[center][h1][color=cornflowerblue]Niko[/color] & [color=CE4C59]Angel[/color][/h1][/center] [color=cornflowerblue]Time:[/color][color=CE4C59] Night[/color] [color=cornflowerblue]Location: [/color][color=CE4C59]Taco Bell[/color] [hr] Nikolaus waved him off. [color=cornflowerblue]” I’m not worried about the other one. She can be someone else's problem right now. Dakota’s here as well.”[/color] Niko turned to ignore Sean’s comment, not glancing at Angel. He didn’t want her seeing the worry in his eyes or the way his heart had skipped a beat upon the vampire biting her. When Angel spoke, he looked at her out of the corner of his eyes as he began stuffing his gloves away in his pockets. He grinned at the idea for food. His stomach had been rumbling; prior to leaving to rush after Angel, he’d been about to eat dinner with his sisters in the Operation Humanity clinic. He hoped Sean had a safe drive home; he didn’t want anything to happen to his friends. [color=cornflowerblue]” Yes, I’d love some food. It’s your pick, Angel... I also do need a ride, because I stole some kid’s bike on the way here. Poor kid.”[/color] Niko didn’t glance at her as he gestured for her to lead the way. He wanted her to lead so in case anything happened, she was able to escape faster. [color=cornflowerblue]” Do you want to eat in your car or at the base? I'm down for either.”[/color] Niko’s skin crawled at the idea of going back to the base. While his sisters were safe, the more sinister threat lurked. He kept his tone casual and light, though he glanced at his watch. [color=cornflowerblue]” And let’s get going, okay? I’ll buy, and it’ll be my treat too.”[/color] Nikolaus grinned at her and took a small bandana from his bag and handed it to her. [color=cornflowerblue]” Your neck is going to be bruised for a while, but it’ll heal quickly with the ointment I put on it. Best to keep it covered, too.”[/color] Niko turned to survey the area, his hands near his weapons in case of any danger and waited for her to make the next move. Angel smirked as he told her he stole a bike. She led the way without a second thought at the gesture as she was not one to follow others’ lead. [color=CE4C59]“Delinquent. [/color]She teased him with a smile, glancing over her shoulder briefly. However, she quickly turned it back forward from his sight to conceal its flush as she considered the situation. [color=CE4C59][i]This isn’t good.[/i][/color] She thought. Then he brought up eating at the base and the hairs on her neck stood up.[color=CE4C59] “No.”[/color]She abruptly answered him, the tone of her voice solemn,[color=CE4C59] “The car or inside the restaurant.”[/color] She walked up to an old jeep wrangler and turned to look at him as he handed her a small bandana. It was black. Angel kept her gaze down at it, spending extra time to look it over as she got lost in her thoughts. [color=CE4C59] “Now I’ll look like a dog fresh out of grooming.”[/color] She mused, putting it on her neck. Angel heard him say he was going to treat her but made no comment. She did not accept favors or “treats” from people. Trying to argue would be a waste of time, so she’d just suddenly pay for it once they got there and let him bitch about it if he so liked. Ideally, she’d preferred they’d pay for their own meals separately, but he did help her out a lot tonight so perhaps it’d square them off a bit. Silently, she got into the front seat and waited for him to join in before putting the keys in the ignition. She seemed to willingly ignore her seatbelt’s existence. There wasn’t much in the backseat of the car beside a blanket and pillow in the back, and a couple of bottles of vodka almost discreetly hidden under the blanket. It was relatively clean inside. Her jeep was an older model so she could not quite use an aux cord. There was a small collection of CDs in between the seats. What was in the glove box was another story. [color=CE4C59]“Taco Bell?”[/color] Niko chuckled at her comment regarding the dog and bandana combination. He decided not to comment however in case he offended her in any way. He examined her car as he climbed inside. He briefly pulled the sun visor down to examine the back of her car. He pretended to wipe the blood from his face off and some dirt that had accumulated on it. Niko noticed the bottles of vodka but didn't comment on it. Niko understood she’d become more defensive and wanted to enjoy his time with her. He knew she was wild, and hoped one day she’d relax her habits. Niko didn’t blame her though; from what he had heard, her past sounded horrible. Her solemn tone reminded him of how he dreaded to return to the base as well. The only thing that brought him back was Missy and Shay. When she suggested Taco Bell, he grinned from ear to ear. [color=cornflowerblue]”That would be great. Live más, Angel.”[/color] He tried again to joke and hoped it didn’t fall flat. He looked away from her self consciously, though he remained discreet. Niko set the sun visor back up and sighed. As he sat, he couldn’t help but worry about his sisters again. They would love to have Taco Bell; he’d make sure to order it for them. Niko knew it was late but he’d do anything to see them smile again. Angel laughed at Niko’s words. More so because she thought Niko was truly an enigma. He was so quiet and cold normally. There had been times he’d go hours without speaking and his brutal nature often scared others off. Even when they were training, he’d always been so serious. Now here he was, quoting the Taco Bell slogan. She started the car and intense rock music started playing immediately. After lowering the volume, she drove to Taco Bell and through the drive-through. She ordered a party-pack of tacos without hesitation, giving time for Niko to make an order too. Once at the pay window, the girl looked at her as she went to hand her the bags, [color=yellow]“Party tonight?”[/color] [color=CE4C59]“Nope. Just me.”