Was it really so shocking to Alexei that he was willing to do this? Matt wanted to be around for his life. After all, he missed several years after being out in the wild and exploring. He had gotten used to it, but there were other things in life than exploring.

This counted a lot more than freedom to explore the wild, right?

He was pretty much silent, his head full of thoughts as he thought over what was going on. What he was committing to if he really did say yes. He barely noticed that Alexei had taken his hands into his own, waiting for his answer.

Why did he feel so nervous?

Was he sweating from the water or from the pressure of it all?

"I'd rather make sure that you're okay before going back," Matt finally said. It was a genuine response. He meant it.

463 heat points left!

Mattis didn't really realize what was happening. All of the sudden, the water was shifting between them, sloshing over the side to accompany the sudden movement changes. Why was Alexei getting closer? Was there something on his face? Well his eyes were closed -

Oh.

It made sense, when his lips met Matt's. Of course, he was a bit startled. Why were they kissing? Did Alexei know what kissing meant? He was from Unova, after all. They could have some weird tradition involving kissing.

Was that vodka?

After a brief moment, Matt pulled back, looking at Alexei with confused eyes. "Hey, what was that for?" he asked.

403 heat points left!

Once again, the water sloshed around them, more splashing over the edge and threatening to soak the towel that was covering Alexei's flask. Matt invaded his space, almost chest to chest, and pushed the towel and flask further from the incoming water before slumping back on his spot. "Sorry, your stuff almost got wet," he said.

Poor Alexei was still processing.

"Kiss me? Yeah." Matt couldn't help but laugh. It was probably an inappropriate reaction to the situation, but he thought it was really funny now. "I knew I was irresistible, but I didn't think my best friend would make a move on me."

He settled back, arms splayed against the rocky pool. "Calm down. It's not a big deal."

321 heat points remaining!

"If I say yes, are you going to kiss me again?" Mattis asked teasingly, wiggling his eyebrows at Alexei. It wasn't that he didn't like the kiss. It was just a shock. And he couldn't figure out if it was some Unovan tradition or not.

Oh well.

"I'm serious, Alexei," he said, this time his voice devoid of jokes or teasing. "I'd rather you stay safe than to risk a worse injury. Or even dying."

231 heat points left!

Poor Alexei. The way he was trying to hide in his hands, away from Matt even though they were only a foot at most away from each other in this spring, was kind of cute. Maybe he shouldn't tease him so much.

He reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Why are you trying to convince me otherwise?" Mattis asked, raising his eyebrows. "I've made my decision, you know." He sighed, rubbing his face with his soaked hands. "Remember what I said the other night? That you have friends to help you for a reason?"

Matt tilted his head. "You don't have to do everything by yourself."

173 heat points left!

Mattis found his friend coming back into his personal space. Except, this time, it wasn't to kiss him. His arms came around Matt's shoulders, which prompted him to lift his own from the water to give him a comforting hug back.

"I wouldn't let anyone hurt you," he murmured, perhaps too intimately for the current circumstances they had going on now.

He let his hand rub up and down Alex's back soothingly for a moment, just to let him know that he was here before he parted again. "Are you okay now?"

171 heat points left!