a/n:
Request: Nic & Nina
Summary: Her laughter is contagious; her eyes, bright.
She hid behind Dr. Theo.
They stumbled in, clothes dirtied and faces hardened. Unfamiliar faces that had already seen too much, she could tell. She tilted her head up, observing Dr. Theo. He watched the two men carefully.
Feeling her gaze, he gently rubbed her head and reassured, "It's fine, Nina."
She looked at the men.
It didn't seem fine.
The blond, finally noticing her, grinned in her direction and her grip on Dr. Theo's coat tightened. The man next to him waved his hands around. The taller one observed the movements before saying, "Maybe we should discuss this elsewhere."
He nodded at her as he spoke.
She felt Dr. Theo's hand on her shoulder. "No, she's my student. She will know anyway."
The blond let out an amused sound and turned towards his partner, who started moving his hands yet again. Her eyes followed each movement, intricate and smooth. Then she realized there was meaning to each gesture.
He was talking with his hands.
He was talking with his hands and Nina wanted to know how.
Suddenly, he stopped. She held her breath, though she didn't really know why. Then he looked at her with dark eyes, softening ever so slightly.
She took a step forward.
She rushed up to Nicolas, beaming. She couldn't keep the excitement in, shouting, "Look! Look!" as she ran towards the man.
He tilted his head questioningly.
Birds, she signed. Two.
Birds?
She nodded vigorously and pointed out the window. It was evident in his expression that he didn't understand why she was so enthusiastic. Grinning, she grabbed his hand and he followed after her without a fuss.
Outside, Nina gestured towards a bird nest.
Two birds, she signed again, beaming.
It is uncommon to see two in a nest, Nicolas commented, glancing upwards at the branch they were perched on. One of the birds took flight and hovered above the duo, before alighting on Nicolas' shoulder.
Nina's eyes widened and he could tell she was trying her best to stay quiet and not scare the animal away.
He wasn't exactly sure what to do with a bird perched on his shoulder. Probably nothing. Nina was having fun after all, he noted. She watched the creature with bright eyes.
It wasn't long until the bird took flight, leaving something behind before disappearing into the sky.
His face contorted in disgust and Nina burst into a fit of giggles.
It pooped on him.
It fucking pooped on him.
Her grin only widened and he sighed, reaching forward and pulling the young girl into a casual embrace. She stopped momentarily, but her amusement soon continued.
He felt her laughter throughout his entire body.