Title – Halfway To Anywhere
Summary: Naya's not sure how she ended up in her bathtub; hung-over and with Heather on top of her, but the kink in her neck suggests they slept there. Sequel to Behind Closed Doors. RPF. HeYa.
Disclaimer: No.
A/N: Just wanted to say a very thankful THANK you to everyone who reviewed/fav'ed/followed my story. It's means so much, so thanks. And to Amazon Bard I'm so happy my story gives you butterflies :)
-ooo-
Naya's mouth is dry. That's the first thing that registers with her. The second thing is that her eyes are shut, and she's lying down, from what she can gather her head is resting on someone's knee. But she doesn't know who. Her head hurts; badly. It's like she's got a balloon inside her skull and it's being blown up, pushing against her temples. Coming hand in hand with her headache is the nausea she's feeling.
Her stomach clenches uncomfortably and she attempts to lick her lips, her tongue feels thick.
There's music around her, muffled and distant. It almost feels as though there is a cloud around her entire body. She's pretty sure she is on the couch, the soft fabric holds her limp body securely and Naya swallows dryly. Her mouth tastes like tequila and the flavour has her stomach rolling uneasily.
She presses her cheek against whoevers thighs she's laying on firmly and fingers begin running through her hair.
She's too tired to really respond in any way, but that's okay because not even a second later the hand moves to her shoulder, squeezing strongly.
"You still with us, honey?"
It's Heather. Heather's voice. Heather's hand. Heather's thighs.
Naya relaxes even more, her legs are bent and she's on her side. She's almost positive her shoes are off.
Swallowing again, she tries to nod. It doesn't go so well. The movement agitates her stomach further and she pinches her lips together firmly, holding back the urge to vomit.
She doesn't remember much apart from the body shots earlier and at one stage Chris falling over Heather, who Naya thinks was crawling on the ground. But other than that her memory is foggy.
Her hair is being combed through again, calm fingers tangle in dark locks and the repeated action soothes Naya back into a light slumber. She's still aware of her surroundings and of the music and even the growing nausea in her gut, but it's in the background of her thoughts. Pushed away in favour of sleeping, or probably in Naya's case, passing out.
"I think she's out again." Heather mumbles.
Naya wants to say she's not, but nothing comes out her mouth.
There's noise around her that sounds like someone moving about and then somebody else is pushing her hair back, she scrunches her face up from the action.
"Not quite," Dianna says quietly. Even with her eyes shut Naya knows Dianna is crouching by the couch.
Heather's own hand rubs Naya's upper arm briskly.
"We should try and get her to her bed." Heather mumbles again, Naya can hear the slur in her tone.
Dianna pushes more hair from Naya's face, "Lea's crashed out in her room with Chris, there'd be no room on her bed."
The only thing running through Naya's mind now is pretty much 'what time is it?' But again her half unconscious state is stopping her from talking. She reasons it must be late though, maybe one thirty in the morning. She should ask Heather, Heather would know.
"Mmmf," Naya huffs around another urge to vomit, her words are being screamed in her head but not coming out her mouth.
The noise she makes however has Heather leaning forward; bending so that she's closer to Naya's resting head.
"Hey, Naya?" She whispers softly, and Naya can feel warm breath upon the side of her face. "Do you want to sit up?"
"I don't think she can, Heather." Dianna states.
Heather's thighs move slightly and it makes Naya's head spin. She groans again, louder.
"I'm just worried she's going to get sick. I think we should get her water, maybe an aspirin?" Heather mumbles.
Naya knows she couldn't hold down water. Although at the same time she probably feels so rotten because she's had too much alcohol and is becoming dehydrated. She kind of wishes someone would just put her on an IV. It'd solve a lot of her problems at the moment.
Dianna moves again, from what Naya can hear.
"I'll go grab a glass, try to get her to sit up. But carefully, Heather. I doubt Naya wants to vomit all over her couch."
She doesn't, she really doesn't.
Heather's hand is back in her hair again, stroking gently. It sends small shivers down Naya's spine and prickles in an almost warm sensation, if she wasn't feeling so jittery and sick; Naya would appreciate the gesture more.
Heather is sweet to stay around her. Naya's sure the blonde is a little drunk as well, less than herself, but still inebriated enough to slur when she talks. It leaves a secure feeling in Naya's heart at the thought that Heather is with her, allowing Naya the luxury to rest her head on her lap. She'd do it for Heather as well. In a heartbeat. And it's nice Naya thinks, to have Heather near her.
