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I was already alone, if you want to look at it that way. I never spoke to a person until I found my way here. All my interactions with life up until that point were fight-or-flight.

[Mostly fight. Mostly eat.]

[You know, it's probably better to just come out with it.]

You're a pretty charming for a guy that's so isolated, Boxer.

[And it did strike her as a little bit odd, because of the misconception that loner-ish types were awkward and didn't enjoy engaging with other people. And also because, well, he seemed entirely on his own even now. He probably had coworkers and she didn't doubt that he tended to meet people similar to how he'd run into her but it didn't seem as if any of them had stuck in his life.

So, yeah, he was incredibly warm and personable for someone who had been alone for so long.]

[He smiles.]

I'm glad you think so.

[Boxer leans in to give her a few slow kisses on her forehead and temples.]

Always liked meeting people, making good impressions...

[Admittedly, part of it is to hide his insecurities. It became a survival mechanism in a way...just as much as part of his personality. He's still shy, but that's no reason to be the best he can be.]

[.... Man, somehow she can't get to the thought she's trying to communicate, but maybe that means it's better to keep it to herself. It's something that happens every so often and since it's not as if they won't see each other again she lets it go with his kisses.]

I'm not sure you could make a bad impression even if you wanted to.

[There's a little snicker that follows.] You're the sweetest killer monster I ever met on a beach I wasn't supposed to be sunbathing on.

[Poor Nariko!]

I could! But I'd feel awful about it.

[Does she want more kisses? 'Cause she's gonna get more for that last comment!]

Are you kidding? You're my latest victim. All of this is just a vicious, elaborate punishment for trespassing on my beach.

[For a guy that can turn ships into tinder he's really too damn sweet. And she always wants kisses! They're never a bad idea.]

And it's just been awful! From the non-judgement about my eating habits to actually experiencing an epic sex life again! You have to know that I've been absolutely miserable the whole time, Boxer.

[She can't even make it through half of that with a straight face, and to make up for it she tries to catch him in a real kiss.] It's been so bad that I haven't learned my lesson, you might be stuck with me for a bit.

[Hopefully a very lengthy amount of time.]

Good...'cause I haven't gotten started yet.

[Boxer makes a playful snarl before leaning in and miming that he's biting her neck! How scary!]

[Annd there she goes, dissipating into an excited bout of giggles while she pretends to move away from his play biting - which she doesn't do a very good job in the first place, since it's not as if she doesn't want him as close as possible. Her hand finds a place on his nearest shoulder and she might try to keep him a little close.]

So I have a lot to look forward to from the maybe future boyfriend.

[Frankly she's incredibly tempted to throw out the idea that they need more time to safely use those terms. He's definitely boyfriend material from where she's sitting, and two weeks or six weeks isn't going to change that.]

It'll be our own "Beauty and the Beast" story.

[He leaves a few kisses where he mock-bit! But then he relaxes beside her, letting out a relaxed sigh, giving her a sobered sentiment:]

This is the best I've felt in a long time, Nariko.

More like Beauty and the Handsome, mister.

[She's starting to catch onto the little hints of self-deprecation, but it's fine. He can tear himself down all he wants, she'll just keep trying to build him up over and over again. It's a sober thought in and of itself, but what he says outweights her sentiment entirely.]

I know what you mean, turns out you're an amazing date.

[And smart, funny, kind, and sexy. It's an unfair combination.]

Not any better than you, Nariko.

[Jury's out on how much he takes that self-depreciation to heart, but the important part is that he is genuinely happy to be with her right now.]

Was there anything else you wanted to show me...?

No, I'm afraid you've seen everything that the tour has to offer.

[She gives into the need for one more kiss, just a little little peck that lands on one corner of his lips.] So I guess that means you're taking me back home again!

[He's really got a thing about bringing in the wayward, single strays.]

Awesome. Maybe I'll even treat you to some food when we get back, too.

[Enjoy the view of him crawling back into his wheelchair! He's pretty skilled at it by now, hoisting his bulk from one place to another with his upper body more than anything else.

Strays always make the best companions!]

Well, there is that saying 'keeping feeding them and they'll always come back'.

[No wonder he has some epic upper body strength, he pretty much needs it to be that smooth about getting in and out of it. She gets up with him, and lets her hand grace over his shoulder as she goes back into her room.] Not that you were in danger of getting rid of me.

Just let me get a few things.

[A change of clothes, her toothbrush and deodorant, stuff like that. It won't be anything more than a little travel bag to suit the overnight stay!]

[That and he uses it a lot just to swim! His tentacles work too—in fact it’s an exercise he gets his whole body involved in, it’s the only way to swim as fast as he does.]

No problem. I’ll be in the hallway.

[He’s gonna get a head start with getting out of her tiny doorframe while she packs. At least it’s a small bag and not, like, a suitcase. It still weirds him out that he can navigate her apartment just fine despite the door situation…still, it’s no less convenient as some other stuff he has to put up with. When she comes out to join him, he asks:]

Want to take the late train out to Bayside? It’s a gorgeous trip.

[She's just visiting for the night, not moving in! In truth a lot of the space is taken up by her computer, the rest is an extra pair of clothes and her travel size bathroom stuff. Which means that by the time Boxer is out in the hallway she's done and pulling out her key to lock the door before they go!]

Sure. Try not to judge me too much but I've maybe taken the train once in all the years I've lived here.

[You'd think she would have tried it out of curiosity if nothing else!]

Only once?

[Hmm. Disconcerting.]

Do you not have a rail pass?

Nope.

[But that's not the worst thing in the world, right? She'll just have to buy entry for a single ride! The station is still a little ways off from her place, though, so she goes ahead and starts wheeling them to the elevator, and eventually out of her building as a whole.]

That's fine. We can scan mine twice.

[He hopes. Boxer pulls in his tentacles for the ride, letting out a content sigh as they come back to the open air.]

[The guy is made for being outside, isn't he? Then again her apartment and the elevator probably felt terribly cramped anyway.] I wouldn't be able to buy one for a day or something?

[She is so ignorant to this whole process.]

[He's been in worse places.]

They're a third of the price a year pass is!

[He knows she can afford it, but it's just not the frugal choice!]

[Boxer ...]

I think I can live with it, since I don't like riding trains alone, and no one wants to come with me on one.

[Is he frugal. Because that was a sign of a frugal man. But she'll refrain from judgement for now.] Besides, you don't know if they'll let you scan your pass twice, and I'd rather pay the money than accidentally mess up yours.

Suit yourself.

[He scratches at his neck a little, embarrassed.]

I just feel like I owe you for...giving me such a wonderful night.

[Boxer!]

You don't owe me anything, especially because we've been sharing the wonderful night.

[She leans down to kiss his cheek.] It's natural chemistry.

[That's not something to be repaid one way or another.] But I always accept kisses, hugs, and food for just about anything. In that order.

[Ideally he wouldn't weigh himself down with all that thinking but it's not her place nor within her abilities to change him in any meaningful way.]

Well, I've already given you plenty of kisses. I can catch up on hugs on the train. Food, I've already got planned.

[He used to live "on the streets", Nariko. He got in the habit of paying people back, because it strengthened the bonds that got him to where he is today.

Nonetheless, they make it to the train station. Since it's a late train, it's mostly deserted and who is there looks like a bunch of students who pulled off three all-nighters too many and drunks. The exchange with the teller goes quickly enough, because Boxer actually seems kind of antsy to get to a particular place on the shuttle.

The best handicap section.]

Yes.

[He gestures at her to come closer and take a seat on his lap.]

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