Rav sighed, but then smiled.
"Yeah," Rav said, scratching at the back of his hair momentarily before pulling his arm across his body in a stretch. "I mean, I just don't want to overcomplicate things. And, ultimately, I'll disengage if I'm uncomfortable. That's not what I'm worried about."
That was relieving to hear, and Nick allowed himself a soft smile, hopeful.
"So, whatever helps you... uh... you know..." Rav said, switching arms, "...have a good time." Rav looked off to the side then, and Nick dared to think that the man might be excited, if nervous. Nick smiled a little bit brighter, setting down the last bit of vigilance that had been weighing him down. They'd had the difficult awkward conversation, and while it was a bit dicey there for a moment, they had gotten through, and Nick was finally eager to just relax and have a good time.
"Sounds good." Nick said as he pushed himself to his feet and began stretching his arms, too. It was tempting to apologize for the clumsy conversation, or explain himself in some way, but once he stretched both arms, he shook out his wrists lightly, setting those impulses aside. Then, he stepped around the coffee table toward Rav--slowly, but smoothly, minding how Rav's body responded. He didn't approach the man just yet--instead, he gestured abstractly with a tilt of his head and a subtle swivel of his hip toward the open space behind Rav, a gentle interest in his eyes. He probably could just step around Rav if he wanted, but it seemed more pleasant to try to gently dance their way over there--or, perhaps just dance here, if Rav was so inclined.
Oh, but then Nick realized he'd gotten ahead of himself, and his grin grew a little sheepish as he sauntered over to where he had set the knee pads down at the far end of the coffee table, his body beginning to sway in gentle flow with the music that played, at least until he began the mildly clumsy work of getting his knee pads on.
Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
"Sounds good," Nick said, pushing himself to his feet. Rav's eyes widened at first, but Nick soon settled into stretching his own arms. Rav returned to paying attention to his own body. After another few moments, however, Nick stepped around the coffee table, slowly moving closer, and Rav found himself staring at Nick's face, trying to read the approach. But, they had just decided that they'd start where they usually started in class. Was this the beginning of a dance?
Nick tilted his head and swiveled his hips toward the open space behind the two of them, and Rav's stomach flipped. He began to work up toward actually engaging with Nick, but before he could do much of anything, Nick abruptly walked over to the other side of the coffee table to put the kneepads on, his body still swaying a little to the music. Rav smiled crookedly and took the opportunity to shake his own body out a little further, bouncing and flicking his wrists, trying not to get too distracted by the way Nick was bending over. To wit, he may as well just turn around to give him a little privacy. As he did so, Rav inched further into the open space, swinging his arms in kidney taps--another fairly successful way to settle his anxiety.
((OOC: I'm feeling like we are getting close to a place where I'd like to continue in person, but lmk how you are feeling.))
Nick tilted his head and swiveled his hips toward the open space behind the two of them, and Rav's stomach flipped. He began to work up toward actually engaging with Nick, but before he could do much of anything, Nick abruptly walked over to the other side of the coffee table to put the kneepads on, his body still swaying a little to the music. Rav smiled crookedly and took the opportunity to shake his own body out a little further, bouncing and flicking his wrists, trying not to get too distracted by the way Nick was bending over. To wit, he may as well just turn around to give him a little privacy. As he did so, Rav inched further into the open space, swinging his arms in kidney taps--another fairly successful way to settle his anxiety.
((OOC: I'm feeling like we are getting close to a place where I'd like to continue in person, but lmk how you are feeling.))
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Rav sat against the wall with Nick, having invited Nick over to where Rav had been sitting after their dancing and Nick's need to shift toward taking care of his own body. Sitting in his sweatpants with his knees up and his arm around this other man who he was now undeniably attracted to, Rav felt a little self-conscious about the impromptu amateur chiropractic care he had provided Nick. But Nick was seemingly beginning to recover from whatever tweak he had accidentally created in his neck. Rav, on the other hand...