Heather's hand is on her shoulder again and Naya feels her body being shaken, "Naya?"
Words again fail to leave her dry mouth, so Naya settles for another groan. It comes out broken and hushed.
"Dianna's getting water for you, so do you think you can sit up?"
No.
Heather's thighs move again and it sets Naya's stomach into action, an action that has her rolling forward hurriedly in the fear that she might vomit. Her arms act on instinct and reach out to catch herself but Heather's already gripping her shoulder and also her shirt, and Naya can't roll any further. Or she supposes, fall any further. Naya's legs however do fall off the couch and with a loud thud.
She's left half on Heather and half on the ground and it's only then that she's able to open her eyes.
Shit, she can't see. Or she can see, just not well.
Heather's not letting her go either so she's suspended in her uncomfortable position.
"Oh my God, Heather, what happened?" Dianna's voice pierces through Naya's foggy brain and then two hands are wrapping around her arm not held by Heather.
She's tugged up so strongly it leaves her even more disorientated than what she is, and her arm somehow finds its way around Dianna's shoulders and neck.
"She fell." Heather's saying, she's also tugging on Naya. Not as abruptly though.
Naya's in the standing position now. Both her arms are wrapped around Dianna and Heather's shoulders and their arms hold around her waist and back. She still needs to vomit, which leaves a bad taste in her mouth and she is having a hard time keeping her eyes open.
"We should lay her on the couch." Dianna suggests.
Naya flops her head back and forth heavily, "Mms gunna be sick." She manages.
Dianna peeks her head forward, trying to see Naya's face. "What's that?"
"She said she's going to be sick, I think."
Thank God for Heather.
"Oh, okay…. Then we should get her to the bathroom. You right to walk Heather?" Dianna's voice is light.
Naya can feel Heather's strong body tense in preparation to walk, "All good."
It's only then does Naya's head decide to do weird dipping movements; it's not even on her own accord. She literally can't keep her head up without black dots evading her vision, or without her stomach burning sickeningly. She's had more alcohol than she can handle.
"She's blacking out again, Dianna…." Naya knows that is Heather talking, but she can't focus on her words.
She feels herself moving, floating, falling.
"She'll be fine, let's just get her to the bathroom."
Moving. Floating. Falling.
"Careful of the shoes on the ground,"
"I saw them."
Moving, floating. Falling.
-ooo-
She's vomiting.
Her lungs are burning and her stomach is pretty much on fire, but she's okay, because even though everything she's ever eaten in her entire life is being thrown up; Naya knows she'll feel better afterwards. That and Heather is basically clinging to her, Naya can't really complain if Heather wants to press herself against her side though.
It's kind of awkward, considering Naya is on the bathroom floor bent over the toilet bowl. But it's still something Naya's okay about.
Heather's hugging her. She's cool.
Dianna on the other hand, seemingly sober now, is desperately trying to hold Naya's hair back and pull Heather away at the same time.
"Heather, sweetie, you need to sit back for a minute."
Naya feels Heather tighten her grip. "I'm good here, honestly."
From what Naya can gather whilst vomiting is that Dianna's physically pulling Heather back, or maybe Heather's moving on her own accord. She really can't tell. Either way Heather is suddenly gone and Naya feels cold and shivery and uncomfortable.
"Get some water for her, please?" Dianna asks kindly.
Naya doesn't hear Heather's reply, but a moment later the bathroom door is being opened and then shut. The fluorescent light from above her hurts her eyes.
She dry heaves painfully and Dianna kneels near her side. "Mm don't know why so drunk!" Naya spits out, then as an afterthought. "Sorry."
"Don't be, Lea and Chris went through the same stage as you. Expect it was harder to help them when Heather and I were also drunk. We sobered up for you." Dianna informs with a soft voice, Naya breathes a laugh.
"…, lasted longer, I knew…. Mmmh, never mind." She's not sure what she's trying to say, but somehow Dianna interprets it easily.
"Technically, you're not the last one standing. Heather and I are." She clarifies with a small smile. "About earlier, when I said I wanted to talk with you…."
"Di, now's not a good time, yeah?"
"Naya…."
"Mmmh vomiting." Naya groans cutting Dianna off.
She'd talk. When she isn't feeling like death. In fact her whole body is shaking from the excess alcohol and her mouth tastes like vomit and tequila, and to be completely fair Naya just wants to curl up into a ball and sleep off her nausea. She also wants Heather back.
"Where's HeMo?" She breathes roughly, gripping the toilet bowl uncaringly.
