So I'm realllly nervous and excited to write for this fandom! I've watched the show for years (and I'm super bummed they're ending it) and I just recently started reading fan fiction for it, and I love it. Hopefully the fandom grows more because I can't get enough of it, especially now that the show is ending. I'm not terribly familiar with Nathan and Audrey, so I apologize in advance if it's wonky. Also, every fanfic I've read for this fandom is in 3rd POV and I've never wrote in 3rd POV before but I feel left out if I don't. Sorry if I suck
The story is based off of the song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" the cover by Sweet Talk Radio. This song played on 2x06 (Audrey Parker's Day Off) and it's an adorable song. The time frame is also somewhere in season two. Hope you guys like it :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the show and, unfortunately, I do not own Nathan Wuornos.
Tonight you're mine, completely
"Okay Parker," Nathan said over the grumbling of the engine. "Where to?"
Audrey glanced at him from her passenger side of the Bronco with a knowing smile on her face. They both knew where they would end up going, but the day had been calm and uneventful -rare for Haven and a true thing to celebrate- so she decided to humor him.
"Mmm," she hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Chinese sounds good."
Nathan grimaced. "Chinese? Are you sure? I'm really in the mood for-"
"Pancakes?" Audrey finished, laughing lightly. Even in the velvet darkness of the truck she saw his cheeks redden.
"Well, if you insist."
They pulled up to The Gull, the bar in full swing as always. Duke was nothing if not a good host and business man.
"Audrey, Nate!" He greeted them with a wide grin, clamping his hand down on Nathan's shoulder and leaning in to give Audrey a kiss on the cheek. Nathan bristled and met her warning glance. Be nice, Nathan.
"Lot of business here tonight," Nathan commented, trying to distract himself with the unfortunate aftermath of the jealousy that surged through him. Duke knew where their boundaries were, and he knew of Nathan's protective and possessive nature towards the small blonde. Nathan also knew of Audrey's feelings, and she did nothing but return Duke's affecionate (overly affectionate, in Nathan's opinion) attempt with a gentle and genial smile. That aside, he still didn't take too kindly to other men touching his Audrey.
"Ben Smith's birthday." Duke informed them, nodding towards the tables that were pushed together to seat the large and very drunk group that was celebrating. Cheers erupted throughout the bar and Duke grinned, eyeing a small waisted waitress passing out hard liquor to the inhabitants of the bar.
"You two lovebirds enjoy your evening," Duke quipped halfheartedly, giving Audrey a smile and Nathan a solute. Nathan rolled his eyes at Duke's theatrics but was glad they were able to get along again. For the most part, anyway.
They took their seats and Audrey began looking through the bar's limited menu and sighed when she couldn't find anything she wanted. She envied Nathan's devotion to pancakes.
"I feel.. Weird." She turned to him and smiled slightly when she noticed he was already looking at her.
"Bad weird?" He asked.
Audrey shrugged. "I just think it's strange that we went the whole day without a call for a trouble."
"Don't, you're going to jinx us." He joked, watching her intently to see if he had lightened the mood. His frown deepened when she continued staring ahead. She looked.. troubled.
"Nathan, maybe I should leave Haven."
"Maybe not," he answered a little too quickly. He would've been embarrassed in any other situation at having sounded so desperate. But he couldn't think through the panic that was clawing at his chest. Audrey can't leave him; ever.
"We know the troubles are connected to me somehow," she said intensely. He didn't react to her comment in fear that he would only encourage her to leave.
"What.. What if they came because I came? Or because I was coming? What if the troubles are my trouble?"
"That's.. not possible." He responded weakly. Don't let her go, don't let her go!
"Then why am I immune?" She demanded, leaning so closely he could smell her perfume. "Troubled people aren't affected by their own troubles."
Well that made sense, which terrified Nathan even more. He wracked his brain, trying to think of anything that would rebut what she had said.
"What about Lucy Ripley?" He blurted, feeling a surge of guilt at the relief he felt when her face fell. "What if she is your mom? If you leave, you'll never know.."
"Nobody tells me anything anyways!" She snapped frustratedly. Nathan knew her well enough not to be offended at her outburst; she was frustrated with the situation, not him.
Well maybe she was a little frustrated with him.
"I swear, everyone in this town exceeds in excellence at keeping secrets." She muttered.
Nathan laughed softly and smiled. "Everything happens for a reason, Parker."
"Tell me about it," she muttered, taking a long swig of her beer. It was knocked into her lap shortly after that when the highly intoxicated birthday boy fell into her. Nathan glowered at the man and jumped to his feet so quickly the stool clattered to the floor, pushing Audrey behind him protectively.
"Watch it." He growled.
Ben peered around Nathan at Audrey and smiled so widely you could see every one of his straight white teeth. "Sorry about that, pretty lady."
"It's alright." Audrey said, smiling through the irritation. She didn't necessarily enjoy beer in her crotch. She glanced down and grabbed one of Nathan's shaking hands. "Nathan, I'm fine." She whispered into his ear.
