Some Like it Hot [Outlaw Star * Gene/Melfina * #28- Wada Calcium CD3]
Title: Some Like it Hot
Author/Artist: abarero
Pairing: Gene x Melfina
Fandom: Outlaw Star
Theme: #28- Wada Calcium CD3
Disclaimer: Characters copyright Takehito Ito.
Notes: Set post-series
"So let me get this straight- just one pill can make me stronger, give me twenty-four hours of luck in which nothing bad will happen to me and increase stamina?"
The wrinkled old man nodded, "Of course. I wouldn't dare ask such a high price for it if it only did one of those great feats!"
Gene contemplated it. He did have the money for it- well, if he used all the bounty he just got on a wanted criminal and ignored all the docking bills and repair fees that needed to be paid. Plus, he reasoned, their stay in Tenrei was paid in full since they were guests of the great wizard, Urt. As long as he didn't piss her off or lose any ping-pong matches to her, there shouldn't be a single problem...
"Gene! I can't believe you!" Jim's voice cut into his thoughts.
"What? Consider it a good investment. If I use it, I can go out and hunt the biggest bounty out there and nothing bad will happen to me. That'll earn back the money for the pills and more!"
Jim didn't looked convinced, "Sir- can I see one of these so-called 'Wizard Spirit Pills?'"
The man seemed skeptical, but handed it over anyways; "Trust me, young man. Your friend would be making a wise investment. These pills have the essence of the three Tenrei Wizards packed into each one, and for only 16,000 wong- you get three pills."
Examining the small pill, Jim waited for the seller to be distracted before pulling out a wire from his pocket. He listened for the beep before handing the pill back and sighing.
"Let's go, Gene," Jim said, starting to pull Gene away from the booth, "We didn't get an all-expense paid trip to Tenrei just for you to blow all our savings on a calcium pill."
"Calcium pill? What are you talking about, that pill was..."
Jim held up a small computer monitor, "I tested it when he was rambling. The pill's properties are the same as a calcium pill."
"Well shit..."
"At least you didn't buy one, right?" He said firmly.
Gene scoffed, "Fine fine; you win for now. So where are the others?"
"Probably in this tourist money trap masquerading as a Universal Fair. Why?"
"Just wondering. Sheesh, what got into you today anyways?"
"Need I remind you?" Jim countered, leveling him a glare.
"What?"
He sighed, pulling Gene over to a bench and motioning for him to sit down. At that, the red-haired outlaw had a sinking feeling that his young partner was legitimately mad about something. Definitely not good.
"Let me put this in a way you might- just might- understand," Jim started, taking a deep breath, "Last night, I didn't get much sleep. This was, of course, due to your sleazebag behavior over the message from Urt. Okay- fine, be happy that the lady wants you to come back and visit because she's curious how the hell we made it out of the Leyline in one piece. Hell, even be a bit obnoxious that she agreed to pay for our stay. But for crying out loud Gene, can't you have once little ounce of tact when it comes to Melfina?"
Slumping on the bench, Gene averted his eyes, "So that's what this is about..."
Jim sat down beside him, "Look, I know that settling down is hard for your brain to comprehend; but Gene, Melfina thought that after what happened at the Leyline, after what's happened since then- that she was someone special to you. And then you go and blow it by acting like a big lech the second a busty woman shows up on the ship's video message screen!"
"...She's really mad then, right?"
"Of course she is, Gene. Why wouldn't she be? You were this close to kissing your monitor!"
Gene leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
"I really screwed this one up, didn't I Jim?"
"Yes, you did."
"Shit..."
Jim lightly thwacked the back of Gene's head, "So you'd better do something about it, or I have a feeling that both Aisha and Suzuka are going to rant your ear off once they track you down."
"Thanks Jim, I'll figure out something."
He sat up, reaching over to mess up the younger boy's hair before standing.
"Where is she?"
"I'll show you, but then the rest is up to you."
------------------------
Melfina sighed once more, the warm water trickling down her back. She'd hoped if she got the chance to visit Tenrei again, she wouldn't be too caught up in her thoughts to enjoy it. But this time, much like before, her mind was rather preoccupied.
"I suppose it was too much to assume everything would be easier now. I might understand myself better but..."