[/color]She replied, taking the bags and moving to pay for both hers and Niko’s food. Nikolaus grinned shyly at her laugh and turned away so she wouldn’t see it. She had enjoyed his joke - yes! He didn’t mind the music, though this late at night, it was bothersome for him. He flinched at the noise, despite her lowering the music at the drive-thru. Once she had ordered, he also ordered a party pack and then two dorito-locos tacos. He also ordered two bottles of water. Niko grinned when the woman asked if they were having a party and shook his head. [color=cornflowerblue]” No, we just want to live más,”[/color] Niko stared at the women’s confused expression and started laughing. When it came time to pay, Niko moved his arm in front of Angel’s to block her with super-strength from being able to pay. He grinned at her cheekily and took the change. [color=cornflowerblue]” Here’s your change, you filthy animal,”[/color] He told her with a smirk as he finished paying and moved his arm out of the window so she could roll it back up. After paying, she drove off into the parking lot. She chose an inconspicuous area and they began eating their tacos. He kept his sisters’ order off to the side, so it was not mistakenly eaten. Angel had never seen him smile so much. Taco Bell really got the guy in a mood. She inhaled when he had put his arm in front of her, and folded her arms. Now she owed him. Great. Muttering her thanks, she took out her tacos once they were at the parking lot. [color=CE4C59]“So… Who are you and what’d you do with the quiet dude that’s too cool to talk to anyone?”[/color]She inquired. [color=cornflowerblue]”He’s on a break right now,”[/color] Niko told her as he ate. He changed the subject as he glanced at her and tilted his head to one side. [color=cornflowerblue]”How’s your neck?”[/color] Briefly, his eyes twitched, and he gritted his teeth gently so he didn't harm himself. The loud rock music, albeit being soft, was still bothering him but he was trying not to show it. He kept grimacing and glancing at the radio occasionally. He hated the burdens that the experiments had brought upon him. Due to the nature of his sharp teeth, he was wolfing his taco down and shredding it. Niko was trying to eat properly, but the teeth made his life slightly more difficult. [color=cornflowerblue]”Fucking teeth,”[/color] he muttered to himself as he drank his water. [color=cornflowerblue]”So, Angel, what other food places are you interested in?”[/color] He didn’t know what else to say and didn’t want to make it awkwardly silent. He hoped he was being good company; he was trying his hardest. He kept glancing at his phone as well to check the time. There were a few messages which he read in the meantime while she gathered her thoughts. He texted Shay back, [i]”I bought you both Doritos Locos tacos. R u OK? Is Missy with you?”[/i] He then set his phone down and ituated the taco bag up against his legs so it wouldn’t tip over. Niko would not let his sister’s food go to waste. Angel side-eyed him, noticing his eyes twitch. She followed his gaze to the radio and finally turned it off, catching on to it bothering him.[color=CE4C59] “Gino’s Pizza is pretty amazing. You?”[/color] She replied to him. It had been a long time since she had sat down with someone and had a genuine conversation. Usually it had been vampires or random guys she had hooked up with for the hell of it. None of that really counted as genuine connecting. It was kind of fun to have someone take interest in what she liked. While Niko texted on his phone, Angel turned her attention to her food to work on eating it. She managed to eat eight tacos before leaning back in her seat to wipe her hands with a napkin. She watched him for a moment, the corners of her lips tugging upward without her realizing. Were they friends now? Angel wasn’t sure. She had such an elementary understanding of everything. How long did it take? Becoming friends could be a bad thing. It had taken her so long to be able to stop thinking about the loss of her family so constantly… If she befriended Niko and lost him, then she’d have to start all over again and she’d be worthless at giving her family justice. Though they might be stronger together, what she wanted to achieve was not something he could or would just tag along with. Angel had to stop this in its tracks before it got too far; she could not forget her goal. She gripped her knees, stiffening. [color=CE4C59]“Where do you live? I can drop you off when you’re done eating. ”[/color] Her tone became less relaxed and more rigid, as it usually did after a few moments of conversation with her. Nikolaus finished eating six of his tacos before setting it down. His blood pressure monitor and apple watch were at home, since he forgot to put them on since he’d been in a rush. He had been about to ask her more questions regarding Gino’s pizza when she stiffened up. He frowned, wondering if he’d done something to offend her. He blinked in surprise, turning to face her. Embarrassment filled him and he wondered if he was being a total dud. He hadn’t been able to keep most friends as a kid, due to his father’s nature. His mother had not been the friendliest either. As a result, Niko grew up protecting his sisters and taking care of them. They had been his life, and remained to be the same now as well. He frowned to himself, unsure of what had transpired. [color=cornflowerblue]”Oh.. I uh, I live on base. We have a house, but I’m staying on base for now.”[/color] Missy and Shay were being held for the week at Op. Humanity’s base to monitor their health and to run more tests. Holly was going to look them over as well to see if she could do anything. Nikolaus sighed as he turned to glance at the window instead so his disappointment didn’t show on his face. [color=cornflowerblue]” Thanks for the ride and everything. Please take care of your neck. I’ll see you tomorrow for training.”[/color] He told her and fell silent for the remainder of the trip. Once at the base, Niko climbed out and went inside with the tacos in his hand. He delivered the tacos to his sisters, much to their delight and surprise. He then settled down in their room and remained awake so he could watch over them. Angel hadn’t expected his facial expression to sting as much as it did. He tried to turn away to hide it but she had seen the initial frown. She had hurt his feelings. She wished she could apologize, but it was probably better off the less he liked her. He was silent for the rest of the car ride and so was she. She nodded to his words, gripping the wheel tightly and keeping her focus ahead of her as he spoke. She had done this so many times that she thought maybe she would have gotten used to it by this point. So many thought so lowly of her. There was no doubt in her mind Niko had heard the rumors of how much she gave everyone the cold shoulder. They called her selfish, heartless, a bitch, and any other name in the book. However, Niko had not treated her like she was any of that, despite probably hearing all those things, and she still did it again. Angel took a moment to wipe her eyes before driving home.