fanfic100 prompt #79, "when?"

The first time Graveheart kissed Jade, it did not go exactly as planned.

Actually, he didn't plan it at all. He had impulsively pressed his mouth against hers in the darkened service tunnel where they were supposed to be investigating the source of some minor Battle Moon power failures.

She started, dropping the socket wrench she had been working with and pulled back quickly. "What, now?"

Graveheart blinked. That was not quite the reaction he had been expecting. "Excuse me?"

Jade rolled her eyes and bent down to reclaim the wrench. "You have been wanting to kiss me for weeks. Don't think I haven't noticed. I'm not obtuse." He tried to reply but she continued, cutting him off sharply. "You've had far better chances. The barracks, the shooting range..." She stopped working again and glared at him. "But you kiss me now. Here."

Despite himself, Graveheart felt a smile start to tug at his mouth. She may be complaining about when he kissed her, but she wasn't complaining about the kiss itself. "Is that a problem?" he said, feeling the smile grow coy and spread across his face. "After all, it's more private here."

She froze and stared at him long enough to cause him some concern, before finally letting out a abrupt, derisive snort.

"Fine. Have it your way." She smirked and leaned forward, her weight forcing his back to scape up against the narrow tunnel wall. "But if we get caught, it's on your head."

He laughed at that, a soft chuckle that rumbled pleasantly against her chest. Then he slipped his arm around her waist and closed the small distance between them.