Nathan breathes a laugh, his eyes drifting down to where she fiddles the with collar of his shirt. "My eyes are up here, y'know," he teases, canting an eyebrow with a look of bemusement. The hand at her side comes to rest on the curvature of her hip, his thumb idly running across the fabric of her top. "I know its a nice shirt and all, but if it's that distracting then I might just have to get rid of it."
#Nate'sApartment – December 26, 2019
Perhaps its the comfort of the situation that's giving him this newfound confidence or the slow beginning of the booze in his system, but whatever it is, he's not going to dismiss it now. As he's already thought, this is the most peaceful moment the pair of them have had since... well since they met.
Leah gives a slightly flustered, "Mmhmm." to his initial teasing, green eyes just barely managing to flick up to Nathan's face in defiance of the deepening red in her cheeks before turning her focus back to his collar. His suggestion is met with a low snicker, her thumb hooking into his collar and tracing its way down to the buttons. She picks at the first button her thumb reaches that's actually buttoned, chewing at her
bottom lip for a moment. "That's... probably for the best." she agrees softly, finally managing to meet his gaze for more than a few seconds without shying away. "It is pretty distracting." she adds, scrunching up her nose for emphasis. She continues to play with the button on his shirt and takes a few breaths to steady her heart that's threatening to beat out of her chest.
Nathan blinks. He wasn't actually expecting her to agree there. "Well... if the lady wishes," he murmurs. He leans down to catch her lips once more with his own, eyes flitting closed. His hand slips from her side and slowly reaches up to the first button on his shirt, his fingers brushing against hers and gently shifting them to the side. Their closeness lends a semblance of difficulty to actually undoing the
buttons, but he manages to work his way on the first few, one by one. All the while, his own heart beats like a tribal drum, the noise almost deafening in his own ears.
Leah gives a quick snort, "So stupid..." she mutters fondly in response to Nathan's murmuring. But it manages to get a goofy, ear-to-ear grin out of her. She presses into the kiss once again as their lips meet and her eyes slip shut as he begins to work at the buttons of his shirt. Her hands shift to his sides- her right hand on his left, and left on his right- her touch soft and slow as she feels out the contours of his body
until she reaches the bottom of his shirt. Her fingers- still cold from her beer- work their way beneath his shirt to feel the warmth of his skin. Another soft snicker escapes her as she pulls back from the kiss, resting her head against the armrest once more.
Nathan lets out a small, content hum as he feels her hands slowly drift down his body. His mind begins to cloud slightly, allowing himself to begin to get lost in the moment. He is about halfway down his shirt before the cold tips of her fingers hit his skin. The sudden sensation causes his eyes to shoot open as she pulls away from the kiss and his body to tense up, sucking in a sharp intake of air between
his teeth. "Cold!" He hisses, before locking her with a mocking glare. He lets out a sigh, dropping the hand from his shirt and propping a closed fist against the cushion of the sofa. "You just had to kill the moment," he muses with a wry grin, the half unbuttoned shirt showing the skin beneath. And the scarring left by the gunshot wound from many years ago, right next to his heart.
Leah gives an exaggerated wince as Nathan voices the reasoning for the sudden tension throughout his body, causing her hands to retreat back towards the top of his pants. "Sorry!" she exclaims, her apology betrayed by an amused snicker that accompanies it. She tilts her head lazily as her green eyes scan across newly exposed skin. The smile on her face retreats into something a bit more tempered as her gaze settles on the
scar. Her eyes briefly turn to his as she lifts her right hand to his chest, thumb gently brushing over scarred skin.
Nathan chuckles and is about to reassure her, until her eyes move back to his and her thumb crosses over the scarring on his heart. His smile flickers, becomes more muted and, in a similar way when his fingers crossed over her amp, he tenses. The permanent reminder of that day blemishes his body, a constant reminder of his failure, his inability to save that girl. He's unable to stem the tide of memories that
begin to flood back into his mind and the smile drops into a thin line and his eyes fall to the hand at his chest. But he doesn't stop Leah from running her thumb across it. Instead, he just remains silent, the beating of his heart pulsing against his chest. Despite where the scar is, despite the damage it caused, his heart beats on. He survived.
