"uh, maybe i forgot it on purpose to give you more work?"[break][break]

no, he just forgot because that's just who he is. forgetful, but thoughtful in other aspects.[break][break]

her words make him smile, and soon enough, color dusts across his cheeks as well.[break][break]

"it means a lot to hear that. i'm glad i'm the best boss you've ever had and probably ever will have."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

“Mhm, sure you did.”

She’s not exactly good at being soft for extended periods of time. She gives the compliment, and then feels bashful for it, so has to cover that up with some sort of sturdiness. Nothing so vulnerable.[break][break]

That nervous need to only amplifies when his face reddens to a shade softer than the brightness of his hair.[break][break]

“Oh, well now I think you’re getting ahead of yourself there,” Calla responds dryly, but still smiling. She flicks the tiniest bit of water at him.[break][break]

“Let me amend that, filing my first complaint— boss has a big head.”

[attr="class","ooc"]URIAH BLACK [break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-bulbasaur"]

droplets of seawater splatter across his cheek.[break][break]

"like, physically?"[break][break]

he doesn't have a big head, does he? his hands lift out the water to press square against his head, measuring it like one would a box.[break][break]

"i think it's fine, personally."[break][break]

then, his hands move to her head, still fixed in the size of his.[break][break]

"oh shit. yeah, it's pretty big."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

“Mm yeah, like those old gummy commercials where their heads inflate.”[break][break]

Calla nods seriously, earnest in playing along as he takes measurements.[break][break]

Her eyes go round in faux-shock. Dainty hands slip up, filling the gap between his hands and her head. “Wow yeah, that’s what all that hot air will do to ya.”[break][break]

That put upon surprise isn’t held onto for long before she’s cracking up yet again.

[attr="class","ooc"]URIAH BLACK [break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-bulbasaur"]

"guess so."[break][break]

his hands move over hers before gently pressing them into her head. he holds for a few seconds as if to emphasize a point before letting his hands fall back down.[break][break]

he smiles, gaze drifting up to the clear blue skies.[break][break]

"this is nice."[break][break]

not the weather, but the moment.

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

She doesn’t reply then. Instead, watching him curiously as his hands cover hers and press against her hair. They’re so much bigger than hers, swallowing them up entirely.[break][break]

Her breath flutters in her throat, and then her hands slowly down as well.[break][break]

“Yeah,” she chews on her bottom lip, eyes flirting up to him, then down to her hands just under the surface of the waters, cupping little pools of water in her palms. “I think so too.”[break][break]

Despite the cool ocean, she feels warm.

[attr="class","ooc"]URIAH BLACK [break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-bulbasaur"]

he feels warm, too. but does he understand why?[break][break]

his gaze drifts back down to find hers, and as he holds it for a moment, a smile breaks.[break][break]

"come on. let's get out of here."

[attr="class","ooc"]calla roth[break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-machamp color-shiny"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-mudkip color-shiny"]

All Calla does is watch him back, curious and maybe also a little unsure as to what he might be thinking. But she doesn’t dare speak first, too focused on the hush.[break][break]

Then he smiles and it’s bright like the sun and the moment snaps, but it’s not necessarily in a bad way. They do need to check on their table by now.[break][break]

“Yeah, sounds good to me.” She looks over as she begins the drift back toward the shore. “Lunch soon? Probably high time for it.”

[attr="class","ooc"]URIAH BLACK [break]
mission![break]
valor: helping hand[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-bulbasaur"]