notintehkitchen

[She wanted to show him she cared and she was concerned with him. The only things she could think of to offer off the top of her head was the following.]

How about if I don't use bacon in my cooking for a whole week? I... won't eat it eitheir. You won't even have to smell it.

...

Also, I'd like to give you my shotgun.

[He kept his eyes off her, feeling uncomfortable. In most situations he could guess how he ought to react, though whether or not he actually managed said behavior was a feat all its own; however, he didn't have much experience with being showered with attention, especially from a woman. His desire for solitude complemented the fact that most people were happy to leave him alone.

So to find himself not only being graced with a woman's attention and affections, but for him to start craving it in return, was something he wasn't prepared to handle. That desire rattled his nerves in a way he was struggling to grasp, left him unsettled somehow because he could feel it taking hold over him. He could tell himself all day he didn't need anything or anyone... and yet, he found himself wanting more from her specifically.

He turned stiffly. Attraction. That was its name, and he was not going to let it take him down.]

Ya don't have to do either of those things. You've given me enough already.

It's not a big deal. I never use my shotgun, so why let it go to waste? I think it's probably lonely and needs a new owner. It'll be happy with you.

[Getting up from her spot on the couch, she pointed towards the kitchen with a smile.]

I'll throw out I'll the bacon I bought this week so I can't tempted to make it. If Sensei was still here he'd be so proud of me! I'll lose weight this way and not have to worry about being so fat.

[With his wounded knee, rising from the low-sitting couch was far more of a chore than it was for her- not that he didn't try anyway. When his initial attempt resulted in only a pained groan, he instead grabbed her wrist to stop her.]

I said ya don't gotta do that!

[The grab to her wrist was enough of a surprise to her body that it sent her falling backwards on the ground near the couch. Groaning at the rough contact with the carpet, Pyro remained down there with an occasional twitch coming from her arm that was being withheld.]

Ouchouchouch! Ouch!

[Sniper let go of her wrist after she hit the ground, wincing. Scooting forward on the seat, he leaned to help her.]

Sorry, pumpkin.

[He paused, shame tinting him. He tried to swallow it down.]

You're not too hurt, are ya?

[When he offered to help her up, she slapped his wrist and rolled forward on the ground. Cowering in a ball, she closed her eyes and placed her hands over her head.]

You're not sorry. All I do is try to be nice and in return this is what I get. You're just like Sensei. Your both mean, I want Engineer back!

[He felt his temper rise in an instant, angered that a genuine apology from him would be turned down so sharply.]

I said I was bloody sorry. What more do you want from me?

I don't know. I'm sick of this. If I can't please you somehow, maybe I'll just go away forever and ever. It's not worth both of us feeling miserable.

Look, if I wanted you to go away, I wouldn't have come back. You think I walked all this way for my health?

[It's times like these Pyro can be scary. There's a barrier of innocence she upkeeps that is breaking down in her angrier.]

Maybe not to help your mental health. Your sexual health though? That could be a possibility.

[Her turnabout surprised him; he felt his face flush and turned to hide it, pulling his hood lower over his face in place of his hat. Grabbing his crutch, he pushed off the couch and to his feet, keeping his reddening face as far from her view as possible.]

That's not what this is about!

If it wasn't you wouldn't be so frustrated by my words right now. Mr. Hawk should of been easily able to brush that off.

[Turning around on the ground, she propped her head on one of hands and looked up at him.]

Is this what you came back for? You were lonely in a way BLU couldn't make go away for you?

[His hand shook beneath her as he took a deep breath, trying to find his voice to answer her. His denial was lost in that moment- he opened his mouth, but no words came. He swallowed, his throat ever tighter, and tried again.]

I ain't lonely. I just... ah. Um.

[He squeezed the bridge of his nose tiredly. He hated that she was right, in a way- loathed it. He could say all day long he didn't want her, stifle emotion and swallow down feelings toward the woman; however, the physical aspect, a carnal longing he'd not felt in some time, was harder to tame. He struggled to bite it back as it reared in him.]

I've just been thinking about what you said. At the springs.

[That wasn't exactly the answer she was expecting to get back. Where was the yelling? Wasn't he going to get angry at her and hobble away out the door?

With the mention of the springs on her mind, Pyro's memory recalled that night in descriptive details. If she thought hard enough on it she could feel his touch against her skin still.

Her face turned crimson as she found the words she wanted to say.]

Does that mean you want to continue?

[Conflict rose in him: his standards, those rules he lived by to keep himself in check pushed him to stay away from her, that pursuing anything even remotely resembling a relationship with a coworker was completely out of the question. His own fear of loss wanted him to abandon all attachment he had to her, insisting it would only destroy him later. His moral standing placed her as too young for him- she really needed to find someone her age, someone who wanted something more for her, who could provide for her every want and need.

Then there was the other side of the coin: there was that physical attraction to her, one which compelled him to do whatever it took to have her body near his, to have the heat she created against him. He could hardly bring himself to admit he was attached to her- he couldn't simply forget how she'd visited him diligently in the hospital, spoken to him in spite of his sometimes brusque personality, insisted he stay where she could watch over him. There was no taking any of that back.

