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WHO: Elena Fisher & Nathan Drake
WHERE: Some park
WHEN: Valentine's Day-ish
WHAT: Valentine's Day things. Picnic. Things.
WARNINGS: Nada.

Look. Nathan Drake a man of mystery. He was a man of adventure, enjoyed his history, enjoyed the thrill of a discovery and the adrenaline pounding in his veins. No man had time in all of that for romantic shenanigans when new worlds lay at his feet. A lay or two, sure, but even then Nate wasn't the type to hold out for a girl in every port.

Elena was a special case. It was also like he was walking on rocky ground with her; neither of them knew what would happen, should they leave this place and return home. Would she still be alive? Would he have saved her just in time? Was there anything to look forward to?

Nate blamed himself. Maybe she didn't know it but there was a lot of guilt beneath the surface. He could've done better, but then neither of them would've known Harry had a grenade, that he would pop the pin and end his own life and try to take them with him. They hadn't seen it coming. It shouldn't have been Elena who had tried to talk to him and get close, it should've been him.

Harry had been Nate's problem. No one else should've gotten involved, not even Chloe.

With a basket in hand, lids in place to keep the contents hidden and fresh, he heads over to her place. A knock is given once he's on her doorstep, the basket off to the side and out of sight.

He should've at least sent a message to let her know he was coming over. Where would the surprise be then? Nate wanted to take her out without any fancy dressings and restaurant. Hold her hand. Not think about—

A deep breath.

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[Elena isn't expecting anything for Valentine's Day. Really, she doesn't need anything; it's a super-commercialized holiday, and whether they do anything for it says nothing about their relationship. She wants to be with Nate; Nate wants to be with her. That says enough, even if they haven't said certain things.

So of course she's dressed in an wrinkled t-shirt and jeans when the doorbell rings. Huh. She wasn't expecting company.]

Nate? What are you doing here?

[ It's a look that suits her. Comfortable, relaxed, not at all high maintenance. He likes that about her. Likes that he could probably lift her shirt over her head and get her out of those jeans in a matter of minutes. That isn't why he's here though, as nice as he knows how her ass looks in a pair of jeans. ]

Surprise. [ His hands slip into his back pockets. ] You busy? Probably should've sent a message before coming over.

No, not really.

[Should she say that she didn't expect him to show up on this holiday? Probably not, because this probably isn't about that and she'd put him on the spot.]

Want to come in?

Ah, actually...

[ He glances off to where the basket is tucked to the side. ]

I was thinking maybe we can go out tonight. Take a walk.

[She glances from his face to the basket and back, and a smile grows along with her comprehension.]

Yeah. Yeah, we could do that. Just let me get my shoes on.

[Luckily, a worn-in pair of sneakers is near the foyer. She shoves her feet in, grabs her purse and heads back to him, reaching out to take his hand.]

[ As soon as she reaches to take his hand, a smile breaks out. It comes so easily. He feels his chest swell and an overall feeling of complete and utter happiness washes over him.

She essentially made him the happiest man in the world with the way she reached for him.

Nate stoops, her hand in his, picking up the basket. He's also happy that she didn't rush off to change. A rumpled t-shirt and jeans, she's still as fine as ever. ]

All set?

[The smile doesn't escape her notice, although she doesn't have insight into the specific feelings behind it. She doesn't need it; it's enough to see that look on his face, like he's lit up from the inside. It looks good on him.

She gives his hand a little squeeze.]

Uh-huh. Do I get to know where we're going or do I have to guess?

[ He squeezes back, gives her arm a bit of a swing as they start off down the path. ]

No need to guess. We'll just-- walk.

[It sounds nice enough. And the little swing is ridiculously cute.]

Uh-huh. Sounds nice.

[She leans in close.]

What's in the basket?

Oh, this? It's just a basket. With stuff. And things.

[ Nate gives her arm another little swing. He ducks down and presses a kiss to her hairline. Might as well sneak that in. ]

What were you up to before I came by unannounced?

[She fights to keep the smile from getting too wide. Her face hurts.]

I was going to curl up with my laptop and do some research on a story. I'm surprised to see you, actually.

That's me, Mister Surprise Man. But don't be so surprised. I like having you around and I know you like having me around.

[ He sure enjoys teasing her. ]

Research, huh? What's this story about?

[Well, he's not wrong.]

Crime statistics. Boring stuff for now. Anyway, that's not why I'm surprised—Valentine's Day just didn't seem like something you'd think about.

I know we had the one time, back home, but it was one of those order in Chinese nights and do a movie marathon, which, frankly, just felt like any other night.