Leah continues to caress along the old gunshot, gentle as if it were a fresh wound. There's a tenderness in her eyes as she looks up at Nathan. She's heard the story. Heavy caliber sniper rifle. They both have their fair share of scars. The kind that leave more than damaged tissue behind. Her thumb circles the area for a moment longer before she silently withdraws her hand and presses a gentle kiss against her index and middle
finger and touches it to the tragic memento etched into his chest, propping her smile up as she does.
Nathan 's smile comes back, softer this time as she touches her fingers to the scar on his chest. He reaches up and gently takes her hand in his, lifting her fingers so he can press a kiss against them. "We are... quite the pair," he says quietly, "Aren't we?" It's safe to say that he's had similar thoughts too, about the scars they both bear and the fresh ones they've collected in the last few months. "Over
Leah lets a puff of air out through her nose in a half-hearted snort at the sentiment. "Yeah..." she agrees softly, her gaze falling back to the scar. Over and over and over... She draws in a deep breath in an attempt at expelling the exhaustion threatening to take hold at the mere thought of everything the past year has thrown her way. But there has to be an end to it. There has to be. Tara is safe. The Collectors are
gone. The circumstances might not be perfect but that has to count for something. "But... we're still here." she offers, her green eyes searching for his. Scanning from his left to his right. Studying the lines of his face. The smile that accompanies her words is forced, but it's there.
Nathan nods slowly at that offering, his eyes meeting hers as he searches them. And he offers something in return. A small flash of optimism that takes shape in the creasing of his skin when he gives a more earnest smile. "We are. Despite it all, we're both here. I'd say that's a win, right?" He lowers his hand from hers, bringing it to tenderly cup her cheek. "I doubt we'll ever get perfect out here, not
with the jobs we take and the people we protect. But we've earned this break. This chance to have just a quiet moment between ourselves. No... gunfire, no giant snakes, none of that. I say we take it while we can."
Leah's eyes close as Nathan's hand cups her cheek, gently pressing into his touch. She brings her own hand over top of his and tilts her head to the side to plant a kiss against his palm. His final statement garners a snicker into his palm. "No gunfire. No giant snakes." she agrees as she kisses his hand again. Her smile grows a little more sincere as she finds herself looking up at him once more.
Nathan nods again, a deep chuckle escaping him. "So," he says as he leans down and brushes his lips against her forehead, catching her eyes with his once again. "What say I get rid of this eyesore, grab us another drink and we... 'enjoy the movie'?" He flicks his eyes to his half unbuttoned shirt, a wry grin etched onto the corner of his mouth.
Leah sucks in her lips as another stupid grin threatens to escape. "I'd say..." she begins, brow furrowing as if mulling it over. She lifts her hand to Nathan's shirt, using her index finger to gently pry it open just a bit more. An unrestrained ear-to-ear smile emerges, big and bright as usual. "...Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan." she says playfully. As her gaze meets his once more she gives a small shrug, "It's a
really good movie." she adds with a chuckle, having barely given the tv more than a few glances since the movie began.
Nathan perks his brow up high as she pries the shirt open, allowing just the smallest peak at the scar mark near his lower abdomen. But given his lack of tension nor any attention being drawn to it, it seems that scar garners less discussion if any at all. "It's one of the best worst films out there," he remarks idly, his hand slipping away from the Cheshire smile on her face and to the last few buttons on
his shirt. "Now, another beer? Or," he asks between another kiss against her cheek, "something a little," and another against her jaw, "stronger?"
