Closer
"Wooh, that battle was so great!" Simon said excitedly, folding his arms behind his head, eyes on the ceiling. Nia bounced happily along beside him, their footsteps echoing off the solid metal hallways of Dai-Gurren.
A polite smile fell upon her lips. She loved to listen to Simon after battles with Gunmen that ended in their favor, when his eyes sparkled and his chest swelled in triumph; the nearly tangible exhilaration and pride came off of him in waves.
"Man, did you see me out there?" he continued, turning to her. "My heart's still beating super fast! Look, see!"
He reached for her hand, placing it gingerly upon his chest. Sure enough, Simon's heartbeat produced a quick, rhythmic, bum-bump bum-bump.
"Wow!" Nia exclaimed, "I can feel its strength! But...it sounds so muffled."
"Well, yeah, all heartbeats are like that, Nia," Simon explained with a patient smile. He chuckled softly at her expression as she concentrated on hearing it better, leaning in slightly closer.
Nia took in the sensations of Simon's heartbeat beneath her fingertips and the soft fabric of his clothing for a full minute before she spoke again.
"But I want to be closer," she said, her lips easily forming the words. And with that, she snaked her hand under his open blue shirt and touched his chest, brushing sensitive skin as she spread her fingers.
"N-Nia?" Simon spluttered, goose bumps raising on the back of his neck.
"That's better," she commented. She enjoyed the feel of Simon's warm, subtly tanned skin, much better than his worn clothes, and the way his heartbeat stumbled then accelerated in pace when she lightly tapped her fingers.
Simon's cheeks glowed red as he scratched the back of his head nonchalantly. Nia smiled her angel's smile and, in her mind, all was forgotten as she walked away, satisfied, while Simon couldn't help but memorize the feel of her hands on his skin.