楓

〘楓〙

     "Oh, Mikazuki.  Here for a snack?”  Her fingers shut the last bento box with an audible click as she looks up from her handy work.  12 Bentos ready for the 2 expedition teams, and the last 6 just needed to have rice added.  She glanced at the rice cooker as it continued to blow out steam while it cooked the last batch of food before going to wash her hands in the sink.  

His arms move elegantly as he takes his master's hand into his, his fingers gracing her skin. Bringing it closer to him, he places a soft gentle kiss on the back of her hand.

"... Or perhaps that was too forward of me?" he laughs his trademark laugh in response to her stunned silence. "I apologize."

〘楓〙

      Truthfully, it takes a few more seconds to even recognize what he did.  The heat of lips burn into her skin as it then rushes to her cheeks.  She isn’t unused to affection from the swords, as she usually were often hugged by the Tantou or even carried around like a sack of rice but...Mikazuki...wasn’t normally the type to instigate things.  A pat on his head was the most she’d ever done, now that she thought about it. 

    “Ah--No.  I mean--It’s fine.” Her voice is stutters more than she would like but all she does is clear he rthroat to try again.  “It just took me by surprise.  I don’t mind stuff like that.”  

〘楓〙

      “I’m not the one in danger.  And you aren’t going anywhere with a wound like that.”  A scowl forms with her words, fingers (gently) jabbing the sarkaz’s bandaged arm.  The greenhouse’s nursery is a contrast to the other’s dark clothing and it was all too obvious against such a natural scenery--She could still recall the murmurings of SilverAsh who had been surprised to learn the Sarkaz had such a tame hobby in compared to his usual persona.  

    “It won’t heal if you don’t rest, and I won’t send you out on missions if it doesn’t heal.  If I die on the mission, I’ll make sure my replacement does the same.”  There’s sarcasm in her voice as she continues to water the small plants near her before her fingers pat the damp soil to help press water down.  

〖 ⎯✫⎯ 〗

        “Ooh, welcome back~” A bright smile greets the Doctor as she enters the cafeteria, uncharacteristic of the normal stoicism that the Lupo displayed around everyone else. The area is currently empty, save for the sounds of from the nearby kitchen—it would seem as if someone is hard at work inside.

        “I heard that the sorties went well today. You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

〘楓〙

       “Yep. And nope.”  Her hood falls from her face, visor pulled up to reveal her face.  The sortie was a usual one, just a supply delivery.  While she’s unsure why she had to be present, she didn’t want to start anything.  Besides, it was nice to get off the ship sometimes.  While they were always traveling, it sometimes felt stagnant to stay in her office all the time.  

〖 海 〗

        The Liberi hums at her words, thankful for her permission as he continues to rest his head against hers. In this relative calm, he allows his thoughts to wander as he tries to find a reason for his rather… uncharacteristic behavior. When the Doctor returns his embrace with an awkward one of her own, he feels as if something clicks in his mind.

        Swayed by his thoughts, Passenger brings a hand to the other’s chin, tilting her head up so that their eyes stare into one another. Orbs of a deep hazel meet his of foggy blue-grey. Would she, too, one day disappear and leave him without purpose or direction?

        ( he doesn’t want to feel lost like that again )

        Without a word, he closes the distance between their lips, kissing her as if making sure that she would not simply fade away from within his grasp.

〘楓〙

    For a moment, shock forms onto her expression as she sees his eyes and face come closer to hers.  Like a movie played in slow motion, she watches him move towards her lips but she herself, was paused.  Cheeks lighting up in a flaring red as she feels cool lips press against her and he body stiffens in surprise.  

    All she can really do is stay still, unsure whether to return such an intimate motion.  Did he like her? In a romantic sense? Or was he simply testing the waters?  Was it just a mistake?  Was he mimicking something he saw in a book, or tv show once?  

    So many questions flash through her head, and all she can do is close her eye to avoid the confusion that would be staring at her in the face once she opened it.  But then she lightly pushes the kiss back as his scent surrounds her for a moment--  

   And then she buries her face right into his chest as the burning of her cheeks intensifies.  