Duke rushed to the scene, noting the way everyone -who was also aware of the situation at hand- cowered into their chairs after noticing Nathan's murderous glare. Duke groaned internally. Didn't everyone in this town know by now that nothing gets passed Nathan where Audrey is concerned? He thought back to when Audrey had been shot while on a case she'd convinced Nathan she could do without him. Laverne and the Chief made sure to not let this news get to Nathan, but he'd heard over the scanner that Officer Parker was being rushed into surgery with alarming vitals. Nathan had gone berserk, cursing everyone in the station and this god forsaken town that hid the fact that the most important person in the world was dying. Stan had drove him to the hospital after a fit of protest. Nathan insisted he could drive himself, but his hands and legs were shaking so badly and his head was swimming with terror and he could barely even breathe. That was a long day for everyone.
"Ben!" Duke called enthusiastically, trying to escape from memory lane and remember what was happening. One look at Nathan's face returned his focus in a millisecond. "Come on buddy. No, no, it's fine. Let's have some cake, huh?" Duke gave them a sheepish grin as he dragged Ben away who was still mumbling apologies and comments on how pretty! Audrey looked tonight.
Audrey took a deep breath, shaking her head. "Um."
Nathan grinned. "Hey Parker, you've got some-"
"Shut up," she laughed, slapping him lightly on the arm.
"I'll go get some paper towels."
"I could just go upstairs and change." She reminded him, nodding her head towards the ceiling.
He shook his head and motioned towards the bar. "We haven't finished."
"I'll go change and I'll be right down."
He chuckled. "You know I'm gonna follow you up there, and then neither of us are going to want to come back down."
Audrey grinned. "Yeah, okay."
Nathan pressed his lips against hers for a second and backed away, smiling at her fondly. "Be right back."
Audrey surveyed the bar while she awaited her partners return. It had calmed down immensely, the loud cheers and clatters of glasses had dissolved into a quiet hum as people settled down and started leaving. Even Duke, in all of his bachelor glory, looked worn out. He smiled at her tiredly from across the bar and she felt a weary smile on her own face. Audrey noticed movement to her left and turned, confused, since Nathan had previously vacated the seat to her right. She opened her mouth to voice her thoughts on the matter, but when she saw who was sitting in the chair, her mouth dropped. As did her stomach.
"Chris, hi." She feigned enthusiasm, which she instantly regretted. It sounded awkward and forced even to her own ears.
His smile didn't falter. "Audrey, it's so nice to see you."
"What are you doing back?" Audrey asked in, what she hoped, was nonchalance. She didn't have good enough acting skills to return the sentiment. She prayed silently that the loaded question would deter him from her obvious dodge.
Chris's smile fell a little, but he pressed on. Guy can't take a hint, Audrey muttered silently to herself.
"Just missed home is all."
She vaguely wondered if he'd been talking about her. Audrey studied his features; his unshaven face that still managed to look clean, his grey-green eyes that seemed to twinkle in this light. Her mind immediately flashed back to the night they spent together, tangled between the sheets. Chris was a handsome man, that was obvious. He could even be nice and thoughtful occasionally. But she craved a slim, stubbly face with cheekbones girls would die for and startling, gorgeous blue eyes. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew her and Chris could have made it. Maybe in a different time; a different world.
But in this world, she was unconditionally and undeniably in love with Nathan Wuornos.
Nathan emerged from the bathroom, whistling lowly as he turned to make his way to the girl that never left his mind. He stopped short when he saw another man occupying her attention. He almost laughed when he realized he never truly knew the fierce loyalty and protectiveness one could hold for another; never imagined he would feel so damn possessive and jealous over somebody either. But he did. Nathan felt it in the pit of his stomach, traveling up to his racing heart and made his vision swim with a angry, crimson haze.
Not again, he groaned silently.
He looked at the wet paper towel his hand clutched. He was grateful he couldn't feel, he knew his hand would be aching with the force of his grasp. Nathan discarded the paper towel so he could use her beer soaked pants as an excuse if Brody demanded one. All he knew was he needed that man away from Audrey, now.
Nathan approached them and lightened when he heard Audrey laugh awkwardly at something Chris said. A part of him felt uneasy at her discomfort, but also relieved. She wanted to be away from Chris as much as he wanted her to be. He reached them, finally, and kept his eyes on Audrey as he wrapped his arm around her waist. He smiled smugly when she leaned into him.
"Wuornos," Chris greeted him tightly, clearly uncomfortable with his obvious display of affection.
Good.
"Brody." Nathan replied tersely. "Parker, let's go."
"It was nice to see you, Chris." Audrey said quickly, grabbing her coat as she stood up and lacing her fingers tightly with Nathan's. They walked away before Chris could reply.
"You gonna pay for your food or what?" Duke shouted at them.
"Put it on the tab," Nathan muttered without looking back.
Audrey tugged on his hand and he leaned against the side of The Gull, taking a deep breath of cold air to clear his head.
"Can you stop being so appealing to everyone?" Nathan demanded playfully as they climbed the steps, pulling her against him possessively. "I can't fight every guy off in Haven and I'm not sure how much more jealousy I can handle."
He grinned proudly when he saw a warm blush spread across her cheeks. Audrey rarely blushed, and he treasured it when she did.
"I guess you're just gonna have to share me," she commented as they climbed into bed, surprisingly exhausted for such a slow day.
Nathan stiffened. "Never."
Audrey laughed. "Nathan, guys are going to flirt with me. We can use it to our advantage, you know." She reminded him. "Especially when it's work related."
"You're right." He admitted reluctantly.
She smiled. "I usually am."
"But," Nathan continued. "Tonight you're mine."
Audrey smiled happily as she nestled herself closer to him.
"Completely."