cave to his carnality cropped up, raw desire conflicting with the standards he put before himself.

He sighed audibly, his breath rattling out of him as his body shook from a combination of the cold and pent-up frustration.]

I need time to think.

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Does that mean you'll go away from me? If that's the case...

[Shaking her head, she placed her hands over her face and spoke with a muffled tone.]

I won't allow it. I won't. Why does everyone I like leave me? You didn't do anything wrong. Isn't this just how humans act normally? You aren't to blame for it. Neither of us are. These sorts of emotions, sometimes they end up happening whether we like them or not!

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[A grimace crossed him- feelings. He wanted to argue and deny he felt a single thing; they got in the way of work, made things complicated with others. He'd told himself for years it was better not to get attached, that he was the only one he needed to concern himself with.

That didn't stop her from latching onto him, of course. He was already feeling the pangs of guilt again as she brought up those she had lost. That was something he could relate to on a level more personal than he'd ever admit, and was the primary reason he didn't get wrapped up with others. He couldn't feel the loss of someone he never cared for at all.

Something in him stirred at the thought, however; he was sure he was just empathizing with her predicament, was all. Nothing more.]

I'm not going away, pumpkin. I just need to clear my head.

[Clothes on and crutch under his arm, he hobbled for the gate, still keeping his eyes off her. It was easier to deny her if he avoided her eyes.]