"Do you... want to go for a walk?" Nick asked. Rav looked at his knees for a moment, trying to decide if he thought his sweatpants were appropriate attire for this neighborhood. Well, what the heck. He didn't want to stop hanging out with Nick at any rate, even if they had listened the better half of an album together.
"Yeah. Yeah," Rav said nodding and looking at Nick. He started disengaging from Nick, realizing he would need to stop putting off going to the bathroom at the very least, which would also give him a few moments to collect himself. "I'll be right back," Rav said quietly, finding his own way toward the bathroom.
Once he closed the door, Rav let out a big breath, pressing his cheek against the cold wood for a moment as his mind ran over everything that had happened. Their dancing. Their excitement. Their play-fighting. You're getting rowdy, Nick, Rav had said playfully during what would be their last shared dance. Nick's laughter. And then, Rav had pulled Nick close, grasping onto Nick's hips and waist with both hands, urgently and forcefully kneading him in time with the music. With his forehead against Nick and his breath heavy, he had not wanted to let go.
But, then again, Nick hadn't pulled away. And when they had gone to the couch afterward to cool down, Nick had even craved more touch. They had held hands and even reached up toward each other's arms, still dancing in some way. Rav had gone as far as to palpitate Nick's arm vein where Rav had initially punctured him the first day they had met, long since healed, feeling into Nick's quickening heartbeat while Nick squeezed Rav's bicep.
In the bathroom, Rav took a deep breath, realizing he was taking longer than was strictly reasonable. He looked at the toilet, calculating whether he thought he had time to pleasure himself in here before their walk. Was this the only bathroom? He didn't want to keep Nick from taking care of his own bodily needs. And did Rav really need to let off steam in that way? He wondered if he should text Hannah, but he didn't think she would respond quickly enough. Couldn't he just control himself? They were going back out in public, after all. Probably wouldn't even hold hands out there. Yeah, it would probably be fine. And it would all be easier once he emptied his bladder anyway.
He did indulge, after he took his cock out of his boxers, in three long, slow strokes of his cock thinking about the gentle pressure of Nick's body against his before he flexed to allow the urine to flow. An audible sound of pleasure nearly escaped his throat, but he closed his mouth and tightened his jaw just in time, breathing through it. Gods, he was a mess.
When he was finished, Rav washed his hands and checked his hair, taking another deep breath before he exited the bathroom to face Nick again.
"Do you... want to go for a walk?" Nick asked. Rav looked at his knees for a moment, trying to decide if he thought his sweatpants were appropriate attire for this neighborhood. Well, what the heck. He didn't want to stop hanging out with Nick at any rate, even if they had listened the better half of an album together.
"Yeah. Yeah," Rav said nodding and looking at Nick. He started disengaging from Nick, realizing he would need to stop putting off going to the bathroom at the very least, which would also give him a few moments to collect himself. "I'll be right back," Rav said quietly, finding his own way toward the bathroom.
Once he closed the door, Rav let out a big breath, pressing his cheek against the cold wood for a moment as his mind ran over everything that had happened. Their dancing. Their excitement. Their play-fighting. You're getting rowdy, Nick, Rav had said playfully during what would be their last shared dance. Nick's laughter. And then, Rav had pulled Nick close, grasping onto Nick's hips and waist with both hands, urgently and forcefully kneading him in time with the music. With his forehead against Nick and his breath heavy, he had not wanted to let go.
But, then again, Nick hadn't pulled away. And when they had gone to the couch afterward to cool down, Nick had even craved more touch. They had held hands and even reached up toward each other's arms, still dancing in some way. Rav had gone as far as to palpitate Nick's arm vein where Rav had initially punctured him the first day they had met, long since healed, feeling into Nick's quickening heartbeat while Nick squeezed Rav's bicep.
