Being Nervous - Burtonfield

Her heartbeat is pounding in her ears before she can even say one word. Stupid fucking nerves she thinks, as she finds herself fidgeting under Claire's gaze. The older woman is just staring at her, expecting her to continue what she was saying. Of course she is. That's how conversations work, idiot.

Moira wants to punch herself for how stupid she must look just now. Only she would tell Claire she needs to tell her something important then just stand there like an idiot. She's nervous, like really fucking nervous. Nervous because she's supposed to be telling Claire how she feels. But fuck that. Fuck that because she's so damn nervous that she physically can't. It was a stupid idea anyway, Claire is way too good for Moira and that's not even touching on their twelve year age gap.

She's about to tell Claire it does matter and make her escape when Claire steps closer and Moira's heart beat speeds up. She think she may be about to die of a heart attack. Or just die generally because Claire fucking Redfield is standing so close to her that all she needs to do is step forward and she'll have Claire exactly where she wants her.

But she cant do that, of course she can't. She's just stupid young Moira who's inexperienced and someone Claire is only even paying attention to because she's Barry's daughter and it's out of respect. Sure they have fun together and Moira thinks of Claire as her best friend but Claire can't possibly feel the same way, it just isn't possible.

Moira's brought out of her thoughts by Claire's voice as the older woman leans even closer to her. Moira blushes practically scarlet and wants the ground to swallow her up.

"Moira, I said are you feeling okay?"

"Pefectlyfinethere'snothinfwrongwithmenope" she stammers out, about 5 words per second. She's embarrassed, mortified actually and she wants to run away and scream but Claire has caught her eye now and she's completely paralysed. Claire looks confused, concerned and extremely puzzled. Her eyebrows are furrowed as though she's concentrating and Moira thinks it's the cutest thing she's ever seen but also the hottest and- oh fuck it Moira can't think straight at all she's going crazy with Claire being so close to her. She can never think straight, but that's a joke she'd make at a less serious time. No one makes jokes when Claire Redfield is mere inches away from them.

"Moira?"

Moira's breath catches in her throat as Claire inches closer yet again, her perfect lips so close now that Moira could so easily kiss her. The thought crosses her mind, no it doesn't that's a lie. it's the only thought in her head and she's trying so desperately to block it out because she's terrified of fucking it up with Claire.

And before she even knows what's happening her lips are against Claire's. Her eyes are wide with shock and she's absolutely frozen in place. That is until she feels Claire actually kissing her back and her mind is screaming at her to stop standing there and do something. So she does, she leans into the kiss, her shaky hands finding their way into Claire's hair. Claire draws her in closer and Moira is pretty sure she's died and gone to heaven because Claire Redfield is actually kissing her. Even in her wildest dreams a single kiss could never be this perfect.

And then suddenly it's over and Claire is looking at her with enough guilt to make Moira snap out of her dream like state. Her hand is still tangled in Claire's hair and she goes to remove it but finds she can't seem to move her hand away. She wants to keep Claire this close, doesn't want to let go. And although her stomach is in knots and she feels like she's about to throw up she manages a small smile at Claire, who now looks like she's internally freaking out.

"Claire-"

"Don't- please Moira just-" Claire starts but stops, cutting herself off. She presses her lips together in a tight frown. The silence that falls upon them is deathening. But Claire doesn't move away, she stays put just looking at Moira as she obviously tries to figure out what just happened. She's so in thought that she actually flinches when Moira is brave enough to move her hand from Claire's hair to cup her cheek.

Moira feels so fucking nervous but she tries to smile anyway, knowing she has to at least act like she's confident just now or this will go nowhere.

"Don't think about it too much, it's scary as fuck but can we maybe- I mean if you want to- can we do that again?"

Claire seems to think about it, her normal cool composure completely gone as she nods like some little kid who's not sure if they're making the right decision. Moira takes it enough of an invitation and closes the gap between them once again.

They have to talk about. Moira isn't looking forward to that one bit, but the fact she's kissing Claire Redfield right now has makes her so fucking happy.