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[color=808080][color=0bbdaf][b]#0bbdaf[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/y9yZ7GR][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=04ed42][b]#04ed42[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/iU2qEu5][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]tappi's cabin[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]The food was far less appetizing as Nate's stomach turned into knots every time he glanced up from his plate. More folks trickled into the Main Hall, filling the room with the noise of handfuls of conversations. He wasn't able to gather much as he drifted into the background. Lots of introductions, a romantic moment or two, but a whole lot of community that he didn't quite [i]feel[/i] like he was part of. It wasn't like he was looking for a place to hang up his jacket. He just needed to play nice until luck was on his side again, that's it.

He caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye as Tapeesa left. Nate sighed, getting up to grab a few pieces of sliced fruit and filled up another glass of water. For everyone who trickled out, more stumbled their way in for a bite to eat. Nate kept his head down, eating his food slowly as he contemplated his next choice. Everything he needed was still in his bag. All he needed to do was grab it and figure out which cabin was his… or sign up for one. He could ask after he apologized.

After half an hour of stalling, Nate eventually slid his chair back. He bundled himself up as best he could, dreading the idea of trudging through the cold again. He didn't have much of a choice, as he didn't bother to look up how cold Greece was in the winter before hopping on the cheapest flight he could in December. As Nate emerged from the Main Hall, a cold shiver shot up his spine at the sudden difference in temperature. He hastily followed the trail to his left, aiming for the weird little cottage he had spent the night at.

The gate squeaked a little as Nate pushed it open. His pace slowed as he slowly stepped up onto the porch. He waited a moment or two, his hand lifted up into a fist before the door. He still didn't quite know what words to say, but he couldn't put off talking to her. He tapped a little “shave and a haircut” on the wood, taking in a deep breath as he did so.

Tapeesa hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but the exhaustion of training, the warmth of the shower, and heavy weight of the food settling in her stomach made her eyes heavy the second she settled into the arm chair. Her knees were pulled in close to her chest and feet braced against the armrest while her head was tilted to the side, resting against the back of the chair. She had adjusted not a moment earlier, curling into a smaller ball while tugging the sides of her cardigan around her bare legs when there was a knock. The sound startled her awake and the small jolt made the book that was wedged between her thighs and stomach slip free and fall to the ground. 

She sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms, dazed and confused without a clue if ten minutes or ten hours had passed since she sat down. It took a second for her mind to catch up and register what she heard. Tapeesa couldn’t quite recall if it was a knock or the sound of the door closing that woke her. Panic immediately settled somewhere deep in her chest at the thought of the latter and her eyes darted to the spot where Nate’s bag had been living since the night before. 

[i]... It was still there.[/i]

She exhaled a shaky breath. It was stupid. [i]She[/i] was being stupid. Nate wasn’t the type to just sneak in for his things and disappear without a word, [i]right?[/i] Tappi hadn’t even known him for a full day, but something in her gut told her he wouldn’t have done that. It was the whole reason she lingered in the living room, fighting sleep until it took her rather than napping in bed… To catch him. But he hadn’t shown up, not yet. He—

Her eyes went wide as her mind snapped back to the sound that roused her. [i]A knock.[/i] It was a knock. Her gaze shot to the door and the panic returned a million times worse. Tapeesa half fell out of the arm chair, half stumbled to her feet. She took one step, accidentally bumming her toe on the pointed corner of the hardback book she dropped. She sucked in a sharp breath, hopping and holding her foot for a second until the sharp pain subsided. [color=0bbdaf]"Stupid book,"[/color] she muttered under her breath as she scooped it up and set it aside on the coffee table. 

Tapeesa’s nerves skyrocketed with each step she took closer to the door. She stopped just short, drawing in a deep breath as she tucked her damp hair back behind her ears. [i]Damp[/i]... Ok, so it wasn’t ten hours. [i]Good.[/i] She picked at the side of her thumb, just for a second, before forcing herself to stop and grab the doorknob. She opened the door slowly, reluctantly. Her gaze was fixed on a spot on the threshold as her other hand wrapped around the opposite side of the handle, using the door for support and partial cover. She knew what she was going to see, but she still took a second to steel her nerves, blinking slowly before looking up to meet Nate’s gaze. 

[color=0bbdaf]"... [i]Hi,[/i]"[/color] she greeted him quietly, little more than a whisper. Her smile was small and sad, but there was still the tiniest flicker of warmth behind it just because he was there. Tappi hesitated for a second, fingers anxiously tapping against the door before she stepped aside in a silent offering for him to enter and step out of the cold.

[color=04ed42]"I’m sorry."[/color]

The apology was quick and tactless, a burst of words as he heard his friend’s familiar voice. He stared at a small imperfection at the door’s threshold, not daring to look Tapeesa in the eyes. His hands were shoved deep into his jacket pockets to cling for warmth, hesitating as he stood there. The words poured out after he took a breath, trying desperately to focus the deluge of thoughts that rushed forward. As he spoke, he stepped into the cabin, passing by Tapeesa to get away from the biting wind. [color=04ed42]"I wasn’t considerate at the course. I don’t get tired in the same way, and I just… maybe I was trying to show off still. I get that wasn’t exactly the right move, you know, so… I’m sorry."[/color]

As he finished speaking, he turned around. His eyes finally turned up to face her, his remorseful expression twisting slightly as he got a good look at her. She wasn’t in the same brightly colored sweats from earlier, instead dressed in a set of cozy pajamas. The sight took his breath away, his cheeks flushed red as he got embarrassed for where his eyes kept choosing to settle. [color=04ed42]"Oh… damn,"[/color] was all he could mutter, finally meeting her gaze.

Tapeesa was surprised by the immediate apology. She didn’t know what she had expected, but that wasn’t it. She had come to terms with him showing up for his things then leaving to go find his own cabin. She figured she’d have to apologize and for whatever reason it’d fall short like it did with Elias, and then tomorrow she’d be hearing him telling someone else about how she messed up… [i]again.[/i] Instead the words fell out of him like he couldn’t physically hold them in for another second. She didn’t interrupt, but struggled to hold his gaze in the same way he couldn’t look at her. 

She slowly shut the door behind him, locking away the rest of camp along with the cold clutch of winter with a quiet [i]click.[/i] His words made her smile soften, then sadden as her own guilt nagged at her stomach along with the familiar stirring that was always present when he was around. Tappi slowly turned around, lightly pressing her back against the door as one hand remained curled around the handle like a lifeline. [color=0bbdaf]"I shouldn’t have snapped… I…"[/color] Her gaze fell to a small clump of snow that was melting on the ground between them. She struggled to find the words and struggled more trying to stand still. Her leg bounced anxiously while her free hand toyed with the end of her damp hair, then a loose thread of her cardigan before tugging the sleeve back onto her shoulder after it had slipped off. [color=0bbdaf]"I should have said how I was feeling… or I don’t know…"[/color]

Her grip on the doorknob tightened as she inhaled softly. [color=0bbdaf]"I’m sorry too."[/color]

It was only then that her head raised, her gaze slowly following, drifting across the expanse between them until she looked up into his eyes. It took a second for her to realize how red his face had grown or the way his attention kept falling to her clothes, although she didn’t understand why. Her own cheeks quickly flushed to match, looking between him and her pajamas like something had to be wrong. A hole? A stain? Her fingers self-consciously ran along the waistband of her shorts, the subtle movement made the cardigan slide back off her right shoulder, fabric pooling in the crook of her elbow as she drew in a shaky breath. [color=0bbdaf]"What?"[/color]