In the bathroom, Rav took a deep breath, realizing he was taking longer than was strictly reasonable. He looked at the toilet, calculating whether he thought he had time to pleasure himself in here before their walk. Was this the only bathroom? He didn't want to keep Nick from taking care of his own bodily needs. And did Rav really need to let off steam in that way? He wondered if he should text Hannah, but he didn't think she would respond quickly enough. Couldn't he just control himself? They were going back out in public, after all. Probably wouldn't even hold hands out there. Yeah, it would probably be fine. And it would all be easier once he emptied his bladder anyway.
He did indulge, after he took his cock out of his boxers, in three long, slow strokes of his cock thinking about the gentle pressure of Nick's body against his before he flexed to allow the urine to flow. An audible sound of pleasure nearly escaped his throat, but he closed his mouth and tightened his jaw just in time, breathing through it. Gods, he was a mess.
When he was finished, Rav washed his hands and checked his hair, taking another deep breath before he exited the bathroom to face Nick again.
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Nick had his arm over Rav's knee, Rav's arm around his back, their bodies pressed against each other by the wall. Nick could hardly believe it. He was still spinning a little from all that had happened. Somewhere deep in his throat was a small little knot, though he wasn't entirely sure what it was about. Embarassment, maybe--that he'd hurt his own neck, and had needed to take up time he and Rav had together to care for it. Rav had been exceptionally sweet about it, though.
Regardless, though, Nick was feeling antsy. He did enjoy the warmth and intimacy of this little cuddle by the wall, but there really was a yearning to talk. To zoom out, maybe. To get to know this man through more than just physical intimacy. If Rav would be open to it.
"Do you... want to go for a walk?" Nick asked shyly. Rav had mentioned he liked going for walks. It sounded good to get some air, a change of scenery, and maybe a little more space for conversation.
Rav was quiet for a moment, and Nick worried he might be disappointed, but then he nodded. "Yeah. Yeah," he said. Nick smiled, and they both disentangled from one another, starting to shift intention that direction.
"I'll be right back," Rav said quietly, heading toward the bathroom. Nick nodded, and headed down to his room to change back into his sweatpants and grab his shoes and a jacket.
He looked in his mirror once he was dressed, just kind of in awe. Never had he ever had someone over like this. A couple Tinder experiments, sure, but those were a particular thing. And friends to hang out with, but that was a different particular thing. This was... well, a date. Nick watched his own cheeks gain a little color, his smile widen. How long had it been since he'd really been in this sort of liminality with someone? He was excited, and a little scared. But, that was partly what the walk was for. To help him ground a little more in exactly what this was.
With a big exhale, Nick titled his neck a little side to side to check in with it, and then made his way back upstairs, hoping Rav hadn't waited too long for him.
As it happened, when Nick got back upstairs, Nick heard Rav washing his hands in the bathroom. That was good... or at least, it was good that Rav hadn't been waiting on him, but was Rav okay? In an anxious impulse, Nick grabbed an apple slice to nibble on, then realized he should probably put the snacks away. So, he finished his apple slice quickly and shuffled into the kitchen with the plates--just as Rav emerged from the bathroom.
Nick felt startled for half a beat--almost like he'd been caught in the act of something--and let out a faint chuckle as he got past it and offered Rav a crooked grin.
"Just putting these away real quick," he said by way of explanation before setting the plates down on the counter and grabbing a couple tubs from a cabinet. He felt an impulse to say more--to assure Rav that they could get the snacks back out when they got back, in case Rav might be disappointed that Nick was putting them away. But the impulse grated against that tiny little knot in Nick's throat, and he let out a soft breath instead, urging his attention to focus on the music that still played and just enjoy it while he put the snacks away.
Regardless, though, Nick was feeling antsy. He did enjoy the warmth and intimacy of this little cuddle by the wall, but there really was a yearning to talk. To zoom out, maybe. To get to know this man through more than just physical intimacy. If Rav would be open to it.
"Do you... want to go for a walk?" Nick asked shyly. Rav had mentioned he liked going for walks. It sounded good to get some air, a change of scenery, and maybe a little more space for conversation.
Rav was quiet for a moment, and Nick worried he might be disappointed, but then he nodded. "Yeah. Yeah," he said. Nick smiled, and they both disentangled from one another, starting to shift intention that direction.