[ Not that he hadn't enjoyed it. Also, any other time V-Day came around before or after that time with her, he was a single man and not really near civilisation to be reminded. ]

Things are...different here.

[She's even more surprised that he remembers that Valentine's Day, but doesn't say so. It'd feel like nitpicking.]

Mmm, sometimes. I'm not sure that people are very different here, though. [She waves her free hand dismissively.] Besides, you know. The added superpowers.

[ He had some of THE best sweet and sour chicken balls that night, of course he would remember that one. ]

I think they could be.

[ Nate knows they're different, in a way. ]

[She's quiet for a moment before giving him a sidelong look and a smile.]

Maybe they can be.

[Maybe they can be.]

[ Now wouldn't be a good time to tell her what's on his mind. Although Nate wants to, really wants to, they've only reached the park and haven't had the chance to unload the basket.

Nate brushes his thumb along the side of her hand. ]

They can be.

[A little flutter goes through her stomach. She doesn't know what to say, so for the moment she doesn't say anything, just leans her head against his arm as they head into the park.]

[ He smiles down at her, leading the way onto the grassy field, feeling it give way beneath his steps. This is nice, leaves him feeling warm inside. ]

You hungry?

I could eat.

[It's a good thing he showed up when he did. She'd have filled up on leftovers before long.]

Good. I'm starved.

[ He's got something better than leftovers. A nice spot is found and he sets the basket down, but not without kissing the corner of her mouth before he crouches.

A blanket's been folded inside and Nate gets it out, going about spreading it over the grass. They're in luck with having no gusting wind. ]

[A romantic picnic lunch. It's downright quaint. She loves it.]

Look at you, thought of everything. [It's her turn to plant a kiss on his cheek before she settles herself on the blanket, grinning and waiting to see where this goes.] Tell me you brought wine.

You make it sound like I don't.

[ Be nice, Elena. He grins back as he begins reaching into the basket to pull out a wine that was the closest to what was her favorite back home. Plastic cups come next. A covered plate of meat and cheese. ]

See? I've thought of everything.

When it comes to surprise picnics, I have no idea. This is a first.

[For the two of them, anyway. Maybe he did surprise picnics all the time for other women he'd dated. She doesn't know.]

Aw, you brought brie. Now it's perfect.

Brie and wine, with a little bit of meat, it can't get any better than this.

[ Or can it? Back into the basket he goes, retrieving wrapped sandwiches. Can't forget the fruit! Which comes in the form of a tupperware with green grapes. ]

Bon appetite.

[ With everything laid out, the wine is opened and poured, her cup passed over. ]

[This is great. Surprising, romantic. She thinks maybe he's right. It's hard to imagine better than this.]

Thank you.

[She leans on one hand, has some cheese and takes a sip of wine. Very classy.]

This is way better than going to a fancy restaurant filled with couples trying to follow the relationship checklist.

[ Nathan takes a few sips of his own, snagging some meat to sandwich the cheese in. He scoffs. ]

Sounds boring. I mean, who follows a relationship checklist? Live in the moment, hasn't that always worked for us?

Worked pretty well for my career, too.

[She'd auditioned for a reality show on a whim and done well. She'd said yes to the history show offer because it intrigued her. And she'd gone to Nepal with a cameraman and a mission because she was sure they were after a story worth telling—the details of how to tell it would come later.]

Don't tell me you never think about the future, though.

[ The question catches him in mid-chew and he glances at her before glancing away, swallowing. Has he thought about the future? Here, yes, but back home? Not really.

If Nate ever thought that far ahead then it had to do with what job he might pick up next. Where it would take him and Sully. Rooming, vehicles. Weapons and taking stock.

He was too much of a live in the moment, minimal planning. ]

I take it one day at a time. [ He knew what he wanted, right now, and he had it— her. ] Sometimes I try not to think about it.

[She'd be lying to herself if she said it's not a little disappointing to hear that, but she refuses to indulge in the emotion. Even if it would have been really good to hear that he thinks about some kind of future she might play a part in.]

I think I'm farsighted when it comes to the future. [She stretches her neck back, looking up into the sky. It's a beautiful day, warm and blue with hardly any clouds. Hooray for Florida winters.] I have an idea of what I want it to be like, eventually, but how exactly to get there? Not really.

Goals. Those are good to have.

[ Nate looks over as she's exposed her throat, his gaze sweeping over the arch of it. On impulse, he leans over to press a kiss over her pulse, adding a little nip, gentle affection. All without spilling any wine. ]

How do you want it to be like? Or is that top secret, Elena Fisher level only?

