sen holiday special

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{<div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> <div class="snowflakes">❅ </div> }Hi, and welcome to the Sentinel holiday special! This is a (very) short story featuring scenes with all the ROs, as both a Christmas gift and a thank to you everyone who's shown interest in, or supported, this project. It means a lot to me, especially on the back of a particularly terrible year; I hope you're all well and staying safe, and that you enjoy this little bonus! Please note, there is strong language and in some routes, mildly suggestive content. However, most of the usual content warnings don't apply - no bloody murders in this one, I promise. To begin, please name your MC: (textbox: "$name", "First Name") MC uses (cycling-link: bind $prn, "they/them", "she/her", "he/him") pronouns. <button class="choice"><span>[[All set!->startpage]]</span></button>

{(if: $prn is "she/her")[ (set: $they to "she") (set: $They to "She") (set: $them to "her") (set: $their to "her") (set: $prplural to 2)] (elseif: $prn is "he/him")[ (set: $they to "he") (set: $They to "He") (set: $them to "him") (set: $their to "his") (set: $prplural to 2)] (else:)[ (set: $they to "they") (set: $They to "They") (set: $prplural to 1)]}The sky is deep blue, the horizon hazy with orange smog. The river glitters with it, city lights reflected in place of stars, red white and orange, blinking in and out, rippling with the water. The ground is icy, treacherous; even with your thick-soled boots on, you're walking carefully. Your breath mists in front of you, sparkling silver in the lights from the market. Music blasts from every direction, and the air is thick with the smells of roasted meat, cotton candy, and fried food. Not altogether a pleasant combination. Also, it's- "Fucking freezing," Shaw grumbles from beside you. He looks thoroughly miserable, hands shoved in his pockets, chin tucked into his scarf, his eyes narrowed "You said that twice already," "It bears repeating. Remind me why we're out here, and not warm and indoors?" "This was Amari's idea," you shrug, pause to examine a stall selling an array of chocolates. "You agreed to it, remember?" "No," Shaw sniffs haughtily. "I remember her saying it would be //fun//. She didn't say it would be //cold//," "Shaw, if you can't figure out that something called //ice skating// will be //cold//, I don't know what to tell you," He snorts, wraps a hand around your arm to tug you away from the chocolates. You let him; they were too expensive for you, anyway. It takes you another ten minutes to find your way to the skating rink - between the ice, the constant distraction of the market, and Shaw's complaining, it's a miracle you make it at [[all->2]].

(set: $they to "they") (set: $They to "They") (set: $them to "them") (set: $their to "their") (set: $prplural to 1) (set: $drink to "") (set: $route to "") (set: $Saves to "")

Apparently, the others think so too. Almost as soon as you're within sight of the ice rink, there's a yell - "$name! I thought you fell in the river-" and you're greeted by Amari, practically bouncing up to you, grinning from ear to ear. Beside you, Shaw groans. "Sorry we're late. We, er-" "Didn't want to come," helpfully, Shaw finishes your sentence. You sigh. Amari glares at him, an expression she maintains for about a second before relaxing into a snort of laughter. "OK, grumpy. You can sit on a bench and watch the rest of us have fun - that actually works out, cause I only had enough for four tickets, so someone has to-" "What? No, I'm not-" As they descend into bickering (you give it ten minutes before the hair-pulling starts), you wander over to Levi and Eva, leaning on the edge of the skating rink. Both wear distinctly amused expressions. "Hey, $name," "Glad you made it," "Hey, guys," you lean against the rink wall beside them, take a deep breath. The air is fresher here, slightly separated from the market proper; it still smells distinctly of fried dough, but without the flashing lights in your face and the blaring music, it's tolerable. "You looking forward to this?" Eva makes a sound you can't quite interpret. Levi doesn't answer at all. "Oh, good." This is gonna go [[great->3]].