"I'll be right back," Rav said quietly, heading toward the bathroom. Nick nodded, and headed down to his room to change back into his sweatpants and grab his shoes and a jacket.
He looked in his mirror once he was dressed, just kind of in awe. Never had he ever had someone over like this. A couple Tinder experiments, sure, but those were a particular thing. And friends to hang out with, but that was a different particular thing. This was... well, a date. Nick watched his own cheeks gain a little color, his smile widen. How long had it been since he'd really been in this sort of liminality with someone? He was excited, and a little scared. But, that was partly what the walk was for. To help him ground a little more in exactly what this was.
With a big exhale, Nick titled his neck a little side to side to check in with it, and then made his way back upstairs, hoping Rav hadn't waited too long for him.
As it happened, when Nick got back upstairs, Nick heard Rav washing his hands in the bathroom. That was good... or at least, it was good that Rav hadn't been waiting on him, but was Rav okay? In an anxious impulse, Nick grabbed an apple slice to nibble on, then realized he should probably put the snacks away. So, he finished his apple slice quickly and shuffled into the kitchen with the plates--just as Rav emerged from the bathroom.
Nick felt startled for half a beat--almost like he'd been caught in the act of something--and let out a faint chuckle as he got past it and offered Rav a crooked grin.
"Just putting these away real quick," he said by way of explanation before setting the plates down on the counter and grabbing a couple tubs from a cabinet. He felt an impulse to say more--to assure Rav that they could get the snacks back out when they got back, in case Rav might be disappointed that Nick was putting them away. But the impulse grated against that tiny little knot in Nick's throat, and he let out a soft breath instead, urging his attention to focus on the music that still played and just enjoy it while he put the snacks away.
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Coming back out into the main space, Rav went looking for Nick--he wasn't where they had danced. He found Nick in the kitchen and found himself smiling when Nick started. There was some small part of Rav that enjoyed making Nick nervous, maybe because Rav didn't want to be the only one.
Nick laughed at himself and said, "Just putting these away real quick." He was transferring the snacks to containers. Smart. Rav looked a little guiltily at the food, wondering if he should have eaten more. Nick had gone to a lot of trouble. But, Rav had eaten a fair few of the apple slices out of anxiety, so there was that. And he could probably ask for some of the other snacks again once they came back. If they came back.
It only then occurred to Rav that maybe Nick had asked for a walk because Nick felt uncomfortable being alone with him after dancing. At this thought, Rav's face fell back toward neutral. He'd checked in with Nick multiple times after they'd both gotten rowdy and excited, and Nick had said he was comfortable...
Maybe it was just that Rav said he enjoyed late-night walks. That was certainly the more optimistic read. And, really, if Nick was uncomfortable alone with Rav, it was good he was taking care of himself, and even better that he still wanted to spend time with Rav in some capacity. Yeah, no matter what happened, it was going to be fine.
Rav ultimately nodded in what he thought was gratitude before he drained the rest of his water bottle and made way for the sink to fill it back up. Suddenly, he felt shy about touching Nick, not wanting to inadvertently get in Nick's way. He waited for the right time and made for the sink, turning on the cold tap.
"Is there somewhere you typically like to walk toward?" Rav asked, not looking at Nick, though his tone was light and gentle.
Nick laughed at himself and said, "Just putting these away real quick." He was transferring the snacks to containers. Smart. Rav looked a little guiltily at the food, wondering if he should have eaten more. Nick had gone to a lot of trouble. But, Rav had eaten a fair few of the apple slices out of anxiety, so there was that. And he could probably ask for some of the other snacks again once they came back. If they came back.
It only then occurred to Rav that maybe Nick had asked for a walk because Nick felt uncomfortable being alone with him after dancing. At this thought, Rav's face fell back toward neutral. He'd checked in with Nick multiple times after they'd both gotten rowdy and excited, and Nick had said he was comfortable...