Dianna runs her hand across Naya's back lightly. "Getting water." Oh yeah. "She'll be back in a minute."
"Mmmh s'okay."
"You had her worried, you know." Dianna continues. "When you passed out, that is."
Naya nods even if she didn't in fact know that little piece of information.
It kind of explains why she was being hugged earlier though.
"I'm fine, now…."
"I swear for a minute there you were vomiting while unconscious." Dianna notes with a faint laugh. Naya grunts her own form of a laugh.
She can't find it in herself to be embarrassed just yet. She feels too sick.
"I think- I think I drank f-shh, too much." She slurs.
"Sure did, Captain Obvious." Dianna pats Naya's back firmly. "Now can we please talk about w-"
"Shhh," Naya hushes around a swallow.
The bathroom door is being swung open straight after and Heather's kneeling near both Naya and Dianna instantly. A glass of water is held in her hands.
She looks worried, and Naya attempts a smile but she can still taste vomit so it turns into a grimace.
"I got you water." Heather informs needlessly. She pushes the glass closer to Naya and Naya actually does smile when she sees her dinosaur cup. It's been washed so there's no left over alcohol, just water.
She reaches for it shakily and is grateful when Heather keeps her own grip on it as well.
Taking a large mouthful, Naya swallows the cold liquid thankfully.
"How's your stomach?" Heather asks.
Naya takes one more sip before allowing Heather to cradle the cup. "Better, I- I think."
"Think you'll be able to move?"
She doesn't, even if she is feeling slightly better. Moving would be disastrous.
"Not yet. Can we just, can we just sit for a bit?"
Heather nods. "Of course, honey."
Grabbing at Heather's knee Naya squeezes it tightly, "good friend…." She mumbles quietly. She isn't even sure why or what she might have been going to say, but that's okay because Heather is smiling at her kindly and Naya's more than happy to stare into soft blue eyes.
And that's what she does. For so long that Dianna actually clears her throat and Heather bites her lip.
Naya doesn't care. She's drunk. She'll stare.
It's as simple as that.
-ooo-
Naya must have passed out again.
She thinks she must have done. She's sure she did. Because she is no longer sitting by the toilet, in fact Naya's not really sure where she is. All she knows is that her back is killing her, and her neck feels tight. She's also pretty sure someone is lying on top of her, although with her eyes shut it's hard to tell.
She moves a heavy hand to push at her hair that's covering her face and her fingers snag in knots. Her mouth is dry again but she no longer feels sick, she just feels tired and the headache that's starting to appear is keeping her from going back to sleep.
"God," She hisses around her dry lips. Her voice sounds broken. Maybe from all the vomiting she did the night before.
There's a pressure on her chest and it moves, Naya's eyes blink open slowly. It's not bright, but she can still tell it's morning, and tiredly she stares at the ceiling.
The white painted ceiling and the old fluorescent bathroom light. Wait, what?! Bathroom light?
She's in the bathroom?
Turning her head, Naya finds herself looking out over the rim of the bathtub. She's lying in her bathtub; she doesn't think it could get any more embarrassing then that. Had she gotten herself in there? Or had Dianna and Heather put her there so if she vomited it would be easy to clean up? She can't remember.
But the thought of Heather has her attempting to sit up in search of the girl. She doesn't get far however, and the pressure on her chest increases.
Looking down Naya's eyes fall upon blonde hair, she almost smiles at the realisation that Heather is on top of her. But then the awkwardness of the situation arises and Naya stares at Heather's legs, they are bent at the knee and she has her shoes off. Pale jeans are covered in drops of spilled alcohol and Heather's own hair is a web of tangles. Suffocatingly it covers her face. To add to everything one of Heather's arms is under Naya's back and although uncomfortable for Naya, she's pretty sure Heather is going to have a dead arm when she wakes up.
Pinching a bunch of Heather's hair between her fingers, Naya gently pulls the strands away from Heather's face. She brushes it down in an attempt to tame the unruly mess and breaths out groggily. Heather is kind of heavy in the position they're in and Naya's hangover is making her feel queasy and jittery, which in no way is helped by Heather's sleeping form.
She squirms a little, pushing her bare feet against the end of the tub to try and propel herself into a sitting position. It fails miserably.
"Ugh…. Heather?" She manages, tapping Heather's shoulder lightly.
Heather just nests closer to her.
"I need to…, I don't, you're on…. Ugh! My head!" Naya grinds out, digging her palm against her temple. "HeMo," She tries again. This time she flicks Heather's shoulder.
