[Text]

[notintehkitchen]

Mr. Hawk, will you please come back to the house? I found a solution to our problem.

I've sealed my gas mask on permanently so I don't have to talk to you again or be strange. I'll just be a normal Pyro again, you don't even have to think of me as a girl if you don't want to. Just think of me as a boy--or even better, an it. I'm fine with that, really. Just come back, please?

Comments

[action]

[hasstandards]

[He stiffened beneath her grasp on reflex, unable to get his face far enough away from hers. At least she was warm- with the chill still set in him, he wasn't about to complain about that.

What he would complain about was his leg: in her excitement, her knee bumped into his, sending a sharp pang up his leg and through his body. He yelped, gritting his teeth as his breath caught in his throat.]

Food might be nice, but what I'd like right now is my pain medication, if you don't mind.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Did he say he needed his drugs? Uh oh.]

Pain medication? Was it in a bottle? I think... Jell-O might of ate it on accident.

[So much for the mood being that of a happy one.]

Maybe he'll spit it back up if I ask him.

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[hasstandards]

Er... On second thought, I'll live.

[He still looked like he was hurting, but the thought of ingesting something that blob had eaten was horrifying.]

How about some coffee, then? The walk over was a mite cold.

[action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

I can do that.

[Getting up from the couch and saving Sniper the awkward tension of having a warm body pressed up against him, Pyro headed towards the kitchen to prepare a cup of decaf coffee for him. It was the only reason she had a coffee maker, if Sniper wasn't here... this kitchen appliance wouldn't be either.

Coming back with a cup, she decided to surprise him with a very large cup with a familiar letters in red paint.

#1 Sniper]

Here, I... decided I should give this to you sooner then later. This looks like the one back home, doesn't it? I tried my best.

[action]

[hasstandards]

[He eyed the mug in her hands, genuine surprise coloring his features as he found himself completely at a loss for words. He wasn't much of one for giving or receiving gifts; to have her surprise him with something— something that so closely resembled one of his personal treasures from home, something he'd not seen since his arrival and expected to never see again— was touching in some way he couldn't fully comprehend.

Taking the mug from her, a smile spread across his face- sweet, sincere.]

It's ace, pumpkin. Thanks.

[action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Pointing at him the moment his usual lineface changes to something more pleasant, Pyro lets out a gasp in surprise before cracking up entirely.]

Ah, hey! You're smiling! You must love it if it can make you smile!

[Clapping her hands in amusement, she brings her head close to his and whispers into his ear.]

You should smile more, it looks handsome on you.

[action]

[hasstandards]

[He tried to wipe that smile from his face as soon as she pointed it out, but found the task impossible as he looked at his new mug. He burned a deeper color as she neared him, whispering in his ear.

His immediate reaction was to down half the coffee in his mug in an attempt to mask the flush of his face. He cleared his throat as he set his new prize aside, his windpipe feeling tight all of the sudden.]

I really do like it, but ya don't gotta say things like that.

[action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

It's not a crime to smile.

[Punching him in his uninjured shoulder with more strength then she realized, Pyro started cracking up.]

It's better then that one face you usually have. Sometimes I'm afraid it'll be stuck that way.

[action]

[hasstandards]

I don't have much of a reason to smile most days.

[That came out a bit bitterer than he'd thought it would, but he shrugged it off casually, reclaiming his mug and taking another swallow. After that was another deep breath, in and out, pushing the color from his face. He needed to keep himself in check, not let himself get too worked up. Things never went right when he did.]

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[That did sound pretty bitter. Pyro usually tried to look at the positive side of life but even she had troubles sometimes. Somehow, being mopey all the time didn't make a lot of sense. What was the point to living if you were miserable?]

What would it take you to smile more? Let me know, I'll help make it happen.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[His eyes turned to her, then away immediately, the initial thought that crossed his mind one less professional than he'd have liked. He scratched at his face before he continued.]

Not much you can do, I'm sure.

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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.

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

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.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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!

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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!

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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?

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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!

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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?

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

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.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

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

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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.

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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!

[Action]

[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

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?

[Action]

[hasstandards]

[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.