Triple A Adventuring Agency (Part10)

Oh gods, is this really happening? Stay calm, Cricket. It's just a swim. A very... intimate swim.
She fumbles with her clothes, nearly tripping as she steps out of her trousers. "So, um, any other embarrassing stories you'd like to hear? I've got plenty. Like the time I accidentally joined a cult thinking it was a book club."
Don't stare, don't stare, don't stare...
She inches towards the water, shivering slightly. "Brr! It's colder than I thought. Maybe we should—eep!"She slips on a mossy rock, arms flailing as she tumbles into the stream with a splash. "Well, that's one way to break the ice!"

"That, uh, must've been one hell of a book." Standing on the bank and keeping his eyes pointed upstream, Malbec tries to find the courage to let his pants down.
Come on. It's no big deal. Just two colleagues going for a swim. This was your idea, get in there and...
"Cricket!” Upon hearing Cricket slip and cry out, Malbec's hesitation vanishes and he quickly finishes disrobing and rushes toward her. "You okay?"

Oh gods, he's right there! And I'm...
She flounders in the water, splashing wildly. "I'm fine! Totally fine! Just, uh, testing the water temperature with my face!" She tries to stand, slipping again. "Okay, maybe not so fine. Could you, um, help me up? But close your eyes first!"

Don't look at his chest. Don't look at his... oh no, I'm looking.
"So, about that book club... turns out 'Sacrificial Lambs' wasn't a metaphor. Who knew?" 

"What? Oh right." Malbec clamps his eyes shut and approaches the sound of her splashes. Working blind, he carefully reaches out towards her voice. "Here, grab my hands, I think I've got my feet stable, but this is kinda difficult with my eyes closed."
Should I peek? You know, for safety? No no, she asked you not to.

She reaches out a hand, her voice softening. "Thanks for coming to my rescue, Malbec. You're my hero."

Did I really just say that out loud?

"Let's save the thanks for when you're standing. Sorry for suggesting the water. If it's any consolation, I think it is helping the fever."
But my imagination is going wild. Is it weird that keeping my eyes closed makes it feel even more intimate?

Oh gods, his hands are so warm...
She fumbles her hands into Malbec’s grip, her fingers slipping on his wet skin. "Okay, I've got you. Just... don't let go, alright?" As she struggles to her feet, she loses her balance again, crashing into his chest with a squeak. "Eep! Sorry, sorry! I swear I'm not usually this clumsy. Well, okay, maybe a little."
He's so close. And so... No, focus!
"You can, um, open your eyes now. If you want. Or... or not. Whatever makes you, ah, comfortable." She takes a shaky breath, still pressed against you. "So... come here often?"
Really, Cricket? That's the best you can do?

I can feel her pressed against me. Gods above, give me strength to not ruin this moment.
Malbec can't help but laugh at his adorable partner. He wraps his arms around her, for support of course. "Often?" he replies with an amused hum. "No, but I'd come here everyday if it meant I could have you in my arms again. Although we may wish to skip the whole ‘catching fever and freezing in a river’ parts next time."
Is this what she meant by fever dream, is that why I'm not scared to tell her the truth, am I dreaming? Better make the best of it before I wake up.
He opens his eyes and looks into her face, making sure his eyes don't stray to the rest of her body just yet. "Perhaps you are a little clumsy," he says while he brushes some strands of wet hair from her face. "But I wouldn't change you for anything in the world. Even lost memories.”
Staring into her eyes, his heart was beating strong enough he could see it make ripples on the water around them. "And, I would very much like to kiss you now. If you're willing to take the risk of getting sick too."

Is this really happening? Oh gods, don't mess this up!
Her breath catches as she looks up into his eyes, her heart racing. "I... I'd like that. Very much." She bites her lip nervously. "But are you sure? I mean, I'm not exactly the graceful heroine you deserve. I'm just... me."
Please let this be real.
She reaches up, her fingers trembling as they trace his jawline. "Though if you're willing to risk catching my particular brand of chaos..." Her voice drops to a whisper. "Then I'm all yours, Malbec."

Here goes nothing... She stands on her tiptoes, her lips parting slightly as she leans in.

Without a second's hesitation Malbec moves in for the kiss. Their lips touch and it's as if the world slows down. The sounds of the stream, the cold of the water, the heat of his feverish face, all fade away for a brief moment of bliss. But nature waits for no one, and a tickle in his nose causes Malbec to turn his head and sneeze. "A-Choo. S-s-ssorry," he says through chattering teeth, his burning skin and the adrenaline of the moment finally gave way to the cold. "That w-was... Wow. But I think it's time we get out of this freezing creek."