Maybe it was just that Rav said he enjoyed late-night walks. That was certainly the more optimistic read. And, really, if Nick was uncomfortable alone with Rav, it was good he was taking care of himself, and even better that he still wanted to spend time with Rav in some capacity. Yeah, no matter what happened, it was going to be fine.
Rav ultimately nodded in what he thought was gratitude before he drained the rest of his water bottle and made way for the sink to fill it back up. Suddenly, he felt shy about touching Nick, not wanting to inadvertently get in Nick's way. He waited for the right time and made for the sink, turning on the cold tap.
"Is there somewhere you typically like to walk toward?" Rav asked, not looking at Nick, though his tone was light and gentle.
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
It was difficult for Nick to set down his anxiety entirely--Rav came into the kitchen and lingered a little bit like he wanted something, and Nick glanced up at him with some nervousness in his eyes. He realized as soon as he actually looked at Rav, though--standing there with his water bottle in hand--that Rav's interest seemed to be in the sink. Nick smiled a little and finished up one of the tubs, walking it over to the fridge and giving Rav an opening. He could have gotten to the sink where Nick had stood before, but, if Nick was reading him right, he seemed to be shier about proximity now. Nick was a little bit sad about that, but felt he understood. Transitions were always awkward--and, well, they were transitioning toward a farther-out sort of proximity, anyhow, so it made sense. Again, though, Nick just hoped that Rav wasn't disappointed by it.
"Is there somewhere you typically like to walk toward?" Rav asked as he turned on the tap. Nick walked back over to the counter to put away the other plate in its tub, his body nearly buzzing as he re-entered Rav's proximity. He almost wanted to touch the man's back, but he refrained, sticking to business. That was, until a better idea came to mind, and with a grin, Nick lightly bumped his hip against Rav's.
Then, he promptly realized he hadn't even acknowledged the man's question, he'd been so preoccupied with the closeness of their bodies. Nick felt his cheeks grow a little warm, his grin a bit sheepish.
"There's a park just on the other side of the school."
Nick considered also mentioning the walk in the other direction, where a busy street offered lots of shops to peruse and spots to grab snacks, or even drinks if they were so inclined. A past version of him might have--there was an impulse to offer every available option, get a read on the other person's preferences--but, he didn't want to peruse shops with Rav, or even get a drink, not right this moment at least. So, the park it was, unless Rav genuinely had an objection.
"Is there somewhere you typically like to walk toward?" Rav asked as he turned on the tap. Nick walked back over to the counter to put away the other plate in its tub, his body nearly buzzing as he re-entered Rav's proximity. He almost wanted to touch the man's back, but he refrained, sticking to business. That was, until a better idea came to mind, and with a grin, Nick lightly bumped his hip against Rav's.
Then, he promptly realized he hadn't even acknowledged the man's question, he'd been so preoccupied with the closeness of their bodies. Nick felt his cheeks grow a little warm, his grin a bit sheepish.
"There's a park just on the other side of the school."
Nick considered also mentioning the walk in the other direction, where a busy street offered lots of shops to peruse and spots to grab snacks, or even drinks if they were so inclined. A past version of him might have--there was an impulse to offer every available option, get a read on the other person's preferences--but, he didn't want to peruse shops with Rav, or even get a drink, not right this moment at least. So, the park it was, unless Rav genuinely had an objection.
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Rav filled up his water bottle, waiting for Nick's reply. He heard Nick cross behind him, and Rav's hackles raised slightly, on edge for reasons he did not fully understand. But then Nick bumped playfully against Rav's hip, sort of like they might have done in a contact improv session, and Rav's guard fell down again as he smiled, the situation defused. Nick couldn't be that afraid of Rav.
Rav turned around in time to see Nick's iconically sheepish grin.
"There's a park just on the other side of the school."
Rav nodded, happy to visit a park in the evening, even if it wasn't fully dark yet. He smiled subtly, grateful that Nick would be leading the way this time.
"Well," Rav said with a shrug, "I'm ready when you are."
Rav turned around in time to see Nick's iconically sheepish grin.
