Duncan was leaning over a work bench finishing up a little program when his sight went to black and he heard a familiar voice giggle. 'This again?', he thought as he stood up straight. 'Ok I'll play along.'
"Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder who it is. Are they perhaps ticklish around here!" He reached his hands behind him and started tickling his apprentice, not stopping when her hands had moved from his eyes. Duncan spun around and saw Kim laughing and squirming trying to make him stop.
"Ok, ok, I give up! Duncan...stop!", Kim said between giggles. She had seen him standing over the work bench like he had been for the past couple of days. Kim knew that he needed a break so she did the only thing to get his attention, block out his sight. She hadn't expected him to tickle her though.
"Fiiiiiine", Duncan said as he stopped tickling her but not removing his hands from her waist. Kim grabbed his hands and pulled her friend out if the room and down the stairs. Soon they were out on the roof looking at the stars.
Duncan took his gloves off and leaned back against the cone roof. Kim shuffled back and sat with him, looking at the stars. "Why did you pull me out here?" Duncan turned his head towards the beauty sitting beside him. "You needed a break. You've been in that room for two days straight. I just thought it would be nice if you could come and look at the stars with me", Kim replied, turning her face away feeling a blush creep up her neck.
Duncan chuckled and put his arm around her pulling her close. "Thank you, Kim. I really needed it.". He smiled down at her and kissed her on the forehead. Kim rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. Duncan put his chin on top of her head and relaxed. They fell asleep like this, in each other's embrace.
A few days later, Kim was making dinner with headphones on listening to music. Suddenly she felt two arms around her waist. But instead of pulling away or flinching she leaned backwards into the body behind her. "Hello Duncan", she said reaching her arms around his neck. He smiled and kissed the top of her head, "Hello Kim, my sweet little panda bear."