She gets the reaction she was after and Heather opens her eyes.
"Why're you flicking me?" She mumbles, she presses her head against Naya's chest more firmly.
Ignoring how shaky she feels, Naya pushes her feet against the end of the tub again. "We're in the bathtub, Heather." She states.
Heather obviously isn't as concerned about this as Naya is, because she shuts her eyes again. "Mm's late, Naya. Go to sleep."
Sighing, Naya runs her hands through Heather's hair, purposely making it messier than before. She's just about to further tangle the blonde strands when Heather lifts her head, blue eyes annoyed.
"Stop touching my hair." She says quickly.
Naya makes a conscious effort to keep her hand in Heather's hair and raises an eyebrow, "It's not late," She explains, referring to Heather's earlier statement. "It's morning, so rise and shine and get off me you lump!" She grins before tugging on Heather's messy hair.
It makes Heather's head move.
"You look like crap." Heather says in earnest.
Naya tugs her hair again, "don't be mean, and for the record you don't look so hot yourself."
"At least I didn't vomit last night."
"Don't remind me. It brings back flashbacks that I'm not proud of." Naya deadpans. The blurry memory of clinging to the toilet bowl assaults Naya's thoughts and she cringes.
Heather smiles kindly, "It wasn't that bad. You were on a roll before you started passing out."
"Oh, God." Naya breathes. "What was I doing?"
"Impressions." Heather informs, she smiles again and Naya frowns at the information. "But don't worry, you were really funny. Like, even Dianna was laughing."
"I find that hard to believe." Naya grumbles. Her impressions are bad. Like really bad.
One time Cory videoed her when she was drunk and she happened to be doing an impression of Amber that somehow involved a Barney toy and straws in her hair, to cut a long story short she sucked, she didn't even sound or look like Amber and the only person who laughed was Heather. No one else even cracked a smile.
Her ego was deflated that day.
Heather shakes her head, "No, seriously, you were good. Your Ryan impression is spot on."
Accepting the compliment with a small grin, Naya tugs Heather's hair again. Her head moves backwards an inch at the action and she squints her eyes.
"Keep pulling my hair and I might start to think you like me."
Naya tugs a third time, "wouldn't want you thinking that." She hushes.
Heather breathes out a laugh, "course not."
"Now get off me, I need caffeine. My head is about to explode."
"You always need caffeine."
"I didn't tell you? It's my life source."
"Knew that already."
Naya smirks in reply and Heather with some effort dislodges her arm from under Naya, she unsteadily climbs out the bathtub a second later and runs her hands through her hair. Naya stays lying down.
"My hair is sticky." Heather complains.
"Gross."
"I think I got orange juice in it."
Slowly sitting herself up, Naya grips the side of the bathtub. Her neck hurts so badly she can't actually turn it properly.
"You should have a shower," She says, "I can make us coffee."
Heather's hands freeze on top of her head and she balloons her cheeks before blowing out a steady breath of air. "I don't have a change of clothes with me."
"Borrow some of mine."
Heather nods, "I think Dianna is still here. She said something about sleeping on the couch." She informs.
Naya shakily pulls herself into a standing position and rubs her palms over her face quickly, "I'll check when I'm out there. Have a shower. I'll bring you in a change of clothes from my room." She steps out of the bathtub gingerly and pinches Heather's side when she walks past.
Heather smiles at the action, although quickly grimaces. "I feel awful." She whines.
Naya stops at the closed bathroom door and turns around with concern, "Maybe instead of coffee, you can have a glass of water." She says softly. She kind of forgot that Heather had been drinking as well. Surely she has a hangover too. Maybe not as bad as Naya's, but even a small hangover is annoying and unpleasant.
"Just have a shower. It'll make you feel better." Naya adds. She's thankful it's Saturday today and they don't have work. "And also HeMo, thanks for last night. I was kind of a mess, wasn't I?"
Heather grins, "Dianna did more helping then me I think. She like totally carried you into the bathroom by herself, I was helping but I honestly think I made things worse."
Slightly embarrassed at the thought that she had to be carried to the bathroom, Naya pinches her lips together. "This is embarrassing."
"Honey, Lea and Chris were just as smashed as you were. So trust me when I say that you did nothing to be embarrassed by."
"I don't completely believe you."
"Chris passed out with his facial mask still on and Lea practically threw up on Dianna's shoes." Heather explains simply.
Naya grimaces, "weirdly enough, that actually makes me feel better."
"And like I said, I think I have orange juice in my hair. So I've probably done something embarrassing as well."