〖 海 〗

        “Forgive me, Doctor,” he starts, his voice somewhat muffled. Her scent is relaxing, which causes him to unconsciously hold her tighter. Gloved hands just barely graze the parts of her body that might be considered more sensitive than others. “but embracing you is oddly comforting. As such, I find myself not willing to let you go.”

        “I would request to stay like this for a while longer.” he adds, his voice becoming softer and softer as he spoke. If it were anyone else besides the caster, it could have easily been mistaken for embarrasment instead. “Is that agreeable to you?”

〘楓〙

     What?  

    A quick exhale escapes instead of that word, confusion forming plainly onto her face.  Any words get caught in her throat and are unable to sound off whatever questions she had that would pop out without any thought.  

    “I--I see.  I suppose it’s fine if that’s what you want.”  She says in a hushed and muffled voice.  The feeling wasn’t unpleasant, nor bad, but it seemed...foreign for him.  So she remains still for a few more moments to let the other get comfortable.  As he doesn’t move, she pauses before looking up at his hidden face.  Orange hair once again clouds her vision and it looked like a sunset.  Should she say so?  

    This “Sand Soldier” was rather different from the file she read.  She was hardly afraid of any operator since she was accustomed to dealing with mercenaries and newly hired operators.  While the Rhodes Island Operators were skilled in battle, many seemed to have their own demons to face.  They spoke with her like a friend with open ears about their worries once she worked with them for awhile.  

   Perhaps that was what Passenger needed?  A friendly touch, and a friendly voice.  

   Or maybe that was just her way of coping with an unusual situation.  

    Carefully, she wraps one arm around him and gives him a half hug and an awkward pat.  A hug for a child who had to grow up to fast, and a hug for a solitary person.  

〖 海 〗

        Passenger hums softly at her words, though it wasn’t out of agreement or anything of the sort. Did she really understand? Twice had she already endangered herself with rash and impulsive decisions—something that was very unlike her presence on the battlefield. There appeared to be something very wrong here, and the man found that it troubled him.

        “Eternity would not be preferable in the slightest.” he states simply, his deep voice reverberating in his chest. The caster makes no move to let the Doctor go as he loses himself in his thoughts again, perplexed by the foreign feeling building up in his chest.

        “…” It takes him many moments to realize that he is still holding onto her. And yet for some reason, he was not averse to doing it for an even longer period of time. Sighing through his nose, he gently buries his face into her hair.

〘楓〙

     “I...I suppose so. I’ve probably slept too much for my good.”  Her reply is a bit awkward,  as she continues to feel herself pressed against his chest.  A hand shifts to press against her cheeks again, trying to calm it down.  He still doesn’t release her and she wonders why--did he think she was going to roll off again?  Or did he forget about their currently...embarrassing position.  

   She glad to know that at least no one could walk in without her saying.  She didn’t want to, or desired to explain the current situation if Amiya, or someone else walked in.  Would they believe her if she said it was about her ankle?  

    Probably not.  

    As she feels his breath on the top of her head, she hesitates, mouth opening to question him until she feels him draw even closer to it.  Was his face in her hair?  

〖 海 〗

        Though lost in thought, Passenger was in no way unaware of his surroundings. He notices as the young woman begins to inch away from him and begins to open his mouth to warn her of the threat. However, he quickly realizes that his words will not reach her in time—not at how fast she was retreating from him, at least.

        So instead he quickly leans over the bed, wrapping his arms around her body like one holding a body pillow before she can entirely fall off. Immediately he pulls her away from the edge and a nasty fall and close towards his body instead.

        “Doctor,” he exhales, breath warm against her head. Was that concern, relief, or exasperation in his voice? He feels a reluctance to let her go from within him—was she just going to injure herself again if he didn’t? “have you already forgotten that you are injured? I implore you to exercise caution and not move around.”

〘楓〙

     As she feels herself being pulled back into the bed, she feels like how a worm feels when caught by a bird.  In a sense, wasn’t this the same thing?  As she lays pressed up against his chest again, only one thing popped into her head.  

    And it was just the sound of herself, screaming internally, as every decision in her waking life came back.  

   “Understood.  Got it!” Any decorum she had was out the window, voice clearly flustered as she tries to wiggle away for a moment, before being still.  She doubts the man really would understand again, why her face is red or why she feel awkward--if he even felt remotely the same he didn’t show it.  