Leah hums in agreement to Nathan's assessment of the movie. Her unrestrained smile remains present as she watches him handle the remaining buttons but the string of kisses that follow cause her to tilt her head to the side to make it easier for him. Her eyes come to rest on her unfinished beer on the coffee table, instantly forgotten once things began to grow more intimate. "Stronger-..." she nods, turning her head to face him
once more, free hand moving to his cheek to pull him closer. "...I could do with something stronger..." she says, pressing her smile against his lips for a quick peck. When she goes for second kiss, however, there's a sharp, quiet crackle of static electricity that's discharged, causing her to pull back, head pressing against the armrest abruptly. It's little more than a brief zap, no more painful than a pinprick, but
Nathan reaches up for the collar of his shirt as the last button falls away, ready to pull the shirt off. "Stronger it i- yow!" The sudden zap of energy elicits a response more of surprise than actual pain and he jolts upright, blinking rapidly. "Wha- that was you? You know, there are other ways to get me to move quicker that doesn't involve a zap!" He gesticulates with his hands, now that he's sat upright,
rather than propping himself over her. He breathes out a chuckle, running a hand through his hair as his shirt hangs loosely on his body now. "Is that, uh, is that a thing that's going to happen regularly now? Because I have some earthing wire that I could wrap around you."
Leah maintains a look of discomfort for a number of moments, face frozen in place as she waits for Nathan to speak. His initial question gets a slow nod of her head. The statement that follows causes her expression to turn blank. And his final little jab is met with an unamused glare. "Hilarious." she says flatly. "Yes, that was me, you idiot!" she snaps. "Look, it just kinda-..." she begins to explain before scrunching up her
nose and merely swatting at his shoulder. "Drinks! Now!" she demands, a smile threatening to slip out.
Nathan breaks into a small fit of giggles, making a show of being whapped on the shoulder. "Okay, okay! I'll get the stronger stuff!" He worms his way from the sofa and over her legs. He pauses after turning away and passes her a glance over his shoulder. With a cheeky grin, he sheds the shirt and idly tosses it over at her head. Without another word, he snatches up their forgotten drinks and returns them to
the counter top. In their place, he takes out two glasses with diamond-like patterns across them. He accompanies them with a glass of what looks like whiskey. Earth-Branded. Wolfburn Northland it says upon the black and gold label that surrounds its body. He holds it up to her so she can see, silently giving the chance to approve or disapprove the selection.
Leah scoots up into a sitting position- back against the armrest- and brings her legs in close to sit cross-legged on the couch as Nathan gets up. Just in time to find the world turning dark as a shirt envelopes her head. She frustratedly swings it to the floor, shooting a glare Nathan's way. Though it quickly softens as she, instead, finds herself staring as he walks away. She bring her hand up, rubbing at the center of her
bottom lip where the shock originated from while she enjoys the view, only averting her eyes once he's facing her once again. His choice of drink is met with an approving nod. "It doesn't mean anything, you know!" she says, her tone sounding like a warning. "The zap, I mean!" she clarifies, leaning back slightly so her elbows rest against the armrest. "It doesn't mean that I'm-... I'm, like-..." she stammers,
"...excited or anything!" As usual, mouth moves before brain processes, causing her to wince and turn a shade more red. Of course, as tends to be the case, the awkwardness only causes her mouth to move faster. "It just-... happens sometimes! Sometimes I'll touch something metal and-... zap! Metal doesn't turn me on!" Nope. Not getting any less awkward. "Laundry!" Might be the most enthusiasticly anyone has ever
uttered that word. "Sometimes I'm folding laundry and suddenly zaaaap~" she adds matter-of-factly as if that settles it. "Laundry definitely doesn't do it for me." Dismissive shrug. "I mean, it's not-... I guess-... Laundry isn't as hot as you are-..." Awkward laugh. Awkward laugh. Awkward laugh. Oh no. Don't look at chest. Don't look at chest. Looking at chest. "But-... But-..." Deep breath. "Hey, make mine a
Nathan unscrews the cap as Leah begins one of her galaxy famous rants, generally kicked into gear whenever she's flustered. Ah, yeah, there it is. Her mouth is moving faster than her mind now. The red has intensified in her cheeks. She's full swing! He pours both of them a double measure, all the while sporting perhaps the most amused grin he's ever worn since shes known him. He screws the cap back on,
letting her stew in her awkward embarrassment for a little longer. He carefully takes both glasses in one hand and the bottle of whiskey in the other and makes his way back over to the sofa, setting the bottle down with a soft clunk. He extends one of the glasses to her, the smile never faltering, never leaving his face. Finally, he says, "You. Are adorable when you get like this, you know that right?"
