Ghost of Time

[Nika Raskov]

Nika’s grin matched Liv’s.  The flush prompted a giggle and a shake of her head.  Who knew what had just popped into the other’s mind.  She dropped her dark eyes to what remained of her delectable dessert in order to give Liv time to compose herself.  They hadn’t even had a hot and heavy make-out session so anything beyond that wasn’t on her radar at all.  She finished her last bite as the bear comment snapped her eyes up sharply.  She wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.  

A concerned “What?” escaped before turning to a snort of laughter.  “There’ll be plenty of room in the back for all your friends.”  Her watch buzzed a notification.  “Would you like a ride home tonight or are you taking the Metro?”

[Liv]

Liv laughed. "Well now I better tell you I was joking. Last thing I want you thinking I'm some weirdo who who has some unhealthy relationship with stuffed animals.. Jeez, how embarrassing that would be. "I'll be sure to ration out the crazy. A grin held her face as she played up the stupid trope about early days of a relationship. 

"But a ride would be nice, if you dont mind ." ] And now, strangely, that bit of courage continued to grow. She reached out a hand and put it tentatively on Nika's and smiled. Only a moment. Only a single moment. But her heart thundered  in her chest and she couldn't hepp the smile.

[Nika Raskov]

Hand pressed briefly to her chest, Nika blew out a breath in mock relief that held a small amount of truth.  “That’s a relief because I find stuffies a little unnerving…with their beady little eyes following you around judging you and watching you sleep…”  She shuddered as if something was crawling up the back of her neck.  “Yeah, you ration your crazy and I’ll ration mine, okay?”  Nika grinned.

“I’ll risk your ire and take care of the check.”  She tapped her wallet on the table’s pay point and smoothly returned it to a pocket inside her light jacket.  “I don’t mind at all now that I can cover up my crazy with a more reasonable method of transportation.”  She leaned in conspiratorially.  “I’ve swapped out my spy vehicle with a tank to throw off my enemies.”  Nika’s smile broadened and her eyes glinted at Liv’s touch.  She turned her hand over slowly so they were holding hands across the table.  They should go…early start tomorrow…but it was so nice to touch and be touched again.  So Nika just sat and enjoyed the moment.