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[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?

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[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.

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[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?

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[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.

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[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!

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[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?

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[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.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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?

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[hasstandards]

[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.

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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.

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[hasstandards]

[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.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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.

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[hasstandards]

[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.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[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?

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[hasstandards]

[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.

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[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?!

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[hasstandards]

[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.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

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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[hasstandards]

[The thought had crossed Sniper's mind that he couldn't possibly be any more embarrassed than he already was, as the situation discomforted him on nearly every level: he was explaining his romantic history (or lack thereof) to the woman he fancied, who he had unintentionally told about his attraction to her only a few days before. Attachment was not merely something he'd sworn off because it got in the way of his job and clouded his mind; the thought of losing those he cared for frightened him, rattled his core. Years of shoving it all aside had left him inexperienced in nearly all matters of the heart, both emotional and physical.

He clawed at his face again as he put together what she was saying, a flame lit under his skin. The knot in his throat made it hard to breathe; he pushed it down regardless, trying to find a proper answer. It was becoming harder as the seconds ticked by, his mind and body recalling the feeling of her against him.]

Yes, well... That might be, um. Mm.

[He pressed his hand to his face, rubbing his eyes as he pushed his fingers under his glasses. He could feel the heat radiating off him as he considered her offer, feeling even more perverted for doing so. It wasn't as easy as convincing himself of her words, somehow- that there was no one there to me critical of them, and that it was okay if they both enjoyed it. The latter may have been true, but he knew better about the former; he never wanted the others to know.]

Maybe we should go somewhere more private, pumpkin. Take it a bit slow.

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[Building up the courage to speak again was proving difficult. Her frame was shaking as if she was out in the snow despite being so warm throughout. It was a strange sensation that was impossible for her to rid herself of when Sniper suggested they go somewhere to be alone. If they went to a private place it was quite likely she would be receiving more than a couple kisses from the man in front of her.

As she reopened her eyes, she could do nothing but nod in agreement. Why couldn't she suggest something? Why could she not communicate about sexual ideas with anything but hand gestures? Certainly she must of seemed too childish for this.

Annoyed at herself for being such a coward when it came to her feelings, Pyro kicked at the couch before bowing her head. He had been here only two months or so and she was lusting for him like a teenager full of hormones. She didn't even know his name... he didn't know hers either. Could you have sex without saying someone's name? That's not how it went in the movies she saw...

If she was going to do this, she wanted him to know her name.]

Momo. My name is Momo.

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[hasstandards]

[He blinked in surprise, a little ashamed he'd not thought to ask for her name sooner, especially when the topic of intimacy between then came up. It was another step that brought him uncomfortably close- not just physically, but on a deeper level. Learning about the rest of his team was something he'd avoided back at Sawmill. It was easier to feel nothing for them as they were shot down all around him if he didn't think too hard about who they were or what they had in life. They were professionals with the same job- that was all that mattered. Everything else got in the way.

They weren't at the base anymore, the trees and muddy hills a far cry from Paradise's paved roads and futuristic buildings. Similarly gone was their occupation, and with it a large aspect of stability in his life. He wasn't much of a man for change; all he'd faced upon his arrival in Paradise— the loss of his job, parents, and nearly everything he'd thrived on for the past several years— had nearly broken him. He'd snapped, which brought even worse consequences to his plate.

While Pyro herself was the same teammate he'd worked with at Sawmill, even she was a changed individual from the one he knew: gone was her suit, her true identity known. He hadn't batted an eye as she was slain before; watching her be maimed on a daily basis was just a part of the job. She was a faceless figure, one without a true voice, one for whom he couldn't care less.

A little over two months in the city, and his opinion had changed to the point of nonrecognition. She'd visited him daily in the hospital; somewhere along the way, he'd become somewhat comfortable with her being there, with talking to her beyond a gruff greeting and a few belligerent words. He still claimed not to care, but there was a level of concern for her that had welled itself in his chest without his knowing. He wouldn't have returned to the house if it didn't exist, would have been able to talk himself out of it as he always had.

He could see the change in himself; it was one that went against his personal code, but he wasn't sure what he could do to stifle it... or if he even wanted to. She brought back some sense of stability to his life- she was there every day, whether he wanted her to be or not. She had become that unchanging element he craved, and he'd never even realized it.

He had a private smile to himself, feeling calmer somehow.]

I'm Alan.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Once you introduced yourself she realized in Western cultures you were supposed to shake hands and not bow or else it would seem both rude and strange. Doing just so, she offered out her hand with a bright smile that was thoroughly sincere. The sound of her voice made it seem like she was meeting him all over again for the 3rd time.]

Nice to meet you, Alan.

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[hasstandards]

Nice to meet you, Momo.

[The smile remained on his face as he took her offered hand. It seemed so strange: he'd known Barbara for years before they ever got involved, and it had never felt quite so... comfortable as it did with the woman sitting before him, an individual he'd worked with and had never known her identity until recently. He related to Pyro in some way he couldn't with her, some way she was incapable of seeing and he was still trying to discover for himself.

He was already feeling it as he sat there, that innate fear of loss that came coupled with attachment. Was he setting himself up for another injury by pursuing this? It felt backwards, to be introducing themselves after all that had already happened, but he couldn't find it in himself to regret it at that point. He was selfish, and wanted her more than he could fully express.

His hand lingered around hers another moment, taking in the texture of her skin. He licked his lips, his mouth feeling dry as tension hit him.]

Right. I think it's a bit warm in here. Maybe we oughtta get some fresh air.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[When his hand was placed into hers, Momo looked down at it and widened her eyes a bit. In pure fascination at how big his hands were compared to hers she began to place her other one over his.]

Your hands are huge.

[At his suggestion, she remembered how freezing it was out there. It was not going to be fun. Pyro disliked cold weather as much as she hated swimming.]

Ah, yes. Fresh air...

[Fresh cold air.

Removing her hands, she placed them at her sides and felt the bulky fabric of her uniform still being worn. Squeaking at the realization, she began to unzip her flame retardant suit until it dropped to the ground. When she stepped out she was wearing that dress that Sniper had called nice along with a pair of stockings and garters that were odd going with her black boots that had flaps.]

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[hasstandards]

[Sniper's suggestion had ulterior motives: while he'd thought that the cold air might clear his head and help quell the burning of his face, he'd thought the chill might push her to him- having shared a bed with her for a few weeks, her general dislike of the cold was apparent. He smirked, rather proud of his cleverness.

The look dissolved as she unzipped her uniform, dropping it and revealing the nice dress, now with accompanying stockings. His eyes never even made it to the thick boots that were a comical addition to the ensemble- they stopped momentarily on her thighs, his attention grabbed by garters before he tore them away, shame coloring him yet again. So much for all that self-control; not thinking about her in such a way was nearly impossible in that particular dress. He fumbled with his hood.]

Wait, back up. You were stickin' yourself in your suit permanently wearing that?

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

I didn't have much of a choice. All my clothes were dirty except for my men's undergarments. This was my only option it seemed. IS there a problem?

[Turning about in circles she attempted to look at her backside with confusion.]

Is something to stuck to my butt? My back? Where?

[Placing her hands behind her back before he could even answer, she began to search as if that was the reason he was acting peculiar.]

Sometimes I get soot in the inside of my uniform when I take it off. Is that what's weird?

[Stopping, she extended out her right led and hiked up her dress in order to get a good look at her skin.]

No, just scars. Everything looks fine.