Author's note: This is a (very) short Nico POV that just popped up out of nowhere. Style-wise, it doesn't really fit with the previous or the next chapter, which is why I'm posting it separately. It does, however, show that Nico's becoming a little obsessed with Dani (and I like the idea that he's been having these kinds of thoughts about her all along, carefully hidden behind that stoic, sardonic facade ;-) ) Bear with me a little longer and we'll be moving onto fluffier and smuttier things…
Nico knows he has been staring at her for the entire meeting. Not just staring - absorbing, and with no amount of furtiveness. Dani must have noticed - he doesn't much mind that idea anymore. It is impossible for him to tear his eyes away. The harsh lights of the meeting room never strikes her viciously, only ever serving to cause her hair to glint different shades of autumn colors. Today is no exception, a glow of reds warming her features. She is stunning (always always always), but even more so today. He thinks it is because he has let her invade his thoughts so completely that he is seeing her so definitively now. He is hypnotised by the wisp of hair that she tucks so delicately behind her ear, by her eyes as they focus on the whoever is speaking (he has stopped listening long ago), by her tongue as it skims across her lips unconsciously (he can't imagine how he'd ever think again if she started doing it intentionally). An awareness flutters into his mind, spreading its wings to brush conscious thought - it has been some time since he has kissed her. The thought beats its wings, refusing to be ignored. The meeting ends. She has already grabbed her notepad and is now leaning against the table, smiling, talking about some of the points raised but really just spinning out the words to extend their time. He can see her doing it. He is aware of his heartbeat (beating passion and love and fire) as he stands and rounds the table. She is relaxed, her face soft and graced with a smile. Her mouth (he is trying and failing not to stare) is still framing words about the meeting. He should be listening - he is, he isn't, he simply cannot hear her over the wing-beats), he loves how her mind works, how fast it is, how she knows how to get what she wants. He loves her mouth, that gate between her thoughts and her voice. He feels his own mouth turn up into a smile. He wants to kiss her again. It seems ridiculous that he is not. He cannot think of a reason why he shouldn't be. (He can list off excuses: they're in public, they are professionals, she is, still, ambivalent.) Ridiculous. He wants to kiss her, now.