Letting a low chuckle leave her mouth Naya smiles, "good to know."
Heather winks at her and Naya immediately feels her stomach dip, she covers any reaction by opening the bathroom door and clearing her throat painfully loud.
"Shower." She says quickly. "Do you want coffee or water?"
Heather mashes her lips together, "Mmmh," she shrugs. "Coffee."
"Coffee it is."
-ooo-
"Morning." Naya mumbles to Dianna as she shuffles into the kitchen. The place is a mess.
Cups and plates cover the kitchen table and empty bottles of alcohol sit upon the bench, Naya purposefully ignores the spilled snacks on the ground.
Looking up from her coffee mug, Dianna smiles, "morning, did you sleep okay?"
"In the bathtub? No." Naya says around a groan, she grabs a fresh mug from the overhead cupboard and turns to face Dianna. "And with Heather using me as a pillow I ended up with a stiff neck."
Dianna raises both eyebrows before shifting in her seat, "I didn't know Heather was with you."
"What?"
"I just thought she went home." Dianna clarifies.
Naya feels weirdly put out and drums her fingernails against her mug restlessly. "I guess not." She says quickly. She turns back around to the coffee maker and grabs for the jug.
Dianna speaks up, "she slept with you?" She inquires in a voice that Naya knows all too well. Its Dianna's 'prying' tone, the tone she uses when she's about to interrogate someone.
Shrugging indifferently Naya fills her cup to the rim, "in the bathtub, yeah."
Dianna hums low in her throat, "okay,"
"Okay." Naya echoes, she turns around and leans her back against the bench. Dianna is watching her carefully and it makes Naya uncomfortable. "What?"
"Nothing."
"It's not nothing, Dianna. You're staring at me."
Looking down to her own cup, Dianna shakes her head. "Do you know what you're doing, Naya?"
"Drinking coffee." Naya answers smartly.
Dianna looks back up, "you know what I mean."
"Dianna…."
"With Heather, do you know what you are doing with Heather?" Dianna clarifies. She doesn't say it in a way that would suggest she is upset, in fact she sounds calm. Friendly.
There's a curiosity behind hazel eyes that has Naya looking away, staring at her bare feet absently. She doesn't know what to say.
Dianna puts her coffee down upon the table and it clinks loudly, "I don't mean to overstep any boundaries, Naya. But whatever is happening between you two hasn't come out of nowhere. Things have been different all week and…, look that last thing I want to do is offend. But please tell me you know what you are doing."
"I'm not doing anything." Naya defends. She can't help it. She feels threatened.
Her confusion only grows when Dianna simply smiles, a soft, understanding smile. "Okay…, okay fine." She hushes lightly. "But I think you and I both know that's a lie."
Swallowing thickly, Naya squeezes her mug tightly. Her stomach is heavy and her head feels light. She can hear the shower running from the bathroom and unconsciously looks in that direction.
"I need to get clean clothes for Heather." She states quietly.
Dianna nods. "Lea and Chris left about an hour ago. So your room is clear."
"Cool,"
"I still want to have that talk I mentioned last night."
Naya quickly takes a sip of her coffee before squinting, "I thought we just did." She cradles her mug just below her chin, enjoying the bitter smell.
Dianna is smiling, "when you're ready to actually say something on the subject, we're talking. No arguments."
Naya's not sure why but she feels weirdly comforted by Dianna's words.
She nods once before quietly walking to the kitchen table and sitting in the seat next to Dianna, still cradling her coffee. She thinks she sees a small smile from Dianna but she doesn't look long enough to be able to tell properly, instead she stares at her coffee tiredly.
"You can have a shower after Heather if you want to." Naya rasps lowly.
Dianna takes a sip of coffee, "Thanks, but I think I'll head home soon. Grab a shower there and then sleep for a couple of hours."
Naya smiles, "Sleep sounds nice."
"And food."
"And a big glass of water." Naya adds quietly. She hears Dianna hum. "You know I wouldn't…."
Dianna looks over the rim of her coffee curiously, "wouldn't what?"
Shrugging tensely Naya takes a large mouthful of coffee, "This thing with Heather." She stops again. Her heart is racing and she eyes Dianna carefully, watching for any reaction that might be negative. Dianna's face stays neutral so Naya shrugs a second time, "I'm not just…, I wouldn't do anything to mess up the friendship we have." She settles on.