〖 海 〗

        The caster glances at the table in question, noting the snacks and tea. Was she still going to insist on working in her condition? Eyebrows furrow ever so slightly as he turns his attention back to the Doctor staring at her tablet—a workaholic, is that what those types were called?

        Instead of heading to the table Passenger sits himself right next to the Doctor on the bed, absolutely disregarding the usual need for one’s personal space. He places his hand on her forehead, taking her temperature yet again. But he also leans in close to press his forehead against the back of his own hand for an easy comparison. Their faces are only mere centimeters from each other, but his blue-grey eyes are lost in thought.

        “You are still rather unusually warm.” he comments after a few moments, his deep voice softer than it usually was. The Liberi’s face meets hers at an angle, so that when he speaks, his warm breath tingles against the exposed skin of her neck.

        “I would advise that you keep the work for another day and rest, Doctor. If are truly concerned on falling behind, I will be more than willing to assist you with the workload in the coming future.” He makes no attempt to remove himself from her, however. Instead the caster is thinking about what he could possibly do in order to bring her body temperature back to normal numbers. Would a cold cloth against her forehead suffice, even though she insisted it was not a fever? Or perhaps…

〘楓〙

     “Eh--”  She manages to silence her voice before it evolves into a shocked yell,  embarrassment evident by her reddened cheeks.  Once again, she feels the warmth of his body and feels a cool palm push against her forehead.  

     And once again, she was horribly close to him as he leans towards her, orange hair spilling over her arms.  She can barely hear his words over her the thumps happening in her ears--was it her heart?  Could he hear it?  The breeze on her neck makes goosebumps form like the other day when they were both drenched in water.  

    Some part of her wishes the sprinklers would go on to cool off her head.  

    “I-Uh--Well--”  At once she shifts away from his thoughtful gaze, her own hand going to rub her forehead as if to get rid of the foreign warmth.  Things just seemed to be digging a deeper and deeper hole--and she’s unsure whether she could climb out after that.  

     She moves further away until she feels the bed under her disappear.  

〖 海 〗

        … Other things? The Liberi blinks once as he goes through possible causes of rising body temperature that he was aware of besides a fever. Overheating? Embarrassment? Stress? Out of those options, only the third one seemed the most likely—Passenger can’t recall ever seeing the Doctor doing something that wasn’t considered work.

        “My free time is exactly that, Doctor. Free.” he starts as the door to the Doctor’s quarters immediately slides open upon recognition of the pair. “It is to my understanding that I am able to do as I desire during such times. Do correct me if I am wrong.”

        As he enters her room, the caster heads towards her bed. He lowers himself, laying her down on the soft mattress as gently as he could. Arms slide away from underneath her body, his warmth finally leaving hers. “But if you truly wish me to leave, you need only say the word. Your orders are absolute.”

〘楓〙

      “I...suppose you have a point.”  She says in reply, as she felt the soft blanket under her replace his warmth.  There’s still a nagging feeling in her stemming from her embarrassment.  Every counter he had made so far was brutally honest, and hard to refute.  It must be the logical side of every coin that becomes painfully obvious when spoken out loud.  

      How she wishes she could do the same as him.  

     She moves to sit up, carefully maneuvering herself so she sits comfortably against the headboard of the bed.  Hazel eyes glance around the room, thankful that her room was neater than usual.  There was still the occasional book misplaced on the shelves, and coat strewn about the couch but it was far better than the whirlwind it was when she was by herself.  

     She grabs a tablet that sat on her nightstand, quickly turning it on.  

〖 海 〗

        “Medicine cannot entirely substitute the nutritional value of food, Doctor.” he warns, gazing down at her again as the elevator starts moving to its designated floor. He found it somewhat odd that someone that was spoken of so highly in Rhodes Island was so disinclined to take care of themselves. Was this some kind of recent trend? No matter how much he thought about it, he could not find a good reason behind such behavior.

        “Your actions are reminiscent of an individual with a high fever. I mean no offense in those words, of course.” he states with his usual bluntness as he takes note of how often she is putting her hands to her cheeks. Once the elevator doors open, the caster holds her close to make sure the Doctor will not hit anything against the walls. Passenger then continues down the hallways to the Doctor’s room. “Allow me to tend to it once we have returned to your quarters. You are not in the proper condition to be walking about.”

