Title: naked feet
Summary: They're all connected, whether they like it or not. Nine against the world. / But everything's perfect.
Warning/Spoiler: None.
Rating: K+/PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Fabian, Nina, Fabian/Nina

Author's Note: Fluff, fluff, fluff. I finally posted this because I finally wrote the next chapter, which turned out better than I thought it would. It's also a different change of pace from this one and the last. So much romance...

naked feet

It's cold (the heating's off), it's dark (it's past midnight), and it's quiet (everyone is supposedly asleep.) But everything's perfect.

When he woke up from his nap, Mick wasn't in his bed. He shrugged it off and headed up the stairs, but halfway through the foyer, he spots her and he motions to his room. Perfectly in-sync, the pair moves quickly and quietly through the ancient house, resting on his bed, guitar stowed away in the closet.

He stares at her for a good three minutes before either of them says anything. The silence comfortably surrounds them, embracing him with warmth and a churning gut. Her skin grazes against his every few seconds, and her breath sounds in tune with the loud, obnoxious rhythm of his heart.

Hypersensitive, he hears her sigh before she lets it out.

"What's wrong?" he whispers, making sure his voice doesn't crack.

She smiles at him before shaking her head. "Nothing. Which I guess is the problem," she adds, and he can't help but smile at her inability to just relax.

"I realize we have nothing to do now, no clues to follow or enemies to avoid, but I'd rather enjoy it, wouldn't you?" His voice is chiding yet teasing, and she giggles.

"I wish I could, but all this calm – the storm can't be far behind." He chooses to ignore her wisdom for the moment, instead focusing on the way her eyes dart quickly between his own and the floor, the way her hair grazes her back, the way her lips curl and twist. He's not as subtle as usual for she twirls a lock of hair nervously, "what? Do I have toothpaste on my mouth?"

Fabian laughs at her nervousness and self-consciousness. "No, you're just really pretty sitting on my bed, in the moonlight, itching for something to do." The words escape him without his usual Fabian-censor and she notices.

Raising an eyebrow, her lips curl. "You think I'm pretty?"

"Oh – um, yeah," he stutters, but he decides that this could be the perfect moment. Moonlight, silence, and them. "I think you're gorgeous, actually."

"Oh."

"Um – Nina." Bravery runs through his veins, packed with adrenaline and possibilities and hope. "What are you doing Friday night?"

Nina studies him carefully for a moment before shrugging nonchalantly, though there's an air of anticipation to her expressions. "Hopefully hanging out with you?" Her statement is more of a question and Fabian finds himself laughing in her presence once again.

"Hopefully," he responds. "Do you want to see that new sci-fi movie with me?"

Nina's all grins and bounces when she nods ecstatically. Fabian grabs her into a hug without second thought, his insides screaming in glee, celebrating a victory long-time coming.

When he pulls back, there's a heartbeat. The meeting of brown and brown electrifies, pregnant with tension and security. His lips and hers suddenly intertwine, sparks exciting his every nerve, and every thought focuses on his hands on her cheek and waist, all his attention on the way her lips dance with his.

They break apart, their noses touching and foreheads resting on each other, their grins splitting their faces. Fabian feels nothing but pure happiness in that moment, that he forgets everything else when his lips leave a quick kiss on her nose before glancing at the clock.

"You better get to bed before Mick comes back," he says before frowning. "Where did he go, anyway?"

Nina shrugs. "No idea – Amber wasn't in bed either. Actually, I think I saw Patricia in the hall when I was leaving."

"Odd," he says. He stands, offering a hand but she takes his arm, intertwined and connected. He walks her to the foyer, their whispers echoing against the walls. "'Night."

She smiles again and bends forward to kiss his cheek. "Looking forward to Friday." Her grin widens when he stutters at her wink. "'Night, Fabian."

Fabian watches her naked feet tip-toe across the foyer and up the stairs, admiring the way she seems to glow wherever she travels. Mentally chiding himself for being such a girl, he returns to his room, but his lips remain turned upwards the entire time.