the_infiltrator | IC Contact

Yeah, sure. Don't start without me.

[ He doesn't know how these things honestly go, so it's definitely going to be a learning experience. ]

Hi, Bells.

[She's waiting for him, and has cleared out the kitchen. It's a secret handshake.]

Hey. [ A slight smile, and he stares at her. ] Uh. What're we supposed to do first?

Pay attention. It's like dancing, but with precise hand movements.

[She takes him through it, one little step at a time. And then sort of expects him to just remember it.]

Many secret handshakes end with a hug, unless the relationship is business related. But ours isn't, so the hug is optional.

[ Even on a good day, he's not going to remember half of those steps. So, he kind of fakes his way through most of it. It seems rather repetitive though, which helps a lot. ]

Do you, uh, like hugs?

[She pauses midway through their second try.]

I don't know. The last person who hugged me died. And he only did it once.

Do you?

That sucks. [ Because what else is he supposed to say? It sort of does anyway, and Bells continues working on learning the rhythm of the handshake. ] But yeah. They're not so bad as long a you do it with someone you like.

[Well that's something new she just learned.

Which is why she grabs him and hugs him abruptly, as she judges from his heart rate and temperature whether or not he's going to be angry about it.]

[ It's the second time - that he can remember - that someone has hugged him so abruptly. But Bells doesn't do anything to push her away. He simply slips his arms around her and drags her closer so it's more comfortable.

Everyone needs affection sometimes, and he's not going to deny her that. Especially when he likes it. ]

[It takes her a moment to pull away; she hangs on long enough to read his pulse and respiratory rate, his temperature, the chemistry of his skin.]

You must have a lot of friends.

Not as many as you think. [ A blink, and he gives her an odd look. ] Did your brother never hug you or something?

...No. No, he doesn't like being touched. Except by a girl, but she died.

Bells, do you have to fight at home? Or are things easy?

Nothing's ever easy--especially when you've been in Hell. [ A pause, biting at his tongue. ] But I've done my fair share of fighting before that. I wouldn't wish that on anyone though.

I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have to fight anymore. There wouldn't be a use for me. ...Sometimes that worries me.

What will you do with peace?

Everyone's born for a reason. Even if it changes, you've still got options. [ He hesitates only a second before taking her hand. ] You know. I've spent a really long time trying to figure that out, and I still don't know yet.

One day at a time, right?

[She looks down, and then slowly twines her fingers with his.] Yes. One day at a time. Time to learn how to dance, or sing.

[ He's a bit surprised at that, but Bells eventually squeezes her fingers. ]

I guess if that's what you wanna do, you should. I'm not really a good dancer though.

I could teach you. I've wanted to learn two-partner dances, but the only person I could learn with is my brother.

You'd wanna do that? [ Not many people would, but it'd pass the time... ] Sounds like it could be fun. When do we start?

[Suddenly, happy robot.] Let's find somewhere open and well lit, and start now.

Maybe we'll make a trend.

If people are into that sort of thing. [ Around here, it seems to catch on though. So he nods, gives her another smile. ] I'll try not to let you down. Okay?

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