Nate stood still as he lifted a hand up to run his fingers through his hair. The color in his cheeks remained bright and fresh, his eyes focusing on every small detail of her movement. He could tell she bore some of the same anxieties he did, shaking a little as she looked for small ways to soothe her nerves. His own nerves were frayed thin from the hour or so of brooding he had managed since she stormed off. He let a smile show in response to her apology, even if he wasn’t sure she needed to provide him with one. He took a step closer towards her, lifting his hands to rub them together to regain some feeling. [color=04ed42]"Emotions were a little high… I figured you wanted me to fuck off, you know?"[/color] He paused, his voice a little shaky as relief and realization began to dawn on him. [color=04ed42]"Or maybe I was just… I don’t know, running away so I wouldn’t feel bad. Except, I still did for upsetting you, so it just made things worse I guess."[/color]

When Tapeesa began to check herself while blushing under his gaze, Nate quickly looked away. He hadn’t realized how obvious he was being. He wasn’t entirely sure what had elicited his wandering eyes. She was attractive, surely, but he already knew that. It was something about seeing her in more comfortable clothes, in such a private setting. It felt more intimate than their previous interactions, and the amount of skin showing was not helping matters. If he had to summarize it in a word… [color=04ed42]"You’re very cute,"[/color] he confessed under his breath, letting out a soft sigh afterwards. [color=04ed42]"Sorry, I… I’m sorry."[/color]

The compliment was quiet and soft, spoken like a secret he was scared to share. If it was possible for Tapeesa’s face to darken to a deeper shade of red it did, and then some. Her breaths grew erratic, coming in small bursts as her pulse quickened and butterflies twisted her insides into knots. Her gaze quickly fell from his face, dark hair slipping from behind her ear to mask part of her face as her attention fixated on the same small bit of snow that was nearly a puddle. Hidden behind that veil of hair, her smile grew bashful and unbidden. [color=0bbdaf]"It’s ok… I… [i]thank you,[/i]"[/color] she replied just as quietly, trying desperately to not start fidgeting again.

Her chest heaved as she drew in a deep breath and ran her thumb along the cool metal of the doorknob in a self-soothing manner, trying to calm herself. Tapeesa chewed on the inside of her cheek, attempting to find the right words before they sort of tumbled out in whatever order they fell. [color=0bbdaf]"I stay you wanted to."[/color] Her head cocked to the side, face contorting at the incoherent garbled sentence. She laughed awkwardly, closing her eyes like it would help her reorganize the words like a jigsaw puzzle. [color=0bbdaf]"I wanted you to stay,"[/color] she clarified slowly, over-enunciating so the thoughts didn’t get tangled a second time. Then she hesitantly opened her eyes, forcing herself to look up and meet his gaze with a timid, tentative smile. [color=0bbdaf]"...For what that’s worth,"[/color]

Nate’s smile grew a little at her reaction, taking another step to close the distance between them. He chuckled as her words came out in the wrong order. Her own confession sent a flutter through his chest, something that was becoming increasingly common in her presence. He moved before his mind could, lifting his arms to wrap them around Tapeesa’s shoulders. He pulled her close, his cheek pressed against hers as he hugged her tight.

His mind remained a whirlwind. She wanted him to stay, but did she only mean after the course? Was she inviting him to continue crashing on her couch? It didn't sound awful, and having a roommate would motivate him to actually partake in whatever games their head councilor had next. Not to mention… he didn't like the distance. Being alone wasn't that awful on the strip, when there was always a table he could go to for company. Out here, under the stars… It was nice to have a friend. A very cute friend, but a friend nonetheless. He had learned his lesson in assumptions, and needed an ounce of confirmation on what she wanted. [color=04ed42]"I… Can I stay? With you?"[/color]

Whatever attempts she had been making to try and remain calm weren’t working. Her heart was racing and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath, and it all only got worse as he continued to close the distance. Tappi became increasingly aware of the shrinking space between them, becoming equally flustered and comforted by his close proximity. It was almost frustrating the way he could make her so incredibly nervous, yet his smile and laugh eased her at the same time. Then his arms were around her, drawing a startled gasp from her as he tugged her from where she was cemented against the door. He pulled her close until the warmth of his cheek was pressed against hers and her face was half buried in his shoulder. It took a second for her brain to catch up and make sense of it, but then she slowly raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist snuggly. 

Tapeesa had already known she missed him in the small amount of time they spent apart, but it wasn’t until that moment that she truly realized how much. The scary reality of that stole her breath while also causing her to subconsciously tighten her hold on him, just a fraction. When he spoke, she felt it more in the soft rumble of his chest against hers where his voice was muffled by the deafening roar of her pulse in her ears. It took her a second to parse out his words beneath her nervous chaos, but once she understood her eyes widened. Her mind raced with the various meanings and implications behind such a simple question. Did he mean stay in her cabin? For now? Forever? Then there was the logistics. Where would he sleep? There was only one bedroom. Sure there was the couch, but she’d feel horrible making him sleep there every night. Her bed was big enough for two people—her thoughts stopped abruptly, heart pounding so violently that she was almost certain he could feel it. 

There were a million questions speeding through her mind faster than she could grab hold of them. She parted her lips, trying to catch at least one and voice it, but when she spoke only one word came out, muffled by his shoulder and nearly lost beneath her breath. [color=0bbdaf]"... Yeah."[/color]

Nate gave Tapeesa a little squeeze as they embraced, the smile on his face widening. He sniffed back a little bit of cold-induced congestion, relishing what warmth her presence brought in that moment. He mulled over her words, letting out a breathless laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. After a moment, his arms grew slack. He slid his hands up towards Tapeesa's shoulders, prying her away just enough that he could see her face again. With a weary smile, he shook his head softly. [color=04ed42]"We… you can tell me what's on your mind. And I could probably do the same more… so we don't just sit around assuming."[/color] He paused, just long enough to run his tongue along his molars to consider his next words carefully. When he finally settled on the right ones, he spoke gently. [color=04ed42]"I was a little hurt by your tone, but I was more hurt thinking about how hurt you sounded. And if I had just said that, then…"[/color] 

His words trailed off as he lost his train of thought, seeming to just finally catch up on how close he had gotten to her. He had swarmed her personal space and kept inviting himself into her cabin. She didn't seem to mind too much, but she was almost certainly being nice. She had done the same for Elias. Nate and Tapeesa had kissed, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. He wouldn't mind doing more of that, but then it would mean something. Had it all meant something? Nate's eyes grew unfocused for a moment as a whirlwind of doubts and concern flooded his senses. When his eyes refocused, his tone morphed to something serious. [color=04ed42]"I also should have asked if I could hug you. I'm sorry."[/color]

Tappi reluctantly loosened her hold as he pulled back, letting her hands slip from where they were locked behind his back to lightly rest against his waist. Her gaze warily shifted from a fixed point beyond his shoulder to look up at him. She nodded her head slowly in acknowledgement, although the thought of sharing everything that crossed her mind made her nerves feel like they’d be a forever permanent fixture. But if he was going to attempt to be more transparent, so could she… 

She cleared her throat and inhaled softly as her gaze fell to the zipper pull of his jacket. [color=0bbdaf]"I was frustrated and mad at myself… I just wanted help and support. And when you were showing off I—"[/color] She tensed slightly, raising her hand to awkwardly rub the back of her neck. [color=0bbdaf]"It made me feel pathetic… like I was a failure."[/color] Her shoulders rose and fell in a halfhearted shrug. She didn’t know if she could explain it any better. Tapeesa would have been content keeping that part to herself, but was trying and wanted him to see that. 