"Mel? You over there?" A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Glancing towards the wall that seperated the woman's bath from the men's, Melfina blinked.
"Damned pigs, get the hell outta here! This is important! Move it, assholes!"
She couldn't help but smile slightly to herself, definitively pinpointing the voice as the slew of curse words continued.
"Gene, is that you?"
The cussing stopped, and she could hear him clearing his throat; "Yah. Mel, can we talk?"
Her mind went back to all the 'advice' the others had given her.
"You just can't let that good-for-nothing walk all over ya, Mel! He owes you lots and lots... Then again, he owes me a lot too but..."
"Aisha, this isn't the time for your problems. This is about Melfina."
"Sorry Suzu."
"I believe what she is attempting to say, Melfina, is that relationships are supposed to be equal. Gene seems to have a...bit of a problem understanding this, so you need to hold your ground until he does understand."
"Melfina, I'll tell ya; Gene's not gonna change over night- he's not like that. But if you keep acting like it's okay for him to keep chasing after every pretty girl then he's gonna keep doing it. It's okay to get mad at the sleazebag, now and then. Trust me- he deserves it."
Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and tried to think of how she'd seen Jim or Aisha handle their qualms with the reckless outlaw.
"Mel?"
"What did you want to talk about, Gene?"
Her voice sounded cold, and that unnerved him; it meant that she was actually mad at him. Not just upset- mad.
"Err...well, it's kinda hard to talk through this wall so..."
"Then I suppose it must not be that important," She retorted, inwardly proud that she was maintaining her anger so well.
"Melfina look..." He sighed, realizing he'd have to give a little before she was willing to listen, "I'm sorry. Can we please talk?"
"Well..."
"Please?"
She had to stifle a laugh, knowing that kicked-puppy pleading voice all too well from when he would plead with Jim. But on thinking of the expression on his face that usually went along with it, she had to cave.
"Just a moment. Meet me outside."
His loud sloshing and grumbling faded away as he exited the bath, drawing a towel up around her- Melfina got up and made her way out as well.
-------------------
Melfina wasn't sure that Gene could look much more pathetic than he did at the moment. Granted, he was certain that he looked at least semi-dignified; but she couldn't help but notice the little things off.
Like the fact his hair was sticking up at an odd angle due to the water and the rather noticible fact that his tacky-hawaiian print shirt was soping wet. By all apperances, it was pretty clear that he'd literally jumped into the hot springs, fended off the pigs and made his way directly to the wall seperating the two sides.
In short, one Gene Starwind was desperate.
Pulling the towel closer around her swimsuit clad form, Melfina quietly walked up behind him and paused.
"Gene?"
He turned around, eyes wide.
"Melfina- about what happened..." Gene trailed off, watching as Melfina casually fidgeted with the towel; finally foregoing it in favor of just letting the sunlight warm her skin. The outlaw let his eyes trail down her body, the two-piece swimsuit hugging each and every curve.
"Damn, you're beautiful..." He finally managed.
Melfina's lips quirked up into a teasing smile, "Don't think you're getting out of this that easily."
Gene smirked back, "Nah- I mean it Mel. But jeez, can you tone down the Jim-act? Hearing that 'I am so not letting you sleaze your way out of this' tone coming from you is kinda scary."
She finally laughed at that and Gene took that as a cue that it was okay to move closer. Reaching down, he threaded his fingers up through her hair.
"I am sorry though, Melfina. Sometimes I am a sleaze, even if I don't exactly want to admit that. And thanks to you, and no doubt everyone telling you just how to deal with my pathetic ass, I'll hopefully get better about it- okay?"
Melfina nodded, her face brightening into a smile.
"Now how about we go back down to the fair-market-tourist-whatever thing they've got going on and we'll see about getting you something nice as an apology?"
"Okay Gene, apology accepted."
He smiled then, "Good. Because hearing anymore of Jim's reprimands coming from you would really start to freak me out."
They both laughed then, heading down the path towards the lively city. And as Gene noticed a couple of other guys checking Melfina out, he proudly slung his arm around her shoulder and pecked a kiss on her check.
Melfina was flustered by the display, but Gene murmured a reassurance.
"Just letting them know- this beautiful girl is mine and mine alone."
