Shadowcat

That reaction, on the other hand, made her pause for a different reason, and she edged up in his lap toward his chest, thoughts racing back to their play-fight, the trust she had in him to try to beat him without powers, being bested, being pinned-- his eyes were shut.

Kitty’s hand tightened just slightly at the nape of his hair, leaning in and kissing him. He’d twice dodged telling her how he felt about witnessing The Incident, but whether his reaction was to that or to her, it didn’t matter.  

“So, you might not know, but technically I’m only really qualified to teach aikido. Like, I know a lot more, that’s the only one where I know what you’re supposed to do, rather than just winging it, which is what generally happens with Natasha. She doesn’t fight fair.” Kitty had eventually told him about Natasha though not in much detail. Just that she was someone from her world, though not a friend or a coworker– they had mutual friends, one could say.

He nodded. “Whatever you’ve got is good with me.”

Kitty moved to stand near him, careful demonstrating different arm positions for attacks and defense. He was a very attentive listener, just watching her sharply as she explained and demonstrated– trying not to touch him overmuch. After ten or twenty minutes, she swapped to be across from him and taught him drills, to match the corresponding defences to her attacks. Drilling was very rhythmic, but for her it was too easy– she found herself doing it by rote, staring at him (were his normal clothes like that? She’d never seen him in gym clothes, she supposed) rather than focusing exclusively on his blows. He had to land a hit– gentle but firm– on a shoulder before her attention corrected itself.

She frowned at him, pulling her hands back. “I thought I told you to stick to the drill!” He didn’t do anything wrong– she’s pretty sure, anyway, not that she was paying nearly enough attention.

He bit back a smile, raising both hands. “You seemed distracted. And I learned how to punch when I joined the forces, I think.”

“Alright mister, if you’re bored I guess we can work on sweeps and pins.” If one wanted to get technical akido didn’t have pins the way wrestling did, but that was alright. Not like Aaron would know better.

Once again with care, she went through exactly he should pull her forward by the forearm, which would knock her off her feet and over his hip to the ground. They mimed it a few times before she pronounced him ready to try for real.

Something about working without her powers as a crutch was odd– like every touch was real in some hard to describe way. In more ways than she’d like to admit, she moved through her world like a ghost, until coming here. No phasing for convenience or a joke or for fun. It wasn’t that she did trust her fighting capabilities, exactly. But there’s always been an element of “I can get away any time” to her practice bouts. On her nod she let Aaron grab her arm, pulling her close before angling in a twist that made her balance shift– used that to lever her over his hip. Down she went, though she was set up all wrong for follow through.

“So, in a real spar you’d want to rotate as soon I was out of the way before I had time to get back up,” Kitty instructed, trying not to seem flustered as she got back up off the mat. “You seem like the kind of guy that did wrestling in high school, I’m sure you can think of something.” Winging it was much better than formal sparring anyway, and it didn’t give her the creeps the way real aikido duels could. Call it a holdover from her ninja brainwashing.

Hotch nodded his assent, backing up to let Kitty rise. It had been a while since high school, but the muscle memory was ingrained deeply enough to let his subconscious take over. Kitty’s face was a bit red – he was nearly thankful that she seemed to be getting to work, as well. At least she hadn’t taken him out straight off.

They traded off a few times, and it was sort of nice to see she still had the strength to lever a grown man without using her powers to cheat. And trapping Hotch on his front with one arm twisted up out of reach was somewhat invigorating, Kitty had to admit. Thankfully she wasn’t strong enough to hurt him by accident– not unless he fell wrong anyway. Eventually a break had to be taken to drink some water– she tried not to look like she was catching her breath, but she totally was. Natasha and her… they were more like one-and-done, not what was getting to be an hour of practice.

“Ready, old man?” She smirked. “I think I’ve got one last spar in me. Whoever loses has to do the dishes for a week.”

“First of all, unkind,” he shook his head good-naturedly. “I’m not that old. Second?” His eyes were bright. “Get ready to get washing.”

This one started out slow and gained speed, starting with arm blows– she was going to have bruises, next time she was wrapping her whole arm, not just her wrists. His grip was seriously tight when he tried to flip her. It was a newbie thing, though. A tighter grip actually gave her a good way to counter balance. She shifted his weight and tossed him not quite over her shoulder, but before Kitty could pin him again, his legs tangled with hers and she went down.