"There's a park just on the other side of the school."
Rav nodded, happy to visit a park in the evening, even if it wasn't fully dark yet. He smiled subtly, grateful that Nick would be leading the way this time.
"Well," Rav said with a shrug, "I'm ready when you are."
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Rav nodded and gave a soft smile, seemingly unbothered--dare Nick say happy about?--the hip bump, and also apparently content with the plan to walk in the park. This was good.
"Well," Rav said with a shrug, "I'm ready when you are."
Nick let out a bit of a sigh, his smile wide and crooked as he slightly dramaticized snapping the tupperware lid shut, snack thoroughly packed within it. He only realized he'd made a little show of it after the fact, and his grin turned a bit sheepish again as he shuffled the tupperware into the fridge with the other.
"Okay! Ready." Nick announced happily as he pivoted to face Rav, hands slipping into his jacket pockets. Course, next came the mildly awkward shuffle of the fact that Rav was somewhat between Nick and the kitchen's exit. Nick stepped forward, gently nodding toward the front door to invite Rav to head that direction, and Nick would follow. He'd need to lock the door behind them anyway.
He made sure to switch lights off on the way out, save the porch light to light their way back. Not that it was terribly dark--there was still evening twilight, and there were plenty of street lights--but it was the habit of the thing. After locking the door, Nick was happy to take the lead as soon as made sense--right away, if Rav deferred on the porch, or just once they were down the stairs to the sidewalk and had plenty of room to maneuver around each other. Almost as if to celebrate the open space, Nick added a light skip into his step as he set the direction to the left, and then looked over his shoulder with a smile, inviting Rav to catch up before he continued walking at a normal pace.
It was a short jaunt to the end of the block that direction, and then Nick led them across the street. Only once they settled on the next block, walking along the side of a large fenced-in schoolyard, did a fresh awkwardness sink in. It was a straight, uneventful walk down this block, and plenty of time to start some conversation, but Nick was suddenly overwhelmed with where to begin.
"Thanks for doing this with me," were the words he finally found, though something felt terribly inadequate about them. Nick's gaze bashfully drifted to the side, even as he playfully leaned toward Rav just enough to bump shoulders as they walked. Only then did he bring his gaze back, just barely, eyeing Rav sort of from below and to the side with a shy, hopeful sort of smile.
"Well," Rav said with a shrug, "I'm ready when you are."
Nick let out a bit of a sigh, his smile wide and crooked as he slightly dramaticized snapping the tupperware lid shut, snack thoroughly packed within it. He only realized he'd made a little show of it after the fact, and his grin turned a bit sheepish again as he shuffled the tupperware into the fridge with the other.
"Okay! Ready." Nick announced happily as he pivoted to face Rav, hands slipping into his jacket pockets. Course, next came the mildly awkward shuffle of the fact that Rav was somewhat between Nick and the kitchen's exit. Nick stepped forward, gently nodding toward the front door to invite Rav to head that direction, and Nick would follow. He'd need to lock the door behind them anyway.
He made sure to switch lights off on the way out, save the porch light to light their way back. Not that it was terribly dark--there was still evening twilight, and there were plenty of street lights--but it was the habit of the thing. After locking the door, Nick was happy to take the lead as soon as made sense--right away, if Rav deferred on the porch, or just once they were down the stairs to the sidewalk and had plenty of room to maneuver around each other. Almost as if to celebrate the open space, Nick added a light skip into his step as he set the direction to the left, and then looked over his shoulder with a smile, inviting Rav to catch up before he continued walking at a normal pace.
It was a short jaunt to the end of the block that direction, and then Nick led them across the street. Only once they settled on the next block, walking along the side of a large fenced-in schoolyard, did a fresh awkwardness sink in. It was a straight, uneventful walk down this block, and plenty of time to start some conversation, but Nick was suddenly overwhelmed with where to begin.
