Something had changed between the assassin and the siren; development so visibly subtle that anyone with less trained eyes probably wouldn't have noticed. But if Mordecai stood back and watched the two from a distance, there was no mistaking, something very new had evolved in Maya and Zer0's relationship. It was apparent in the way her hips swayed just a little bit more when he was in the room. Or how his voice became smoother when uttering a haiku in her direction. The brief, everyday physical exchanges that had become more frequent.

"If those two aren't fucking now they will be soon." Mordecai had told Lilith between swigs of rakk ale, growing tired of watching pair grope each other in the shadows. "Can't imagine how though, if the guy never takes that helmet off."

"Um hmm."

With a raised eyebrow the hunter lowered his bottle at numb reply. He didn't like the way she'd mumbled at him. How her fingers were fidgeting with one of Tina's bunker figures' that had been lost and recently found. The look of her eyes, unfocused and hazy, as miniature commando statuette twisted in her hand wasn't to Mordecai's liking either. "Lily? You alive over there?"

"Uh hu."

"Your not really looking it." The fiery siren, whom always had something smart to say, tilted her head in what could have been a passive response or a sign that she had toned him out. At this Mordecai put down his drink, initial confusion delving into something more serious. In all the time he had known Lilith she had never responded to anything with indifference or ostracism. Not when making a fuss was so much more satisfying.

Stretching to his feet it only took a few strides to reach her position at the other side of the crimson raiders war room and a well timed maneuver to remove toy from Lilith's grasp. "Think I'll drop this off at Tina's workshop before heading home. Have to pass the place anyway."

With figure out of her hands Lilith acknowledged him; her eyes large as if she'd just remembered she wasn't alone. "What?"

"Tina's toy. I'll take it back to her. Unless you two want some alone time before I walk him home."

As if jab had set their normal flow back into motion Lilith scowled at him. A tsk sparked off her tongue. "Screw you."

"That's more like it." The hunter's lips curved at curse, glad to see he hadn't lost the Lil Pandora awed and feared. "In all sincerity though, you alright after yesterday's game? Tina made a lot of references and I know I'd feel pretty screwed up."

For a moment Mordecai regretted asking; more fog beginning to dilute Lilith's golden eyes. The vision was short lived however. A familiar spunk lacing the siren's following words.

"I don't need a pep talk if that's what you think. If you're desperate for some girl talk I hear Tina and Gaige are planning a slumber party."

"Just concerned is all. I lost someone too and it feels like a thousand and one shits doesn't it?"

"Huh, thanks for the pity but you really don't need to play the 'I know what you're going through' card.' Will probably only piss me off."

"Wasn't planning on it. Neither was I going to tell you it gets better because I know you wont believe me. What you will do is drudge on cause, Roland would never have been with you in the first place if you weren't bad ass enough to tough shit out."

At fist Lilith didn't say anything, do anything, not even look like anything. Then a wickedly solemn smile lit up her face. She laughed and Mordecai lit it slide because similarly morbid hues had overtaken him not so long ago.

"We make quite a couple don't we?"

"Speaking of couples, now that your actually paying attention, have I got something to tell you." He met her amusement with a chuckle, but the sound dyed before it could reach its hight. A sensation Mordecai knew well abruptly striking his chest. Realization dawned on the hunter, making him feel as if he'd be run down by a gunner going at full speed.

Though his brain insisted it would be better if he didn't Mordecai's gaze wondered, intent on clarifying ambiance for itself. When his stare went from the glow of Lilith's eyes to the subtleness of her curves Mordecai couldn't find it in him to doubt heat snaking below his breast, steadily moving southwards. Internally he swore. No. Not Lilith. For fucks sake not Lilith and not now.

Just as the hunter was trying to fathom an excuse to distance himself from new found discomfort before he did or said something stupid, like Mordecai often seemed to do when it came to crap like feels, a distraction presented itself for him.

Pandora's other surviving siren and the assassin stumbled onto second floor landing just outside war room's doorway. Maya was quick to ketch sight of turning heads and stepped an appropriate distance away from her companion; untangled her hands from Zer0's belt as she did so. "H-hey guys. What are you doing up here? I though everyone one had plans for the evening."

Though the two put on a good nonchalant performance Lilith expression flexed with understanding before it perked with amusement. As she smirked at pair with a catty sentence brewing behind her eye the hunter excused himself and fled for Tundra Express.

Never written from a guys pov before so I hope I don't screw this up. I'm a bit more content with this over the other Borderlands fics I've written though... Just a bit. Anyway thankies for reading a please review!