She wanted to be incredulous, but there wasn’t time. Hotch had paused seeing her fall like that, but once he saw her getting up he was all motion. She rolled up to a crouch and struck out at him with an arm, knocking him off balance and properly following through to pin his chest down with her hands. Unfortunately he had a height (and weight) advantage, once again twisting with his legs. Must be that damn wrestling she’d been teasing him over, had she been right about that? He’d rolled on top of her– she could see his breathing was faster than usual.

It was a good pin, getting more difficult to get out of every second. He was heavy enough that the second he settled his hips she couldn’t move, her legs twisted partly underneath her, the wrong angle to use as leverage. Kitty made eye contact with him briefly before striking him with her arms, only getting a few firm hits in before with both hands he pinned her arms.

One was pinned more by weight, leaning on her shoulder. The other he was holding above her head, tight. Without thinking about it she tried to phase and remembered she couldn’t. She shifted her weight, this way and that, looking to the right and left as the young woman tried to figure out her advantages. It didn’t occur to her that this would be awkward to say the least until he made a small noise and she realized she’d pressed her legs and hips right up against him. She blushed and looked to the side, relaxing in his grip to knock her one free arm against his ribs– ugh, couldn’t even get any power behind it.

He was looking at her, and the longer this moment the more Kitty remembered the incident with Foyet, a thought that didn’t do her any favors– for one, Aaron was much better looking and she hadn’t been flat on her back for him.

The surprised rush of triumph faded quickly into the realization that they were… closer than Aaron had intended. Her face was flushed. Had she been that red before?

He was close enough to feel the flutter of her heartbeat. It pounded at her wrists, and through the point where her hip pressed (if only barely) against him. He was suddenly, vividly reminded of the last time he’d seen her pinned – of the glint of Foyet’s smile, even seen from far away. Several unfortunately unrestrained thoughts whirled in his head.

…But said thoughts had no place in this particular setting. He retreated up to his knees, freeing Kitty’s hands and reaching out to help her up as he rose. “You all right?”

A part of her really wanted to snub the hand Aaron held out to her, if only to avoid touching him for a little bit longer. Was he embarrassed? Did she mess up by squirming the way she did and he was just trying to tell her by backing off? She took a breath and tried to focus, turning away from him to grab the water. “I’m fine! You’re not the strongest person I’ve sparred with or anything.” That… could be interpreted as an insult. She winced and turned back around. “How about you?”He rolled his shoulder, smiling a little wryly. “Yes, I’m fine. You were the one pinned, after all. I haven’t done this in a while, I wouldn’t want to make a mistake and hurt you. No disrespect to your prowess – I think luck played a part in that pin.”

She crooked her head, wondering what he was talking about. It wasn’t like he would hurt her… he never made her feel threatened or on edge, not even when she was powerless– literally. Kitty handed him the water, looked down at her hands. “I didn’t… make you uncomfortable? I didn’t mean to be weird or anything,” leaving the whole Incident aside, “I can’t really evaluate your form since it wasn’t aikido to begin with. Whatever works, works. And I won’t have anything worse than a bruise, if that.” Her emotions are seriously out of control around him at the moment– how could should talk to him honestly about this, anyway? He was so much older than her and she just felt like a kid around him. She really hoped that wasn’t why he was acting like this, all protective and careful.

He shook his head, taking a drink and using the moment of silence to make a fairly useless attempt at reading Kitty’s tone. “I’m all right, promise. I trust your judgement – please be sure to let me know if something makes you uncomfortable.” He trails off, a little awkwardly. “I value your trust in me, though.”

Kitty sighed, frustrated with the circles they were talking around. But… she had no one but herself to blame for that one, really. The incident was how long ago? And she still hadn’t said anything. Literally anything could be awkward under those circumstances. “Thanks for that.” She pulled her hair out of it’s pony and finger combed it before putting it back up. “I’m gonna head back to the apartment for a shower, okay?” Barely waiting for acknowledgement, she grabbed her gym bag and headed for the door, careful to remember she couldn’t phase through in annoyance– nothing worse than ruining a snappy exit by running into stuff. She’d learned that back when she was a teenager.

