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I'll be there shortly.

[The weather, as it had been for most of the time Fujiko had been here, was warm and sunny, with a few gentle breezes interspersed. Perfect sun tan weather, and the abundance of comfortable chairs did little to deter her from one of her favorite past times.

She was wearing a pink and white crosschecked bikini and overly large sunglasses, a radio that was nestled next to her was playing soft jazz as she reclined on her back, hands tucked behind her head.

Even as Lupin approached, she made no signs of moving. It was strange to think that even though they had been communicating this whole time, even though it always felt like he was just over her shoulder, that this was the first time she'd be meeting him face to face here. She was a bit anxious, but at the same time, curious as to what he had in mind.]

[As fate? would dictate, Lupin's dressed in his usual jacket and slack combo, isn't even wearing flip-flops to accommodate the weather.

The thief swaggers over, his pulse thudding hard in his throat the moment he sees her. When he stops before Fujiko, he cocks an eyebrow.]

You really think you'll keep getting me like this, don't you?

You came, didn't you?

[Fujiko smiled easily enough as she pushed her sunglasses up to wink at him. She had wanted to see what an angry Lupin looked like, to know if she had pushed him too far. People had little patience for her antics once they caught onto them, and she was waiting to see how long it would take before Lupin too, would grow tired of her.]

Unless you've found another way to get rid of your boredom?

[oh that little wink...that little minx.

He isn't sure if he's angry or thrilled. All he knows is not all the blood's gonna be in his brain by the time this...whatever this is, is over and done with.

(they're never done)]

Here's another thing...what makes you think I won't relieve you of your boredom right here? Where everyone can hear you.

[he slowly puts his hands on the iron curve of the chair]

[Not for the first time she felt that magnetic pull towards Lupin, a feeling so strong and natural some days she wondered why she fought it. But just as often as it drew her to him, it repelled her as well. Either way she kept herself carefully still and aloof, making no move to close the distance between them or make a run for it. She had been the one to say she had no escape routes, after all.

Instead she let out a small laugh, pulling her shades back down.]

You haven't waited as long as you have to be satisfied with such cheap theatrics.

[so she's going to play it this way, huh. Let him tip the scales. Been there, done that.

He wedges one knee on the seat. Leans in further, but not enough to breathe her in, not enough to press his nose to hers]

Cheap? You're never cheap to me, baby. No, you're something else.

[That knee was going to get some attention from her, mostly because they have set boundaries, and set patterns for interaction. Was his patience already at it's limits? But no, he hasn't moved further than that, leaving it to her. How charming.

That line was going to make her laugh, soft and low as she propped herself up, pushing her shades back up so she could grin in his face.]

So you keep saying. Have you figured out what that 'something else' is?

[She was going to leave a few inches of distance between them, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off of him, but far enough she wouldn't be caught in that charisma trap of his.]

[he doesn't dare get closer, for this cobra might bite. No that's not a dick joke, be serious. Lupin has experienced magnetic-like attraction to someone more than once, he's intimately aware of it, friends with it.

This isn't it. Gently, gently, he leans in until he can trace his chin along her shoulder, all the while propping himself up. Gaining no further distance.]

It alludes me. Me.

[is that a pout]

It makes me crazy and my chest feels...

[Wow who thought that was a dick joke, not me. Nope. Completely serious.

She didn't push him off, not yet anyway, turning to look at that petulant look on his face almost fondly. Oh, here she thought they were going to argue, but as always, Lupin managed to surprise her.]

Should I give you a hint?

[She already had a good idea what might be ailing their favorite thief, and while she herself wouldn't throw the word around lightly if at all, it would be amusing to see what he might say about it.]

[now he's taken to brushing his nose along the curve of her shoulder, inhaling her scent.

His emotions swirl in him like a hurricane. This is different. He's not not angry.]

Would you give that to me?

[That's curious. Not over the fact that she'd offer, but that she's considering it.]

[She would allow that sniffing for a few moments before gently pushing him back, lying back down on the chair, expression amused.]

Would it improve your mood?

[Because nothing from her was ever going to be free.]

