She laughed. "That's for the better." She shifted with discomfort, starting to feel uncomfortable in her current skin. Please stay back. Just until the first round starts. Then I'll let you out.
The beast snarled irritably. Why should I? You only let me out once a year. I think a little payback is due.
She attempted to hide her grimace as it continued its stirring. "So… anything else I should know?" she continued with a smirk.
"You really like to make me uncomfortable." Because of the earbuds, he couldn't sense a thing, which is tragic, cause he could've helped.
Her smirk grew. "What can I say? I like to see you squirm under pressure."
"See, but do I ever do that to you?" He glanced over at her. "Typically the goal is to make your partner as comfortable as possible."
She stuck out her bottom lip. "I'm no good at comfortable."
"I think you're wonderful," he said, winking over at her.
She smiled back. "Only you would."
"I imagine a whole lotta people would. I'm just the lucky guy who managed to worm into your heart." He flopped back into a prone position, smiling to himself.
Her smile grew. "Like a parasite." She chuckled. "Funny. Cin describes me the same way."
"Well, then I'm the happiest parasite in the world." He closed his eyes and smiled.
"Hmm. Debatable. There's probably some fleas who are really fucking happy right about now, catching a ride on Earth's fluffiest doggo."
"But they don't have you." Maybe he could get back at her with all this mushiness.
"Mm. I'd prefer a huge furball over me, slobber and all." She smirked at him. "Despite how perfect I am."
"Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference," he joked, winking at her again.
She chuckled, beginning to feel just a little self-conscious with all of the compliments he was giving her. "I don't remember ordering a block of cheese."
"I would feel insulted if you weren't true." He sighed, knowing he had her on edge.
She shifted again, rubbing her leg with her foot as if to relieve an itch. "Mm."
"I looooove you," he said in a sing-song voice.
She laughed. "What drugs have you been taking?"
"I can just tell my girlfriend I love her?" he challenged.
She shook her head, fighting back a smile. "You're quite… perky, all of the sudden."
"Ah, just feigning confidence for the fight coming up," he admitted.
She nodded, grimacing again. "Damn, this thing hurts like a bitch…" she muttered. To Runner, she said, "There's no one here to pretend around."
"Eh, but still. I don't feel like complaining for once, so I might as well fake it." He stretched his arms and legs out as far as they would go, yawning heavily.
"You could always just keep your mouth shut." Her eyes widened as soon as she said the words, and she looked away. "I'm sorry. That was mean."
He opened his mouth to say something, then faltered, opting instead to sit up and look away from her. "My bad, I guess."
She shook her head and got up too, facing him still wide eyes. "No, it's not you! Please, don't take it personally." She went to reach out, but curled her fingers into a fist and pulled her hand back. "I'm just… losing control."
Yes, losing control to the person you're so desperate to hide from your beloved, the beast sneered, curling its essence around her unguarded heart. Isn't it about time he sees you for who you really are?
"…Control?" he tilted his head. "From what?"
She actually winced and gripped her arm, where dark scales flickered to life and then gone again. "Someone I don't want you to see," she said softly.
"Do I have to remind you who's up here?" He asked tapping the side of his head.