"Thanks for doing this with me," were the words he finally found, though something felt terribly inadequate about them. Nick's gaze bashfully drifted to the side, even as he playfully leaned toward Rav just enough to bump shoulders as they walked. Only then did he bring his gaze back, just barely, eyeing Rav sort of from below and to the side with a shy, hopeful sort of smile.
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Nick was ridiculous and adorable as he sighed and exaggerated snapping the lid of the container shut. Nick seemed to notice that he’d been over the top on the way to the fridge, though, that sheepish smile returning. Rav fantasized stopping him, even perhaps putting a hand on his throat, and whispering in his ear, You’re allowed to show off for me, Nick. But, obviously, he didn’t. They weren’t… there yet. And maybe they never would be.
“Okay! Ready!” Nick said, and Rav’s mind scrambled to pull out of the fantasy enough to even remember what they were doing next. Walk, yes. Right. Nick pivoted to face Rav again, and Rav realized he was in the way. Nick nodded toward the exit, and Rav followed his cue, turning around and heading toward the door. Rav wondered about if he should bring his backpack—he brought it almost everywhere—but he decided it was probably harmless to leave it here for now. If Nick wanted Rav to leave, they wouldn’t be going on a walk, right? And, selfishly, Rav wanted an excuse to come back.
So, Rav smoothly bypassed his backpack and the impulse to pack up the kneepads, instead only grabbing his black jacket. He then walked outside, waiting on the porch for Nick to lock the door. A flame’s tongue of fear licked up the base of Rav’s spine at the realization that he was now well and truly separated from his stuff, but he had his phone and his wallet in his jacket, and they probably weren’t going far. Most of the stuff in his backpack was replaceable anyway.
When Rav waited on the porch, Nick went quickly ahead down the stairs. He even skipped once he got down to the sidewalk, seeming to enjoy the freedom to move around. Rav gave him space as he caught up, both because he enjoyed watching Nick and because he didn’t want to cramp Nick on the sidewalk. As though to reward him, Nick threw a big smile over one shoulder. Rav longed to dance with him again.
They walked down the block and then across the street to begin walking down another city block. There was a fence with a schoolyard beyond it with grass everywhere. Rav sighed quietly and shook his head but kept walking.
Nick seemed ready to match stride with Rav now, though Rav put his hands in his pockets as he did.
“Thanks for doing this with me,” Nick said, and Rav looked at the man with surprise. Nick then playfully bumped Rav’s shoulder with his own, and Rav looked down and smiled slightly. This was… nice. Casual. Easy, even. Rav couldn’t believe Nick had agreed to do any of it.
Rav nodded, not exactly sure what to say next. Maybe, it’s a nice part of town, but honestly Rav didn’t actually want to talk about that. Or he could say, there must really be something special about me if you were willing to look past what I told you. But maybe that was too conceited. Maybe he’d just say, Gods, it’s a shame that it would be inappropriate to pin you against this fence right now. Rav sighed lightly again. If he ever knew, he didn’t remember now how to flirt.
“I like it,” Rav finally said to fill the silence. But, then, after another moment, he asked, “I’m… really grateful. Thanks for being brave. I’m not sure I deserve it, but…” he took a breath,” I’m trying.”
“Okay! Ready!” Nick said, and Rav’s mind scrambled to pull out of the fantasy enough to even remember what they were doing next. Walk, yes. Right. Nick pivoted to face Rav again, and Rav realized he was in the way. Nick nodded toward the exit, and Rav followed his cue, turning around and heading toward the door. Rav wondered about if he should bring his backpack—he brought it almost everywhere—but he decided it was probably harmless to leave it here for now. If Nick wanted Rav to leave, they wouldn’t be going on a walk, right? And, selfishly, Rav wanted an excuse to come back.
So, Rav smoothly bypassed his backpack and the impulse to pack up the kneepads, instead only grabbing his black jacket. He then walked outside, waiting on the porch for Nick to lock the door. A flame’s tongue of fear licked up the base of Rav’s spine at the realization that he was now well and truly separated from his stuff, but he had his phone and his wallet in his jacket, and they probably weren’t going far. Most of the stuff in his backpack was replaceable anyway.