Nate’s last apology made her laugh softly, drawing her eyes back up to meet his gaze. His tone was so serious like he was genuinely concerned he messed up a second time, which only made it more endearing. Her smile grew just enough that it teased the return of her dimples against her reddened cheeks. [color=0bbdaf]"You don’t have to ask permission every time you touch me,"[/color] she clarified earnestly. [color=0bbdaf]"Pretty sure I’ve broken that rule a million times anyway."[/color] Tapeesa didn’t fully realize how much she gravitated towards him until [i]some[/i] part of her was touching him: a brush of their knees, shoulder to shoulder, holding hands. It happened enough times she couldn’t count, but also knowing he felt the need to ask to hug her made a new concern knot in her stomach. [color=0bbdaf]"But I can stop… or ask,"[/color] she offered as she quickly looked away.

Nate nodded through the explanation of her feelings during the trial with a slightly pained expression. It was, admittedly, worse than he thought. [color=04ed42]"You weren't pathetic,"[/color] he said softly, for it was all he could muster in her defense. He never liked hurting people's feelings unless they deserved it, but this felt like a new low. He wanted to hug her again, but hesitated. 

Her smile comforted him. He felt a little joy at the blanket permission, and chuckled at her own admission. She did touch him a lot. He didn't mind it, of course. Knowing it was reciprocal was welcome. Nate let out a relieved sigh, which only lasted a moment before a new obstacle presented itself. [color=04ed42]"Don't stop,"[/color] he blurted out instinctively, with some of the blush returning as his eyes darted off to the side. [color=04ed42]"I mean… you don't need to ask either. I like it when you touch me."[/color] He let the statement sit for a moment, until his eyes widened in realization. The words poured out as soon as they were thought, his stream of consciousness laid bare before her. [color=04ed42]"Not in a weird way! I just mean that it feels nice in a normal way, I think. Like, more reassuring. Not like when we were kissing, that felt good in a..."[/color] Nate's words trailed off as he lifted both hands to wipe his face, covering his mouth so he couldn't speak in the process. He still couldn't look at Tapeesa, his eyes closed as he hoped he was just having some kind of weird stress dream in the main hall or [i]something[/i]. He shook his head again, sighing loudly. [color=04ed42]"I… don't get why you make me nervous, Toppings."[/color]

Tapeesa’s brows rose as her attention snapped back to him at his immediate response. She curled and tucked her lips between her teeth, biting down gently in an attempt to muffle the quiet laugh that wanted to escape and mask her smile that tried to break free. She listened quietly, breaths ragged and uneasy as she studied his face and nervously tugged the sleeves of her cardigan over her fidgeting hands. She swallowed when he mentioned kissing, breath hitching at the sentence he didn’t dare finish. The quiet giggle she had been suppressing slipped out at his clear frustration. And while she could [i]tell[/i] he was nervous, the admission didn’t help the fluttering in her chest calm down… If anything it only made it worse.

[color=0bbdaf]"I’m not a mind reader,"[/color] she confessed with a weak laugh. The quiet dragged out, making the strange charged air between them only grow more tense. She absently rubbed the back of her left calf with her right foot while her fingers had already resumed picking at the skin around her thumbnail. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Maybe…[/i]"[/color] she started, her words quiet and uncertain like walking across the unsteady rope bridge from training. [color=0bbdaf]"It’s the same reason I get nervous around you…"[/color]

Nate froze, his heart racing in his chest. Somehow, he felt even more anxious for a reason he still couldn't quite place. The fact she was just as nervous as he was somehow did not ease either of them. The question he asked was simple. If she had the answer to why the energy had shifted, he needed to know why. He had a small, tiny suspicion, one that he buried beneath layers of doubt. [color=04ed42]"What's the reason?"[/color]

She drew in a sharp breath and clicked her tongue as she raised her hand to rub the back of her neck. Tapeesa should have expected the question, it’s what she would have asked, but now having to be faced with saying it… [i]out loud[/i], it all made it so much worse. Standing still, facing him felt incredibly more difficult in that moment. She stepped around him, pacing slightly as she tugged at the sleeves of her cardigan until her thighs bumped into the armrest of the couch and she stopped. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Well[/i]... I uh…"[/color] Her hands fell to the side of the couch, fingers running along the fabric as she tried to force the words out. [color=0bbdaf]"I… like you."[/color] She tapped her thumbs anxiously. [color=0bbdaf]"So maybe…"[/color]

There was a second, a short pause as her head tilted to the side just a fraction. Then her own nervous rambling filled the silence, like she somehow needed to mask what she said behind anything else. [color=0bbdaf]"Which is ridiculous. You probably just feel bad or are being nice… And I am clearly delusional because you were my first kiss and I haven’t slept much."[/color] She cleared her throat and rubbed her eyes with her right hand. [color=0bbdaf]"Stop talking, Tapeesa,"[/color] she muttered to herself under her shaky breaths.

[color=04ed42][i]Oh.[/i][/color]

Nate froze, not turning as Tapeesa had circled around and begun ranting. He forgot to breathe. He liked her too, of course, but he knew it was a little more than that. She had feelings for him. It explained why she felt nervous. It explained why she liked touching him so much, and why she was always blushing around him. It certainly explained why the argument on the course bothered them. It probably explained why they kissed for so long on the couch. The second realization is what had truly paralyzed him. Those were all things he did too, but he was used to kissing attractive people and getting close. He never got nervous around them, though.

As soon as Tapeesa had finished ranting, Nate turned to face her. His cheeks were bright red, and he took a good look at her. That weightless feeling in his chest returned. He walked towards her slowly, his words calm and reassuring. [color=04ed42]"I… didn't do anything with you because I felt bad. And I wasn't being nice."[/color] He paused, averting his eyes as he stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets firmly in some small effort to calm himself. [color=04ed42]"I like being around you,"[/color] he confessed, closing his eyes to try and focus on what to say. [color=04ed42]"I don't get nervous around people I hang out with, or with people I've made out with. I liked kissing you, and I would like doing that more."[/color]

Her hand slowly ran down her face until just the tips of her fingers pressed against her mouth. Tapeesa’s gaze, which had been fixed on the ground, shifted as she saw him move out of her peripherals and slowly start walking towards her. She held her breath as he spoke, her heart rate climbing the closer he got. His words were reassuring… to a point, but they also confused everything further at the same time. She felt… childish, letting her feelings get so muddled so quickly, but she had to be honest to herself and to Nate. Her hands fell to the armrest on either side of her, bracing herself before speaking. [color=0bbdaf]"I want to too… but it's… it’s more than a friend thing for me."[/color] It was only then that she forced herself to look up and meet his gaze, no matter how much it made her insides churn. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t kiss my friends,"[/color] she added with a weak, shaky laugh. 