She's not sure what she's trying to say but she feels like she needs to explain that her intentions aren't coming from some random drunken moment, her intentions towards Heather that is. She almost wants Dianna to know that she would never intentionally set out to confuse or hurt Heather in anyway and that what is happening between them both isn't just all her doing, Heather plays a part, she's a willing party too. Naya wants to explain that. Explain the kiss last night, the trailer, the touches and the jokes between Heather and herself.
She wants Dianna to tell her how to deal with everything.
She wants Dianna to give her a step by step instruction manual on what to do when you have sex with your best friend in a trailer, and then don't speak about it together.
But she can't.
So she settles for another shrug that's tight because her neck still hurts and she looks up at the ceiling. "I don't know what I'm trying to say."
Dianna smiles kindly, still watching Naya from over the rim of her coffee. "Somehow I get it. Naya, like I said. When you're ready to talk, we'll talk." She raises her eyebrows, "Also, you are so obvious."
Unable to hold back her grin, Naya looks away from the ceiling. "I am not."
"Do you remember doing body shots last night?"
"Yeah…." Naya drawls.
Dianna's smile grows, "then you also remember practically pashing Heather during it?"
"Pashing? Who says that anymore?" Naya deflects. "And it wasn't like that, I wasn't kissing her."
"Looked like it."
"But it wasn't."
"Like I said, you are so obvious."
"We're not having this conversation right now," Naya says around a grin. She likes that Dianna is so easy to talk too.
"Later then," Dianna hushes almost as though she is telling Naya a secret. "Wasn't you going to get Heather some clean clothes?"
"Yes. Yes I was."
-ooo-
Dianna leaves shortly after, with another knowing little smile and Naya finds herself stomach down upon the couch. Her face is pushed into the cushions and her arms are trapped under her chest, but she's comfortable. She knows she should be getting Heather some fresh clothes and although the thought is her main one another annoying thought creeps into her mind. Worming its way through her headache and screaming at her.
What are you doing?!
It becomes a sort of mantra, asked and then stated, screamed and then whispered. But there is no answer, simply because Naya has no clue. She has no idea what she is doing. Although she takes some form of comfort from the small fact that Heather probably doesn't know either. They're in this together.
What are you doing?!
What are you doing?!
She can't help but wonder if what she and Heather are doing is okay, in terms of their friendship and working relationship. She finds Heather attractive, the girl is beautiful and Naya wouldn't deny that for a second. If asked she'd say as much. And it's not a secret that she enjoys Heather's company, it's common knowledge that the two of them are almost always together on set and when they're not, Naya quite often gets asked where Heather is.
But they're best friends.
They're co-stars.
Heather is naturally easy-going and some part of Naya is hesitant to abuse that. To push the boundaries further than she would, or in reality should.
It excites her, this thing with Heather. The random kisses and looks and touches they share.
But it also terrifies her. Because this isn't some guy she's fooling around with, it's Heather.
She thinks they may need to talk, knows they need to talk. But the act of bringing up such a conversation makes Naya's head hurt even more and she groans lowly.
There's noise from near her and startlingly Naya looks up, Heather's grinning down at her wrapped in nothing but one of Naya's lemon coloured towels. Her hair is wet and covers her shoulders in loose tangles and drops of water drip down her showing skin. Naya's pretty sure she has a mini heart attack, or maybe it's a stroke. Because for the longest five seconds of her life all she does is stare.
"So about those clothes…." Heather grins.
Naya is standing a moment later, mouth open and head spinning. "I'm sorry, I was just…," She points to the couch, "resting."
With another grin Heather nods. "It's no problem, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Yeah, no I'm good HeMo. I'm just tired."
"You look a little stressed…."
"I'm hung-over, I think it's granted." Naya says softly, crossing her arms.
Heather's looks at her disbelievingly, "didn't the coffee help a bit?"
Naya nods. The coffee had at least managed to settle her stomach somewhat.
She only then remembers that she was going to make Heather a cup and so with little elegance she turns on her heel and rushes for the kitchen, Heather follows with confusion.
"Dianna left?" She asks quickly.
Naya nods again, "yeah, only a couple of minutes ago" She grabs for the coffee pot and a mug, "milk, right?" She already knows the answer, but Naya's mouth seems to want to make things awkward so it continues to talk. "Fresh from the cow." She mumbles.
Heather breathes a laugh and choses to stand right beside Naya, "are you sure you're okay?"
Naya hums and pours the coffee quickly into Heather's mug, it swirls around and around and Naya stares at it for a moment before slowly looking to Heather. She wants to smile like Heather is currently doing but she can't seem to, her mind is a foggy mess of unanswered questions and it stops any reaction she might have had to the grin being directed at her. So she ends up sucking her lips into her mouth and scrunching her face up in thought.