When Rav waited on the porch, Nick went quickly ahead down the stairs. He even skipped once he got down to the sidewalk, seeming to enjoy the freedom to move around. Rav gave him space as he caught up, both because he enjoyed watching Nick and because he didn’t want to cramp Nick on the sidewalk. As though to reward him, Nick threw a big smile over one shoulder. Rav longed to dance with him again.
They walked down the block and then across the street to begin walking down another city block. There was a fence with a schoolyard beyond it with grass everywhere. Rav sighed quietly and shook his head but kept walking.
Nick seemed ready to match stride with Rav now, though Rav put his hands in his pockets as he did.
“Thanks for doing this with me,” Nick said, and Rav looked at the man with surprise. Nick then playfully bumped Rav’s shoulder with his own, and Rav looked down and smiled slightly. This was… nice. Casual. Easy, even. Rav couldn’t believe Nick had agreed to do any of it.
Rav nodded, not exactly sure what to say next. Maybe, it’s a nice part of town, but honestly Rav didn’t actually want to talk about that. Or he could say, there must really be something special about me if you were willing to look past what I told you. But maybe that was too conceited. Maybe he’d just say, Gods, it’s a shame that it would be inappropriate to pin you against this fence right now. Rav sighed lightly again. If he ever knew, he didn’t remember now how to flirt.
“I like it,” Rav finally said to fill the silence. But, then, after another moment, he asked, “I’m… really grateful. Thanks for being brave. I’m not sure I deserve it, but…” he took a breath,” I’m trying.”
Re: Road to Repair: Rav and Nick
Rav smiled, just a little, and nodded. He was quiet for a moment before saying, "I like it." Nick's smile grew a little wider, if a little more crooked in the process. He was happy, enjoying a pleasant roil of nervous butterflies as they walked, but a trill of anxiety made it all a little more intense than he wanted it to be. He couldn't quite figure out how to address it, though.
“I’m… really grateful," Rav added, and Nick perked up a little, intrigued and curious about where Rav would land with this follow-up thought. "Thanks for being brave. I’m not sure I deserve it, but…” he took a breath,” I’m trying.”
Nick's smile stayed wide, but he sighed softly and turned his gaze forward, toward the approaching park on the other side of the next street. The street they walked along made a T intersection at the park, with an asphalt path beginning on the other side of the crosswalk and heading down a hill into an open field with many tall evergreen trees in the distance.
"Well..." Nick said tentatively after a breath, "I deserve it." He turned his head to look directly at Rav this time, chin held high and expression soft but proud. After a beat he realized the phrasing might have been awkward, and his smile grew crooked once more, eyes returning forward to the park. "To take a chance," he said, perhaps clarifying, but he hoped he delivered it confidently. Then, finding some inspiration, his smile grew more playful, and he gently bumped hips with Rav again, looking back to the man a bit at an angle as he had before, eyebrows raised hopefully. "And enjoy myself."
“I’m… really grateful," Rav added, and Nick perked up a little, intrigued and curious about where Rav would land with this follow-up thought. "Thanks for being brave. I’m not sure I deserve it, but…” he took a breath,” I’m trying.”
Nick's smile stayed wide, but he sighed softly and turned his gaze forward, toward the approaching park on the other side of the next street. The street they walked along made a T intersection at the park, with an asphalt path beginning on the other side of the crosswalk and heading down a hill into an open field with many tall evergreen trees in the distance.
"Well..." Nick said tentatively after a breath, "I deserve it." He turned his head to look directly at Rav this time, chin held high and expression soft but proud. After a beat he realized the phrasing might have been awkward, and his smile grew crooked once more, eyes returning forward to the park. "To take a chance," he said, perhaps clarifying, but he hoped he delivered it confidently. Then, finding some inspiration, his smile grew more playful, and he gently bumped hips with Rav again, looking back to the man a bit at an angle as he had before, eyebrows raised hopefully. "And enjoy myself."