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 Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:42 pm
"Mmph!" Gaius grunted, laughing and shoving the pillow out of his face. "What, you mean you do get channels and sports and stuff on this TV? Well, maybe I should just see what all this thing can do..." He waggled the remote towards the TV teasingly. The opening credits of the movie were already beginning to flash across the massive screen.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:50 pm
"Ha! I wish!" Nita exclaimed, reclaiming the pillow. "My parents didn't even have cable, but I do miss TV. There are a lot of shows on DVD here, but it's just not the same."
She hugged the pillow to her chest and wiggled against the cushions, getting nice and comfortable. The red panda girl let herself relax as the movie progressed.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:58 pm
That took the wind out of his sails pretty quickly. "Awww, well shucks, what good is a remote if you can't channel surf?" Yet, despite this, he still kept hold of the remote in one hand as he settled back to watch. Perhaps it was a kind of manly security blanket, or just lent him a sense of familiarity and control.
Soon, the horse-man was engrossed in the movie. And Nita would soon learn what might be an annoying fact - he was a fidgeter. When the action got intense, it was a wonder Gaius kept his seat at all.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:11 pm
"Sorry," she said, grinning. "At least you can access special features and bloopers?"
Nita worked on her snack, hoping the crunching noises wouldn't disturb Gaius... but his bouncing around seemed to cover it. About half-way through the movie, Nita put the pillow between them. Her ribs had been elbowed one too many times. Ah well, at least he was enjoying the movie.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:20 pm
Gaius took a big bite from his apple, then immediately jabbed his hand at the screen and exclaimed around his mouthful. "Ha! He just flipped her totally over! Did you see that?!" He didn't even mind the pillow, having no conscious idea of the nuisance he was being.
By the time the movie was over, the apple, as well as part of its core, and half the carrot were gone. Gaius flopped back against the couch with a satisfied sigh, letting his arms rest on the back of the couch. And the remote was still in hand. "I can't believe it's been so long since I saw that!"
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:38 pm
"Mmhm," Nita said, making what she hoped were noises that indicated she was suitably impressed. Not that Gaius was probably aware of much. She grinned- it was an exciting movie, after all.
Even so, it was nice when Gaius finally leaned back. Nita felt safe enough to shift the pillow to her other side. She shifted so she was sitting sideways on the couch, leaning against the arm. "It's so much fun," she agreed. "I was really looking forward to the third one."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:45 pm
He blinked as Nita settled against him. Had he moved with that intent? It was a common move, for a guy to yawn and rest his arm over the shoulders of the girl beside him, but Gaius didn't think he'd meant to do that... Or had he? Gaius didn't pull away, though. Instead, he began playing with the buttons on the remote, flicking through the different menus on the DVD and TV alike.
"Hm?" He paused mid-browsing to look at Nita. "Do you think it's out on DVD? Maybe they have it here...."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:54 pm
Gaius was comfortable to lean against, and Nita had missed physical contact. Not sexual contact, especially (although that was obviously a perk), but simple hugs and the dozens of other small gestures between two people who were close.
"Maybe," she said. "It should be out by now, I'd think. I'll look for it, next time I'm by the entertainment room. I've checked for new books lately, but not movies."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:21 pm
"Hm..." He made a general guttural noise in response. It'd be something worth looking in to, but later.
Lifting up the remote again, he clicked the power button. The screen flipped off to dull grayish-black. They were left in the general quiet of Nita's duplex.
Gaius had to admit he was very fond of Nita's company. Though he was still shy, somehow it was becoming more familiar - he wasn't as tongue-tied as he used to be. And she didn't mind when he made verbal slips.
After a couple moments, he arched his neck to lower his head closer to hers. "...What do we do now?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:51 pm
Nita sighed softly, absently grooming the fur on her tail. She blinked when the TV switched off, her pupils dilating to adjust for the change in lighting.
Even if she hadn't been acting especially shy lately, Nita had always been quiet and reserved. Only since her arrival on the island had she been able to make more than the occasional friend, although it was too easy to lose track of people here. And it was only in the past few months that she'd had to work on being comfortable with herself, letting herself go enough to be close to someone.
