“I warned my brother that not everyone liked his practical jokes.”

Simmons paused and just stared at her.

“What?” He questioned once again.

Sister shrugged. “He’s not even that funny.” She explained. “Sure, he got you to squirm a little, but I could have done better than that.”

Was she implying that the bullshit he just went through was all part of some elaborate prank?

Simmons didn’t even validate her with a response, just gave her a weak glare as she took another swing of beer.

She raised her brow around the bottle and gave out an amused chuckle as she lowered it from her lips. “Holy shit!” She gushed. “He was being serious!”

Simmons”s face instantly turned red, at least in the places where there was still human flesh. “No!” He degraded quickly. “You’re right. It was a joke. He was just joking.” He said quickly, tripping over his own words.

Kaikaina just smiled childishly. “You sure?” She asked, drawing out the word with an immature tone.

Simmons paused, face beet red as he recalled the moment when Grif had approached him.

He didn’t seem like he was joking.

He seemed like he was being serious, which was odd because Grif was never serious.

But this time, there was no joke about it.

He said what he said and meant every word.

“You- he didn’t-“ Simmons stammered. “Go back to your own base!” He yelped, frustration and confusion rising in his stomach. “Why are you even over here?”

Kai pouted. “Blue base is out of beer.” She whined.

“Get out!”

And that was the end of that conversation.

At least the end of that conversation that he would have with Kai.

He was pretty terrified to have the same discussion with Grif, who he had rudely ran away from earlier that day.

He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to approach him after that.

Apparently he didn’t have to because Grif did the approaching.

“Hey,” The orange soldier said nonchalantly as he approached him. “Sorry to get your panties in a twist.”

Simmons bit his lip. “It’s fine.” He trudged. “I know you were just messing with me.”

Grif paused and looked like he was about to protest before he caught himself. “Yea,” he agreed. “That’s what I was doing, messing with you.”

Simmons let out a sigh of relief, but feeling odd as he basked in slight disappointment. “It’s ok,” He said. “It didn’t affect me at all.”

Grif scoffed. “Sure it didn’t.”

Simmons frowned. “It didn’t.” He reiterated. “Fatass.”

Grif smiled. “Nerd.” He mused, leaving Simmons slightly blushed as he walked away.

It was just a practical joke, right?

Simmons sighed.

No it wasn’t.

“Grif!” He called, causing the orange soldier to turn to face him.

Simmons swallowed the lump in his throat and went for it. “I like you too.”