Tappi shifted her weight from one foot to the other, then tugged her cardigan back up onto her shoulder. [color=0bbdaf]"If that’s what you want… [i]friends[/i], that’s fine but…"[/color] And she meant that. It wouldn't be the first time, and probability said not the last, that she's had to push her own feelings aside for the sake of a friendship. But she also knew she had to make sure he understood what that meant in the same breath… she had to be clear where she stood, even if he didn't fully understand what that meant for him. [color=0bbdaf]"Then I can't keep kissing you… because it's only going to make me like you more… and…"[/color] Her voice trailed off as her gaze fell to her bare feet, unable to sort through jumbled mess of nerves and emotions and whatever else to form thoughts.

Nate nodded slowly, his mind racing as he grasped for what she meant. She wanted a relationship with [i]him[/i] of all people. Sure, the only other guys he had really interacted with at camp were violent, egotistical, or dismissive. But he was, as his father once said, a clueless mess. He wasn't exactly the kind of guy you kept around for more than a night of fun… but maybe he could stay around. He was going to be stuck here, and he liked her. The decision seemed kind of easy.

Nate crossed over in front of her, taking a deep breath and forcing the confidence through. He stood before her by the edge of the couch, offering a small grin. He leaned in, whispering as he got in close, [color=04ed42]"I'm afraid you'll get tired of me… but I think it's worth the risk."[/color] Without further fanfare, he lifted his hands up to cup Tapeesa's cheeks. He pressed his lips to hers, reaffirmed by the warm rush that surged through his chest. He held her there for a moment that felt longer than it was, breaking the kiss briefly only to mutter a few clarifying words clumsily. [color=04ed42]"More than friends. Let's do that."[/color]

Tapeesa’s gaze lifted to his face reflexively as he crossed the room to stand in front of her. Her shallow breaths and racing heart made her tremble slightly from the uncertainty of what he was going to say or what he was thinking. His faint smile made her own flourish despite the nerves that still rattled around her chest. She held his gaze as he started leaning in, hands tightly gripping the armrest behind her. Somehow, someway the tension and anxiety from that one suspended moment was worse than all of her nerves over the past day combined. It felt like an eternity had passed before he spoke, and when he did his words were a soft whisper that ghosted across her skin. She laughed weakly like a breath she forgot to exhale. [color=0bbdaf]"I won’t—"[/color]

Before she could finish her thought, the last bit of space between them shrank until his lips found hers. While Tapeesa had been wanting to kiss him again since… Well, since the last time they kissed honestly, it didn’t cease the fluttering in her chest but heightened it. All the tension and nerves shifted towards something warm and new, but still like walking on unstable ground. When he pulled away, her eyes fluttered open, breathing heavily like she had just run the course a third time, not that she had forgotten to breathe or think. She chuckled at his clarification. She was smiling but it still hadn’t quite returned to its original brightness as a momentary panic settled in. 

[color=0bbdaf]"I wasn’t trying to force you to decide now or ever, I just…"[/color] The words came out fast, stumbling over one another like she couldn’t sift through her thoughts fast enough. [color=0bbdaf]"You said I could tell you what’s on my mind so we didn’t assume… And I just… I had been thinking about you a lot and thinking about [i]kissing[/i] you a lot. But I didn’t know…"[/color] With each new word Tapeesa’s face grew redder while the rambling got worse. She didn’t know what she was doing, or how to do… [i]this?[/i] She thought it was what she wanted, it [i]is[/i] what she wanted, but she didn’t want him being forced into it either. [color=0bbdaf]"Sorry… sorry,"[/color] she muttered apologetically.

Nate chuckled a little at Tapeesa’s own fumbling of words, clearly as flustered as he had been all this time. His hands still cradled her face, his smile bright at the feelings that had stemmed from their embrace. He lifted one palm up to stroke back loose strands of her hair from her face, a small effort to soothe her as he shook his head again. [color=04ed42]"Tapeesa… it’s dating. It’s not like I’m asking to get a dog,"[/color] he jested. He nodded in the direction of his duffel bag, his playful smile still present as he continued on. [color=04ed42]"I can still keep my stuff in the duffel so it doesn’t feel like such a commitment."[/color]

[color=0bbdaf]"No, I know."[/color] She laughed, the tension that had tightened across her shoulders easing at the gentle way he brushed aside her hair. Tappi let out a deep breath, forcing herself to relax, if only a fraction. [color=0bbdaf]"I didn’t want you to feel… [i]pressured[/i]."[/color] Her smile softened into something innocent and naive as she leaned in a little closer. [color=0bbdaf]"I have no clue what I’m doing,"[/color] she confessed quietly. There was a second or two that passed as she stood there silently, simply holding his gaze, but eventually his words redirected her attention over his shoulder toward his bag. [color=0bbdaf]"No. It’s ok… I don’t think there’s a closet, but I can go make room in my dresser. I don’t have much anyway."[/color]

Nate shrugged his shoulders at her brief confession, offering back a brief admission of his own. [color=04ed42]"I’m flying blind here too. Doesn’t look like there’s a permanent bar… and I don’t think the cafeteria offers much privacy."[/color] A tiny bit of panic fluttered his chest for a moment. He wasn’t exactly sure what a date would entail between them. He’d never been on anything particularly romantic, and a lot of his more intimate encounters were fairly spontaneous. He took a breath, shaking his head slightly. He didn’t want to move from that spot, but he had been sweating earlier and definitely needed another shower. He took a step back, drawing his hands back to his jacket pockets. [color=04ed42]"I… could probably use a shower anyways."[/color]

Her brows furrowed, tugging together slightly as she tried to connect the dots she was obviously missing. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Bar… privacy?[/i]"[/color] she echoed, hoping that if she repeated it out loud it would bring some clarity. It took a second or two before her eyes widened. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Oh.[/i]"[/color] Tappi shrugged her shoulders, fairly unbothered. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t care about that. I’ve never been on a date anyway,"[/color] she added, as if that would somehow lessen his worries. 

Then there was a second when he backed away that her body almost followed instinctively, but Tapeesa managed to keep herself cemented in place, still leaning back against the armrest. She nodded her head in acknowledgement. [color=0bbdaf]"Yeah, sure. I can clear some space while you’re in there."[/color] She pushed off the couch, unintentionally closing some of the space between them. She hesitated there for a second, looking up at him as her fingers began toying with the sleeves of her sweater once again. Maybe it was because several things were aired out between them, or maybe she had a new sense of confidence knowing they were at least somewhat on the same page, but while she stood there she leaned forward without hesitation, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek for no other reason than because she could. She then slipped past him, grabbing her book from the coffee table before making her way up the spiral staircase.

There was something about the small, sweet kiss Tapeesa planted on his cheek that seemed to soothe him in a way nothing else had. His eyes followed her as she made her way towards the stairs. He crossed back towards the door, kicking off his shoes so he didn’t track any more snow or dirt into the rest of the cabin. He plucked his bag from the ground, slinging it over his shoulder as he made to follow her. He made it a few steps up behind her before his eyes settled on her back. The cardigan was pretty, and it suited her well. He followed behind, step by step, up until they stumbled back into her room again. He dropped his bag just inside the bathroom by the door, a small smile on his lips as he took off his jacket. He dropped it onto his duffel, and then did the same with the hoodie after he peeled it off. His fingers had begun to grab the hem of his shirt when he paused, looking up in Tapeesa’s direction with wide eyes. [color=04ed42]"I’ll… be just a moment,"[/color] he muttered awkwardly, slowly guiding the door closed with his foot before he continued undressing.