Her heart thumped in her chest; it was both unpleasant and rather exciting. She didn't know what would happen in the next few minutes, or even what she wanted to happen.
"I don't know," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. Nita shifted her head slightly to look at Gaius; her face was burning, her hands icy cold in spite of the fur covering them.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:21 pm
His original inquiry had been innocent in intent, but seeing her posture grow tense, hearing her voice falter, it all brought to mind all the other possibilities of what they could do, right there in the privacy of her duplex.
How long had he been wanting companionship? And why shouldn't he take it? Nita did not seem unwilling to give it... Part of him was pushing in his mind, telling him to seize the opportunity...
No, he couldn't do that. She was his friend, and in a lot of pain right now... He couldn't take advantage of her...
But if she was willing... If this was what she wanted...
No, he couldn't assume that. He couldn't force himself on her.
Gaius's expression betrayed the conflict inside, the want and hesitance, but when he moved his head, it was to lightly rest his forehead against hers. He wrapped the arm behind her around her shoulders in a quick squeeze. "I should probably head home. Vixen will be needing fresh food and water before long." It was strange how hard it was to say that, but his voice remained calm and warm. "I'm always around if you need someone to talk to, okay?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:42 pm
Nita waited, concentrating on controlling her breathing.
What did she want? Gaius? Simple companionship? To get back at Lauren and Miller? Not that she had anything quite that drastic in mind... Then she'd be no better than they were.
But there they were, just the two of them, close and comfortable. She moved her face closer to his, expectant... Nita's breath caught in her throat when he stopped, only to give her a hug. Had she misread him after all? But that couldn't be it: he'd asked her to Halloween, his reaction at that game of Truth or Dare, the times he'd nuzzled her. Gaius had held onto her when she was so upset about Lauren, without demanding anything other than friendship.
"Talk," she repeated quietly. "Sure. Yeah." Nita reached up and touched his cheek for a brief moment, then pulled her hand away.
What had she really wanted, anyway?
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:57 pm
Gaius's smile grew sad as he leaned into the touch, too quickly gone. Somehow, he felt he'd disappointed her, but this wasn't the right time. As far as he could see, it would only make more hurt for her. But maybe... maybe if she still wanted him later, when her heart wasn't aching from Lauren...
It was a hope he'd hold on to.
Pulling his arm from around her, he stood up stiffly, having sat for so long, and groaned a bit as he straightened his long legs. Blast, it was hard doing what he felt was the right thing...
"Thanks again..." he waved the carrot in his hand and offered a half-smile. Slowly, he made his way to the door, avoiding comet this time. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, then looked back. "I... Nita..." His face flushed and he lowered his eyes. "If you're ever ready for someone more than a friend..." He faltered, absently rubbing the back of his neck with the half-eaten carrot. For a moment, it looked like he was about to say something, but he lost his nerve and fell back into silence.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:12 pm
Nita sat with her hands clasped in her lap, unable to look up at Gaius. What was she doing, anyway, practically throwing herself at him? She knew she wasn't ready for a relationship, and she wasn't the sort to have a fling.
Comet raised her head from her paws; she'd fallen asleep during the movie, trusting this odd man who smelled of a relative not to harm her mistress. Her tail thumped against the floor as Gaius passed by.
"Okay," Nita said quietly, forcing herself to get off the couch. She should at least see Gaius out... It was only polite. Leaning against the door frame, she nodded. "I guess I'll see you, then..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:03 pm
Gaius nodded slowly. He stood there, awkward. Somehow, he felt, he'd overstepped a boundary. He'd been too fast, he'd made a false move...
"Nita, I..." he trailed off again.
How could he say what he felt? How could he say he'd always felt the same for her, even after learning she was dating another girl?
He couldn't. He couldn't put that on her right now. She looked so down...
Suddenly kneeling to one knee, Gaius took one of her hands in his, kissed it, and then let it go as he stood up again and gave a small bow. "M'lady." And then he hurried down the steps and away, face flushed bright red, but with a small smile on his wide mouth.
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