The click-clack of the keys ceased as Cappie pulled her fingers away from the keyboard. They hovered in the air for a moment before falling into her lap with a soft thud. She glanced at the corner of the monitor, where the digital clock insisted on reminding her of the passage of time.
"He said it would be quick, but it's been almost an hour..."
On the screen, the avatar of a digital soldier remained motionless, rifle slung over his shoulder, staring into the void as if questioning his own choices. The match counter was coming to an end: 10... 9... 8...
Cappie didn't move a muscle.
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
'...I wonder if they're getting it on...'
The thought came naturally, laden with a certain suspicious cynicism. She immediately frowned and waved her hand in the air, as if she could erase the thought from her mind.
"No, no... I mean, maybe? Theo doesn't seem like that kind of guy... or does he?"
She pressed her lips together, her eyes squinting towards the ceiling, as if she expected some miraculous answer to fall from there.
Even though she tried to deny it, the idea refused to go away. Cappie could pretend all she wanted, but it was impossible to ignore the possibility, especially considering who Theo was with.
She sighed, shaking her head as if to dispel the doubt, but ended up letting out a bitter smile.
"Argh, that sucks..."
She muttered, turning her attention back to the screen.
He rested his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on the character standing in the middle of the map. The RGB lights of the setup reflected in her eyes in pulsating shades of red and blue, but the brightness of the screen no longer distracted her.
As the system assigned to accompany Theo, Cappie had complete access to the history of "TNE". She knew this world almost as well as her host.
"Tsk... I should have gone with him."
Just then, a dry sound.
A single shot tore through the avatar's skull. Digital blood splashed out. The body fell to the ground with a thud.
Cappie didn't even have time to react before felt a hand land gently on his head.
"You just died like a bot."
She turned her body slightly, immediately recognizing the source of her thoughts.
"Theo... you took your time."
A few long minutes earlier...
Theo and Yeonha were walking through the corridors, already close to the office. With almost everything settled, there was no reason for them to stay on the floor where the weapons were.
As soon as they entered, Yeonha took a step to the side. She waited for Theo to pass... and then, with a quick, decisive movement, she closed the door behind her.
Theo noticed the gesture, but didn't say anything. He just watched her, as if he already knew what she wanted.
Yeonha's eyes were on the floor, her fingers intertwined in front of her body as if she were trying to hold on to something invisible. The soft light from the office touched her face, revealing the slight rosiness of her cheeks.
'I shouldn't be doing this.'
The thought had barely occurred to her and her feet had already started to move.
Theo leaned on the edge of the table, his eyes following her every step with calm attention.
Yeonha stopped a few centimeters from him, her breathing visibly accelerating.
"I-It's just a thank you."
"Hmm! And I accept your thanks.
Without warning, Theo grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
The gesture surprised her for a moment, until she realized that her body was now facing forward, with Theo behind her, his arms around her in a firm, warm embrace.
Yeonha gasped softly as she felt the contact. Her whole body seemed to shudder, not from fear, but from an electric charge that was impossible to contain. His warmth against her back was intense, and strangely comforting.
Theo murmured, his voice brushing against the exposed skin of her neck.
Yeonha turned her red face slightly, trying to answer.
But her own voice betrayed her.
His hand went down to her waist, while the other went slowly up her arm, the fingers sliding carefully, almost worshipfully. Then Theo blew softly against her ear, drawing an involuntary shiver from her.
Yeonha closed her eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
"What if someone shows up? Find out what we're doing?"
He teased, lightly pinching the side of her waist.
It was a whisper, a small warning. But it was empty of force. The closeness, the smell, the way he pulled her into that moment... everything completely disarmed her.
She turned, slowly, until she was facing him.
Yeonha bit her lip, hesitating, until she finally said:
Theo blinked, pretending not to understand.
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"I-I... Theo... please kiss me."
Theo just looked at her as if he were contemplating something precious. And then, just as she was about to look away in shame...
They both closed their eyes, as if time had stopped for that moment alone.
Theo's lips touched Yeonha's with an almost torturous slowness, a mixture of control and restrained desire. The world seemed to slip from under her feet, and all that remained was the warmth of that kiss. His hand went up to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling gently in her hair, while the other slid firmly down her back, pulling her closer until there was no more space between their bodies.
Yeonha gave in without resistance.
She clung to his shirt, squeezing the fabric between her fingers as if she needed something to anchor herself to. The heat between them began to intensify, spreading like wildfire.
Guided by an impulse she herself barely understood, one of her hands moved up, exploring over Theo's shirt, feeling the contours of his muscles beneath the fabric.
Each firm line under her fingers made her breathing quicken even more, as if each touch ignited something inside her. Their bodies, already glued together, seemed to have forgotten any notion of distance or restraint.
His lips descended from her mouth to her neck, sending shivers down Yeonha's spine like electric shocks.
When Theo pressed his lips to a sensitive spot on her collarbone, Yeonha couldn't contain the sound that escaped, a sweet moan laden with surprise.
She barely gave herself time to catch her breath.
He came back up and sealed her mouth again, only this time, it was different. There was no restraint and no contained sweetness. He kissed her hungrily, and when his tongue invaded Yeonha's mouth boldly, and even without experience, she responded, surrendering to his rhythm, letting herself be guided by the heat of the moment.
Their tongues met, intertwined, and the kiss gained depth as Yeonha followed.
Theo turned her carefully, leaning her against the edge of the table, and the contact with the cold wood made her gasp. He was glued to her, their bodies aligned, and the tension between them seemed about to explode.
Theo's hands explored her waist, climbing under her blouse, his fingers brushing her skin with the same delicacy as someone who cherishes a secret. Yeonha moaned again against his lips. Clutching the back of his neck, she murmured pleadingly.
"...Mnh! Touch me Theo."