Title: Cold Hands, Warm Heart
Author: Josephine
Email: M/S, Tu/R implied
Rating: R or M
Genre: Challenge, Humor, Romance
Summary: Men are from Mercury, Women are from Neptune
Notes: Boomer – Warmth – Socks. Has some implied slash, baby! My first!
"Jebus, Hoshi!" Travis jumped nearly 30 centimeters into the air, scrambling to the other side of the tent. "Your feet are like ice! Put some socks on or something!" He franticly tried to push her away, but the freezing linguist was tenacious.
"… you're nice and warm!" Hoshi lunged after him, wrapping her arms around his waist. A strangled yelp came from Travis as he tried to get away, inadvertently pulling her along with him. They wrestled around the small shelter; Hoshi giggling, Travis pleading with her to stop.
"Cut it out, you two!" Trip's voice ended their rolling about, but Hoshi's muffled laughs could still be heard. "Can't a man get some sleep around here?"
Travis bit back a laugh. "Yeah, like that's what they were doing …" he whispered.
Eyes wide with pretend shock, Hoshi hit him, listening to Trip and Malcolm's murmurings one tent over, deadened by the falling snow. Taking advantage of Travis' inattention, she tackled him again, tucking her cold appendages between his legs and arms. As soon as he opened his mouth to complain, she kissed him quick.
"Wench." Travis somehow got both of them into the double sleeping bag all the while Hoshi was clinging to him like a limpet. Settling down, he repositioned her into a more comfortable arrangement.
"Why aren't you ever cold?" Shivering slightly, Hoshi pressed herself closer, eager for the warmth radiating off Travis as much as the feel of him against her.
"Boomer ships are kept cold. Helps save energy. You get used to it." He began to rub Hoshi's hands between his own. "I was sweltering at the Academy in the summer. Actually volunteered for Arctic survival training."
"Swell." Hoshi's teeth had finally stopped chattering, and her thoughts were turning to the other kind of heat Travis was causing. "I'm in love with Frosty the Snowman."
"I went with you to that beach on Arugala IV …"
Hoshi shivered again, but this time from the feel of his fingers trailing over her back. "You did." Relaxing as she began to warm up, Hoshi let her hands do some exploring of their own. "I suppose the cold does have some good points …"