The street was chilly, but that likely had more to do with her still being in gym clothes than the weather out this evening. Not too busy, either, which was also good. Kitty had been a little worried about walking herself back without her powers just in case, but she was an adult, it would be fine. Plus, hadn’t she just proven she could take care of herself? Not one second later than she’d asked that rhetorical question did she critique it– that would have been a stronger argument if she’d won instead of lost. Soon enough she was taking the elevator to the apartment, praying that Foyet wouldn’t have chose tonight to stop by. Facing him without powers was a non-starter. A light sigh once she was safe in the apartment– but of course, a sulk wouldn’t do much good since she was living with Aaron. Just get over it and let him be a father figure or something and just never ever tell him about the incident… was sounding good right about now.

The silence nearly echoed in Kitty’s sudden absence. Aaron stood in the empty room, water in hand, pulse still calming down in his ears. Had he said something wrong? Thoughts whirled in his head, even more elusive than before.

He’d realized, in a split-second of clarity as she said her goodbye, hands pulling her hair out of her face, that Kitty was beautiful.

…He didn’t know what to do with that. Maybe he’d always known? It felt like he’d always known. Maybe that was the reason for…

And there it was. Another realization, a sudden clearness in his muddled thoughts. He liked Kitty, liked her a lot– and while that was a bit of an understatement, it was no less true. Vivid in his head, a replay of Kitty’s face flashed for a moment, flushed and awkward, and he felt suddenly, chillingly terrible.

He had to tell her. She’d kick him out – that was almost a certainty, but he had to at least explain. That same sentence repeated distantly in his mind as he gathered what he’d brought and made his way out onto the street, still half-flushed and shivery in the sudden breeze. What must she think of me…

It didn’t take long for the familiar building to rise before him – the elevator ride seemed long and silent. He stood for a bit longer than necessary in front of Kitty’s door.

Sulking showers were generally longer than normal ones. Such is the wisdom of the young. Over the pouring water, Kitty had no idea whether Aaron had returned or not. Perhaps he’d gone to find his boyfriend, or whatever. She scrubbed and rinsed with annoyance. But no, she’d just gotten out of the shower when the front door opened and shut, quietly. Aaron for sure– no one else seemed to make that little noise to be polite. If it was Nat she wouldn’t have been able to hear anything at all. She scowled and combed out her hair before tying it back in a braid. Thankfully she had her other set of gym clothes handy– no need to make the guy even more awkward with a dash to her bedroom. Eventually she exited the bathroom, turning quickly with the intent to retreat to her bedroom without saying anything. Why bother?

She turned hurriedly, but he stepped forward. It was no use willing the anxiety out of his voice. The words came out all at once, tripping over themselves.

“Kitty, I have to apologize – I realize the atmosphere was awkward before, and it was my fault entirely – I may have not told the whole truth when I said that concern for your safety was the only thing on my mind when I backed off. It was just a sparring match, I was foolish and undisciplined to let,” he stopped for a moment, trying to find a better word, and failed, “my own… feelings get in the way. I understand if my behavior made you uncomfortable. I doubt a pin was the best way to resolve whatever emotional difficulties I was experiencing.”

There’s wasn’t much more be said. “I only have a few things here. Just give me a minute, and I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”

It was hard to listen– she wished she could sink through the floor. Didn’t want to hear about how he’d been irresponsible to act the way he had around her, as though she were a child. Or the way people acted when they found out Piotr and her dated. Like the whole idea had been inappropriate. But… a confession was unexpected. Kitty turned a little to look at him, and finally all the way to face him when he said he was going to go.

“I… didn’t think you liked me. That maybe you were attracted to me but it was wrong or something in your eyes. That’s what made me uncomfortable– I’m not someone you need to be responsible for or to. Not in that way, anyway.” She moved closer to where he’d retreated to, touched his arm. “Unless I guess it’d be hard to be with… Foyet and also like me. But don’t move out if you don’t know where you’re going, alright? Please?”

The absence of… outright rejection was surprising, to say the least. He was quiet for a long moment, blinking down at her.