Tapeesa walked toward her bedroom leaving him to shower or whatever, and very pointedly not looking toward the bathroom. That was until he spoke, drawing her attention back to him. Her gaze fell to where his hands gripped the hem of his shirt and her own eyes went wide before quickly turning back around. She made her way over to her bed, setting down her book, removing her cardigan and laying it down beside it. Her hands started twisting her hair as she walked over to her dresser. She grabbed a claw clip, pinning back her hair before getting to work reorganizing her dresser to clear up space. 

It didn’t take her that long to make two of the four drawers available. Once she was done, Tappi sat down on the foot of her bed with her legs crossed beneath her and started flipping through her book like she had originally intended to earlier before she fell asleep.

Nate didn’t take a long shower, quickly scrubbing away any leftover sand and stink that clung to him from the obstacle course. He had picked out a fresh set of clothes, slipping into a very loose tank top and tighter blank shorts. His hair was still wet and wild after a quick dry, by the time he had opened the bathroom door. He had left some of his dirty clothes in a pile next to the clothes from the morning, something he would have to tidy up later. He grabbed his bag, lifting it up over his shoulder as he stepped out. His eyes scanned the room again, an awkward smile as he looked over in Tapeesa’s direction. His gaze lingered there for a moment, taking in the sight of her again as if for the first time.

He eventually crossed over towards the dresser, briefly sliding open the drawers to see what space she had left. He nodded at the ample room, and began to slowly remove his clothes to slot them in. Everything he owned was rolled up into a cylinder. It didn’t matter if it was a shirt, boxers, a flannel, socks, or a pair of jeans. Each was rolled up tightly, and tossed into the drawers without much care for what ended up where. It was a chaotic display, one born of his usual relaxed demeanor. He would wear the first few things he grabbed from whichever drawer he would open, and make it work. When he was out of clothes, he hesitated. He removed an entire carton of cigarette packs, sheepishly shooting Tapeesa a look as he tossed it back into the bag. He didn’t exactly know what to do with them now, but it felt wrong to stash them in the drawer. Lastly, he clutched the final thing left in his bag: a somewhat large blue box. He raised an eyebrow, as if he forgot what he had packed. When realization dawned, he quickly tossed it into the bottom drawer of the dresser, shifting around his clothes to bury the box from view.

Tappi looked up when the door opened, holding her place in the book with her fingers gently resting on the page as she flashed him a small smile. She didn’t get up or anything, but pointed at the two lower drawers for him as he approached the dresser. For a second she attempted to resume reading, but for whatever reason his unpacking drew her attention. She noticed the cigarettes and mysterious box, but she didn’t ask, figuring if he wanted to share he’d tell her, no matter how curious she was. Instead she forced her attention back down to the paragraph she marked with the tip of her index finger, feigning ignorance as he finished.

Nate slammed the drawers shut when he was finished a little more forcefully than intended, standing up from his crouching position and stretching his back. He softly padded his way over towards the bed, his mouth open to ask for permission to join her before he paused. He decided to take some initiative, setting himself down on the bed next to her. He leaned back a little, palms extended to support himself as he leaned up against Tapeesa. [color=04ed42]"Good book?"[/color] He asked, his eyes focused on her instead of whatever she was reading.

She started at the loud bang of the drawer, looking up in time to watch one of her lip glosses topple over and roll off onto the ground. Tappi shook her head slightly, rolling her eyes playfully but left it. She could pick it up later. Her head tilted down slightly, returning to the sentence she was reading but kept peeking back up at him as he moved around before settling beside her. There was a soft fluttering that rose in her chest as she felt him press gently up against her, warming her body wherever they touched. Her brows rose as she turned to look over at him with a bashful smile. [color=0bbdaf]"Not particularly,"[/color] she admitted with a quiet chuckle. Keeping her thumb pressed to the page, she flipped close the book so Nate could read the cover. [i]‘Greek Mythology.’[/i] [color=0bbdaf]"River mentioned some ‘Pandora’s Box.’ I heard a couple other people talk about it too… I was trying to figure out what that actually [i]is.[/i]"[/color]

Nate nodded softly, leaning in closer than he needed to when getting a good look at the cover. Pandora rang a bell in his head, but not in a way that made sense. [color=04ed42]"Isn’t that… a jewelry store? They sell bracelets with little charms I think."[/color] A sly grin crossed his face as he raised an eyebrow, knowing he was definitely wrong on what River could possibly be talking about. It definitely wasn’t if Tapeesa had to look it up in a book about ancient legends. He shrugged his shoulders, nodding towards the book encouragingly. [color=04ed42]"What’d you find?"[/color]

Tappi felt him move closer before she saw it as more of his chest pressed against her while the warmth of his breath brushed the bare skin of her neck and shoulder. She peeked back over at him, her gaze not knowing where to focus, flitting back and forth between his eyes, his smile, whatever muscles were visible beneath his loose shirt then back up to his eyes. She drew in a shallow breath, trying to ignore the warmth she felt spreading across her cheeks, even as she giggled at his comment. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Nooo.[/i]"[/color] She rolled her eyes and started to shake her head but paused. [color=0bbdaf]"Well… I mean, [i]yes[/i], but no."[/color] Her head tilted to the side slightly before she continued. [color=0bbdaf]"I don’t imagine half of the people at camp are scared of charm bracelets."[/color]

She hummed quietly behind her smile as her attention slowly drifted back down to the book that rested in her lap. [color=0bbdaf]"Zeus—God of the sky and lightning or whatever—was mad at Prometheus for stealing fire and giving it to humans. But instead of taking it out on Prometheus, he wanted to punish humans who benefitted from the gift. So he, along with some of the other Gods, made the first woman and gave her as a gift to Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother. Zeus also gave her the infamous ‘box’—although it was actually a jar—and gave her strict instructions not to open it."[/color] Tapeesa clicked her tongue. [color=0bbdaf]"Well she did, and it released like every misery upon the world: sickness, disease, envy, greed, pain, sorrow… [i]death.[/i] She tried to close the lid and stop it, but it was too late and in her rush to close it, she also trapped ‘hope’ inside."[/color]

After taking a second to skim the page one last time and make sure she didn’t miss anything, she closed the book and ran her hands across the cover. [color=0bbdaf]"Based on what was said… I guess somehow this [i]box[/i] ended up at camp and caused a [i]lot[/i] of problems."[/color] Tappi rapped her fingers across the dense text while letting out a soft sigh.

Nate nodded thoughtfully as Tapeesa explained the story, closing his eyes to let his imagination wander. It felt like one of the fairy tales he read as a kid, but far less fun. It was also hard to visualize what something like “pain” would look like, or how it would fit into a pickle jar. In the end, he just shrugged it off. [color=04ed42]"Sounds like pretty bad news,"[/color] he concluded, eyeing the book for a moment. If he hadn't witnessed actual magic within the last twenty-four hours, he would have assumed this was some kind of metaphor. [color=04ed42]"So… I take it we should be careful if we try making a PB&J?"[/color] he asked, only half-joking.