〘楓〙

      If it weren’t for the fact that she was the one embarrassed, she would have laughed.  However, once again as she feels his squeeze, she stiffens up.  She wasn’t quite sure how she could explain her red cheeks without it being a disaster--if she chalked it up to emotions, she was already digging a hole. If she said she was flustered by him, wouldn’t he still ask her to explain?  And that would be an even deeper hole.

    “I promise I don’t have a fever.  It’s...other things.”  She says a few seconds after, hand beginning to vaguely gesture at the space between them (which was almost null anyway), at least 50% sure he wouldn’t understand her anyway.  “As for my ankle...well, it should be fine in the morning.”  It’s a white lie, but she doubts it’ll hurt her more than this whole experience.  

〖 海 〗

        The man watches silently as she enters her own world for a moment, her hazel eyes gazing at something far beyond the walls of the office. Was she planning something in her head, or was it perhaps something else? He had been exposed to many years of deception and lies, blood and the illegal, but he has his doubts that the Doctor was of such a temperment. Especially in an unfitting situation such as this.

        “At your behest, I shall.” he says with a nod of acknowledgement. He would not question her uncharacteristic silence, at least not yet. Long fingers reach for the wet door handle before opening the door, waiting for her to exit first. Droplets of water fall from the doorframe, while the echoes of some shouts and distant wet footsteps fill the hallway outside.

〘楓〙

    "Thank you.”  A smile forms for a second, before she move to adjust her coat that protected her work.  The explosions hadn’t sounded so she’s sure that they would give up for the night, less Kal'tsit, or Amiya’s wrath become apparent.  In fact, she’s sure one of them would already be down there considering the surprise shower.  

    With her damp sweater, she grabs the tablet that had been safely waterproofed by it’s cover.  She could at least finish the emails she needed to do once she was back in her room.  

     But deep down she knows this meticulous showing was nothing more than that as she pushes the intrusive thoughts down before they drown her again.   

〖 海 〗

        “So carrying you is a normal occurrence aboard this ship, then.” the caster reasons, nodding his head slightly as he mentally acknowledges that fact. “I will hold no future reservations then, should there be a dire need to transport you to a different location swiftly.”

        The Liberi notices her glancing at him for a few short seconds, to which he returns the favor by looking down at her face when she tries to avoid his. Was there something she wished to say? Or did the Originium crystal on his forehead catch her eye? But as she says nothing, he decides to do the same, leaving it be as he approaches the elevator.

        “You are nothing of the sort, Doctor. In fact, I am of the impression that you are too light for your height.” Passenger readjusts how he is holding the young woman in his arms, bringing her closer to his body before he steps into the elevator. “Are you eating sufficiently?”

〘楓〙

     Ah.

     Had she just countered her own point?  

    She can almost hear Flamebringer laughing in the back of her head as she blinks a bit confusedly at the sudden declaration.  Her physical body was weak, of course--she’s very much aware of that fact but being carried whenever another deemed necessary...wouldn’t that be a bit much?  Perhaps its the radical acceptance kicking in but she doesn’t really say anything more than that.  Her twisted ankle be damned, looks like she’ll have to make sure she doesn’t hurt that area again.  

    There’s no way she could handle this again.

    As he shifts her close again, his next question hits her.  

   “I eat...regularly.”  Technically, she did though she doubts it would count as “sufficiently.”  “I take nutritional medicine on the side so I’m healthy enough.”  Why was she feeling embarrassed again?  Once again, she becomes conscious of the other’s arms around her and that stubborn, flustered feeling hits her again, this time in a larger wave.  

    As the elevator closes, her hand presses against her cheeks again, trying to hide it or at least press them away.  It was quite annoying--but at least the other didn’t seem to catch onto why she’s blushing.  “Sorry, I’m blabbering.  I’ll shut up now.”  

〖 海 〗

        Passenger arches an eyebrow upwards at her excuse, doubt obvious on his normally stoic features. He does not question it, however, deciding to leave it at just that if that was what the Doctor would insist on. Instead he continues walking, footsteps echoing in the empty hallway as he makes a mental note to keep an eye on her temperature from now on.