Bang, going straight for the added embarrassment! He couldn't resist, it was too tempting. He stands there shirtless with his own glass, a bemused look on his face as he idly swirls it around.
Leah sucks in her lips once her rant has ended, soaking in the awkwardness as Nathan handles the drinks. The grin that crosses his lips causes her to wince and turn her attention to the TV screen, more staring through it than watching the movie. It's not until Nathan returns to the couch that she hazards a glance his way. That grin does little to ease her embarrassment, and the comment that accompanies it causes the shade of
red in her cheeks to turn about ten shades brighter. "And you~ are a-.... the-.... and-... fuck you!" she stammers, mustering up as confident of a glare as she can as she swipes the glass out of his hand. Got him! She slugs back a large swig of the drink, nose scrunching up as the burn hits the back of her throat. "But yes." she mutters before reiterating his words back to him grumpily, "That is a thing that's going
to happen regularly." But she's not able to maintain her frown for long as the thought causes a smirk to tug at the corner of her mouth even as she tries to fight it when she looks up at Nathan. "So... get used to it."
Nathan laughs heartily, a cheeky grin now replacing the more bemused one. "I plan on it," he promises, slugging back his own drink. The burn is strong, but not completely unpleasant. The whiskey seems to have a unique flavour to it, adding a level of sweetness not usually found in its like. So its not as unbearable as one would expect it to be. He pivots on the spot and lets himself drop onto the couch next
to her, laying one arm across the backrest. "Wonder if it gets stronger the more you get-... well." He shrugs a shoulder and reaches forward to set his glass on the table before unscrewing the cap once more as he prepares to pour himself another shot.
Leah's smirk turns to a full on smile at Nathan's promise and she scoots up beside him when he drops into his seat, cradling her drink in her lap with both hands. When he speaks again her head dips low, bangs falling into her face as she gives an awkward snort, cheeks flushing once again. "Well you might as well keep wondering because you are never gonna find out!" she's quick to retort.
Nathan pours himself a fresh measure and places the bottle down. He clicks his fingers together with a sharp intake of breath. "Ah, damn, that's a shame. Now where did that shirt disappear to?" He gives her a playful nudge as he takes his drink and leans back into the backrest. His arm drops from the top of the backrest and falls across her shoulders once more. He holds his glass out to her. "Cheers. To
Leah looks towards the shirt she discarded on the floor, leaning towards it with one arm outstretched to retrieve it for him. With a brief flash of blue, the shirt wists a bit further away out of reach as if some nonexistant gust of wind had taken it. Leah glances Nathan's way, brow furrowed like she has no idea what could have happened. "Well, damn. Look at that. I tried." she offers with an innocent shrug, big bright smile
stretching across her face. Her green eyes turn to the glass as a toast is offered. "Crappy movies and crappy pizza." she agrees simply, lifting her own glass to gently clang against his before taking a small sip.
Nathan sighs dramatically as the shirt flutters away on the complete natural wind that has drifted through the closed and warm apartment. "A shame that. Real shame." The glasses clink and he takes a much more refined and smaller sip than before, the warmth from the booze adding to the warmth from her closeness. But, for a moment, his look deviates from the sly and playful, to the much more sincere and
earnest. "Thanks for this. It's nice to just-... well, I won't get too sappy. That requires FAR more whiskey. But thanks."
Leah leans a bit heavier against Nathan, head coming to rest against his shoulder and drink against her thigh. The shared sentiment prompts her to nuzzle up just a bit closer to him. "You're making it sound like it's almost over. We still have a whole third movie to go, Nate." she reminds playfully, not that either of them have paid any attention to the cheesy action flick for a while now. "...But yeah. You too..." she offers