[SOL! Verse - ]

[nyota_uhura24]

The only way Nyota could keep from tapping her foot impatiently was to keep moving. Unfortunately, every moment spent in the diner and not the kitchen was a moment she had to exercise concerted effort not to look at the empty place where Jim should be. She hadn't seen him since Tuesday morning when she'd woken up in his arms. Spending the night was becoming a dangerous habit, but even if they got to spend all of Monday evening together it simply wasn't the same if she didn't get to fall asleep with her head on his chest and his hand in her hair. She was considering asking her father if she could spend all Monday nights at “Anna's,” but her guilt was making it difficult. She still had no idea what to do about the fact that her family could never know, but she couldn't regret a moment of it. She couldn't regret kissing him or touching him or falling asleep in his arms. She couldn't regret that when she next saw him they'd look at each other and smile and know. She couldn't regret loving him.

But Jim was already an hour late to work. She refilled a few coffee cups and collected empty plates before heading back to the kitchen, the restaurant sounding strangely quiet without Jim's guitar. Her father was hanging up the phone, a slight frown on his face. When she asked what was wrong he replied in Swahili, “Kirk isn't coming. Sounds like he's sick.” The words stopped her in her tracks, mind flashing instantly to an image of him standing in the cold without a coat, pleading with her to listen to him because he loved her. Clearly there was a horrified expression on her face, because her father was looking at her with open concern. “I'm sure he'll be all right, princess.”

“Of course. I need to... brew more coffee.” She chastised herself for overreacting, knowing that her family could never suspect just how much she cared or where it was she actually went on Monday nights. The remainder of the evening dragged on to the point that she was certain the clock must be broken, but she found time to make soup. She made a show of eating some of it, then packed the rest to take to Jim. When the diner finally closed, she made excuses that as usual went unquestioned and hurried off to the subway that would take her to the Bronx and to Jim. It was late, but she had to make sure he was all right, especially since it was her fault he'd been out in the cold to begin with. When she got there she dusted the snow off her jacket and rang the bell, hoping he wasn't asleep.

Comments

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Maybe it's not," she replied innocently, eyes twinkling with mirth. She could still feel the ghost of a blush on her cheeks, but she liked being able to talk about this without stammering or excessive embarrassment. She very much wished they could do more than talk about it, but that obviously wasn't an option until he was better. As he relaxed further against her she inhaled deeply and snuggled against him. "You should sleep, Jim yangu," she murmured, barely realizing she'd added the Swahili possessive. I want you to get better, and to do that you need rest. I'll stay as long as I can." Pressing another kiss to his head, she asked, "Is there anything else you need?"

[owns-the-chair.livejournal.com]

He chuckled quietly at her reply and reached out to set his cup on the nightstand. "Mmm. Then I'll be sure to behave as badly as I know how." On the return trip, his hand found it's way up under her shirt to cup her breast and fondle it tenderly as he snuggled a little closer. In reality, it was a far from sexual touch, and it was becoming increasingly hard to keep his eyes open. "Nope, just need you," he mumbled drowsily, tangling their legs together and making idle circles with his thumb on her skin. "Wake me before you go?" Giving in, he let his eyes drift shut and his breathing even out. It was so very good to have her hold him like this, to feel safe and protected and loved. Breathing out an almost inaudible "Love you," he hoped she'd still be there when he woke up so he could enjoy her company just a little longer.

[nyota-uhura24.livejournal.com]

"Do you know how to behave any other way?" she teased, smiling fondly at him. When his hand slipped under her shirt her breath caught, the blush on her cheeks deepening when he caressed her breast. He tangled their limbs together and relaxed against her, and though it was easy to melt against him her heart was racing a little. She took a deep breath and tried to relax in spite of the touch that still felt so intimate even though they were just snuggling. "I'll wake you," she whispered, heart fluttering a little when he said he only needed her. "I love you too, Jim. Naku penda hazina," she murmured, gently caressing his hair and thinking that he really was a treasure to her. Even if he wouldn't appreciate the sentiment, she wanted to take care of him when he was sick or hurting. Her eyes closed, but she didn't want to sleep so much as she wanted to just enjoy how safe and warm and happy she felt tangled up with him like this. She tried her utmost not to think about the fact that she couldn't stay here forever.