Edited 2018-02-25 18:45 (UTC)

[She chuckles and inclines her head toward him.]

I think you can be trusted. Hmm...I'd like to have some important stories under my belt, things that improved the world, at least a little. And a home to come back to that feels comfortable even if I just hit the road again in search of the next stories. People I love in my life.

That'd be enough.

You had a good chunk of that, back home.

[ That she might never have again.

A kiss brushes her jaw and Nate leans back, going to the basket to dig out something else. It isn't food, it's a long box, wrapped with a mini press on bow. He passes it over after a short moment of thought, trying not to let any nerves show. ]

So I— uh. I got you something.

[ Should she open it right away, inside she'll find a white gold sun necklace with diamonds on a short chain so that it can sit right at the hollow base of her throat. ]

[She had the start of it. Some respect in her field, but the Lazarevic story had gone so badly. A nice enough apartment, but not anything that really belongs to her. And she didn't have him.

But she keeps those thoughts to herself, straightening up to accept the gift. Another surprise.]

It's beautiful, Nate. Just my style. [She holds the charm between her fingers, watching the diamonds sparkle. Holy shit, are those real?] Thank you.

[She leans in to kiss him.]

[ He's never one to gift someone anything. Usually it might be a trinket he's found on his adventures that he tosses over with a 'heads up'. This is different, this is Elena, this means something.

Speaking of meaning, there's one behind the charm, one she might be aware of. He's not sure. Seeing her open the wrapping and box, the entire time he'd kept his gaze on her face to take note of her reaction. Her response drops his shoulders in relief.

Also, damn straight all those diamonds are real. The best cut and clarity he could get. ]

You're welcome.

[ His mouth meets hers and his hand slides up to gently cup the back of her neck. ] You make the world a brighter place, Elena... [ he murmurs softly between them, his brow to hers.

She makes his world a brighter one. ]

[Nate's gotten her gifts before, back when they were first dating, but mainly little trinkets, pieces of the places he'd gone to. Things that let her know he was thinking of her, but not things he had to put thought into to pick.

This is different. She's not a huge jewelry person, and certainly the price of the necklace doesn't matter. The effort he put in does.]

You bring a little light yourself, cowboy.

[A lot of light, to her. She closes her eyes as she tries to take in the moment, let it extend as long as it can. Are there other people in this park? Who cares?]

Really? You think so? [ A smile teases his lips and he opens his eyes, watching. Why are they in the middle of a park again? ] Didn't we already have this talk?

Pretty sure we agreed that everything I touch turns to shit.

[ A hint of sadness had crept in. Her, Sam, everything. All those fights he'd get into at the orphanage. ]

I never agreed with that.

[SHe opens her eyes, recognizing that sadness. Or wistfulness. Or something. He doesn't see himself the way she sees him, is the point, and that's not how it should be.]

From my perspective, you do pretty well. You've made some amazing finds, stayed alive through all of them. [She reaches up to touch his cheek.] You've got me.

[ Her touch is electric and Nate relishs in it, turning his face in to press to her palm and reaching up to keep her hand right where it is. ]

Fighting to stay alive is something I've always done. Ever since I was a kid. [ His eyes lift to meet hers, a vulnerability revealed. ] Do you mean that?

Yeah. Of course I do.

[Something about the way he looks at her sends a shiver down her spine. It's just Nate's eyes, but it's like she can see through them to what's inside of him more than he normally allows.]

I'm here, aren't I?

Yeah. You are.

[ For now. Until either one of them returns home and then that's...it. ]

You are.

[ Nate leans in, rough palms tender with how they frame her face. This would be the perfect time, THE absolute perfect moment. The sun is setting off to his right, pinks and oranges streaking overhead, catching on the gold strands of her hair. Even the freckles on her face stand out in this moment; she's glowing, she's always been the bright part of his life.

How he feels, how he truly feels, how does he put that into words? There's an anxiousness fluttering in his stomach, his chest tight. Believing he'd lost Sully had been scary, losing Sam had been devastating.

...no more words come out as his lips brush hers. ]

[Elena wants to say something in response, assure him that she's not going anywhere, but it feels like the moment will shatter if she makes a sound and it's too previous, too important for that.

Once upon a time she'd thought herself over him, but she was kidding herself. She's in love with Nate, only more so now that they've had this extra time together. He holds his cards close to the vest even now, but that doesn't bother her. All she wants to do is spend more time getting just as close, no matter how long it takes.

She still can't say it herself, not when she doesn't know what she'd hear back, but Elena whispers three words in her mind as she kisses him back, eyelids dropping closed.]

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