"OK, are we ready?" Amari bounces over to you, bright with excitement, Shaw trailing sullenly behind her. "I guess," "Sure," "Mhm," With that round of enthusiastic assent, the five of you set about gathering your stuff. Amari collects skates from the stands (and the sight of Amari with her arms full of heavy, bladed shoes is mildly disconcerting in a way you can't quite place your finger on) while the rest of you make use of the storage lockers at the rink's edge. You strap your skates on, stand and shift your weight cautiously. Okay. This is fine. You can do this. Next step is getting onto the ice. <button class="choice">[[<span>Grab onto Levi for support.</span>->levi1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>Attempt to skate over to Amari.</span>->amari1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>Stick by Eva.</span>->eva1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>Reach out for Shaw.</span>->shaw1]]</button>

You reach out, and Levi's there, solid and steady under your weight. All of which you're leaning against him. "OK?" he holds your arms, letting you adjust your stance before slowly releasing. His hands linger, and you think you can feel the warmth of them even through your layers. "OK," you nod, and start to hobble towards the rink, hyperaware of Levi following close behind you. As you step onto the ice, Levi speaks up. "Have you been ice skating before?" "Not for years," you admit, sparing a flash of resentment for the way he steps confidently onto the ice, leaving you clinging to the wall. "Here," he holds out a hand, reels you in close as you stagger over, hands in his. "Just- bend your knees, like that, put your weight forwards a bit-" He's interrupted by your feet skidding out from beneath you, hands clenching in his as you fall. Apparently, his balance isn't as good as you had thought, because the two of you hit the ice in a tangle of limbs, the breath knocked out of you in a yelp. "Ow-" you grimace, carefully extracting your legs from Levi's. "Are you OK?" "I'll live," he's trying not to laugh. He's also not doing much to help you get up, apparently content to sit on the ice and watch you struggle. <button class="choice">[[<span>"Thanks for the help,"</span>->levi2.1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>"You know what? I'm fine here. You go on without me,"</span>->levi2.2]]</button>

As soon as she sees you coming, she lights up, brighter than the streetlights, than the lights of the market, reflecting on the ice; brighter than anything you've seen, enough that you want to wrap yourself in that smile and never leave. She reaches for you, grabs your hands as you stumble over to her - and while you're still getting your legs underneath you, she's confident, graceful, pulls you along effortlessly with her. She skates backwards, hands in yours, and you have to ask- "You've done this a lot, then?" "Skating? Or saving people from falling on their asses?" "Both," you laugh, and Amari beams. "I used to skate every winter with my family. It was kind of a tradition of ours," she smirks, bats her eyelashes. "The falling thing is just you, though," "I'm honoured," you're starting to feel more confident, straightening up and shifting your weight as you push-glide your way across the ice. Amari doesn't release your hand. "You should be. I'm very exclusive," She glances over her shoulder, adjusts your direction slightly. Her hands are warm in yours, her body heat seeping through your gloves and into your palms, into your veins, all the way to your heart. Lit up as she is, in yellow-orange light and soft shadows, she's ethereal, enchanting. Her eyes are black and gold, the purple in her hair turned red-violet in the light, and the way she's smiling at you makes your heart clench, aching in the best way [[possible->amari2]].

Evangeline looks about as comfortable as you feel, hobbling towards the ice in her skates with a frown. You linger by her as the others pass, Amari attempting to corral the others into a race - you want no part of that, thank you. Evangeline gives you a grateful smile as you do so. "You've not done this much either, huh?" you remark, and she snorts. "No way. Too busy, too- well. I don't know. Never really occurred to me it would be a problem," As the two of you push off from the wall, you frown down at your feet, focusing on moving, slow and steady, keeping your weight centered. You're just starting to build up a rhythm when a body knocks into you, Reese's hands grabbing at you for balance as she starts to fall. "Shit- shit, sorry," she's muttering, still holding onto your shoulder as she works to get her feet back underneath herself. You grab her elbow, fighting to stay steady as she does so, and try not to feel the warmth that soaks through both of your layers to your skin. "No worries. Look, here-" once you're both steady, you hold out a hand for her, the instinct to offer help overriding any momentary embarrassment. Eva looks at it for a moment, then at your face, and you can't see in the winter dark and the yellow light but you think she's blushing. She takes your hand. You interlace your fingers (what are you //doing//? but neither of you mention it, and she doesn't pull away) and start skating, slow and easy. There are a few false starts, a few times where your skates knock together or one of you loses balance but you stay upright, holding onto one another and cautiously not acknowledging the way your shoulders brush together as you complete your first [[circle->eva2]].

