nik immediately returned the embrace. "thank you, tessa."
for putting up with me, he meant. for seeing past the sly smile, butterfly knife and bullet scars. for showing him how to properly love again. he expected her to leave him in the dust after that drunken night together, but she kept contact. just that surprised him.
She smiled as she buried her face into the crook of his neck, slightly tightening her hold. Who knew that they'd end up like this? Going on a date and spilling their feelings with just two simple words? Actually enjoying each other's presence?
he stood, hugging her for a while, and eventually stepped back just enough to lay a kiss on her forehead. he didn't quite know how to go about actually kissing her, but that's alright.
"I think we should continue on with this date," she murmured, eyes flicking around his face for any sign of what he was thinking.
"and what would you mean by that?" he asked playfully, leaning back but keeping his arms loosely around her waist.
"I mean, did you have something else planned besides just standing here?" She was feeling much more lighthearted than she had been in a long time–and it was great. It'd been too long, and she couldn't even remember a time she was happy like this.
he looked out over the lake.
"festival of lights should start soon. see the cords?" he pointed out some hanging glass lights, as well as their dark cords wrapped around poles and in branches. the small fountain in the middle of the lake was to be lit up as well.
"it's a celebration, of the city. the wonderers of our district built this place a long time ago, but it was never an official district until recently. ain't that cool?"
Tessa nodded, her gaze curiously following where he pointed. "Really cool. I just can't believe I never found this place before. I'm seriously gonna kick myself later today."
"awh, don't do that. you have a job that keeps you decently in place, and there's not many assholes around here to assassinate, and there's no secret underground labs to be heard of." he bumped her shoulder with his.
"honestly, when i get too old to keep the journalism up i think i'll move here."
"Ever consider that I just want a break from all that?" she asked, kinda sorta serious. She looked around again, constantly awestruck with the beauty of this part of the city. She had always told herself that once her mission was complete–that all of the labs and the scientists running the experiments were done with–she would remove herself from the Mafia and just settle into a somewhat normal life. Go far away from her past; away from the life of crime; be free from the constant fear that a dagger was hovering over her back.
This place reminded her of that promise to herself. This part of the city struck her as a place filled with wonder and light. A place devoid of the darkness and corruption threatening to sink their claws and roots into its foundation. She didn't want to admit it out loud, but she found herself considering the same thing as what Nik had said. Move here once it was all over. Rid herself of the shackles keeping her contained to that rotten and corrupted part of the city. Go someplace where her name wasn't uttered with fear.
"absolutely, but you seem as if you have a mission. although, any time you want a break i'll be happy to take you someplace. here again, or somewhere else."
the neon district was his home, yes, but he felt it was time to move. the dim slums were no longer safe, and the sewers rattle with the sounds of chase going on above. when his parents showed him around their new district, he looked in wonder at the healthy streets.
when he was dragged, rubble scraping his skin off and leaving a bloody trail, he thought of this. these glowing colors.
speaking of them, they flickered on as the sun sank. many different soft colors filled the already painted sky, and nik squeezed tessa's hand gently in reassurance.
Tessa smiled at him before turning her attention to the lights. For someone who lived in darkness, she loved colors and lights and life. She loved simple beauties like architecture and stars and glowing lanterns and strings of colorful lights. She loved looking at the sunsets and sunrises.
She slightly leaned against Nik as she looked up at the sky.
he let her, humming happily as they watched the lightshow.
"Thank you for today," she whispered, not taking her eyes off the lights. "I really needed it."
"never a problem, love. i think we both did."
(timeskip?)
(Sure. To when?)
(i dunno maybe back at her place and things either get saucy or they just cuddle and talk how does that sound)
(That works for me, and I'm fine with either direction. You want me to start?)
(if you would)
Still holding hands, they headed back to her place. The sky was dark and sparkling with a blanket of stars above them.
As the scenery turned back into the familiar crappy and tainted streets, Tessa tried to hold the memory of the place Nik had taken her to. Though a simple date, she had loved it.
after a while, nik spoke up.
"you know, i'll take you back sometime. we can properly explore. or i can just give you the subway directions, either one works for me."
She looked over at him. "I think I'd prefer exploring with you. Knowing me, I'd find some way to royally screw up something on my own. Plus, it's nice–being with you." She quickly looked away after she blurted that last part out. She hadn't meant to say that out loud.
nik brightened, responding in kind.
"it's nice being with you as well. i'd think it a bit awkward if it wasn't, considering we professed our undying love for each other last night."
he hoped she didn't take the joke awkwardly.
She snorted. "Still disappointed we 'processed our undying love' in the more civilized manner as opposed to breaking out into song and dance, dragging poor randoms into it for added effect. No confetti or fireworks. No shouting it off the rooftops." She smiled with amusement as she spoke. "Such a shame, really. We're just two average, boring people who did it the simpler, quieter version." She hoped he caught her sarcasm.
"ah yes, a shame we weren't born as broadway musical characters. green 1000 watt lights never suited me anyway." he spoke almost seriously, but his face gave him away. eyebrows raised, mirth obvious in his expression
She couldn't help but laugh. They reached her place, and she stopped just before it. "You staying again or no?" She turned to look at him fully, silently wishing he'd say he's staying the night again.
"i'd like to." he answered, choosing not to elaborate why. he figured she knew. "if you don't mind."
"I don't," she said perhaps a bit too quickly. "Mind, that is. In case you thought…" She stopped right there, ready to bash her head against a wall. She sighed and opened the door. "Ignore me."
"i don't think that'd be polite of me, considering i'm in your house." he teased.
She laughed and headed inside. "Well, i gave you permission…"