And at that, she smiled- knowing that everything between them would be just fine.
Author/Artist: abarero
Pairing: Gene x Melfina
Fandom: Outlaw Star
Theme: #28- Wada Calcium CD3
Disclaimer: Characters copyright Takehito Ito.
Notes: Set post-series
"So let me get this straight- just one pill can make me stronger, give me twenty-four hours of luck in which nothing bad will happen to me and increase stamina?"
The wrinkled old man nodded, "Of course. I wouldn't dare ask such a high price for it if it only did one of those great feats!"
Gene contemplated it. He did have the money for it- well, if he used all the bounty he just got on a wanted criminal and ignored all the docking bills and repair fees that needed to be paid. Plus, he reasoned, their stay in Tenrei was paid in full since they were guests of the great wizard, Urt. As long as he didn't piss her off or lose any ping-pong matches to her, there shouldn't be a single problem...
"Gene! I can't believe you!" Jim's voice cut into his thoughts.
"What? Consider it a good investment. If I use it, I can go out and hunt the biggest bounty out there and nothing bad will happen to me. That'll earn back the money for the pills and more!"
Jim didn't looked convinced, "Sir- can I see one of these so-called 'Wizard Spirit Pills?'"
The man seemed skeptical, but handed it over anyways; "Trust me, young man. Your friend would be making a wise investment. These pills have the essence of the three Tenrei Wizards packed into each one, and for only 16,000 wong- you get three pills."
Examining the small pill, Jim waited for the seller to be distracted before pulling out a wire from his pocket. He listened for the beep before handing the pill back and sighing.
"Let's go, Gene," Jim said, starting to pull Gene away from the booth, "We didn't get an all-expense paid trip to Tenrei just for you to blow all our savings on a calcium pill."
"Calcium pill? What are you talking about, that pill was..."
Jim held up a small computer monitor, "I tested it when he was rambling. The pill's properties are the same as a calcium pill."
"Well shit..."
"At least you didn't buy one, right?" He said firmly.
Gene scoffed, "Fine fine; you win for now. So where are the others?"
"Probably in this tourist money trap masquerading as a Universal Fair. Why?"
"Just wondering. Sheesh, what got into you today anyways?"
"Need I remind you?" Jim countered, leveling him a glare.
"What?"
He sighed, pulling Gene over to a bench and motioning for him to sit down. At that, the red-haired outlaw had a sinking feeling that his young partner was legitimately mad about something. Definitely not good.
"Let me put this in a way you might- just might- understand," Jim started, taking a deep breath, "Last night, I didn't get much sleep. This was, of course, due to your sleazebag behavior over the message from Urt. Okay- fine, be happy that the lady wants you to come back and visit because she's curious how the hell we made it out of the Leyline in one piece. Hell, even be a bit obnoxious that she agreed to pay for our stay. But for crying out loud Gene, can't you have once little ounce of tact when it comes to Melfina?"
Slumping on the bench, Gene averted his eyes, "So that's what this is about..."
Jim sat down beside him, "Look, I know that settling down is hard for your brain to comprehend; but Gene, Melfina thought that after what happened at the Leyline, after what's happened since then- that she was someone special to you. And then you go and blow it by acting like a big lech the second a busty woman shows up on the ship's video message screen!"
"...She's really mad then, right?"
"Of course she is, Gene. Why wouldn't she be? You were this close to kissing your monitor!"
Gene leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.
"I really screwed this one up, didn't I Jim?"
"Yes, you did."
"Shit..."
Jim lightly thwacked the back of Gene's head, "So you'd better do something about it, or I have a feeling that both Aisha and Suzuka are going to rant your ear off once they track you down."
"Thanks Jim, I'll figure out something."
He sat up, reaching over to mess up the younger boy's hair before standing.
"Where is she?"
"I'll show you, but then the rest is up to you."
------------------------
Melfina sighed once more, the warm water trickling down her back. She'd hoped if she got the chance to visit Tenrei again, she wouldn't be too caught up in her thoughts to enjoy it. But this time, much like before, her mind was rather preoccupied.
"I suppose it was too much to assume everything would be easier now. I might understand myself better but..."
"Mel? You over there?" A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Glancing towards the wall that seperated the woman's bath from the men's, Melfina blinked.