He narrows his eyes at you as you linger by the entrance, letting the others pass. "I blame you for this, $name," "Hey, now," you let him step onto the ice first, poke him in the side as he goes and earn a sideways glare for your trouble. "I didn't force you to do anything," Your only answer to that is a scoff. He's still clinging to the wall as you step onto the ice, not much more confidently than him. You take a few gliding steps, pause, hold onto the wall and glance back over your shoulder. Shaw hasn't moved. "Are you coming?" "Do I have a choice?" "Stop whining," with some effort, you turn around, somehow preserving your dignity in the process, and hold out a hand for him. "If you want to sit this out, I'll come sit with you," Shaw looks at your hand. Looks over at the others, where Amari is holding a reluctant-looking Reese by the elbow, laughing. He rolls his eyes so hard you think he might strain something, and takes your hand. "No, it's //fine//. I'll stay. Just- if I fall on my ass, promise you won't take pictures," "I promise," you grin, interlacing your fingers. Try to hide your smile when he huffs and leans his weight against you, shoulder warm where it presses into yours. The two of you set off at a slow, steady pace, carefully avoiding other skaters. You fumble, once or twice, skates clacking together and each time, Shaw's hand flies out to grab the wall, an expression of faint panic on his face, but you don't fall. Eventually, you feel comfortable enough to coax him away from the wall, pulling him by the hand into the center of the rink. He's starting to look less put-upon, more comfortable; if he feels well enough to throw dirty looks at the kids that whizz past, infinitely faster and more comfortable on the ice than either of you, you reason that he must be having some kind of fun. Besides, his hand is warm in yours, his body heat soaking into your side where you're pressed together, and you're not willing to jeapordise that. The two of you complete a few more laps before you glance over at him. He's watching his skates, frowning in concentration, and the expression knocks something loose in your chest. You can feel it rattling around, bumping up against your [[ribs->shaw2]].

"You're welcome," he grins at you, unconcerned by your sarcasm, his hands still tangled around you. Slowly, gingerly, you manage to climb to your feet, Levi following after. He doesn't release your hand, and you lean into him as he straightens, using him for balance. He's warm against you, even through your coat, even though you're both wearing several layers - or perhaps it's your imagination, filling in the blanks where you know you should feel body heat, where his arm is solid under your hand, his chest against your shoulder. You start to skate, slow and rhythmic, and Levi follows, step-by-step. It takes some time, but you start to build up a rhythm, drifting across the ice with something not-quite grace, but close enough. You even feel steady enough to let of Levi's hand. You don't, though. Neither of you [[mention->levi3]] it.

He laughs at that, the movement of his shoulders jolting you where you're sprawled against him. The cold is starting to seep through your layers, but you make no effort to move. You're sure you can feel the warmth of his body, even through all your clothes - or perhaps it's just your imagination, filling in the blanks where you know his body heat should be, under your palms and against your side. On your shoulders when he rests his hands there, gloves or not. "Come on," he slides his leg out from beneath you, climbs to his feet. "I appreciate your sacrifice, but I'm not leaving you behind," He holds out his hand, pulls you to your feet and reels you in close. "Besides, if I let you sit it out, Shaw will want to, then where will we be?" You snort, let him spin you around and lightly push you forward. He keeps a hand on your arm as you build up a rhythm, slowly, carefully starting to glide across the ice. He's close enough that your shoulders brush together as you move. You don't mention it. Neither does [[he->levi3]].