Will it only cost me an arm and a leg? You really think you've got it figured out, don't you.

[he retains that distance and merely watches her]

Just your continued good will.

[She smiled sweetly at that, because it was a new thing, to need allies in a place she couldn't escape from. While it was all of her own choosing, she was getting wary of being here, of the tropical location, of the repetition.

The second part had her eyes flashing dangerously as she rose up to close the distance a bit.]

I know myself and who I am. That's enough. It sounds like you're struggling, Lupin.

[he goes ahead, closes the distance more, more, until he nudges his nose against hers, mouth a bitter twist past the teeth.]

Cabin fever gets to everyone once in awhile.

[He sounds more convinced than he really is inside. A hand flies up to twine a strand of her hair between his fingers.]

You found yourself already?

So you want a distraction?

[Which was fine, Fujiko was looking for one too. Unfortunately, it was a point of pride that she not give in so easily, or at least, not to Lupin first. Still, he made a tempting option. She wasn't sure the last time she'd had such a dry spell, and well. A girl had needs.

Gently she wound her hand on the back of his neck, running her nails against his scalp lightly.]

Of course. Around the time I met you.

[Which could be the truth or flippant. Either way, she'd be smiling like it was a joke.]

I'll take that as a thank you.

[the one he'd never get, the one he doesn't care to receive in this way. He shudders gently, leans further into her touch. But he won't let those gray peepers of his close, not when she's so close.]

I want you. That's more than distraction.

[That would get a small sigh out of her, half exasperation and half fondness.]

You can't have me anymore than I can have you.

[Neither of them were built for that sort of commitment and long-term. Not to mention having each other would probably fundamentally change their relationship, and despite her reservations of calling it that, she liked what they had. This push and pull. This mutual understanding and respect. Even the bouts of irritation at each other.]

Not even like this? When we're just playing a game? Your favorite thing, games.

[he's taken to a full pout, the jut of his lip, the narrowing of those eyes. There's only a hint of this irritation, at least, at this grating of the two of them, like two nerves.

Those tricky fingers of his slide up until they cradle her jaw.]

I think we have more than we think...

You sound like you don't enjoy them.

[That pout was only going to get a small laugh out of her, and she leaned into the feel of his fingers for a brief second. Her eyes flickered at that statement, somewhere between unimpressed and vulnerable, before she leaned up, pressing a kiss to his cheek. And then pushing gently against his chest so she could sit up.]

That's a nice thought from someone who can't define what he feels.

[He turns the other cheek this time, towards the warmth of her lips on his skin, the smell of her skin so close. Lupin's lips brush against the tip of her nose when she pushes back to look at him.

It'd be affectionate if a pang of irritation didn't spring up from her words.]

And you're one to tell me what I can and cannot define. What I enjoy is this, yes, this, but...something's missing.

[the thief brat allows her to sit up so he can sit down at her feet.]

[She crinkled her nose slightly at his lips against her nose, tempted to laugh again at that small affectionate gesture leaning over to muse Lupin's hair fondly.]

Should we exchange vows of unending affection and loyalty?

[Highly unlikely, but he was welcome to ask.]

[Leaning into her hand again, he isn't deterred by the look on her face. Because it's fond, if anything.]

I'm afraid I haven't a big enough promise ring for you, darling. Not this time. But I'm yours.

[This was what irked and comforted her about Lupin. He was so sincere she couldn't find a fault in him, despite having heard words like these over and over again. She'd been disappointed more times than she could count, and she was tired of being taken for a fool.

But no matter how many times she pushed, Lupin came back for her with that stupid wide grin of his and warm words. It was almost more than a girl could bear.]

What if I don't want you?

[Which probably wasn't very convincing considering how she leaned back into him, flickering her gaze up to him from under her long lashes.]

[His thumb traces the line of her jaw, almost lovingly. The way she can say things that are meant to be half-hurtful, the things that crawl into your heart without the sting...his mouth quirks.]

Because even though I don't complete you, and you don't complete me, we're still half of the same whole.

[he knows a hell of a lot, he's a busybody, a nerd, grasping at the straws of his legacy but--

but he knows this.]

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