notintehkitchen

But I want you.

[His answer isn't as immediate this time. There's a sigh on his end.]

Fine. But only because you'll probably suffocate or starve if ya don't get that thing off eventually.

No, I want you to come because you want to come. If you are coming out of pity, don't even bother.

I don't want you to drop dead because you glued your mask on, you know.

Fine, I'll be waiting.

[It was over an hour before Sniper made it back to RED base, the night air having chilled him to the bone. His vest kept his torso warm enough, the effort to walk the distance helping keep his temperature up; however, his limbs had only the hooded shirt to cover him, the sleeves doing little against the cold as exhaustion set into his muscles. It was a far cry from his best judgment to make the trek twice in a single day, but with all that was on his mind, he figured he would do worse if he stayed away.

The door closed behind him with a clunk; he braced himself on his crutch, which was about the only thing keeping him upright.]

Pyro?

[Laying on the couch, Pyro didn't move from her spot as Sniper called her name. Instead, Jell-O who was comforting his mother hopped off the arm rest and hopped up to him. With the only look he was capable of, the green blob stared up at the man before letting out a frustrated squeak and hitting him with his tentacles against his leg.]

[Sniper eyed Jell-O with a worn look, unimpressed by his attempted attack. He took a few ragged breaths before nudging Jell-O aside with his foot and heading to the den, the cold air burning his lungs; his gait was uneven as his crutch clunked dully on the floor.

Standing over the couch, he leaned heavily on his crutch and gave calling her name another try.]

Oi, Pyro.

[Looking up and out through the eye holes in her gas mask, Pyro grumbled incoherently before kneeling on the couch. As she looked up at Sniper, she pondered if he really cared about her or if he did just come back home out of pity.]

Mrph?

I'm... just gonna assume that's a 'hello.'

[Turning slowly, he eased himself onto the couch next to her, leaning his crutch on the arm rest. A groan escaped him as soon as he hit the cushions. He motioned for her to turn around.]

Alright. Let's have a look.

Mmmnnhnnn.

[Shaking her head at his assumption of what she was saying, Pyro let out a sigh. She supposed if she ever wanted to eat bacon again she'd better let him try to pull it off of her head.

Scooting closer to him on her knees, she turned towards him and whimpered. He wasn't going to pull her head off too, was he? She needed that.]

Mrpfft mmffnn mnnph mph!?

[He eyed the mask, trying to determine how it was stuck on. He wasn't sure he could pull it off if he tried- certainly not with only one hand.]

Ya really did glue it to your suit, didn't you?

[He reached for the dragonbone knife tied to his belt, unhooking it.]

[Why wouldn't she? Wasn't that supposed to solve the problem of him feeling awkward around her? Nodding her head, she eyed the knife he had been working on getting out with some concern.]

Mrrrpf!!! MRFFNN MPRRRH!?

I'm not sure I can pull it off, pumpkin. We're probably going to have to cut through it.

[She's scared but she wants to believe in Sniper. He won't poke her eye out with that knife of his, he'll be careful, won't he?

Growing quiet, she finally nods again and places her hands over her head in horror. Even though she doesn't want 'sharpy' near her, she'll do it.]

[He looks again for a moment, realizing he's going to need more than one hand for this, too.]

I need your head where I can reach it with my other hand. [He flexed his fingers with his left hand, trying to draw her attention to his sling. He swallowed, feeling the chill on his face pushed away by a flush of color.]

Maybe if you just, um. Lie down. I can reach.

[By laying down, she thought he meant putting her head directly in-between his legs. That would make sense, that way her face wouldn't get anymore serious injuries on it in case he made a mistake.

Doing just so, within a split second, Pyro had her face down them and her gloved hands pressed against both of his thighs.]

[Sniper froze; that was not what he'd meant. Deep breath, in and out, then one more for good measure to regain his composure- trying to tell her otherwise would probably just result in more muffled speech he couldn't understand. It was better to just get the job over and done with.

With his stationary arm, he felt along the contours of the mask, trying to find where would be best to cut. The blade of his knife was sharp, but slicing through the thick mask wasn't going to be easy. He finally chose a spot near her ear, deciding if he did cut her, he'd at least do damage in an area that wasn't terribly visible.

Another breath to settle his nerves.]

Right. Just hold still. I won't hurt ya.

[Holding the side of the mask, he pressed the blade into it.]

[Squinting her eyes shut when the feeling of the blade cut through the side of her mask, Pyro didn't dare make any sudden moves. Instead, she kept her head there and remained silent throughout the process.

Jell-O on the other hand seemed worried about what was happening to his mother and kept hopping up as high as he could from the ground to get a good look.]

[Sniper worked slowly, trying to think more of the steadiness of his hand and less of how her face was planted into a very compromising position. He worked around the base of her neck, cutting a slit up the back to slide the mask off once he was all the way around.

Another few minutes, and he had it.]

Alright, should be good to pull off now.

[Removing herself from the awkward position, two hands were placed against her mask before a good push upwards was given to the destroyed piece. As it was removed, the young girl covered in scars and freckles reappeared with messy hair.]

Ah, it seems so. Arigatou.

[Taking off her gloves and placing them on the table beside her, Pyro ran her fingers through her hair before shaking it from side to side to fluff it up.]

[He set his knife on the coffee table, rubbing his fingers against his leg to warm them up. The frigid temperature from the walk over still clung to his extremities.]

No worries. I am sorry about your mask, though. What'd you go and do a thing like that for?

[Picking up Jell-O and placing him on her lap, she began to stroke his head absently.]

If I was incapable of taking my mask off, I could go back to the time where things between us only seemed like that of comrades. That's what I was hoping to achieve.

[He looked away, guilty.]

S'not like hiding in your mask would've made me forget who you are, you know.

What does that mean? It wouldn't be helpful for you?

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