Self-defense

White fluffy clouds drift overhead, the sky a perfect shade of blue beneath, and Donna basks in the morning sun. The feel of the soft, freshly cut grass beneath her is utterly blissful, until a shadow suddenly looms across her body.

"You ready?"

She wrinkles her nose as Harvey's broad shoulders block the warm rays.

"Good," he chuckles, extending his hand.

Her fingers slip into his, and she begrudgingly pulls herself up from the five minutes of peace she had while he was on the phone.

Even though it's a Sunday, they still both work when the occasion calls for it, but since getting together a few months ago, they've tried to make it their day. They'll make breakfast, sometimes, go out and explore the city, or stay in and explore the bedroom—the latter equally as intriguing

This morning, however, Harvey had insisted on taking her to the park to show her some self-defense moves. After a spate of muggings appeared on the news a few nights ago, he's been more protective than usual. And his concern is sweet. But he refuses to listen whenever she tries to tell him not to worry. Hence why they're at the park when they would usually still be curled up in bed. But despite the early hour, she tugs her ponytail, pulling her crop top down, and when she catches him staring, she fixes him with a smirk. "Are you ready?"

He grins, unable to help beaming his appreciation. He's seen his girlfriend in everything from designer dresses to lounge wear but still gets a thrill every time she steps in her workout gear. But as much as he wants to play along, his smile fades as he grows more serious. They're here for a reason. Because as much as he wants to be with her 24/7, that's simply not plausible, and with the reports of muggings going up, he's not going to take any chances with her safety. "Okay…Turn around," he instructs, motioning with his hand. Once she has her back to him, he steps forward. "Now, I come up behind you… What do you do?"

She feels his approach, his black t-shirt warm from the sun, and she tries to fight her amusement, glancing over her shoulder. "Distract you." She shuffles against his chest, wrapping his arms around her waist and brushing her lips beneath his chin. "Like this."

His body tingles as she flattens his palm across her stomach, securing herself in his hold, and his fingers twitch as squeezes her. "You're not taking this seriously."

"It's working, isn't it?" She grins against his mouth, stealing a kiss and teasing his self-restraint.

"Not the point," he murmurs, despite smiling.

Even though he wants her to pay attention, he wasted too long not being able to indulge these kinds of moments, ones where he can be open with his affections.

But when she turns, palming his chest, he reluctantly pulls his hand away. "Donna."

He raises an eyebrow in warning, and she scrunches his t-shirt with a sigh. "Fine."

She pivots, her ponytail bouncing from side to side, and he steps back again, his voice firmer as it falls between them. "I'm going to come up and grab you, okay?"

She nods.

"Whatever your instincts tell you to do, just—"

Her elbow flies into his stomach and the trees overhead roll as he lands with a hard smack on the grass, breathing heavily as she hovers above him with a smirk.

He winces, heat flushing the back of his neck as he scrutinizes her. "You've already taken self-defence classes, haven't you?"

She nods, trying and failing to hide her amusement. "Samantha suggested it."

""Then why the hell didn't you say anything?" he asks with an exasperated shrug.

"I did." Her smile widens as she extends her arm. "I told you I could take care of myself, but I knew you wouldn't believe me unless I showed you. Besides, you're supposed to use the element of surprise to your advantage, so…"

She stretches her fingers, and he takes them, shaking his head as he pulls himself up. "Well, you certainly got that part right."

He grimaces, rubbing his shoulder, and the amusement quickly falls from her face. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

"Wounded my pride a little." He smirks. In truth, he's glad to have discovered she has no problem throwing a guy double her size.

And she's right.

Unless he saw it for himself, he probably wouldn't have been convinced she could manage which makes him an idiot, because he should know by now never to underestimate her. "I'm guessing we don't need to run through the rest of the lesson, then?"

"Not unless you want to keep getting your ass kicked?" she teases, but stills feels guilty as she offers him a soft smile. "I'm sorry. I thought, you know… with all the boxing, you'd roll or something?"

She shrugs sheepishly, and he might have, had he been expecting her to launch him, but he shakes out the twinge, stepping forward. "Don't be." He settles his hands against her waist, curving his lips. "I'm relieved." The admission slips free as he clasps her tightly. "I feel better knowing you can handle yourself."

She's relieved too and glad she proved her point, clutching his t-shirt again. "In that case… maybe we go home? I can show you how well I handle other things."

He grins, not afraid to tease her back. "You're going to have to after that display."

He winks and she clasps his hand, more than ready to make up for any shortcomings he may suffer. Although one they get home she suspects his shoulder is going to be just fine.