Callen and Nell glided toward the side of the rink, slowing to a stop near the barrier. The crisp night air was filled with the sound of laughter, the occasional scrape of blades against ice, and the distant twinkle of holiday music filtering through the speakers.
Nell leaned against the railing, catching her breath, her cheeks flushed from both the cold and the exhilaration of skating. Callen stood beside her, arms resting on the barrier, his own expression relaxed in a way she didn't see often.
They watched as Deeks nearly took out a group of kids trying to show off, while Kensi effortlessly weaved around him, laughing at his antics. Sam skated past with surprising ease, smirking at Callen as if to say, I told you this wouldn't kill you.
Nell giggled, nudging Callen lightly with her elbow. "See? Not so bad, right?"
Callen exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "I'll admit, it's better than I expected."
They fell into a comfortable silence, both watching their friends skate.
Every so often, Nell would sneak a glance at Callen, watching the way the lights reflected in his eyes, the rare, unguarded expression on his face. She wondered if he had any idea how much she had tried to keep her distance over the years, how she had spent so much time convincing herself that he was just a friend, just a colleague.
But then Callen would turn his head slightly, catching her off guard, and she'd quickly look away, pretending to be focused on something else.
She didn't notice that Callen was doing the same thing.
Every few minutes, when she wasn't looking, he'd steal a glance at her. At the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was lost in thought. He wondered if she knew how easily she pulled him in, how he found himself drawn to her in ways he hadn't let himself consider before.
If she noticed the way his gaze lingered, she didn't say anything.
And so they stood there, side by side, laughing at Deeks, enjoying the crisp winter air, and pretending not to notice when the other was looking.