DC 100 words Drabble Challenge

i.

It's been long enough since the accident he's starting to forget what physical touch felt like. Everyone's heard him complain about how he and Dawny can't have sex. No one realizes he doesn't feel it when she holds him or when she kisses him. What she's touching isn't him. It's a shell. Something to shield everyone from the anti-energy that's all that's left of his being. All that was left of him was something dangerous. He'd never be safe to touch. He'd never feel the press of Dawny's lips on his own, never feel the skin of anyone's hand again.

ii.

A shell is still part of an animal's body. It protects them, aiding them in their way of life. Even for creatures who don't grow their own, you still think of the animal as shelled.

He doesn't imagine himself as unembodied anti-energy. It had been taxing to move and impossible to speak that way. He pictures the suit. It's part of him, the same way ancient knights weren't whole without armor and shield. It allows him the mobility to be a legionnaire, a leader, a teacher. To have met Dawny.

It gives him a voice to say he loves her

iii.

He'd thrown himself between Dawnstar and the blast. It expels him from his suit and surely would have killed Dawnstar. It takes the rest of the battle to pull himself back together

"You didn't need to do that," Dawnstar states after. She's holding back a smile. "I'm fast enough to dodge."

"Ah, Dawny, I don't mind playing legionnaire shield," Wildfire says sheepishly.

She puts her hand on his helmet. He can't feel it. She presses her lips against his visor, kissing. His anti-matter krackles, blushing. He takes her in his arms, squeezing her tight.

He knows she can feel it.