Heather's smile falls away quickly. "Naya?"
"You want milk right?" Naya asks, deflecting.
Heather nods slowly, "You're acting weird, Naya. Seriously, did something happen while I was showering? Did Lea vomit on your bed?" She makes a face and Naya's lips quirk up in a small movement.
"Gross, and no she didn't. As far as I know anyway."
"Okay, tell me why you're all tense and stuff then." Heather continues with an easy smile, she adjusts her grip on the towel around her before looking up suddenly. "God, it's not because I'm half naked is it? Because honestly I didn't mean to like step over any house boundaries you have and put you out of your comfort zone. I guess I'm just used to my own apartment and stuff…. And if that's why you're acting weird then I'm so sorry and a little embarrassed and are you okay?"
Naya's smile grows and instantly she is stepping forward. Heather being in a towel didn't bother her, well it did, but not in a bad way. And it certainly isn't why she is tense. As far as she is concerned Heather can walk around her apartment any day in just a towel.
That thought alone has Naya's cheeks heating up and she licks her bottom lip.
She is tense because of all the questions running through her head, tense because she feels left out of her own circle and it's like she's unable to understand the simplest gesture when it comes to Heather. Things aren't black and white, they're grey. Grey and blurry and Naya feels like she is squinting just to comprehend anything. She wonders if Heather is feeling the same way. Would Heather tell her if she is?
"Heather seriously, I don't mind that you're just wearing a towel. It's no problem, okay?" She explains, Heather nods and Naya steps closer. "And I'm fine. I am. I just…."
"Honey, you can tell me."
With a sigh, Naya looks sideways. "I just think we need to talk." She utters in a whisper and Heather steps back with an equally quiet.
"Oh."
"It's nothing bad." Naya reassures quickly.
Heather's lips press together tightly, "Okay."
Breathing in deeply and willing her heart to slow down, Naya smiles warmly. "It's been a week, Heather." She states softly. "A whole week and we haven't said anything ab-"
"I know." Heather interrupts, her hand is held up in a stop sign.
Naya keeps going, "I don't want to be the one who makes things complicated, but I really think we should talk…."
"It's not complicated though." Heather says lowly. She keeps her eyes soft.
"Isn't it?"
Adjusting her towel, Heather looks down. "I mean. It doesn't need to be complicated, it's only complicated if we let it be, y'know?"
Naya watches Heather with a gentle smile, before she takes a tentative step closer. The coffee is forgotten upon the bench.
"Talking won't make it complicated." She assures.
Heather's eyes look back up, "It already kind of is."
Taken aback and becoming confused, Naya tilts her head. "You just said it wasn't though."
"Said what?"
"That it wasn't complicated."
"I know."
"Then why is it complicated now?" Naya questions slowly.
Heather looks completely lost, "I don't understand."
Sighing, Naya runs her hands through her hair. She needs to get this conversation back on track.
"Look," She starts, her stomach twists nervously. "We both know what happened in the trailer, right?" Heather nods slowly. "We know the facts and the details and even roughly what time it was. What we don't know is why it happened." She pauses to swallow, "you following?"
Heather nods again and then a small smile appears on her face, "Baaaa."
Shocked at being 'baa'ed' at Naya chuckles and Heather's smile grows.
"Because sheep follow." She explains quietly. Naya was more than capable of figuring that out, but Heather's explanation has her whole body humming with fondness.
She shakes her head with amusement, "Smartarse."
"I'm following." Heather informs.
"Okay, so what we need…, what I think we need to talk about is why it happened."
"Why do I feel like you're about to draw up a graph or a pie chart?" Heather jokes.
It's her way of managing situations she isn't comfortable in or with, and Naya's knows this. Heather is naturally funny so it makes sense that she uses that to her advantage. Naya's aware of the tactic though.
"If I did, it might make things less complicated."
Heather looks serious, "Naya…."
"It's okay that you don't want to talk about it, it is." Naya reassures gently, "but Dianna is totally on to something and she's asking questions, now I don't care so much about that, what I care about is that I don't have any answers. I don't know what's going on with us, HeMo. I don't even know if there is an us…. Or what any of this means." She runs her hands through her hair and breathes out, "I don't know." She feels like she is over analysing everything and it leaves her doubtful. "Am I reading too much into what happened?" She asks quietly.
Heather's watching her with a small frown; it's not one of sadness, just one of thought. "Naya, I don't just go around kissing people for no reason."