"So," you say, once you feel confident enough to move and speak at the same time. "Where did you learn to skate?" He shrugs. "You pick stuff up. C'mere," Without warning, he shifts closer, an arm around your waist and //spins// you, your skates kicking up a flurry of water as you go. Caught by surprise, you yelp, clinging to his arms as you're turned. "See?" his grin is just a little smug, but you can't really hold that against him while you're still- well. Held against him. He's very tall. Also, he just lifted you off the ground with apparently no effort. That requires further consideration. "OK, I get it," you grumble, trying and failing to keep your smile from curling around the words, softening their edges. "You're good at everything. Point taken," He reaches up, brushes a strand of hair out of your face with a gloved hand. You're still drifting, slowly, his hand on your hip and on your cheek and yours against his arms. Bodies glide past, almost in slow motion - gold-dipped and ethereal, silhouettes in your peripheral, everything else filled with //him//, eyes and heart and throat as you tilt your head back, curl your hands in his coat to pull him closer. His lip curls. "Not everything, $name," and you can see your name on his lips, feel the brush of air against yours as he leans in. "Just [[some->levi4]] things."

You're aware of very few things in that moment. Your entire being tunnels down to his hands on your waist, his hair (glowing red-violet in the lights from the market) brushing your shoulder as he leans over you, the thudding of your heart - and the distance between you, a breath away, close enough that you can feel the heat radiating off him. Close enough that all you need to do is lean forwards. You let your eyes drift closed, tilt your head, and- "//$name!//" "Shut //up//! $They(print: $prplural of (a: "'re", "'s")) //busy//!" "Ow- //ow!// Stop it!" The sound of an impact is accompanied by a yelp of pain that you recognise as Shaw's. Levi, arms still around you, leans back with a quiet sigh, and you crane your neck around to see Shaw attempting to fend off Amari as she smacks at him with her wooden arm. Eva leans against the wall nearby, looking beleagured. Levi clears his throat. "This... may not be the best place for this," he admits, and the regret in his voice alone is enough to make you lean back into him, his arms instinctively, immediately, going tight around you as you do so. His hand strokes over your hair, eyes dark and reflecting yellow-gold as he blinks down at you, the corner of his mouth curling in a fond smile. His voice is low and private when he speaks again. "Maybe we can continue this another time? Perhaps when Shaw is... elsewhere," That sounds good. You glance over; Shaw and Amari are still bickering, but at your attention, they both straighten up. He glances between you and Levi, and something approaching apologetic crosses his face - but, being Shaw, it doesn't make it out of his mouth. "I'm starving," he announces instead. "Can we //please// go eat? I'll let you two do your thing later, but right now I need food. And also to not watch this," he waves a hand at you and Levi, still entangled on the ice. "No-one's forcing you to watch, you know," Eva points out mildly. Shaw gives her a dirty look. Levi snorts, pulling your attention back to him, and bends down to kiss you chastely on the forehead. There's nothing chaste in his voice when he says, //let's pick this up later//, though. You're inclined to [[agree->levi5]].

She grins at you again, leans her weight into your hands and you instinctively brace against it as she pushes back, brings one leg up in an arabesque. The two of you are gliding around the rink, completely unaware of anyone else - at least, you are. Amari keeps making small adjustments to your direction and you let her, trusting her not to crash the pair of you into someone else, focused entirely on watching her face. When she brings her leg down, she pulls you in close, drops your hands to catch you by the waist. When her back hits the wall, it catches you by surprise; surprise which quickly melts at the mischevious look on her face. She's trapped between the wall and your body, and- when had you gotten this close? Not that you're complaining. Like this, you're able to lean most of your weight against the wall, Amari fitting snugly between your arms. Like this, your faces are only a breath apart, hers tilted up expectantly. Like this, her eyes are pitch-black, iris almost entirely swallowed by pupil. Your mouth is dry. Amari's hands are curled in the collar of your jacket, her legs tangled with yours. You lean [[in->amari3]].

