A/N: I do not own One Tree Hill.
Their movements had not been gentle or passionate, but hungry. Both of them were searching for something that couldn't be found in a sexual act, even if performed with the right the person. They needed to heal in other ways, but their actions bought them time, time to put off their emotions, time to avoid the issues, and time in which to forget their problems. When they swayed as one in her small bed, they only had time to think about pleasing themselves and each other. They were not focused on Jamie's absence, Lucas' impending marriage, or the wrong paths they taken to where they were. It was that release from the world that they both so desperately sought and found that night.
Their rush of physical sensations brought them both to high they didn't want to ruin with words and emotions, so they simply laid there until sleep overtook their bodies. When morning came they awoke to the skin on skin contact, and both felt somewhat relieved to know they weren't spending another morning waking up alone. It was a small sentiment, but they had both started so many of their days for the last several years alone.
Peyton's head rested on Nathan's bare chest as the light threatened her eyes; her fingers nonchalantly caressed his nipple ring, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Nathan. He had been awake for at least an hour observing the habitat in which the blonde called home. It was completely opposite of his apartment, but he shifted his attention to her. "How much does this feel like déjà vu?"
She was startled by his words, not expecting him to be awake. "Huh?" she exclaimed as she stopped her previous movements, and attempted to move her head back down to a pillow. Nathan simply responded to her movements by ensuring his arm was around her shoulders so she would stay where she was. He liked the way her hair felt against his bare skin.
"Sorry, just you and my nipple ring, it reminded of the past."
"Yeah, it does." She closed her eyes and almost felt as though she were fifteen again. He still smelled the same and his arm fit around her in the same manner, granted they didn't lie like this much in those days. He usually would turn after getting what he wanted and they would fall asleep in the bed not touching. She didn't know how to define what they did last night, but felt something should be said. "So about last night? I was a mess, I'm sorry I pushed myself on you like that."
He opened his eyes to look at her, but she was looking towards the window. The lights reflecting her golden hair made him want her all over again. "I know it wasn't exactly my plan to come over here and do this, and I know you were a mess, but I don't feel like you pushed yourself on me, if anything, I took advantage, you were vulnerable, I should have been stronger, but you are too damn sexy." He tried to lighten the mood.
"I always did get you hot, didn't I? I guess if you don't regret it, I guess I can say this. It felt good being with you again, last night…." She looked up at him so their eyes met "...and last weekend." He smirked at her comment. The two nights were completely different. The first night had been full of passion, but the next morning was filled with regret. This night had been as if satisfying a need and nothing more, but the next morning was sailing more smoothly for the two.
"I still got it." He said as he placed his hands behind his head in a satisfied manner, a smirk plastered on his face.
His playful actions sparked a playfulness in her that she hadn't used in a while. She had learned how to be sexy over the years, if anything to make the artists she entertained want to hang out with her again. It was this that gave her the confidence to tease Nathan. She placed her hands on both of his wrists pinning them solidly to the bed, then proceed to hover over his body whisper words down his skin. The soft breath succeeded in making him exciting all over again. When her lips got closer to his hip, the bulge in the sheet gave away his excitement. He wasn't expecting any of these actions from Peyton, but didn't feel he was in a position to decline any amount of pleasure she wanted to give. Feeling her breath linger, he was disappointed when he felt the sheet slide from his body and Peyton's footsteps tread across the floor. She laughed at his expression as he realized she had left him. "You are evil!" He said as he threw a pillow at her, neither of them hearing the door open over her laughter. He looked at the blonde before him, she was laughing, sexy, and seemed happy, even if only momentarily. He smiled at the thought "It is good to see you smile." She was able to blush before they both heard the redhead.
Rachel had no idea what she was going to find when she walked into the apartment that she shared with Peyton, but she wouldn't have imagined a smiling Peyton and a sexually excited Nathan. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. I'm just going to go." She said after realizing Nathan was on the bed naked. She quickly turned and closed the door behind her.