Her laugh was soft and pensive. While Tapeesa wasn't the type to laugh in the face of misery or danger, his joke wasn't entirely out of line either. It wasn't like they, or any of the other new campers, were told about this box or what it looked like to avoid it. If she hadn't packed this book in her bag she wouldn't have had a clue about it at all. She wasn't the type to question authority, but River should consider enlightening everyone if he was going to use fear or preparation as a training tactic. Although that thought lingered, drawing the corners of her smile down slightly as her mind wondered over what kind of horrors could have been unleashed from that box. [color=0bbdaf]"If we're training to survive monsters and… Godly misery…"[/color] Her head tipped forward as she sighed softly. [color=0bbdaf]"I'm…"[/color] [i]Doomed? Screwed? As good as dead?[/i] She didn't finish her thought, just hummed deep in thought while her brows knit together. 

Nate let out a long exhale, wincing as he came to a dawning realization. [color=04ed42]"The obstacle course makes more sense now,"[/color] he commented, settling into the reality of what this camp was for. Monsters, gods, chaos… it would help to be in shape enough to at least outrun whatever came their way. If he really thought about it, he was pretty sure his mother mentioned something about being able to survive… but he figured she was trying to give him financial advice or sell him on an MLM. Life and death stuff was a whole different story. There was a single silver lining. [color=04ed42]"At least we've got each other's backs, right?"[/color]

Tapeesa nodded her head along slowly. It was adding up. Although that also meant if things really got that dire she'd be forced to choose between how many people she could help and her own safety. She wouldn't be able to save everyone and herself, the course only proved that. It was a sobering thought, because she knew herself and she knew that if that moment were to come, her decision likely wouldn't favor herself. She'd like to think that a situation like that would never happen, but now knowing just a sliver of what did happen, what [i]could[/i] happen… It didn't matter how tall the walls around camp were. 

Her smile grew at his other words, comforted in knowing that if things truly went south they could rely on each other. Although she did quickly realize… [color=0bbdaf]"I think I'm getting the better end of that arrangement,"[/color] she whispered. Her expression lightened into something a bit more playful as she turned her head to look over at him and shrugged her shoulder where he leaned against her. Tappi reached over, a bit hesitant at first, but she followed through, finding a small semblance of courage knowing she had blanket permission under the pretense of ‘more than friends’... or at least she hoped she did. Her hand lightly patted his leg before settling gently against his knee. [color=0bbdaf]"I'm only really helpful when it comes to healing. Otherwise?... I'm not even good at standing up for myself,"[/color] she confessed with a quiet scoff as she briefly thought back to the conversation she overheard in the hall.

Nate shrugged his own shoulders in response, his eyes focused on her hand on his knee. It was nice to be back to normal, joking and talking and touching without the cloud of doubt hanging over them. Nate scooted a fraction closer, so their thighs pressed against each other. He spoke softly, lifting his head to meet her gaze. [color=04ed42]"I'm sorry, Tapeesa, but magical healing is pretty helpful."[/color] He flashed a toothy grin, tilting his head back a little in a faux display of pride. [color=04ed42]"You can build up confidence… and I can stand up for you in the meantime. Deal?"[/color]

It was small, innocent—[i]kind of[/i]—yet him moving closer until their legs touched made that all too familiar fluttering return somewhere behind her sternum. It was frustrating. Tapeesa had foolishly assumed that, you know, being on the same page would have alleviated that, but no. The nerves were still there, just slightly different. They weren’t lingering around the what if’s and the uncertainty of how he felt or thought, but resided in anticipation and longing and a bunch of other feelings she was trying to wrap her mind around. She looked down at where the skin of their thighs touched and where her hand had settled on his knee before looking up at meeting his gaze. She laughed softly at his wide grin. [color=0bbdaf]"That’s because you’re accident prone and can’t feel pain,"[/color] she teased him with a gentle nudge of her shoulder. 

Her other hand ran along the cover of the book that still rested in her lap, fingertips lightly tracing the embossed title as she tried to imagine what a confident version of herself would be like. Tappi didn’t think she had the worst self esteem by any means, but she had often been told she was far too nice. She was usually the first person to lay down like a doormat rather than face conflict. But it had worked well for her so far. She didn’t often upset people or have disagreements… until camp anyway. She sighed, pursing her lips as she weighed his offer. [color=0bbdaf]"Well… Hopefully you never have to. I try very hard [i]not[/i] to cause problems. Just, you know, ignore the past day."[/color] She chuckled guiltily, cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. [color=0bbdaf]"But sure. [i]Deal,[/i]"[/color] she conceded with a small nod of her head.

Nate nodded happily at her agreement, letting out a little chuckle. [color=04ed42]"Some guys are just clueless, and it isn't really your fault,"[/color] he chuckled, the irony of the statement given the day's problems seeming completely lost on him. Her smile, her blush, her dimples all sent little jolts of warmth through his chest. He leaned his head back forward, his eyes flashing with delight. [color=04ed42]"I think this deal works out in my favor… I get a pretty cute nurse out of it,"[/color] he teased, his eyes flicking down towards her smile briefly.

Tapeesa's brows raised as a small snort of a laugh slipped out. She quickly lifted her hand from his knee to cover her mouth, trying to muffle the sound and hide part of her cheeky grin. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Mhmm,[/i]"[/color] she mused, her smile still prevalent through the bright glint in her eyes. [color=0bbdaf]"Figure that out from first hand experience [i]oooooor[/i],"[/color] she goaded him gently before biting on her bottom lip to suppress her smile that stubbornly curled upwards. If it wasn't for the way her playful mood lingered, his comment might have stunned the words out of her. Still, her bright laughter shifted to a soft flustered giggle as her gaze moved from him to stare at a small knot in the wood floor. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Yeah, yeah.[/i]"[/color] She brushed him off with a small shake of her head while tucking loose hair behind her ear. 

Nate's smile grew a little wider at Tapeesa's bashfulness, his eyes studying her carefully as he considered his response. It was surprisingly bold of her to comment about herself like that, but he didn't exactly disagree. He opted to continue to play the game. [color=04ed42]"As a matter of fact,"[/color] he declared, [color=04ed42]"I did find out from first hand experience. She even shared some [i]medicine[/i] after."[/color] He emphasized the word, drawing it out while giggling a little. He never stopped watching her expression, bumping his shoulder into hers playfully. He was willing to roll the dice, taking a breath before he spoke. [color=04ed42]"I think she looks cuter today."[/color] He let that hang, a statement delivered as if it were just a simple fact. From what he knew, he figured that would get a rise out of her.

[color=0bbdaf]"I…"[/color] she started, but quickly lost her words. Her pulse quickened and cheeks somehow grew more red as her lips scrunched in that anxious way they did when she was trying desperately to mask her smile. Tapeesa blinked slowly as his compliment settled somewhere in her chest, warm and fluttering, making it difficult for her to think clearly. She cleared her throat, softly chewing on her bottom lip as she finally looked back over at him with a timid, lopsided smile. [color=0bbdaf]"I was… making a joke about [i]you[/i] being a clueless guy,"[/color] she confessed under her breath before her face contorted into something playfully guilty, but also apologetic.