"$name! Hey, //$name//!" You jerk back, looking around wildly, and are greeted by the sight of Shaw, hands cupped around his mouth, obviously preparing to yell once again. Several people are turning around, obviously surprised by the sudden shouting, their eyes falling on you and Amari, pressed as you are up against the wall. You groan. "Fuck //off//!" Amari yells back, loosening one hand from your collar to give him the finger. You resist the urge to flinch (there are //kids// here, but you know saying that out loud would give both of them too much ammunition against you), and try to pull back. Amari doesn't release you. Instead, she pouts up at you, eyes wide, one hand still firmly wrapped in your coat. "We should- go," you clear your throat, try not to stare too obviously at her lips, which are curving into a wicked smile. "Mmm, we //could// go. Or- we could..." she trails off, pushing off the wall and up against your body. Tilts her head invitingly, tugging your collar to pull you down to meet her lips for the briefest- "//$name//!" Shaw's closer, now; he's walked around the outside of the rink, leaning on the wall just a scant meter from where you and Amari are entangled. He's not being any quieter, though. Amari growls in frustration and twists in your arms, reaching out to slap at Shaw. He dodges easily, grins at you, and shakes his head. "This is highly inappropriate behaviour, you know. We're in a public place. //And//, more importantly, I'm starving, so pack it in and come get food with me," Amari makes a face at him, turns back to you. <button class="choice">[[<span>I kiss her.</span>->amari4.1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>"We should go,"</span>->amari4.2]]</button>

She picks it up quickly. Neither of you are going to make the Olympics this year, but you build up an easy rhythm, skating with synchronised grace around and around, deftly avoiding collisions with others as you go. The grip you have on each other's hands never loosens, never drops, even as you pick up speed. You glance over at her, and she's smiling. When she looks back, the smile remains, goes softer, quieter, and something inside you melts. Her hair is firey orange in the yellow lights, her eyes reflecting blinking gold, and the molten thing in your chest glows red-hot. Her fingers twitch against your palm. You move closer, uncertain, and her hand curls tighter around yours. You're all but chest-to-chest, now, heads bowed towards each other, skating forgotten. Figures move around you, silent but for the soft hiss of their skates on the ice, all other sounds muffled by the blood rushing in your ears. Eva's lips part. She breathes out your name in a cloud of silver tinged with gold, with red, with anticipation and //want//. "$name-" You can feel it on your lips, now, the brush of air against you as she leans [[in->eva3]].

You're captivated, held prisoner by her proximity, by her hands on your arms and her eyes on you, half-lidded but not closing even as you draw close. It's no wonder, then, that both of you jump violently when a loud voice breaks through your moment. "$name!" You both startle, jumping first apart then around, looking for the source of the interruption. Eva stumbles, one arm flailing and you grab her by instinct, supporting her weight as she staggers. By the entrance to the rink, Shaw is cupping his hands around his mouth, clearly preparing to yell again. People are turning to look. Eva, now flushing so furiously you can tell even in the dim lights, swears quietly. "I'm going to kick his ass," "You and me both," you glance to where your hand still rests on her arm, hers still locked around your wrist. "We should, uh- he's not gonna stop yelling," "I know," she sighs. Still won't meet your eye. "We, um. Lost track of time, I guess," You guess you [[did->eva4]].