“Foyet isn’t my… only.” he said, finding his voice again. “I mean… I’m not deluding myself that he’d keep any semblance of an exclusive relationship between us. I know he sees other people,” and a meaningful silence, “and I think he wouldn’t mind me doing the same.” He shrugged, a little ruefully. “Just to clarify.”

In that silence Kitty tried to keep the apparent guilt off her face. There was no way… he was talking about The Incident. But she supposed that sort of retroactively made her not the worst person involved with that whole thing.

“So…” She took a step forward, “Just to clarify… You want to ‘see me’?”

There was no use pretending that the flush in his cheeks was still due to the sparring incident.

“…if you wouldn’t mind.”

Kitty shook her head. They would need to talk more, probably but for now… She leaned up to kiss him, gently– certainly chastely, since that was clearly an issue.

“I gotta admit, I like a girl with snark, but you’re pushing it.  You’re really pushing it. If I were you, I’d refrain from making comments about what would and would not make Aaron hot.” There was some emphasis on his name, even additional pressure across her shoulders, as though no else could call him that.

Now that they were so close– their height differences had his grip shifting higher. Kitty flinched and tried not to phase as his arm rolled close to her throat. But no, no pressure was being put down there. Instead he crowded her, so near that his entire body was what kept her again the brick, so close that any onlookers might think poorly of them both.

Her gaze tracked his face, trying not to look like he was scaring her. He wasn’t, exactly– but the idea of fighting him without letting on about her powers could get dicey pretty fast. And if they wanted to salvage the situation for Aaron’s sake, neither of them could go too far–

His voice, or more explicitly his tone broke her train of thoughts.

“For reference, sweetheart, this is how excellent at seduction I am.”  His tone dropped, becoming low and gravelly and something both dark and honey-sweet.  “You’re cute, playing hero.  Trying to help a new friend get back on his feet and away from the shadow tailing him around.  But lemme tell you something: he wants this.  Some sick part of him wants me watching him, wants that trickle of fear down his spine.  Fear and arousal, physiologically, have very similar responses throughout the body.” His grin was wolfish, lopsided and mixed in with a cocky smirk.  

“But I’m not one for ripping a quick fuck out of someone, though the idea of leaving someone broken is far too nice in my mind sometimes.  No… I like it when they know they like it and they hate that they do.  I like it when hate and lust mix in someone’s eyes, and when they can’t tear themselves away.  I promise you, sweetheart, I’m really good with my hands.  I could make you scream for me in minutes; they don’t call me charming for nothing.  You tell me where you like it, and I’ll make it the best night of your life.”

Her gaze dropped slightly, considering without discarding the idea. She was more likely to consider such a proposition from Aaron than this guy. But it was an interesting thought to be sure. Kitty hadn’t exactly tried to listen at doors or whatever, and Aaron didn’t share those kinds of details with her, but she had wondered on occasion what those two were like. Now she was starting to worry Foyet had done something in her bed with Aaron– no, Aaron wouldn’t do that to her. He had some form of shame. Unlike this guy. This kind of boasting didn’t exactly do it for her, actually, but it was sort of novel, in a way. Almost imperceptibly she relaxed, hands that had been braced behind her relaxed, shifting toward him on her terms, not his.

“I have been living with A– Hotch.” She rolled her eyes, “For a few weeks. There haven’t been any “best nights” for either of you. Unless best nights include acting like teenagers. So… don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”

He actually laughed at this.  “What about what we’ve done back in our world?  Are you sure?  And I’ve had other partners besides Aaron.  I know what I’m doing.  Do you?”

A frown had her pressing her lips together. He was right, Hotch hadn’t mentioned they’d hooked up in their world but plenty of people arrived with their significant other’s. Without realizing it, she bit at her lip, tipping her face back to consider him again.

“You’re really cute when you bite your lip,” he purred.  “Wanna bite mine?”

“Just shut up already.” She moved from her lean back on the wall, straightening up, arms going back behind him for balance as Kitty moved to kiss him. Just to try it. And to get him to stop talking.

“With pleasure.”  His grip shifted, both hands at once moving, one pressing a shoulder into the brick as the other slipped down her back and moved them closer together. One slip, now, and Kitty would be phasing both their molecules together. Which would be a bit much.  And they kissed.