solar_flare | IC Inbox

"You've reached the voicemail of Yang Xiao Long. But don't YANG up! Just leave a message after the beep, and we'll get in touch!"

Beeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

solar_flare

Hmmmmmmmm...

[She grins a little wider, very glad they're not using the video function as she sinks lower into the water as if to hide the swell of warmth in her cheeks.]

An interesting theory. How can you tell, beyond our amazing physical chemistry?

From:

sarcaskick

Because I wouldn't like someone who didn't like me.

[ Yeah... yeah let's keep that video function off]

From:

solar_flare

[eeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEE! She presses her fingers over her mouth as if that might possibly hide the biggest smile she's ever had on her dumb face.]

So...you're saying it's a mutual thing, then?

From:

sarcaskick

Only if you confirm that my guess was right.

From:

solar_flare

I think...

[Does she like him? She has a lot of warm feelings for him, she knows that much. Loves spending time with him. Enjoys the flirting. Definitely appreciates getting an eyeful when he's sauntering around in a towel.]

[...Who is she even kidding? She might not know when that line was crossed, just because everything moved along so natural and so fast, but she knows she cares about him way more than she has about any other guy.]

...I think...you might be right. I like you a lot.

From:

sarcaskick

[ He's still not used to this kind of nervousness - he made snide remarks about his heart being all aflutter in the past, but never believed he'd be the one to experience it. ]

The first day you got back here, you said it would take a long time to trust me. So much for that.

[ There's a laugh in his voice, something genuine. ]

Well, what the hell. I like you too.

From:

solar_flare

I don't think I mind being wrong about that.

[She's laughing too because wow. Holy crap. To hear him just say it like that, straight up, is making her heart do all kinds of crazy things.]

You just made it so...easy, you know?

[Hnnnnnnnngh she wishes he'd decided to stick around! But who knows if they would have bothered confessing without the safety of the voice function of their communicators.]

...And why am I hearing so much wind? Did someone bust open your window too?

From:

sarcaskick

Oh, I'm on the roof. If you didn't actually like me I was going to jump.

...

Kidding.

...

About the jumping part. I'm really on the roof, though.

From:

solar_flare

Pft. Not funny.

[A little bit funny.]

What brought you all the way up there?

[Better not be his naughty picture, it's way too cold to strip down like that on a chilly late-October evening.]

From:

sarcaskick

Didn't I tell you I like hanging out on the roof? Helps me clear my head.

[ Which he needed if he was going to pursue the line of conversation that he did. ]

From:

solar_flare

Just that you liked watching the clouds. Didn't know the stars fell under that category too.

[It's kind of cute, though. She likes closing her eyes and picturing him up there, just watching the lights of that big city and all of its wonders.]

Promise you'll go back inside when it starts to get too cold, though. I'm not going to bring you soup and juice and medicine if you catch a bug.

--Okay, I totally would, but it would still suck if you got sick before the Halloween party.

From:

sarcaskick

I lived in the mountains for most of my life. I might not like it Atlas-cold, but I'm used to some chill in the air.

...

What kind of soup, though? Just curious.

From:

solar_flare

I know a couple of good ones, but for a cold...probably Grandpa Soup. Good hearty chicken broth, carrots, celery, and these little dumplings with parsley mixed in them. Total comfort food, and easy on the stomach.

Why, you got a favorite?

From:

sarcaskick

Not really! Just making sure you actually had something decent in mind.

From:

solar_flare

[It occurs to her that he probably never had someone look after him when he got sick. That white-haired guy (Marc? Marcus?) definitely wasn't the type who'd care for a sick kid. He didn't even remember his mother. Cinder or Emerald? Prooooooobably not.]

Well hey, guess you hit the jackpot liking someone with a lot of experience looking after little sisters and dads who catch a cold. You're going to get so spoiled.

From:

sarcaskick

[ She's absolutely right. Marcus gave him the same treatment when he was sick as he did when he was well. Mercury hasn't been pampered a day in his life. ]

I expect to be waited on hand and foot.

... Well, hand anyway.

From:

solar_flare

Ha ha!

[She shifts to fold her arms on the edge of the tub, resting her chin on it. Maybe...]

You know...you could cash in one of those favors, and call in "sick" to work for one day if you're dying to know what it's like without having to wait until you're actually sick.

From:

sarcaskick

Does that offer come with a matching nurse uniform?

From:

solar_flare

That might cost you extra. If I'm going to put on impractical costumes, you're going to have to make it worth my while.

[So she didn't say 'no' exactly...]

From:

sarcaskick

I'm sure we can work something out. You take care of me... I take care of you.

From:

solar_flare

That is tempting... I'll see if they have one on discount after Halloween. You know I can't really get sick though, right? I burn too warm.

[Should she ask about...? No, probably not.]

From:

sarcaskick

Well then you'll just have to warm me up, too. Give me some personal healing.

From:

solar_flare

I don't think you'll ever have to worry about getting too cold around me. Even if you run out of blankets.

[She winks...oh right, he can't see it. Oops. ...But he also can't see that she forgot he can't see it, so it's all good!]

You know...speaking of taking care of me...

[She shouldn't. But as long as they're playing with all their cards on the table right now, she has to know.]

Were you really just taking a walk tonight?

From:

sarcaskick

[ There's a moment's pause - he couldn't see her wink, and she can't see him shake his head. ]

That's... a talk for another night, okay?

From:

solar_flare

[She smiles warmly to herself. He was waiting for her, wasn't he? His response seems to be proof enough. If she only knew. But since she's sure she has her answer already, she relents.]

Okay.

Did you pick up your costume yet? Or do you still want to go shopping together?