Shaw glances up, catches you watching him. Narrows his eyes playfully. "What?" Your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth. //What?// //I-// //I-// The words choke up in your throat. "Are you having fun yet?" His expression goes soft, momentarily, eyes crinkling in a not-quite-smile, something more obscure. He's bathed in gold light, splashed across the bridge of his nose and the gloss of his hair, eyes turned black-brown-gold as he looks at you. Then he huffs, turns away. Can't quite keep the smirk from his voice when he says, "It's fine. I guess," "High praise," you snort, and the words that are still rattling in your chest settle a little, back on familiar ground. "I'm glad we could provide you with such an adequate experience," That breaks a laugh from him, short and quickly cut off but there nonetheless, hanging in the air as silver-white mist. "Yeah, yeah," he glances at you, down at where your hands are still tightly laced together. His expression softens again. "This is nice," "Yeah," you agree. "Yeah, it [[is->shaw3]],"

You bask in that for a long moment, the simple warmth of his body pressed against yours, his smile and his eyes and the two of you, together. Just as it should be. You're interrupted, eventually, by Amari. She skids to a halt beside you, glances between you. You're expecting a smart comment, or something teasing, but her expression just softens slightly. "We're out of time, guys," she tells you, her voice just as soft. You both nod, and she disappears as quickly as she arrived, leaving you alone in your fragile little bubble with Shaw once again. He squeezes your hand. "One more lap? Just to prove we can do it," "Sure," you agree, and the pair of you set off, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. Everyone else is leaving, now, leaving the two of you alone on the ice, drifting slow and silent together. You tuck your arm tighter into his, and he pressed back against you, a comfort, a reassurance, bolstering you against the cold and the wind and that slow-building melancholy that comes with the night. You complete your lap, come to an inelegant halt by the exit. Help each other off the ice, hobbling over to a bench where you sit with your shoulders and your thighs pressed together, tugging your boots off in silence. Eva, Levi and Amari are huddled a little way away. Amari's gesturing wildly, while Levi nods solemnly along; Eva looks like she can't decide whether to be exasperated or amused, so she's settled on both. Shaw rests his hand on your knee. "Hey, so- this was fun. We should do this again sometime," "Yeah?" you can't help but raise an eyebrow, and he snorts. "I mean, just you and me. No need to bring those assholes along," "That sounds- nice," it's a woefully inadequate word, but Shaw just grins, squeezes your leg and stands. "Doesn't it? Come on," he holds out his hand, helps you to your feet. The two of you rejoin the others, still walking in sync, still pressed close together. "I'm starving. Let's get dinner," "If it's your idea, you're paying," Amari says immediately as you approach. Shaw frowns at her. "Of course I'm paying. I don't trust //any// of you to pick a good place, anyway," "Hey! I know plenty of-" As the two of them fall into a familiar pattern of exchanging insults, you quietly wrap your hand around Shaw's. He interlaces your fingers, never breaking stride in his argument with Amari, and squeezes gently. <button class="choice">[[<span>End!</span>->end]]</button>

The two of you make your way over to the exit. Amari is berating Shaw, smacking him (hard) on the shoulder with her wooden arm. "Ow- //ow//! Stop it!" "They were clearly having a moment, dipshit, why'd you have to- oh, hey guys!" The two of them turn as you approach, Amari grinning widely, Shaw looking vaguely disgruntled. A sideways glance tells you Eva is still resolutely not meeting your eye, her cheeks far too pink to blame the cold. You clear your throat. <button class="choice">[[<span>"She has a point, you know,"</span>->eva5.1]]</button> <button class="choice">[[<span>"We, uh- hi. What's going on?"</span>->eva5.2]]</button>

Shaw rolls his eyes at you. "I'm starving, and it's freezing. You can have another moment later. Indoors. Come on, let's get some food," With that, he pushes off the wall and stalks away, apparently having reached his tolerance. You glance at Eva, still looking faintly mortified. "He, uh- doesn't like the cold," "I got that," she sighs. "It's fine. I, um. We should... go," "Yeah," You swallow. There's a hollow feeling in your chest, the same spot that had so recently been so warm, lit up bright by the expression on her face, the sound of your name on her lips. Now she turns away, drops her grip on your arm and leaves a cold imprint in its place. As you go to follow her, Amari sidles up beside you. "Hey, $name," "Hey," "Want me to throw Shaw in the river?" "I'll [[think->eva6]] about it,"

