Chapter 3: Sudden, Unexpected Kiss

Sportacus walked on his hands across the top of a wall to the applause of the kids. He did a tight flip off of it once he reached the end. Standing easily, he was beaming at the kids' enthusiasm to imitate him when his crystal lit up, beeping. He looked down at it.

"Someone's in trouble!" he exclaimed, and gave the kids an apologetic glance before dashing off to rescue.

It wasn't unusual for Robbie Rotten to find himself in trouble. It was unusual, however, for him to be rather calm about the whole thing. Sportacus looked up from the ground at where Robbie was perched on the tree limb.

"How did you get up there?" he asked.

"Oh, um… looking for… my kitten?"

Sportacus' eyes widened.

"You have a kitten?" he said it quietly, almost breathlessly. Robbie looked uneasy at that glittering in the elf's blue eyes.

"Are you going to save me or what?" he complained. That seemed to shake Sportacus out of whatever daze he was in, and he quickly spotted a ladder laying nearby and grabbed it, easily turning it to lean against the tree trunk.

"Climb down Robbie!' he said. Robbie eyed the ladder mistrustfully.

"No," he replied. Sportacus blinked in confusion.

"No?… Why not?"

"I'm scared."

This was definitely odd. Robbie never admitted to being scared. It would be blaringly obvious if he was, but he never said it. Maybe he really was sick? Sportacus frowned a little.

"Haven't we been through this before? Just climb down!"

"No!" Robbie replied. "You come and get me."

Sportacus bit back a frustrated noise and quickly ascended the ladder until he was eye-level with the stubborn man. He grabbed Robbie and jumped down, wincing slightly as Robbie squeaked in fright and clung a little too tightly. Sportacus set him on his feet.

"Better now?" he asked. Robbie brushed off his clothes shakily.

"Oh… um yes," he replied. He glanced to each side briefly, then straightened up and tried his best seductive look.

"So, ah… how can I repay you?" he purred. Sportacus blinked, his face blank.

"Huh?"

"You know, for rescuing me."

"You… want to repay me for rescuing you?"

Robbie blushed, feeling stupid and awkward suddenly, but determined to push forward.

"Yes," he replied. He gathered up what was left of his nerve. "Because you're always saving me somehow or another, so I thought maybe I might… give you something in return." Sportacus smiled, slightly relieved. It was still out of character for Robbie, but the proposal sounded more like the things Stephanie tried to do for him as thanks for being such a good hero.

"You don't have to do anything Robbie!" he assured him.

"No no, I insist!" Robbie was adjusting a cuff on his wrist, avoiding eye contact with the blue elf. "So uh… how about it?" Sportacus scratched his head.

"If you really want to I guess," he replied reluctantly. "You really don't need to though."

"Perfect!" Robbie exclaimed, grinning. "Meet me in Lazy Park at seven?"

"Oh… sure!"

Robbie smiled one more time before racing off, disappearing rather quickly. Sportacus was almost convinced that the man had secret entrances scattered throughout town. He shook his head. What kind of thank you had to wait until after sundown? And what kind of thank you "gift" was he going to get from Robbie Rotten? A machine maybe… or something.

He pondered the possibilities while he went to go play some kickball with the kids.


Meanwhile, underground…

"How am I going to do this?" Robbie lamented, pacing back and forth across the cold floor. "Am I ready to do this?" He paused and considered it. He had never tried this with a guy before. It couldn't be too different, right? And the blue elf was shorter than him… he could just pretend, and get it over with.

He puffed out his chest confidently and took long strides across the room. Pretending was something he was very good at.

He had this in the bag.


Sportacus hummed to himself happily and did some cartwheels in the grass while waiting. It was dark out, and all the kids had gone home already. Now he had to meet Robbie. He was still wondering what the tall dark man had in mind, and if there was one thing Sportacus was besides athletic, healthy, cheerful, and helpful, it was curious. He stood up as he saw Robbie's lean form trying to sneak in the darkness. He waved, and heard dimly Robbie mutter to himself. But Robbie came over and stood in front of Sportacus.

Sportacus regarded him curiously.

"You wanted to meet me?" he said after a moment. Robbie fidgeted and glanced away.

"Yeah," he finally replied. He glanced at the sports elf. "You have to close your eyes though."

Sportacus grinned. He was used to this game from when Stephanie prepared surprises for him.

"Okay!" he said cheerfully, and covered his eyes with one hand. He stood there for a moment, and was about to ask Robbie what the surprise was, but he suddenly couldn't.

Because there was a set of warm lips covering his own.

Just as the elf was relaxing minutely, past the point of really questioning what was going on, the warm pressure disappeared. Sportacus slowly removed his hand and opened his eyes.

Robbie was gone.

Sportacus felt heat rising to his face, though he didn't know why, exactly. His lips felt exposed against the cooling night air, which was odd. He had never really thought or focused much on his lips before. How strange.

He called down the ladder to his air ship and climbed into it. This was a little confusing. Maybe a good night's rest would make everything seem clearer.


Meanwhile, Robbie was trying to not hyperventilate. That was quite possibly the most terrifying thing he had ever done. He ducked into the entrance to his home, and settled in his chair. He curled up and shivered.

That didn't feel good. It didn't. Because if it did feel good, it would make everything fall apart. Every careful plan would crash and burn. He knew the consequences of it. If this plan backfired on him…

He felt a chill go up his spine, and he curled up further in the chair, hiding his face against his knees. If this plan failed… if it backfired and turned on him this time, it'd be the last time it would ever happen.

But he was in too deep to abandon it now.


AN:

This is the beginning of Robbie's plan blowing up. Sort of. He set it up to be rescued, so he could "repay" Sportacus with a kiss. It's all part of his plan, but enjoying t wasn't part of that plan. So he's starting to get scared. Silly Robbie.

Sportacus has no damn clue what's going on with Robbie. He's also a little in shock from the kiss. It's his first, remember. And that bit about the kitten... Sporty loves kittens. He's a cat person.

Okay guys, seriously. 100 hits. 100! I'm gonna melt. I friggen love you guys.