I like the beginning of this one, but hate the ending. As opposed to my other two ficlets I didn't think this one through all the way before writing it, which is never really a good idea, but ah well, I wanted it done.

This one also contains a large amount of dialogue, and I hate writing dialogue. I prefer writing internal monologues and thoughts as far as romance drabbles are concerned, so this was a little out of my comfort zone in that respect. But I do love the couple, and am sure that another (better) one for it will pop up at some point.

At any rate, for now, enjoy a little GibSprx goodness :3.

Prompt: 96. 'In the Storm'

Rating: T

Length: 1180

Couple: Gibson/Sprx-77

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96. In the Storm

"Well, this is a fine predicament you've managed to land us in this time Sprx."

"What?! It's not like I can control the weather"

The blue simian sighed, forehead resting in the grip of a metal palm.

"Tell me again why I'm out here with you."

Sprx chuckled, lifting his legs to rest them on the control panel of the Fist Rocket Three.

"Because the Fist Rocket's engine keeps acting up and we needed to check that your 'tune up's' fixed it. Which they didn't, obviously. And you came along to fix it again if it blew up on us. Which is has. And so far you don't seem to be doing any fixing. Unless you came just to hang out with me."

Sprx's grin fell swiftly from his face as he promptly tumbled off his seat, an airborne spanner missing his head by inches.

"I haven't fixed it yet because you thought it wise to fly us straight into the midst of a storm! And now we're grounded, our communications won't work due to the storm's interference, and I can't do a thing about it until the rain ceases or else I may do more harm than good to this impaired engine of yours!"

Rubbing a bruised shoulder, Sprx propped himself up into a sitting position, glaring at his blue-furred companion.

"Well stop acting like it's my fault-"

"It is your fault! I told you not to fly into the storm, but did you listen? No! And now I'm stuck for what could easily end up being a day, in here, with you."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to burden his majesty with my company! Would you prefer if I walked off into the wilderness and left you to brood in silence, my lord?"

Gibson sighed, rolling his eyes. Really, getting angry at one another wasn't going to solve anything. Especially when you were likely going to have to spend the night in the other's company, in very close proximity.

Turning to find Sprx glaring at him indignantly, the blue primate resolved to mend the tension between them.

"Look, it's not your fault Sprx, but sometimes you just… Why must you be so inanely stubborn?"

This reaped a bitter chuckle from the crimson monkey.

"It's just the way I am."

A slightly awkward silence befell them as Sprx turned back to Gibson, time ticking by slowly as the harsh pounding of rain echoed in their metal shelter.

It was Sprx who broke the silence, gazing up at his companion.

"Well, it could have been worse."

Gibson scoffed.

"How so?"

"You could have been stuck here with Otto."

This drew laughs from both primates, and Gibson shook his head, smile playing on his snout.

"I really do hate to disagree with you on that one Sprx, but at least Otto knows his way around an engine."

"Well yeah, but he'd drive you insane. You're too uptight to handle Otto for any length of time."

Incensed, the azure simian puffed up his chest, dismissing his companion huffily with a turn of his head.

"Oh please, I am not uptight!"

"Is that so?"

Eye ridges arched, Sprx leaned in, leering at his colleague suggestively.

"I'd like to see you prove that."

Though extremely uncomfortable with the red primate not ten inches from his face, Gibson refused to cave, glare hardening as he sat straight-backed in response to his friend's advance.

"And just how would you have me do that?"

"Like this."

And before a retort could escape his parted mouth he found it sealed in sudden acquiescence. Spine snapping straight and muscles tautening, Gibson stared dumbfounded at the primate before him, whose lips had quite suddenly jumped the remaining ten inches between them and were now pressed hard against his own.

Finally snapping to his senses, he slammed his hands to Sprx's chest and pushed the simian from him, gasping for breath as he worked to still his erratic heart rate.

"W-What do you think you're doing?!"

Grinning somewhat sheepishly, Sprx pushed himself up from where he had fallen, this time nursing a sore backbone.

"Uh… Testing you?"

Still in the grip of hysteria, Gibson launched himself to his feet, pacing before his friend.

"Don't be absurd, what a foolish… I mean just… Why would you…"

Also rising, Sprx took a step towards his addled companion, arms crossed and smirking in apparent revelry.

"You liked it, didn't you Gibby?"

Flabbergasted, Gibson returned his attention to Sprx, trying desperately to gather his wits about him.

"I'd rather you refrained from calling me that. And really, how preposterous! Me, liking that… that… absurd, it's… I… uh…"

Realisation dawning in his mind, Gibson snapped his gaze back up to that of the crimson simian, glaring furiously.

"You planned this, didn't you?! Why would you do that? I thought, you and Nova-"

"-Are not together. You really don't keep up to date with things, do you? Come on Gibson, she's been dating Otto for two months now!"

Still recovering from his previous shock, Gibson took some time to process this information.

"Two months? Then… Then you did plan this! Didn't you? Why would you-"

Sprx huffed in frustration, interrupting his babbling comrade.

"Come on Gibson, think! I go through the trouble of re-sabotaging my engine after you repair it, get us trapped together in a storm till morning, and goad you into calling my challenge so I can kiss you. Why do you think I did it?"

The blue simian stared at him blankly.

"Argh! Because I like you! You stupid, stupid monkey! I thought you were supposed to be the smart one!"

He sighed, resting a hand on the blue primate's shoulder, who stared at the silver limb in confusion.

"Now please, I need to know, and try to give me an intelligible answer. Did you like it?"

Mouth opening and closing in comical fish-fashion, Gibson stumbled over his next words, dumfounded by the situation he found himself in.

"I… uh… I'm… not sure…"

Sprx's calculating look morphed into a familiar smirk, the primate pulling his friend closer to him.

"Then I suppose we'll just have to check, won't we?"

And with that Gibson found his mouth sealed for a second time, prepared this occasion but no less dazed by the reality of Sprx kissing him. Slowly, as the seconds pressed on and the lips did not remove themselves, Gibson found himself hesitantly pressing back, trusting instinct where logic was failing him and hoping the warm churning in his gut meant that this was indeed what he wanted.

Moments later they parted, and Gibson let out a tired sigh, offering his friend a slight smile.

"You're going to drive me insane."

Sprx laughed heartily, wrapping an arm about the blue primate's metal shoulders.

"Hey, the feeling's mutual."

Their snorts of amusement echoed in the cabin, and the awkwardness of the last few minutes was soon shed as the two primates conversed, sabotaged engine soon forgotten.

As they lay to rest that night, curled in one another's warmth, Gibson smiled.

Perhaps he could learn to like storms.

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Three fics in three days. I'm on a roll.

Isolation solves everything :D.

Reviews make me smile, and write more drabbles.

-Flash