Shaw smirks as you stumble over the words. "Everything OK, $name?" "Shut up," "Ouch. And here I thought you'd be in a //good// mood," "With you yelling at me from half a mile away? Never," "I //was// going to offer to buy you dinner. But if you've got other plans- //ow!//" Amari lowers her hand, flashes you and Eva (who you still can't bring yourself to look at, though her hand is hot as a brand on your arm, like you'll be able to see the marks of her fingers there for the rest of your life) an innocent smile. "We were thinking of getting food," she tells you. "Also, we're out of time with the skates. Sorry to interrupt your moment," "You didn't interrupt-" "We weren't-" You both start. Stop. Glance at one another, and look away again. Shaw scoffs. "//Wow//," "Shut up," Amari tells him, and there's far more glee in her eyes than you'd like. Leaning against the wall, Levi makes a soft noise that could be laughter, or could be agreement. You're too busy trying to stop your face catching fire to figure it out. Eva releases your arm, leaves a cold, empty space where her hand was- //should// be. "We should- we should return the skates," she says, and though she's speaking to you, her eyes are fixed elsewhere. "Yeah," you can't help but feel a pang of disappointment, that spot in your chest that had been so bright, so warm, now cold and hollow. You channel it into a glare directed at Shaw, who shrugs [[unrepentantly->eva6]].

"OK!" Amari claps her hands together as you and Eva tug off your skates. "That was fun, though, right? It was fun? I mean, Shaw's an asshole but we knew that already, so really- hey!" She easily ducks the half-hearted slap Shaw aims at her head, grins at him. "Missed, asshole. Anyway- did you guys have fun?" "Yes, we had fun," Levi reaches out, affectionately tugs one of her locks with a faint smile. "It was a good idea," "I //know//, but it's nice to hear you say it," she grins at him, at you, at all of you, and despite the disappointment weighing heavy in your chest, you can't help but smile back as she continues. "Thanks for coming. I haven't been in ages, and I kinda missed it, and I know you're all busy, so, you know. Thanks," You chance a look sideways at Eva. She's smiling, too, open and //happy//, and the tightness in your chest eases, even more so when she glances at you, looks shyly away. Her smile doesn't fade. Broken moment or not, you know there will be more. You can live with that. <button class="choice">[[<span>End!</span>->end]]</button>

Shaw can mind his own business. Amari seems to be of the same mind, because she grins at you, a quick flash before leaning in and meeting your lips with hers, wooden hand curling around the back of your neck to draw you closer. Her tongue drags across your lower lip, her other hand sliding up to hold your cheek. You let your own hands drop to her waist, curl tight in her jacket and pull her close against you, humming softly into the kiss. When you break apart, you're both smiling like idiots. Her thumb brushes over your cheekbone, eyes half-lidded and pleased as she presses her forehead to yours. When she speaks, her voice is hoarse, a little breathless, and it sends heat dragging down your spine. "OK. I'm good. We should go," "Mhm," you nod solemnly in agreement, even as you lean back in. Amari stifles a giggle against your mouth, her hand sliding into your hair and twisting gently, coaxing you to bend down further, pressing her against the wall. Somewhere, very far away, Shaw clears his throat. Then he does it again, louder. Amari grins against your mouth, the kiss broken as she suppresses laughter. You find yourself smiling in return, shoulders shaking silently as Shaw grumbles. Finally, finally, you pull apart, arms still wrapped around one another, turning to where Shaw's glaring daggers at you both. "I could just leave you behind, you know," he threatens. Amari snorts. "Yeah, do that. Go to dinner with Reese and Levi, that'll be a fun evening for all three of you," He huffs, folds his arms and leans against the wall, looking for all the world like a sulking teenager. You take pity on him, withdrawing slightly from Amari's embrace. "We really should go- I think we're running out of time with these [[skates->amari5]], anyway,"