Nate's face contorted in confusion for a moment. But she mentioned first-hand… the realization brightened his cheeks and had him flop down flat on his back suddenly. They both bounced a little from the impact, and Nate covered his face with his hands. In between groans he managed to mutter, [color=04ed42]"I'm not helping my case, am I?"[/color] He was trying to be smooth and get Tapeesa flustered… only to miss the obvious. He shook his head. [color=04ed42]"I was trying to flirt,"[/color] he confessed with a sad whine, his eyes screwed shut. Part of him really craved a smoke.

A surprised sound slipped out as the bed bounced beneath her. She couldn't help but laugh, unguarded and deep from inside her chest, at his various groans and whines. Tapeesa even snorted at one point as she looked back over her shoulder toward him. She slowly set aside her book on top of her cardigan that lay on the bed next to her, along with the clip she removed from her hair. Her hands pressed into the mattress as she slowly shifted, then laid down beside him. Rather than being on her back like him, she settled onto her side with her head propped up in one hand. Her knee subconsciously bent so that just a fraction of it rested on top of his leg. She studied him for a long moment with raised brows and a bright toothy smile that never faded. [color=0bbdaf]"You [i]did[/i] flirt,"[/color] she clarified softly with a gentle poke to his side. [color=0bbdaf]"Or did you miss the blushing while you were being all huffy?"[/color]

Nate felt Tapeesa shift next to him, but he continued to cover his face for a moment. He felt her leg touch his, causing him to slowly open his eyes. He didn't quite look over yet, relishing her gentle banter. He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. [color=04ed42]"[i]Yeah, yeah,[/i]"[/color] he whispered, mimicking her own words moments earlier. He finally wiped his hands down his face, turning his head to see Tapeesa. His downtrodden face immediately lit up when he saw hers, and saw how close she was. He shifted next to her, rolling onto his side with her knee trapped between his. The small space between them grew shorter with his move. He tilted his head a little to get a full look at her form. A pleased hum resonated in his chest when he met her gaze again. [color=04ed42]"I… did miss the blushing. Can you show me again?"[/color] He whispered teasingly with a playful smile.

Tapeesa scoffed softly as he echoed her playfully dismissive tone, shaking her hand as she stared at the back of his hands as they covered his face. She waited patiently until he finally looked over at her. When his expression brightened, her dimples faded just a smidge as her smile settled into something softer like quiet content. It lasted for little more than a second before Nate started to move. Her free hand pressed against the bed in preparation to sit up or make room, but before she could adjust one way or the other he locked her knee in place between his as he turned to face her. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered back to life as her gaze drifted down the narrow chasm of space between them to their interlocked legs, before looking back up into his eyes. Her fingers idly twiddled with the blanket beneath them as she laughed softly. [color=0bbdaf]"I can’t do it on command,"[/color] she mused quietly. But it seemed, regardless of her contradictions, his playful whispers and contagious smile elicited the familiar warmth of a blush that bloomed along her chest and crept across her cheeks. 

Nate waited a moment, watching her cheeks change color. Between her unbound hair and the small change in her face, Nate's chest fluttered in anticipation. Why was he so worked up? He's been in this situation before, but it felt different this time. He wanted to reach out and cross that tiny fraction of space between them… but he couldn't. A mischievous smile crossed his lips. [color=04ed42]"Are you sure?"[/color] He teased again, his eyes never leaving her soft lips. [color=04ed42]"I don't think you could make me blush so easily,"[/color] he challenged.

Her jaw dropped, just a fraction, as a stunned incredulousness flashed across her face. [color=0bbdaf]"You’re such a little instigator,"[/color] Tapeesa rebutted, her voice pitching in defense of his goading. [color=0bbdaf]"I made you blush like [i]two seconds ago,[/i]"[/color] she added. Her hand rose of its own volition, pressing against his chest. She went to shove him playfully, leaning her body towards his for leverage, but she froze when the tip of her nose brushed his. The brief touch made her breath hitch and her fingers subconsciously curled into the fabric of his shirt. 

When she finally forced her eyes to meet his she saw the way he stared at her lips, drawing her own gaze to similarly fall to his mouth. [color=0bbdaf]"You’re going to owe me a favor,"[/color] she whispered beneath her shaky breaths, her smile still bright and bashful as her pulse quickened. Time slowed as her body moved absent thought, drawn to him like gravity, severing the space between them until her lips locked with his. It was gentle, timid, and trembling from the way the pounding of her heart made her shudder, but there was also a tiny spark of confidence in knowing that he wanted to kiss her too. 

This was different.

Nate's heart pounded in his chest, the soft connection of their lips sending a warmth radiating out over his whole body. It was, simply put, intoxicating. It was cute how nervous she was even when goaded. He was gentle with her at first, parting his lips and coaxing her like he did the night before. His free hand lifted up to her side, fingers pressed against bare skin as he lost himself in her.

This was more than just friendly or lustful.

By the time Nate pulled his head back slightly, he was already panting softly. She had sucked whatever breath he had away. As he slowly opened his eyes, he could tell his cheeks burned brightly without needing a mirror. He giggled softly as he slowly recalled her words before the kiss. [color=04ed42]"You play dirty, Toppings."[/color] She had won at his own game, but he certainly didn't feel like a loser. His eyes were bright, his smile returned in full force. He wasn't done. [color=04ed42]"But so do I."[/color] He moved quickly. He shifted to free the arm he had tucked underneath himself, and proceeded to slide that liberated hand between the blanket and Tapeesa. In a swift motion, he hoisted her up as he rolled onto his back.

Tapeesa’s hand had just released his shirt and inched its way up to cup the side of his neck when their lips parted. Her chest heaved, pressing against Nate’s with every deep breath in the narrow space they shared. She kept her eyes closed for a second or two longer before opening them to his wide grin and cheeks nearly as red as his hair. Her smile came back warmer and practically luminescent knowing that she beat him, at least once. [color=0bbdaf]"You didn’t set any rules,"[/color] she playfully mocked him, using his own methodology against him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. 

Her head drew back and cocked to the side like a curious animal at his playful threat. Before she could try to decipher his meaning, his arms curled around her, holding her close. Her eyes widened and a high pitched noise slipped out as the room tilted until she was no longer lying on her side, but on top of Nate. Her hands reflexively braced against the bed on either side of his head while her knees slipped to bracket his waist and support her weight. Long raven hair spilled over one shoulder and brushed the side of his face as her breaths came heavy and erratic. A deep flush colored her chest and face as she looked down at him with a stunned smile that was equal parts shock and a foreign excitement that fluttered warm and unbidden somewhere inside her. 

[color=0bbdaf]"You still owe me a favor,"[/color] Tapeesa chastised him playfully through her grin and gritted teeth. [color=0bbdaf]"I made you blush, so I win,"[/color] she teased him as she propped herself up on one arm so she could lift her other hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.

