A/N: Someone made the suggestion for me to do this, but unfortunately I don't remember who. I've never written this pairing before, so you guys will have to let me know what you think.

*****

One.

Two.

Three.

The arrow sailed through the air in a brilliant arc.

Thunk.

The arrowhead sunk into the target, amidst the many rings.

She swore under her breath, tail lashing behind her angrily.

"You know, you'll never hit center mass like that." Warm breath ghosted over the shell of her ear, the owner of the voice so quiet that it would've been impermissible to most if not for its proximity and familiarity.

Blaze cocked her head to the side, letting her long triangular ears brush the cold cheek off to the side. Her arms ached from all the loading and unloading, her stomach a mixture of butterflies and knots. "I know! I just, Ugh . . ."

Hands snaked around her, light touches to her frame that sent heat deep to her core. There was nothing promiscuous to them, yet they caused just the right amount of feeling. Or maybe all the pent up emotions from recently had left her reeling. The need for release of some form kept rising in her like an approaching tidal wave.

"You need to relax your arms more, if you're too tense it'll mess you up. So, just do this." Those fingertips glided over her bare arms and made the proper alterations to her form. It was strange to have someone pressed up this close. Most people tended to keep their distance from her —out of respect and maybe mild discomfort, as her body could reach temperatures most no one could manage— but such wasn't the case with GreyThroat. She was quiet, stealthy in her approach, hands in a way few people were. "And keep your legs spread like this." One of her feet nudged her leg back. She moved, surprised by how nice this new position felt.

"So this is right?"

"Yep." Another breathy reply to make the heat in her stir.

And then GreyThroat was stepping back just as silently as she had come. The absence of her close proximity left something inside her yearning, temperature rising unbidden. With the brief reprieve from all the missions and danger they'd been going through lately, her energy was left to go crazy. So coming to the target range was supposedly a good idea. As was their bet. Any opportunity to be with her girlfriend without interruption was a good thing.

But this, it's like she's teasing me almost.

And that train of thought was only added onto by her girlfriend's next words.

"X marks the spot Blaze. So don't miss, or else~"

And indeed, there was an X on each of the targets.

Right at center mass.

Her heart leapt to her throat; her muscles tried to tense up again but she forced them to remain at ease. That intense gaze was watching her, she wouldn't let it down. The erratic beats refused to steady. This was her last chance after all. If she could just do this, even once she'd be set.

One.

Two.

Three.

Thunk.

This time the arrow struck through. It was dead center. She mentally cheered. Yes!

And that voice was approaching then, a pleased lilt at its core leaving her humming with pride.

"Well done."

"Thanks!"

"I think that's the best shot I've seen you do all day. Too bad."

That made her turn, confusion written in her expressive blue eyes as she cocked her head. "Too bad? What do you mean?"

The answer was provided by the pulling of another string. Any description of GreyThroat would likely fail to do her justice. Her posture was so elegant and poised as she stood just two feet away. Blaze had explored every inch of those pale limbs with her fingertips and lips but even they had a hard time capturing all the little nuances of the bending and flexing of muscles as her girlfriend let her own arrow fly. The arc it made was filled with unmatchable grace, energy pooling out from it in a cobalt blue aura. She wanted to watch the small thing —see where it was going— but that was impossibly hard with the image of this beautiful woman right in front of her.

So it wasn't until she heard that tiny noise she turned back, hands still gripping her practice bow.

Shrick.

The arrow hit its target.

Blaze's own arrow was perfectly split in half as the new addition drove itself further into the black x of the center. A competitiveness flared up in her, a reminder of the last time they'd trained together. On the mat she always came out on top, but here, in GreyThroat's element she would forever be at a loss.

"You . . . You just . . ." Her mouth hung open. "It was such a good shot too. Now it's ruined." She resisted the urge to pout.

Apparently she had failed if GreyThroat's laughter was anything to go by. One of those calloused hands went up to conceal some of those chuckles, though it was a poor attempt at best as little snorts shortly followed. Her girlfriend's laughter was like quiet rain. Blaze could've cared less for most quiet things in life before GreyThroat, but now that their lives were so deeply entwined she couldn't help being pleased by the sound. It really was contagious. Her giggles shortly followed thereafter, remaining in place even when GreyThroat slung her weapon of choice back over her shoulder before bridging the small distance between them.

"I know. That's why I said too bad. Though I will admit, you hit the X. I just hit it better." GreyThroat answered, not unkindly.

Blaze dropped her bow to the floor, much to a small hum of disappointment as the training arrows shortly followed suit. Practice weapons arguably don't need the same care as real ones. This train of thought was what she kept in mind during their many training sessions, whenever GreyThroat would accidentally break a wooden sword, or dull the little points of Popukar's chainsaw whenever they tried twinning during one practice mission last week (a very long story, with a very sad small child who they had to make it up to later with ice cream and a visit to Vulcan).

"Oh. Well . . . I guess that's the end of it huh?"

She wrung her hands together, a sudden nervous tension electrifying her nerves. Staring at the ground seemed a better option then recognizing a pleased smirk of mischief. To an outsider, they would think she was the domineering one of the two. And that wasn't exactly wrong —Blaze could take charge of any situation with her enthusiasm intact— but things were always different behind closed doors. That's when the hidden assuredness made its appearance in her girlfriend when it normally sunk beneath a graceful, albeit quiet touch of severity.

And she had missed so many targets today.

So . . .

"Nope."

GreyThroat was perfectly aware of the knowledge whirring through her brain. Slender fingers went beneath her chin, forcing Blaze to lift her head up. These moments between them —few and far between— were both nerve-wracking and amazing at the same time. She would consider herself lucky if she was better at adapting to the change. But only a short few months in was not enough to settle their bond with perfect placement. Time was the only thing that could finalize all.

"Uh, but . . . I didn't miss the x?" She answered, inwardly swearing at how unsure her words came out. What if the x on the target board wasn't what GreyThroat had been talking about at all? Had she somehow missed a fine detail? Or what if all those missed shots counted after all?

GreyThroat's smirk gained a teasing lilt. Her tongue swiped out briefly. The little pink tip was all she saw. The seconds seemed to drag as slowly as its movement from one corner of those oh so kissable lips to the other. And then it was hidden again, as if in tune with the ever growing heat nestled in her gut. The things this woman did to her were almost unreal in the intensity they spurned.

"No. You did not. So there will be no punishment."

At that her heart soared. Punishments weren't exactly bad, however they drove her to the point of insanity, those moments when everything became so heated as they were forcibly spiraling out of Blaze's control. Bound hands or too deft fingertips that touched everywhere but not enough to push her over the edge. On the days she really needed a release toying around was the last thing she wanted.

"O-oh. So then why . . . ?" She trailed off in question.

And then that smirk was back in full, making her heart stutter as GreyThroat uttered those words she knew drove her mad with desire.

"There'll be a reward for you instead."

Those recently whetted lips sealed the deal. The two of them wrapped up in each other, kissing for several hours to come as they went back to their room to continue deepening the bond they both shared.

******

A/N: Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I wrote these two. Their personalities just really came to life once I started however, so I can safely say I'm pleased with the results. Don't forget to vote and comment! My last exams are this week and then I'll hopefully have the newest chapter of my Untold series coming out so if y'all are reading that I hope you guys look forward to it! (I might be posting sneak peeks on my page😉😉😉)