Amari pouts, hands curling tighter in your clothes. "//Should// we? I don't think we //have// to," "Yes, you do," Shaw interrupts, still louder than he needs to be from a few feet away. Amari groans, loosens her grip on your collar to make a rude gesture at him. He grins, returns it with glee, then leans across the wall to flick you on the side of the head. "Come on, $name, I'm //starving//. You guys can make out later. Preferably in private, when I'm not here," Amari turns back to you, a wicked glint in her eye. "Fine. But we //will// continue this later, OK?" "I, uh-" you clear your throat, still distracted by the way she's gripping your collar, the way she's pressed up against you, her legs tangled with yours. "I mean, um, yeah, if you-" "Great!" She rocks up onto her tiptoes, presses a kiss to your cheek. Gently pushes your chest, freeing herself from the self-imposed cage of your arms, and begins to skate towards the exit. As you go to follow, Shaw leans over the wall and ruffles your hair. "See? I'm the best wingman ever," You find your voice. "You get //no// credit for [[this->amari5]],"

You follow Amari to the exit, step off the ice and collapse onto a nearby bench to begin the arduous process of getting your skates off. Amari sprawls out beside you, swings a leg onto your lap (narrowly missing your face with the blade) and begins picking at her own shoelaces. It makes your task difficult, but you're not willing to sacrifice the comforting weight of her leg across yours. As you're frowning at the knots on your laces, Amari reaches over, touches your cheek gently. "Hey, $name?" her voice is soft, tentative. You look up, and she's smiling, but her usual exuberance is tempered by something- concern, maybe, anxiety. "Yeah?" "Did you- did you have fun?" "I- yeah, I did," "OK," she nods, pats you on the cheek. "Good. I, uh. I used to skate a lot with my family in the winter, but we haven't been able to go for a few years. I missed it, so... thanks, I guess. For coming with me," You raise a hand, curl your fingers over hers. Turn your head, and press your lips to her wrist briefly. Her eyes are soft as she curls her fingers against your palm, turns her hand to take yours. "Of course," you say, just as softly. "Any time," Her smile grows at that, takes on some of the familiar mischief. "Don't make promises you'll regret, $name," "I would never," It's meant to sound teasing, but it comes out awkward. Too soft, too sincere, not mocking enough and Amari's smirk drops a degree. She blinks at you. Leans in, kisses your cheek with excrutiating tenderness. "We should get moving," when she pulls away, there's no trace of that vulnerability to be seen, just a wry smile and her hand, still tangled with yours. "Shaw might actually start crying if he doesn't get food soon," "Can't have that," you agree. You finish changing your shoes one-handed, stretch out your aching legs as you stand. Amari leans against you, and hand-in-hand, you go to find the others. <button class="choice">[[<span>End!</span>->end]]</button>

Levi remains pressed close against your side, one arm around your waist as the two of you make your way off the ice, sitting on a bench to remove your skates. His thigh is pressed warm and solid against you, a counter to the cold metal beneath and you can't help but lean into him, a motion that makes him smile. You can all but //feel// the contentment, radiating off him like body heat, and it makes you want to get even closer, press against him like a cat seeking warmth, a flower drawn to the sunlight. For his part, every time you do so, he moves with you, draws you in until you're practically on his lap. You can almost hear Shaw rolling his eyes, but you're too preoccupied to care. When you've both got your shoes back on, Levi straightens, holds out a hand to help you up. For a moment, you stand there, hand in hand. Levi raises his free hand, gently touches your cheek. "OK?" "OK," you confirm, and your voice comes out breathless. "Good," he smiles faintly. "Let's go get some food. And if you want, I'll throw Shaw in the river on the way," "That sounds good," you nod, decisively. "Both of those things," He chuckles, and gestures you on. "After you, then," Hand in hand, the two of you make your way back to the group, and if you happen to be leaning against Levi's side most of the way to the restaurant- no-one comments. <button class="choice">[[<span>End!</span>->end]]</button>