Nate was awestruck by the sight before him. His smile lost some of its bite, instead a goofy grin that seemed utterly pleased at the turn of events. It took a moment of blinking to come to his senses. His hands still held Tapeesa's waist tight, his unfocused gaze caught on what glimpse he had of Tapeesa's face behind her wild locks. He tried to put up resistance, more out of instinct than anything. [color=04ed42]"It's more of a draw than..."[/color] He didn't finish the thought as Tapeesa brushed some of the hair out of her face. He shook his head, letting go of her to raise his hands near his head in faux surrender. [color=04ed42]"No… no, you win. You can have anything you want."[/color]

Everything about the position they were in felt far more intimate than their time spent on the couch the night before, and while the reactive part of Tapeesa wanted to immediately move off of him, there was a stronger dormant part of her that stirred with curiosity and anticipation that didn't want to move at all. Her gaze remained on him, soft and unwavering through the constant churning of her nerves. She couldn't help but notice the way his smile changed. It was brighter, with less of his playful charm but no less present or happy to be in the position he put himself in. Something about that look and the way his hands still held her waist didn't make her panic or pull away like she normally would have, but she almost settled into it.

Tappi couldn't help the way her smile dulled when his hands slipped from her waist, leaving the small bit of exposed skin chilled with the absence of his warmth. Her gaze followed his hand as he moved it, but once he held it up in playful surrender she couldn't fight her quiet laugh that escaped. [color=0bbdaf]"[i]Anything I want?[/i]"[/color] she mused. [color=0bbdaf]"That's dangerous."[/color]

She mulled it over for a long moment, not moving, just resting there as her gaze drifted from his eyes, to his lips, to his hands, and back again. Nate said she could have anything she wanted. If she didn't say ‘favor’ then it didn't count… [i]Right?[/I] That thought resonated for a second or two before her hand slipped off the bed and lightly wrapped around his wrist. She swallowed and her blush deepened as she tentatively guided his hand back to where it had been resting on her waist earlier. She drew in a shaky breath before slowly looking back up into his eyes. [color=0bbdaf]"I… like when you hold me,"[/color] Tapeesa whispered, like the confession was just as new to her as it would be to him.

This woman was going to drive him crazy.

Nate's placid grin widened as his fingers pressed against Tapeesa's skin. She was warm and soft in his hand. His other hand reached up to her left side, his eyes remained trained on her adorable expression. His thumbs traced tiny circles under her ribs. [color=04ed42]"Your skin is so… smooth,"[/color] he whispered tenderly.  His hands slowly slid down to the side of Tapeesa's hips, fingers rubbing and massaging as they went. [color=04ed42]"I… really like holding you,"[/color] he admitted softly. 

Tapeesa’s hands ran along the bed, briefly brushing his shoulders as she adjusted to sit more upright rather than hover over top of him. She had hoped that the greater space between them might have brought back some clarity to her foggy and dazed mind, but all it did was bring more of him into view, which only flustered her more. She laughed nervously, her blush never fading as his quiet words vibrated in the air between them. Her hands found their way to his wrists and softly ran along his arms until they settled halfway up his forearms, not to hold him in place but to reciprocate a… [i]fairly[/i] innocent touch. Her smile remained permanently carved into her cheeks to the point it almost ached as she met his gaze. [color=0bbdaf]"I suppose that’s a benefit of dating,"[/color] she mused softly as her thumbs gently rubbed his arms.

The intimacy of it all wasn’t lost on Tapeesa. She was inexperienced, not stupid. She was more than aware of the position they were in—or more aptly, the position [i]he[/i] put them in—her on top of him, his hands holding her hips… the bed. She meant what she had said before, that she wasn’t that type of girl. But that didn’t stop her mind from wandering either. Warmth radiated and coursed through her wherever Nate touched her, tingling along her skin like electricity. Her gaze fell to his hands, trailing along the muscles in his arms to the glimpses of his chest beneath his loose tank top. She swallowed and sucked in a sharp breath as she went to look back in his eyes, but her attention betrayed her, occasionally slipping back down to his lips. [color=0bbdaf]"You’re making it very difficult for me not to kiss you again,"[/color] she whispered, the words coming out more like a teasing accusation as her smile curled with bashful guilt.

Dating. The word sunk in slowly. Even if that's what they had agreed to, it was still almost unreal. Despite a lot of flings, Nate's relationships never really reached the dating stage. The rush of endorphins and other hormones through his system dulled the shock and nerves that came from trying to sort out how he felt. He focused on every point of connection he had with Tapeesa. Her hands on him, his hands on her, the weight she rested upon him. He was blissfully lost in the sensation as she spoke, his eyes locking on her lips. He tilted his head up a little, his eyes slowly dragging their gaze to meet hers. [color=04ed42]"I guess that's another perk of dating,"[/color] he echoed, his hands slowly sliding back up to Tapeesa's lower back. [color=04ed42]"You don't need permission to kiss me, Tapeesa."[/color]

She nodded her head slowly as her lips scrunched in that silly way they did whenever she was trying her best not to let her smile shine through. [color=0bbdaf]"Touché,"[/color] Tapeesa conceded with a quiet laugh that wavered nervously. The urge to kiss him again was undeniably strong. It had been all day, from when they were floating around each other in the morning to the way he lifted her up out of the pool… and now. The way he looked at her, the tickling warmth of his touch, and just the knowledge that he liked her too all tugged at her like an intangible tether. She wanted to feel his lips against hers, wanted to feel the euphoric wave of sensations that washed over her like nerves, and excitement, and other things she didn't know how to name. But there was also the elephant in the room because now that she said it, it’d be weird if she did kiss him, weirder still if she didn’t. 

Tapeesa stared down at him, softly chewing on her bottom lip as she weighed her inhibitions, waiting to see what part of her would win out: her confidence or her hesitance. She dwelled on it far longer than she should have until her body moved before her brain had a chance to catch up. Her right released her hold on his arm, raising up to sweep her hair over one shoulder and hold it in place. Her other hand fell to press against his chest, bracing herself as she leaned back down and pressed her lips to his before she could talk herself out of it. The kiss was little more than a lingering peck, but lasted long enough that it heightened her senses. The air caught in her lungs as something so small and simple sent an elated chill down her back. She pulled away, only an inch or two, to draw in a shaky breath as she opened her eyes to look back down at him.

Nate let out a small, shuttered breath as their lips parted. His eyes remained screwed shut after the kiss, his hands having slid back to her hips and holding tightly in some small way to keep him grounded. He wasn't smiling, his lips barely parted from the sudden removal of their partner's. When Nate's lids fluttered open just a crack, he subtly shook his head. [color=04ed42]"More."[/color] His request was soft, yet yearning. His left hand began to slide up Tapeesa's side, fingers ghosting along skin and fabric until it rested on her cheek. [color=04ed42]"Pretty please?"[/color] He asked breathlessly, laced with what mirth and jest he could muster.

Her smile slowly returned, unable to restrain the soft laugh that escaped at how utterly pathetic he sounded. And for whatever reason—probably the persistent churning inside her—Tappi also found it surprisingly adorable and hard to resist. Her right hand fell from where it had been holding her hair to gently rest along the curve of his neck while she slowly let her weight settle on top of him like she knew before giving in, that Nate wasn't going to let her free anytime soon. [color=0bbdaf]"You’re pitiful,"[/color] she whispered, her words were nothing but soft and affectionate in their teasing. Her chest pressed flush against him as she inhaled an uneven breath then closed the sliver of space between them. Her lips parted just before they locked with his in a kiss that was deeper and less reserved than the last. 

Any remaining hesitation dissolved when their breaths hitched and with that the tension that had been building finally snapped. They were quickly lost in a moment that narrowed down to passionate kisses and lingering touches, as the world outside of that small cabin ceased to exist. [/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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