        “Is that so?” He gives it some thought, but in the end he is unable to figure out what exactly was embarrassing about this. It had been rather simple for him to just pick her up into his arms after her leg had been bandaged, and it was certainly quicker than having to wait for the medic staff to fetch one. Not only that, but a wheelchair was inflexible with its inability to fit through narrower spaces—no matter where his train of thought went, he could not find a reason to go for the wheelchair instead.

        “I had the impression that you would not want to incite unnecessary worry within your comrades upon the sight.” he says finally after his thoughtful silence. “But if a wheelchair is more to your preference, I will take that into future considerations.”

〘楓〙

     Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to take offense to her comment--not that she thought he would.  Passenger was as logical as a computer so he simply thought what would be good for her.  A hand comes to press against her warming cheeks before a chuckle escapes from her lips.  

     “Don’t worry, most people already know I’m lacking in the physical department.”  She  muses aloud, amusement replacing some of the embarrassment that had slipped out earlier.  She often joked about it herself at times since it was true.  Whether her body was weak from the cryostasis she was in, or if she was always a weak person was still up for debate but she’d like to dream it was the former.  “Flamebringer sometimes just picks me up and carries me to wherever he’s going since I walk too slow for him.”  

     Once again she’s brought back to the fact he was carrying her in his arms and it makes her clear her throat to push down how sheepish she felt.  Her hazel gaze glances back at his face for a few seconds to admire his looks before her eyes wander to everywhere but him.  

〖 海 〗

        “Doctor, I implore you to pause your movements.” Passenger’s voice is calm as he says, stopping from walking in the hallway to look at the Doctor being carried in his arms. There is no one around in this area of the ship, and the hallway is sizeable enough to keep her from bumping her legs or head on the walls.

        “The medics said it would be for your benefit to get some rest, nor are you in any condition to be walking around with that injury to your ankle.” The Liberi explains as he leans in closer to the Doctor’s face. The Originium crystal presses gently against her forehead, cool yet full of his warmth at the same time. “Your temperature is rising as well. I will no longer hinder you once I have brought you to your room, so please bear with the discomfort for just a while longer.”

〘楓〙

     “I am.  A naturally warmer person.”  Her excuse is just that, said without any seriousness or any weight to it.  At least it managed to hide her flustered feeling, even if it was hardly believable.  It’s the thought that counts.  

    Probably.  

   Thankfully, the Liberi Operator didn’t have any other intentions and simply acted in what he found was the most logical conclusion--

    But, as his forehead presses against hers, confusion forms more onto her face Taking temperature that way was far more intimate than she was used too and she feels heat rush to her cheeks.   

    “Ah--I’m not uncomfortable.  Just...”  She trails off, voice failing to really distinguish just what she was feeling at the moment.  She’s been picked up before by Blaze and Flamebringer, but there actions was more akin to hoisting a sack of rice over their shoulders rather than being carried in someone’s arms.  

〖 海 〗

        “The garment means little if it does not fulfill its purpose in keeping you safe from the elements.” the man reasons, emphasizing the word to get his point across. He keeps his gaze on the young woman as she glances at her jacket, noting the apprehension in her words—was she becoming tired? This was definitely a hindrance to her work, to say the least.

        “You needn’t worry about me, Doctor.” he reassures. “I found the water to be most refreshing, in actuality. I have not felt rain, even the illusion of it, for many years.”

        “However it would be remiss to continue your current duties in this environment,” the caster adds, blue-grey eyes glancing around at the office drenched in water. Though the documents on her desk were safe from water damage, the same could not be said for the rest of the room. “I will accompany you to your quarters so that you may continue this another day, if you will allow it.”

〘楓〙

    For a moment his words felt like they were spoken from far away.  The chill of the water clings to her skin, goosebumps forming underneath her soaked sweater.  It’s a strange feeling, but one she’s had many times before.  It was as if her mind had become detached from her body and she watches herself from the outside as just a bystander.  The cold was something she was used too, a wintery field barren of any green or warmth.  Under the field she can imagine how many bodes were buried in shallow graves, left with no markers to distinguish who is who.  

    Sacrifices she deemed necessary for whatever plot had unfolded before her awakening. 

    And then the feeling disappears with the gust and chill of the wind.