( closed post ) bizarre celebrations

[clearasil]

 [ And, later, when she's talked to people, teased Enjolras about the Kesha song yet again, and opened a handful of presents, Natalie's feeling full. It's a good, contented feeling, like things, while they may be shitty for a great deal of time, seem to be looking up for her. She is never ungrateful for her good friends, or a boyfriend who apparently doesn't need to be wooed.

When she shows up, she doesn't say anything, just smiling softly, tucking her loose hair behind her ears. ]

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[clearasil]

[ Natalie feels a giggle bubble up from her chest but she just smiles, teeth and all, and covers her eyes with her arm. She doesn't roll onto her side to face him but does keep close, nudging him with her shoulder. It's a rare, open moment for her where she ignores any inhibitions and makes a confession. ]

I think I'm falling for you.

[ The words spill out easily. It still isn't a full commitment but it's something. Her heart feels light and she doesn't lift her arm to look at him. ]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Those words, after what they've just done, send him flying. It's not even his birthday, but it feels like it might as well be. A chuckle bubbles up in his chest as he takes that in. ]

Oh, good. I'm not the only one.

[ There is, of course, the temptation to say more than that - to tell her what he realized a few months ago. But if the thought still freaks him out a little, and it does, there is no way Natalie can be ready to hear that yet. So he bites it back, settling for nuzzling against her. ]

[clearasil]

[ Even if that's finally a confirmation for her, Natalie isn't quite surprised by it. It's not relief or fear that she feels, but warmth, happiness. It's been a perfect seventeenth birthday. She removes that arm to reach over to fiddle with his hair, resting her hand on his cheek. Her eyes flick over his features before they close and she breathes in. ]

I wanna fall asleep with you but I know I have to head back to my cabin.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He groans, arm tightening around her. He doesn't want her to leave; the only thing that could make this better is if she stayed all night. ]

Do you have to? It's not like they can't take care of themselves.

[clearasil]

[ Truth be told, she wants to have sex with him again because she knows there will be repercussions for this and she wants to make the most of this time they have together. She wants to fall asleep in his arms for the first time and feel his heat when she wakes up. Responsibilities be damned. ]

You think I could get away with it?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ When he looks at her, he's got one eyebrow raised, and his opinion on the matter is clear without him needing to speak. But of course, he does anyway. ]

I think you could. And even if you can't, they'll punish us if they catch on, anyway, so it's not like it'll make that much of a difference. [ Wow, that sounds bad, coming from him. To make up for it, he pushes himself back up onto an elbow so he can leave a soft kiss on her lips. ] Stay.

[clearasil]

[ It sounds like her pessimism is rubbing off on him which isn't a good thing -- though she does know what he means. She's already made her decision but a part of her wants him to keep urging because she's also fond of these little games they play. ]

I don't wanna come back to a distressed dishwasher, [ she mumbles into their kiss. ]

[commandertoolbelt]

But you'll have clean dishes. [ Which is the important thing, right? He presses closer, deepening the kiss for a moment. ] Please, Nat? I don't want you to go.

[clearasil]

Okay, okay, [ she laughs softly, nudging her nose against his cheek, resting a leg over his. ] I'll stay.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ At that, Leo is certain that he is the luckiest guy in the world. With a bright smile, he pulls her closer, dropping a kiss on the corner of her lips. ]