Nadir slammed the door open and pulled him inside behind him. He could've easily pulled away from his friend at any point, but really, he didn't want to. He wanted to see Christine again.
He needed to make things right. Sometimes he just needed a boot up his ass. Unfortunately he had a friend willing to give him one.
He'd only consider it fortunate if they could come out of this without anymore issues. As of right now, he wasn't entirely sure if it would or not.
Meg looked up at them and sighed heavily, giving him a somewhat dirty look.
"Christine said that she was going to nap but I know she was lying through her teeth. She's in the guest room." She informed a moment later before beaming at Nadir.
Erik rolled his eyes at their interactions. God, sometimes they were sickeningly sweet. It was easy to ignore most of the time but not when his own relationship was in shambles.
He uttered a rough thank you and headed down the hall, eager to escape them. Even if only for a little bit. He hesitated outside the guest room,. Unsure if she'd even want to see him.
But he shook it off and raised his fist to knock, pushing it open moments later. He snuck forwards and closed the door behind him. He stopped short as soon as his tired amber eyes connected with her surprised ones.
"Christine..." He breathed, trailing off. He didn't know what to say or if he should even say anything at all. Christine slowly sat up and climbed out of bed.
It was as if the haze that they were in snapped. Christine rushed forwards and he braced himself for a few slaps. Instead, she simply threw herself into him. Her arms were wrapped around his neck rather tightly but he couldn't bring himself to care.
He returned the hug, nuzzling against her slender shoulder. They remained in that position for quite awhile before he reluctantly pulled away to look down at Christine.
As soon as he did, he received the slap that he had been expecting since he'd entered the room. He opened his mouth to speak but she slapped the other cheek. The second one stung more than he was expecting.
"Christine... what-." He couldn't finish his statement because she immediately placed a slender finger against his lips. He let his mouth shut with a click.
"You deserve both of those. For everything you put me through and for taking so long to come get me." Christine explained herself, crossing her arms over her chest.
She'd said that as if it was cut and dry and perhaps it really was. He couldn't really claim that he didn't deserve them. He knew that his behavior left a lot to be desired.
He'd always known that. He just hadn't wanted to accept it at the time. He still didn't. Not fully, at least. She couldn't blame him for being upset by the idea of her death. She'd be just a horrified if he'd asked her to move on. Especially that bluntly.
"You're right. I do. Shall we discuss this here or shall we go home? Perhaps I can cook you something nice. Make the conversation more comfortable and all that." He found himself rambling, shifting from foot to foot. But he really couldn't bring himself to care.
Christine seemed rather surprised for a moment. He couldn't blame her. It had been so long since he'd rambled like that. But then again, it had been a long time since he'd had a reason to be nervous about the state of their relationship.
"Let's go home in that case. We do have quite a bit to discuss. Besides, I think Meg and Nadir will jump at the chance to finally be alone." Christine finally agreed, offering the smallest of smiles.
Erik offered her his hand but let it drop when she simply walked past him. So that was how it was going to be. She wasn't going to make it easy on him.
Fine. If she wished to be stubborn about her point, then two could play that game. He'd just have to find a way to be more civil about it so as to avoid another full fall out.
He trailed behind her, sighing heavily. Christine stopped long enough to say goodbye to their friends but he kept going. He wasn't in the mood for pleasantries now.
Meg felt selfish for being relieved by the absence of her friend. But it had been far too long since she'd had her man to herself. Not only that, but she was rather jealous of Christine and Erik.
It wasn't something that she'd ever openly admit, but the fact that her friend was married and starting a family already sometimes left a sour taste in her mouth.
If only she hadn't lied straight through her teeth when she told Nadir that her job was too important to her.
She'd simply said that because Nadir hadn't been sure whether or not he wanted to risk having another child at the time. But she knew something had shifted within him. She didn't need for him to acknowledge that out loud.
Actions always spoke louder than words.
It was in how fiercely defensive he was of Christine. She felt protective of the other woman as well, but his was on another level.
She'd just got done telling Christine that she and Erik needed to communicate, but that wouldn't work for them.
Nadir worried far too much and spent too much time dwelling over situations. Unlike Erik, he had to double and triple check even after coming to a decision.
Meg loved him for it, but that just seemed like a lot of unnecessary work for what they both clearly longer for at this point.
So perhaps there were some ulterior motives as she climbed into Nadir's lap once he'd sat down beside her. But she didn't care. it wasn't as if it was actually the only reason she was doing it.
She did want him, too. She always wanted him. Nadir often joked about her being insatiable but she knew he was just as bad.
It's why he didn't even think to protest. Not that he would after she started kissing and nipping at that one spot on his neck.