He quickly reached for the nearby blanket, but Rachel had already exited. Peyton was still laughing at this point, but could muster out an "I'm so sorry; I didn't realize she would be coming home."
"Whatever." He said holding a straight face as he walked past her into the bathroom, in desperate need of a cold shower. She was left in the room alone. She put on her robe, and walked to the door to find Rachel standing outside.
"I am so sorry you had to see that." She apologized as she opened the door.
"I'm not." She said as she pushed her way back into the apartment. "Don't worry; I am not going to make a move on him." Peyton didn't want to show her relief, but she was. Whatever it was she had started with Nathan last night was helping her forget about life, and she wasn't ready to give that up. "So are you two together now, or what?"
"I don't really know what we are."
"Well, like Nathan said it is good to see you smiling again, I have been getting worried about you. I assume you talked to him about your problems, and he made it all better judging by the state I walked in on you two." Rachel said smiling at the implication of Nathan and Peyton together.
"We didn't exactly talk, but he made me feel better." Rachel held back the worry that flashed in her eyes at the mention of no talk. She knew that not talking about the issues was avoiding them, and avoiding them would only lead to a bigger breakdown, she made a mental note to have another talk with Nathan.
"Well, you should probably talk, but I am glad you feel better."
Peyton, unaware of her friends concern, simply responded. "Thanks."
"Peyton, what are you doing here?" He asked as she walked into his apartment. He hadn't seen her in nearly week, and didn't know she was planning to come over. He had been living on takeout and beer, hadn't bothered to clean, and was looking a mess, he still couldn't help but be happy she had come to see him.
"I was at the label today, and they were preparing your contract. It made me think of you, I felt like I should come see you. I also needed to come and thank you again. For finding me, you know? I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't." She had fumbled over the words, realizing that things between her and Chris hadn't reached a comfortable level yet, but was willing to try for a friendship with him. She hugged him as she finished.
"It was nothing, I am just glad you are okay."
"So, are you ready to get back into the studio to record again?" It was this question that made him hesitate; he and Haley had been talking the last week. The more they spoke, the more he became uneasy at the business practices of the label's. Sex for a record deal would have seemed fine to Chris if it had involved him and someone else, but this involved an executive at the label and Peyton. She was special, and he hated that they had defiled her this way. Sure she had been a willing participant, but she shouldn't have been put in the position in the first place.
His hesitation didn't go unnoticed. "What is it; don't tell me you aren't going to sign either?"
"It's just, I have been thinking about it? I don't know if I can sign with them?"
"But you know I didn't get you your deal, they just loved you that much." He cut her off as she began defending the label's actions.
"Just tell me that after last weekend, you didn't have to perform any favors to keeps your job and I'll sign with them." He paused allowing her time to answer the question. Moments of passed in silence before he spoke again. "You can't, can you? Well, I can't sign with them."
"Chris…" She reached her hand out to him, but he backed away.
"I don't know if I can keep watching them abuse their power and use you like they are." He sat on the couch with his head resting on his hands. He looked at her and noticed the tears forming in her eyes. "Have you thought about opening your own label? You could get me and Haley easily. And what about Fallout Boy, I thought you knew them, or that guy Jake. Then you wouldn't have to put yourself through this, just so you can, what get their coffee?"
"I appreciate your concern, but I don't really want to talk about this." She closed the door quietly as she left his apartment, leaving him on the couch worried about the woman and her in the hallway, scared that someone knew her secrets. She would never admit that what she was doing hurt her, but it did. He only hoped that she heard his words, and would consider his solution.
Nathan was coming home from practice when he saw her in hallway. He noticed her watery eyes and the sadness in her walk, and he rushed to her. "Peyton, what's wrong?" She shook her head hoping that she contains her emotions. She was going to walk away when he grabbed her hand, while unlocking his door, he lead her inside.
The trend had started again, but this time it wasn't about just sex, it was about finding comfort in being with someone else. They could continue to dance around emotions if they continued to fill their time together with sex. They could be temporarily happy in each other's arms, and they could ignore the pain that still resided in both of their hearts.