the creek

@:SEVEN *takes a moment to answer, placing what I’ve gathered into the center of the circle and brushing off my hands on my pants* There’s not a real complicated answer. Before I mentioned not having lived a life where we concerned ourselves with relationships. That includes most all relationships. The society I grew up in was rigid and tough. It made me believe the world was black and white and mapped out for me from birth to death. Then we were shut down and I found that none of it was true. We were being trained to be these soulless soldiers for the use and abuse of some elitist s who bought our identities before we were born. So when I was offered a new identity by the real world, I took it and I worked my off. I sweat, I cried, I bled until I had collected so much worldly wealth that I was being noticed. And I hated it so I used it to make this place and I simply left the world to live only by my own rules

@:TWO /rubs your arms with my palms to warm you up slightly, pulling away to help clear a spot on the ground to start a small fire/ why did you start the community? /asks curiously, placing a couple rocks in a circle to act as a barrier before throwing brush into the center of it/

@:SEVEN *shivers a little, finally reaching my limit as my teeth chatter and nods, looking around for something to make a fire with*
I can do that real quick and then as soon as we’re warm enough and all the wets stuff is dry, we can head back to the community *shuffles around as I gather some dry twigs and branches*

@:TWO I will happily make you feel both if that is what you want /smiles softly, holding your hands as I walk with you to the edge, pulling myself out and helping you up as well/ that would be nice. Perhaps a fire?

@:SEVEN Who knew you’d find a way to make me feel safe and not the other way around. *basks in your touch for the moment before I’m blinking a few times at your words and then gasping when I realize we’re still nearly knee deep in creek water* right- we should really go get warm. This was fun but I’m not trying to treat hypothermia tonight *trudges out of the water quickly, keeping connected to you with our hands*

@:TWO /chuckles, giving you a light squeeze/ is that cheesy? And I meant for it to make you feel safe. /smiles and plays with your hair for a brief minute before shivering and looking down at you in all seriousness/ as much as I love doing this and having you as my own personal heater- I can no longer feel my toes.

@:SEVEN *wrinkles my nose a bit in a playful manner, my lips pursing to hold back any expression that may betray me in showing my pleasure in the thought of having you say something so heartfelt* you know, when you put it that way, it makes it nearly impossible to even think I’d choose anything but what you’re offering. And - you’re already rubbing off on me, that sounded so cheesy

@:TWO Yeah well maybe if you had a pretty gorgeous stranger tie you up and try to kill you, then you might really know what it is you want from life/ chuckles and presses my lips to the tip of your nose/ but bringing it down a notch, im here to help you work through your feelings, and if you decide that this isn't what is best for you, I will respect that no matter how much I hate the idea of not having you by my side always.

@:SEVEN *flocks my gaze up to meet yours, fighting the urge to look away by fiddling with whatever I can get my hands on- having never been this swept up by my emotions in my life* I’m not even sure what I say on response to that… I’m still trying to process the love at first sight part and- I’m glad you’re the patient type because I’m not nearly as err poetic about my feelings as you.

@:TWO /cups your cheek and pulls your head up so you can meet my gaze/ hey- if you dont believe in love at first sight, then ill keep trying as many times as it takes for you to finally feel the same way about me as I do you. I knew from the moment you tried putting me in my place that you were the one for me. /brushes the padding of my thumb across your cheek/ then the first time you tied me up, I got brain damage and it was all over, my heart only wanted you.

@:SEVEN *flexes and clenches my hands, trying to keep the bright shade of bashful red from engulfing my body* goodness you’re such a dork. And you’re so confident you’ll be my only *grins, as I pick at the collar of your shirt*

@:TWO Weird? No. /shakes my head while tucking your hair behind your ear/ it only boosts my ego a little bit knowing ill be your one and only though. /grins with a wink/

@:SEVEN *looks away with a sheepish smile, keeping my lower tier hostage between my teeth*
Yeah I agree… Would it be weird if that’s was uh my first kiss though?

@:TWO /lets out a shaky breath, tongue slipping between my two tiers, the lingering taste of you causing me to briefly relive the moment/ we should definitely do that again.

@:SEVEN *slides my hands down to your chest, the tension leaving my body as I mold to you out of content with your response and only after a long moment do I pull away to take in a sharp breath*

@:TWO /eyes widen in a slight panic, wondering if this was accidental before smiling softly and moving closer to deepen the kiss, suffocating the space between us/

@:SEVEN *worries at my lower lip as your lips meet my forehead and stares for a moment before I’m gaining enough courage to pull you forward enough that your lips are meeting my own*

@:TWO I would be disappointed if I was. I kind of like having you restrain me. /presses a soft kiss to your forehead before leaning back to look at you/

@:SEVEN *flares up at you for a moment before trying to relax a little in your hold* you don’t have to thank me for not commuting a crime. But you’re welcome. I doubt you’re in the clear though

@:TWO Good. You should like yourself. You're a pretty great person to know. /winks and tucks you against my chest as I hold you tightly, swaying from side to side/ thank you.. for not actually killing me.

@:SEVEN *freezes up momentarily as our gazes meet, my brain malfunctioning as our noses meet and I stammer a bit before words come to me* I… I- yeah I do too.

@:TWO I can get used to it/ whispers as I look back, holding your gaze and admiring you as my eyes light up with adoration, touching the tip of my nose against your own/ two, I like you.

@:SEVEN Mhm I’m buying a clue lately so just bask in it *rolls my eyes with a grin, sharing my warmth as I look up at you*

@:TWO I- /jaw drops when your warmth consumes me, placing my arms around you in response/ wow. Its almost like you know me or something. Weird-

@:SEVEN *hums in agreement before moving in to wrap myself around you* uhh maybe this will help. Either you’ll warm up or you’ll be distracted long enough to not care

@:TWO /clenched and unclenches my hands repeatedly, looking between you and the dry land/ yes. You can also kill a man 50 different ways with your bare hands, i can barely choke one and thats if im lucky.

@:SEVEN *bursts into laughter, wading closer to you to make sure you don’t try to run off* cmon it’s not that bad. I’ve been in here for like ten minutes now

@:TWO /clenched my teeth and in a deep breath, turning towards the direction from which i came, already considering how badly I want out/ not bad- two this is obviously coming from a glacier or mountain top

@:SEVEN *grins excitedly, watching the cold hit you with amusement before splashing you a little* not bad, right? It’s perfect for when the sun is beating down

@:TWO /looks at the water with uncertainty/ very well then. /takes off my shoes and socks, rolling up my pants legs before stepping in right beside you,, shivering at the cold water/