Naya nods. "Neither do I."
"And when we kissed last night it wasn't because I was drunk. I wanted to kiss you."
"I know. And that's what confuses me…."
"I like kissing you, Naya." Heather states lightly, Naya's words die on her tongue and her stomach dips pleasantly. Heather looks down and it's only then that Naya realises how vulnerable Heather looks, the towel really only just covers everything and she's got goose bumps on her arms and neck. "I like being around you." Heather adds, "It's not complicated, it's simple."
"HeMo I-"
"Yo, what's up with the empty house?!"
Naya freezes as Mark's voice cuts her off. She hears the front door to her apartment shutting loudly and then footsteps. Mark appears a moment later, blood shot eyes and wearing only his boxers and jacket. He looks tired and still drunk and Naya remembers that he and Kevin had gone up to the roof last night, she frowns.
"Have you been on the roof all night?"
Mark is smirking around his chapped lips, "Passed out with Kev, yeah. Woke up freezing though and I have no idea what happened to my pants." He smirks again and Naya follows his gaze to a very red Heather who is trying her best to keep her towel tightly around her body.
"Oh my God, Mark!" Naya scolds, grabbing Heather by the elbow she directs the blonde behind her. "Quit staring." Heather's only too happy to stay behind Naya and Mark looks down, grin still firmly in place.
"Sorry," He says slowly, it's said in a way that Naya knows he doesn't mean it.
Shielding Heather as best she can, Naya swallows. "Where's Kevin?"
Mark shrugs and looks back up, "caught a cab home. Said he'd drop by and pick up his car when he wasn't still drunk." His eyes look past Naya and Heather shifts to hide further. Mark grins, "come on, Heather. No need to be shy, girl. I'm only wearing my briefs. We're kind of in the same boat here."
It's his attempt at calming Heather's embarrassment, but somehow he comes across as though he's trying to flirt.
Heather chuckles tightly, "I'm wearing a lot less though. Like only a towel, so…."
Naya laughs just as tightly, "So go find your pants and stop staring." She finishes for Heather. Mark doesn't do as she instructs, instead he walks further into the kitchen.
Naya practically backs herself into Heather forcefully, causing Heather to become squashed between Naya and the bench. She doesn't complain, in fact Naya feels one of Heather's hands grabbing her shoulder, effectively holding her in place. Not that Naya has any intention of moving away. She is pretty much channelling a shield right about now.
"What are you doing?" Naya asks around a horrified expression.
Mark stops about a meter from the both of them, his eyebrows raised. "Um, getting coffee." He says slowly, as if Naya should have known.
"Put some pants on first," Naya quickly instructs, she pushes back further and feels Heather's warm skin through her shirt. It's distracting. The knowledge that Heather is behind her, in nothing but a towel and with her hair and skin still damp has Naya's mouth going dry and her heart rate quickening, on the other hand she feels completely defensive over Heather's exposed state and also a little threatened that Mark is so close to Heather when she's so unclothed.
Mark doesn't miss her pause, "you alright?" He asks sincerely.
Naya rolls her eyes, "Mark, please." She breathes out, "HeMo is naked."
Hardly affected by Naya's blunt words, Mark shrugs. "She's got a towel, she's cool."
"It's totally not awkward that you're standing so close, Mark." Heather says sarcastically, her smile is friendly and her tone gentle.
Mark looks to her with a smirk, "So glad it's not awkward." He hums.
"She was being sarcastic!" Naya grunts around what sounds like a growl, Marks' eyes falter and he looks to her swiftly.
"Calm down, Rivera. I was joking."
"I know." Naya appeases instantly, slightly embarrassed by her small outburst. "I know, just, put some pants on and please stop eye-raping Heather."
Mark mopes, "that sounds really morbid. Why you gotta make it sound that way?" He whines.
"Shhh," Naya quiets with a small smile. "Just go find your pants."
"I didn't mean to stare, yeah?"
Heather nods from her position behind Naya, "It's all good, Mark. I swear."
"Awesome. You're blushing big time by the way."
"Mark!" Naya interjects.
Mark holds his hands up in surrender, "Pants. I know, I'm going." He nods once and with an apologetic smile leaves the kitchen. Naya can hear him searching the apartment a moment later.
Turning around she faces Heather, "how about we get you some clothes, huh?"
Nodding, Heather adjusts her towel. Her cheeks are bright pink and Naya smiles warmly when Heather makes eye contact.
"Thanks for being my shield."
"I make a pretty damn good one."
TBC