Oh no, he's freezing! I'm such an idiot!
"Achoo! Bless you! Oh gods, I'm so sorry!" She frantically looks around, spotting their discarded clothes on the bank. "Quick, let's get you warmed up before you turn into an icicle!" She helps him out of the water, her hands shaking. "That was... wow indeed. But maybe next time we could try kissing somewhere less, you know, hypothermia-inducing?"
Please don't let this be our only kiss. 
"Here, take my cloak. It's not much, but it's better than nothing." She wraps it around his shoulders, her fingers lingering. "So, um... does this mean we're... you know...?"

He takes her cloak graciously, "Thanks Cricket. I have an old bedroll in my pack. We can use it like a blanket until we warm up enough to get dressed." They quickly build a small fire to start drying themselves off. While stoking the flames Malbec chuckles, "You know, since I can't remember another one, I think that officially counts as my first kiss." He reaches over picks up her hand, kissing the back of it. "As for your question... This is… 'we' are, whatever you want it to be. We can take it as slow as you're comfortable with."

His first kiss... with me? Oh gods, I hope I didn't mess it up.
She shivers, huddling close to him under the bedroll. "Slow? I... I'd like that. Though maybe not too slow. I mean, we're already half-naked, right?" She laughs nervously, then claps a hand over her mouth. "I didn't mean... oh, forget I said anything!"
Way to go, Cricket. Real smooth.
She leans her head on his shoulder, watching the flames. "You know, for all my misadventures, I've never felt as... right as I do with you. Even when everything's going wrong, it feels... perfect."
Her fingers intertwine with his. "So, partner, what's our next move? Besides not freezing to death, of course."

"Our next move huh..." he pauses his reply to think.
She's right. I haven't felt this way as far as I can remember. While I know there's nothing wrong with learning from the past and planning for the future, I need to make sure not to miss what's right here in front of me.
"Well first, I'm going to kiss you again," Malbec gently tilts her head up until their lips meet. The sensation of her taste and the tickle of her breath on his face warms him more than the fire. As they part, he smiles and continues, "and then, we're going to get some clothes on and track down that rare flower." Leaving her wrapped up in the warm bedroll Malbec stands, instantly forgetting he is only wearing soggy shorts, and strikes a dramatic pose reminiscent of Cricket when they first met. "Adventure calls. Let's see where our luck takes us.”

Oh my... He's practically naked!
She stares wide-eyed, face painted crimson, before quickly averting her gaze. "Adventure calls, huh? More like hypothermia's calling your name, you big goof!" She scrambles to her feet, nearly tripping over the bedroll. "Here, put some clothes on before you catch your death!" She tosses him his shirt, her cheeks flushed. "As for that flower... I bet I can find it first!" She grins mischievously, pulling on her boots. "Loser has to... um... give the winner a massage!"

Please don't let me screw this up...

"S-sorry." Malbec realizes his near-nakedness and more than just his face turns red. He turns away and uses the cloak to hide while he changes to dry clothes. "A little wager sounds fun, and I'm sure my shoulders could use a nice rub down after this adventure's over. Sounds like a win-win, you're on." He smiles, a new teasing glint in his eye, and quickly dons the rest of his gear.

With his armour and gloves on he looks and feels like himself again, only a little less flustered. "I'm ready when you are, partner."

Cricket fumbles with her clothes, her hands still trembling from the kiss.
Gods, he's perfect. Too perfect. What if I mess this up? 
"A massage bet? Did I really suggest that?" She laughs nervously, buckling her armour. "Hope you're ready to lose, because I've got... um... absolutely no idea what I'm doing, but I'll figure it out!"
Just like everything else in my life.

She watches him gear up, her heart skipping.
Even in such plain armor, he's breathtaking.
"Ready? Great! Last one to find the flower has to... um... also make dinner!" She starts heading deeper into the forest, then pauses. "Oh wait, you're already better at cooking than me. That's not much of a punishment, is it?" She fidgets with her sword hilt. "Maybe the loser has to... tell an embarrassing secret? Or... or..." 
Stop babbling, Cricket!
"Never mind! Race you to that clearing!" She dashes off, nearly tripping over a root in her haste.

Gods above, she is just too cute. I need to make sure not to fall behind. With her in my future I don't care if I never learn my past.
"Hey, if we let ourselves get caught up on only doing things that had any chance of success, we wouldn't do anything worth doing." Like taking a chance on a hopeless farm-boy with dreams of adventure. "Hey, slow down, I'm still recovering." Malbec laughs as he chases after Cricket.
"I accept your terms, and when I win, you're telling me that damned badger story."

Cricket's heart races as she dashes through the undergrowth, her boots crunching on fallen leaves. He's following me. Actually following me. This isn't just another disaster.

"Come on, slowpoke!" she calls over her shoulder. "Adventure won't find itself!" 

__**The End?**__

[[Author's Note: Hey. You made it to the end, sorta. I did make a epilogue of sorts. But before you read that, let me know what you think of my first story here on HoneyFeed. Thanks for reading]]