"Damned pigs, get the hell outta here! This is important! Move it, assholes!"
She couldn't help but smile slightly to herself, definitively pinpointing the voice as the slew of curse words continued.
"Gene, is that you?"
The cussing stopped, and she could hear him clearing his throat; "Yah. Mel, can we talk?"
Her mind went back to all the 'advice' the others had given her.
"You just can't let that good-for-nothing walk all over ya, Mel! He owes you lots and lots... Then again, he owes me a lot too but..."
"Aisha, this isn't the time for your problems. This is about Melfina."
"Sorry Suzu."
"I believe what she is attempting to say, Melfina, is that relationships are supposed to be equal. Gene seems to have a...bit of a problem understanding this, so you need to hold your ground until he does understand."
"Melfina, I'll tell ya; Gene's not gonna change over night- he's not like that. But if you keep acting like it's okay for him to keep chasing after every pretty girl then he's gonna keep doing it. It's okay to get mad at the sleazebag, now and then. Trust me- he deserves it."
Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and tried to think of how she'd seen Jim or Aisha handle their qualms with the reckless outlaw.
"Mel?"
"What did you want to talk about, Gene?"
Her voice sounded cold, and that unnerved him; it meant that she was actually mad at him. Not just upset- mad.
"Err...well, it's kinda hard to talk through this wall so..."
"Then I suppose it must not be that important," She retorted, inwardly proud that she was maintaining her anger so well.
"Melfina look..." He sighed, realizing he'd have to give a little before she was willing to listen, "I'm sorry. Can we please talk?"
"Well..."
"Please?"
She had to stifle a laugh, knowing that kicked-puppy pleading voice all too well from when he would plead with Jim. But on thinking of the expression on his face that usually went along with it, she had to cave.
"Just a moment. Meet me outside."
His loud sloshing and grumbling faded away as he exited the bath, drawing a towel up around her- Melfina got up and made her way out as well.
-------------------
Melfina wasn't sure that Gene could look much more pathetic than he did at the moment. Granted, he was certain that he looked at least semi-dignified; but she couldn't help but notice the little things off.
Like the fact his hair was sticking up at an odd angle due to the water and the rather noticible fact that his tacky-hawaiian print shirt was soping wet. By all apperances, it was pretty clear that he'd literally jumped into the hot springs, fended off the pigs and made his way directly to the wall seperating the two sides.
In short, one Gene Starwind was desperate.
Pulling the towel closer around her swimsuit clad form, Melfina quietly walked up behind him and paused.
"Gene?"
He turned around, eyes wide.
"Melfina- about what happened..." Gene trailed off, watching as Melfina casually fidgeted with the towel; finally foregoing it in favor of just letting the sunlight warm her skin. The outlaw let his eyes trail down her body, the two-piece swimsuit hugging each and every curve.
"Damn, you're beautiful..." He finally managed.
Melfina's lips quirked up into a teasing smile, "Don't think you're getting out of this that easily."
Gene smirked back, "Nah- I mean it Mel. But jeez, can you tone down the Jim-act? Hearing that 'I am so not letting you sleaze your way out of this' tone coming from you is kinda scary."
She finally laughed at that and Gene took that as a cue that it was okay to move closer. Reaching down, he threaded his fingers up through her hair.
"I am sorry though, Melfina. Sometimes I am a sleaze, even if I don't exactly want to admit that. And thanks to you, and no doubt everyone telling you just how to deal with my pathetic ass, I'll hopefully get better about it- okay?"
Melfina nodded, her face brightening into a smile.
"Now how about we go back down to the fair-market-tourist-whatever thing they've got going on and we'll see about getting you something nice as an apology?"
"Okay Gene, apology accepted."
He smiled then, "Good. Because hearing anymore of Jim's reprimands coming from you would really start to freak me out."
They both laughed then, heading down the path towards the lively city. And as Gene noticed a couple of other guys checking Melfina out, he proudly slung his arm around her shoulder and pecked a kiss on her check.
Melfina was flustered by the display, but Gene murmured a reassurance.
"Just letting them know- this beautiful girl is mine and mine alone."
And at that, she smiled- knowing that everything between them would be just fine.