#also is he having chip malfunction????? maybeeeee

[hancfubuki]

silence fills the space between them. for a moment, caleb could feel as all their surroundings disappear as he simply stares softly for a moment. his arms move by reflex, fingertips getting lost on the back of her head, messing playfully with her hair as the grip in her waist becomes a little tighter than it should. a possessive grip, letting her know he doesn't want to let her go. not yet.

and even being aware of the pushes, it seems like something has taken over him, snapping back into reality upon listening to the childish squeak coming from her vocal chords. she's complaining the same way she used to do when they were kids. she won't let that go. it is when he thinks to himself that she will never understand how he really feels. or perhaps, she does and just keeps playing dumb for the sake of both of them. yeah-- right. he should play along too. it's for them.

there's a sudden movement of his hands, letting go of her waist only to ruffle her hair in a more amicable, familiar way. "sorry, pip-squeak. i don't cook for disheveled hunters." a bittersweet smiles appears on his face, followed by a chuckle. but despite of his playful tone of voice, his eyes do show the pain of silent rejection.

he should be staying in linkon for another two days, so at least they had a bit more time together. but the way back home is silent. caleb shows a relaxed face, consumed by his thoughts and having nothing else to say. acting weird again, as she would say. those are his thoughts as soon as the door opens in front of him. a little robotic too. he simply walks towards the kitchen and gets to work.

Annoyed.

The crease in between her brows and her downturned lips, the bottom lip pouted as she slowly slid her soles to regain proper footing. Her heart thumps as his hand warms her waist the same way it does to the back of her head, taking one long breath in as she stares at him quietly.

"I don't need Colonel Caleb." Flicking her gaze away, she gives a soft 'hmph' at the nickname, conflicted feelings swirling in her at it. Hui'er, huh...

She takes another peek up at him, then decides looking away is futile and pushes his shoulders, telling him to give her space. Does she have to speak, should she even speak, she questions it then looks at him warily. "I wouldn't have gotten hurt." Whether it means she had a means to save here fall, or... that she believed he would catch her just like this...

"Caleb, let me go." She puts on that fake childish persona of a little sister, pushing him a bit more. "I'm hungry now. You promised to make that braised chicken breast for me!"