Meet the Pyro: Coming sometime between now and the end of the world.

[notintehkitchen]

Hey, mun.

I know my super amazing introduction is about to unfold but you keep saying two words that really confuse me.

"Meet the Pyro" I understand "coming", I also understand. Now, this "Valve time" I don't! What is it? It is not something I can translate or understand properly....

Comments

[hasstandards]

[A pause. He wasn't expecting that.]

But would you mean it?

[notintehkitchen]

I would. I promise. I won't look at anyone else.

[hasstandards]

It's not that I don't want ya lookin' at anyone else. Well, not like, um.

[His face reddens. He'll try that again.]

You're welcome to talk to whoever you want, pumpkin. I just... Hm.

[Words are hard.]

I suppose what I'm tryin' to say is that I want to mean as much to you as you mean to me, Momo. It's hard for me to say things like that because I'm not used to it. I wouldn't say it to anyone but you.

[notintehkitchen]

Alan is the jealous type, isn't he? That's cute.

[And there she goes patting him on the head and nuzzling up against him affectionately.]

[hasstandards]

[Watch him try not to smile. Just watch.]

Maybe just a little.

[Understatement of the year.]

[notintehkitchen]

...

[Pyro looks off far in the distance for a long period of time. Her mind trails to something her mun told her. If it was true, their relationship would be a little more realistic--at least that's what her mun keeps telling her.]

Hey, Alan.

What happened if I really was a girl?

[hasstandards]

I don't see how that'd change who you are right now. I mean, you've been a girl the whole time I've known ya, even if I didn't know it.

[notintehkitchen]

But maybe all of the Pyros are girls.

[And she's been lied to, horribly.]

[hasstandards]

And that'd mean the Administration hasn't been all that honest with you. They haven't been clear with a lot of us when it comes to the terms of our contracts, I don't imagine.

[Sigh. He presses his forehead to hers.]

That doesn't mean any of 'em will be as good as you are at the job, though.

[notintehkitchen]

[When he presses his forehead against hers she feels a sudden heat rise to her cheeks.]

I'm the best?

[Leaning in, she lightly presses her lips to his before speaking.]

I think your the best at your job, too.

[hasstandards]

[He returns her affection, entwining his fingers with hers.]

Now then. Don't you worry about this 'Meet the Pyro' and whatever that Mun of yours has told you about it. It doesn't change a thing to me. You're fine how you are, and even if there's a whole fleet of lady Pyros out there, there's only one of you. Got it?

[notintehkitchen]

I'm the only one you'll ever like? You have to be extra mean and cranky to all the other ones, OK?

[hasstandards]

[He smirks.]

You say that like I'm not already.

[notintehkitchen]

[And now she proceeds to tackle hug him down to the floor due to her happiness that bursts.]

I'm glad! I'm your favorite! I'm Mr. Hawk's favorite!

[hasstandards]

[Ow. You'd think he'd get used to landing on the floor by now. He's still smiling at least, though it's through a pained grimace.]

Right you are. I think you'll always be the stronger one of the two of us, too, as much as I'd rather not admit that.

[notintehkitchen]

That just means I'll protect you from everything and love you forever and ever because no one can get in my way!

[You can enjoy having that overly soft body against you, Sniper.]

[hasstandards]

Right.

[He probably would enjoy it more if he wasn't thinking about how he's done a lousy job at protecting her so far. It makes him feel powerless, out of control, like less of a man- and in turn, he just gets more frustrated with Paradise and their circumstances as a whole. He wraps his arms around her, setting his head atop hers.]

Did you like your present?

[notintehkitchen]

[Was he talking about the bathing suit? She could remember how naked she felt in it. Also, her mun promises to get back to that today.]

Ah, you mean the skimpy swimming wear? I did like it, Mr. Not-so Secret Admirer!

[hasstandards]

[It'll still be there, so no worries. ♥]

I thought you might. I didn't know which one you were lookin' at, so I tried to pick one that suited you. And now that you've got it and know a bit about swimmin', you don't have anything to be afraid of when it comes to the water.

[notintehkitchen]

You weren't trying to pick the one you think would look most sexy on me?

[Somehow, she is a little doubtful. It is true she can swim now and go after those who flee in the water.]

[hasstandards]

To be honest, they all would've looked fetching on you.

[notintehkitchen]

I doubt that. Anything more naked then this and I might of gave someone worse scars then I already have.

[hasstandards]

[So much for his attempt at a compliment.]

That's their opinion, and this is mine. You're fine how you are, and you ought not let anyone else tell you otherwise. S'nothin' wrong with not lookin' like everyone else.

[notintehkitchen]

[Someone has low self-esteem in her looks.]

So I can still eat bacon as much as I want?

[hasstandards]

I don't see why not. Ya might even show me how to make it one of these days.