Nor could he take back the hot springs or what had transpired there. He could put his foot down all he liked, but that didn't change what had happened. All he could do was act for the present. The question was what would he choose?

The answer was easier to find than he'd thought it'd be. He thought of the job- he'd been told it was his job to support her, and that was all he could do for RED at the moment. He thought of himself, a man who was still trying to live in a time and place that possibly didn't exist anymore, clinging to every shred of his identity he had. He thought of her, all she represented of that time he'd lost, and all she meant to him in a way he couldn't fully express.

His voice was low when he finally spoke, but had a sense of finality.]

Yes. I do.

Edited 2012-01-25 08:10 (UTC)

I don't know what to say. I'm not sure I was expecting you to say yes in such a simple manner like this.

[Swallowing hard, she got up from her spot on the ground and drew closer to him all while avoiding making any sort of eye contact. If she looked at him now, she was certain she might lose control in do something strange again. Keeping her head low, her eyes darted about the ground as she continued to speak.]

It's nice that someone is attracted to me, but I wonder what they find attractive in me? Is what you like on the outside, Sniper? If that's the case, I'm really confused. All I've done for years is to keep men from finding me psychically attractive. I thought I had done a good job of it.

[He kept his own eyes off her, trying not to look her direction as he felt the same- eye contact had been what set him off last time. Better avoid it completely.

Still, he had to answer her question. He took another breath, trying to sound more composed than he truly was.]

I don't... rightly know, exactly. That dress was nice, but it wouldn't be the same without you in it.

[He shifted uncomfortably, his whole posture stiffening as he thought of her in that improper way.]

And ya visited me so much that I got used to talking to you. Started wondering when you'd come.

[Another pause; he rotated his neck, fumbling with his hood again. Why was this so hard?]

I'm not so good with words sometimes, but I know that I don't want anyone else like this. S'just you.

[The heat from her cheeks was to the point she felt herself growing dizzy. All these nice words being directed at her were a rare occurrence in her life.

Feeling her balance waver as she tried to take all this in and process it was a task onto itself. Sexual attraction was not one of Pyro's greatest understandings.]

I...

[Shoving her hands over her face, she attempted to hide just how flustered she had become. It was starting to take everything in her power not to advance on him and smoother him in love.]

I think... I feel strange.

[His eyes were drawn to her; he recognized her movements, having seen her do them before. He swallowed the knot in his throat again as it forced him to breathe.

He hobbled in front of her, leaning on his crutch and offering his hand to her to help her up.]

Me too, pumpkin.

[He feels the same? Uh oh.

Playing with her hands nervously, her voice began to get a little shaky. This was not a good situation. It could get awkward... Hell, it was already awkward.]

Do you think if we ignore the strange feeling it can go away on it's own?

[He shifted, trying to balance the crutch under his arm. He withdrew his hand as his eyes affixed themselves somewhere on the floor.]

I already tried that by running, remember?

[He sighed, starting to think this was a bad idea. He seemed to be full of them.]

Look. You were the one who said it was fine if we both, um. Liked it. [He cleared his throat.] But if you think it'd make ya feel better, I'll just leave.

Edited 2012-01-25 11:19 (UTC)

[Getting panicked that he would leave again if she denied him, Pyro suddenly found herself explaining parts of her life she thought should never come up again.]

No, that's not it! I've... never even been with a man before! The closest I had to a relationship was holding hands with my fiancee! That's all I've done!

[Burying her face in her arm, a sighed escaped her.]

I'm ashamed. I don't know how to please anybody, alright?!

[Sniper cringed, both her reaction and deluge of personal information a bit much for her. It did explain some things, but not others, and certainly did nothing to fix the awkward tension between them.

With his leg starting to ache, he stepped to the side, easing into a chair. It brought him closer to Pyro- he leaned forward, trying to work out in his mind what he should say, or even could say to make things right. He pushed another sigh through him, that distinct feeling he was never going to be any good with women coming back. It did give him an idea, though it was one he wasn't sure he wanted to follow. He rubbed the back of his neck.]

Look, I've only been with one other girl, and that was years ago. Over a decade. And she didn't, um. It wasn't like that with her, what happened with us the other day. That... It felt good. Really good.

[He could feel himself burning again- he cursed his mortification as he clawed at the side of his face.]

I'm aware I'm not the best at this sort of thing, myself. That's what I'm saying.

Over a decade?

[A decade ago she would of been fifteen if she ignored the current place they were in.

To think, when I was just a little one, Sniper already had a girlfriend.

When I was fifteen, Sniper was twenty-nine? I have a good four years to go before I reach that number!

Shaking her head back and forth to snap out of it, she braced herself for pulling her arm away and being brave enough to look him in the eyes.]

I... I don't mind. I mean, if that's what you are worried about. I'm just afraid that I--

[Rubbing her knuckles together, she pulled them apart slightly and began to make vague hand gestures.]

Haven't done those sorts of.... er...

[There were more hand gestures. Whatever she was doing, it was causing her face to overheat.]

But if you want me to, um...

[Pointing at her mouth, she then closed her eyes as she pointed directly at his crotch, totally unaware that's where she was directing his gaze or attempting to signal.]

I will.

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