[PRP] Hand Me Downs (Akko x Zeffer) [FIN]

[melona-pan]

"I see." Twisting to lean away as he moved closer, Akko's response was robotic and hollow. She glared up at Zeffer, tipping her chin down against her collarbone, face still burning vibrant pink. Clearing her throat, she tried act as nonchalant as possible, continuing to work her fingers out from his tightening grasp. "It's not that I don't think we shouldn't move headquarters... obviously it's been compromised. Trying to find somewhere else to run a rebellion out of is easier said than done- I'm working on it, okay?" The last bit came out a little sharper than she intended. Byakko huffed defensively, reminding herself that Zeffer was only doing what she asked of him. "I've been keeping an eye on the base anyways. No one's shown up." The surveillance system Akko had somehow managed to patch together was crude, but it worked nonetheless. The Initiative was probably safe for the time being from any immediate outside threat, but his concern was well placed.

"Besides, I just... can't leave it like that. You understand, don't you?" Byakko's attempts to free herself of his grip slowed for a brief moment. While her stern frown didn't budge, there was a distinct shift in the way she spoke. Akko hadn't discussed any of her grief over the loss of the other rebels with anyone- not even him- and while she didn't plan on cracking open that novel tonight, she could only assume Zeffer would be able to empathize without any elaboration needed. Peering up at him expectantly, Akko eventually managed to wrench her hand free of his, moving to hunch over her arm and rub gingerly at her digits. Before she could shake off her embarrassment, though, Zeffer had dropped a bomb of his own onto her.

"S-share?" Akko's jaw hit the floor at his forwardness. Zeffer might as well have smacked her upside the head with one of his batons, the way she swayed and stared up at him through slitted lids with a dizzied, angered expression. "T-that's- no, what-" stumbling over her words, she silently screamed at his brazenness; Zeffer knew full well her hive only had one useable recuperacoon. Admittedly there was a second, but it was dry, full of dust, and tucked under many boxes of crap in the hidden room Akko hadn't the strength to go through. "N-no! Not an option."

Fumbling, she gestured towards the first aid kit. "There's some sopor patches- and this couch is comfortable, right? How about you crash here instead?"  

[kamileunaire]

Zeffer finally let her hand free with a quiet snicker, only to sober up again as she responded to his comment. The edge in her tone cause his grin to fade, and he listened quietly again. "I understand, Akko. I don't mean to rush you...I just worry. It would really suck if they decided to storm in there while you were on your own." He knew there were escape routes, but there was never any guaranteed access, especially in certain areas. He shivered inwardly at the thought of her being trapped or cornered. He wished he could be there with her all the time, and had even begun to consider asking if he could stay there long term, to help clean up the mess.

The somberness of the conversation passed again quickly as Akko reacted to his suggestion, and he had to bite back amused laughter as she blustered at the horrible prospect of sharing a recuperacoon with him. "Ohh? Why not? We shared mine once, back at my hive." He leveled a playful stare at her, very aware that it would probably get even more of a rise from her. "I mean, the couch is alright, yeah. I've passed out a few times on it before." He stretched, and yawned, and splayed out after a moment, intentionally brushing his fingers against her shoulder.

"But I was thinking we could do a sorta sleepover thing, like we did back then." He couldn't hold in his laughter anymore, as he snickered and blushed and glanced over again. That had been a pretty fun time...but he was sure Akko didn't feel quite the same way. "Is it because it's too small?? We should check first before we decide for sure." Without warning, he pulled himself to his feet, swaying a bit as he stalked off toward her respiteblock with a wicked smirk on his face. With Zeffer, there was never any shame, and certainly no end to his tormenting.  

[melona-pan]

Byakko's shoulders had curled further forward into her sullen slump, and once again she broke eye contact when Zeffer's tone somberly dropped to match her own. A mixed pang of guilt and gratitude twisted her stomach at his concerns about her safety- he worried? About her? Akko peered curiously at him sideways through the corners of her eyes, fidgeting with her hands tucked against her lap. "I can take care of myself." Her comment lacked a certain edge such a retort would normally carry; one that quickly returned along with Zeffer's cheekiness.

"S-shut up! Back then was different," Akko's protests had risen in volume, bouncing off the stone walls of her barren hive. Shoulders slowing rising, she prickled and slouched deeper, edging disdainfully away from Zeffer's fingers as they grazed against her. "You should have no issues with resting out here, then." She returned his stare with visual daggers of her own, rubbing at the spot he had touched.

Clearly, Zeffer had other intentions. Akko squinted and scrunched her nose with distaste at the suggestion of a 'sleepover thing', darkening further at Zeffer's lighthearted laugh and the blue flush on his cheeks. This wasn't in the plan. This wasn't arranged. A growl vibrated in Akko's throat. "No, it's simply because I don't want to share with y-"

Zeffer had already tossed aside her refusal and swaggered over in direction of her respiteblock before Akko could manage to collect herself and scramble up onto her feet. "W-wait!" Byakko let out a long frustrated hiss and took chase. "You've got to be ******** kidding me."