Random meeting and blood~Nick~

[Nitya Demont]

Though I am not completely sure, I have a feeling that I pass out for just a little. The next thing I know and am aware of is him asking me if I'm okay. It seems like it's coming from far off even though he is quite close. Instantly I realize that I must be losing blood from somewhere and possibly attracting all kinds of things to our area. Fortunately, though I can feel the pain slightly it isn't fully registering. "I can make it to the boat. That's all I know," I say. "Something tells me that this isn't going to be pretty." I just know that I'm going to have another round of healing medicine to go through. Thankfully, I don't think that my ankle is broken or anything of that sort, but this is still something undesirable. Who wants to get hurt on their first date?

Quickly, I follow him. My vision is a little blurred still, but I'm making it just fine. The only thing that is really hurting right now is my pride. I don't like looking weak or like I'm always getting injured. Unfortunately, that's kind of what is happening. Carefully I take hold of Nick's hand and propel myself up and onto the deck of the boat. Once on the deck, my body doesn't want to move. Still, I know that I need to look at my injury, and while Nick is getting his kit, that is what I do.

Slowly, I prop myself up and look down towards my ankle. Immediately I see blood. It might seem silly, but I don't want blood to get on Nick's boat because of me. Reaching down, I rip off some cloth from my clothes and put it under my ankle. With all the blood, it is hard to tell anything about the damage. "You're such a klutz," I whisper sadly to myself even though I know it isn't my fault. This is not a good impression, and it makes me anxious about whether or not I've called sharks to the area.

Nick comes back and asks if this seems familiar. "Unfortunately, yes. I swear I'm now always getting hurt," I say with a wry smile. The pain is starting to hit, and I feel like I'm going to pass out. The blood loss is probably not helping either. Slowly, I let myself collapse back onto the deck. "I know what I'm doing; I don't know why this is happening," I say more to myself than him. That's when I think to ask. "How bad is it?"

[Jack Lexington]

When I dab at the wound on her foot I can't see much and the bleeding doesn't stop right away so I go to get my flashlight, take it between my teeth and clean some more. What I see makes me cringe. I've had my share of cuts on the reef but none this bad. It must hurt like hell.

Then I hand her the light. "Hold that. Looks like the reef tore a blood vessel open. What's your favourite bed time story?"
Quickly I press one of the rolls of gauze onto it and secure it with another one while she's distracted. I slit the ends and tie it up.
"You should put your foot up."

When I'm done and washed my hands in the ocean I take a good look at Nitya and her face. She's tough but having a hard time not to pass out. Her face is pale and she looks like she'll either start crying or topple over. I think I'd prefer the first option because I wouldn't know what to do with nr. 2.
"You're not going to pass out on me, are you?"

I actually feel aweful that she got hurt when she was with me. What will her family think? So I reach for her hand and mumble. "I'm really sorry this happened to you."

For now the fish will have to wait because I'm not going to leave her alone like this.

[Nitya Demont]

His dabbing makes me grit my teeth inwardly. I can feel the blood still running down my ankle even as he cleans the blood away, so I know that it's still coming from some unknown wound. His cringe makes me reel inside, and I now worry that whatever it is will be something serious. However, I'm still in the dark as I can't get a good look at my own leg. My eyes watch his face for any sign of what could be wrong, and I try to focus only on my breathing and not the pain that I feel in my ankle.

My hand shakily accepts the light from him. A vessel? Well, I suppose that is better than I had expected, but it still isn't good. Then again, no injury is ever really good out here in the districts. His question catches me off guard; it's a good distraction since it's something I haven't thought about in a while. "I don't really have one," I answer softly. "My mother used to make up stories for us, and I liked those. Real stories of adventure are also interesting." I find that after I answer the question he is done with bandaging up my ankle. Slowly I move my leg so it is propped up against the side of the boat. I reach down and pick up the cloth I had let my leg sit on and clench it in my hand.

A weak smile crosses my face at his question. "I'm not planning to. That would really put a damper on things." Even though I'm still a little disoriented, I want him to know that I'm still in good humor. I don't want him to worry over me when I know things will be alright. I hesitate for a moment. "No promises though." Even though I'm feeling marginally better with the bandage on, I can't count out the possibility of me falling over in a heap. The pain is very apparent now, so whatever it was holding it at bay while I got on the boat is completely gone now.

My heart beats a little faster at the touch of his hand. "You..aren't...the one that...needs to apologize," I tell him honestly. "I'm sorry that I'm causing you all this trouble." The various nets around remind me about his nets and such. Though I know it's probably a pointless argument before I say it, I decide to speak anyway. "You know, you can still fish. I'll be alright. I can even fish off the side of the boat. We don't need to stop because of this." Even though I'm hurt, I still want him to get a nice supply of fish. I can be very determined that way.

[Jack Lexington]

"Nitya." I take her hand. "Stop. A few fish more or less are not going to make a difference. You're more important than those fish. okay?" I mean it. I guess sometimes I can open my heart to a person and let them in, even care about them more than myself. This is new to me and makes me sit down and stare ahead for a moment.
"Strange. You know, I'm not always like this. I usually don't care that much about the girls I'm with. I might as well be honest because if you decide that you like me you'll hear more talk about me and it's probably not going to be that nice."
My fingers have become very interesting now and I stare down at them and avoid her probably inquisitive look.

After a while I look at her ankle. The blood is soaking through the bandage but not too bad.
"If you're okay after ...maybe 15 minutes I'll go back in but there might be sharks out there now. For now I'll just cast the nets."

It takes me a while to lay out the nets in the water with the green boys attached so I can find them again. I have to use the paddles to manouver around the reef.
The raindrops have soaked us by now but the wind isn't strong enough to threaten us.

After maybe 20 minutes I sit down next to Nitya again and ask whether she's alright.

[Nitya Demont]

My face is scarlet and getting deeper. I've never blushed like this in front of anybody; around him more emotion seems to come out. It's strange to have that happen, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. However, without thinking, my hand squeezes his lightly. "I just don't want to be a hindrance," I say softly. "Thank you, Nick. That's probably the nicest thing I've been told." A slight smile comes across my face. What is it that makes me so giddy around him? It's really hard to say, and I can't really focus on an answer.

Silently I digest his words. Part of me is a little sad about what I hear; I don't see how one can't care about who one is with. However, I'm not put off by it at all. It does take all types, and I'd rather judge things for myself. "Well I'm honored then. Thank you for the warning. Doubt they shall alter my opinion of you though. Not just anybody would take care of me the way you have." I am curious, and I'm sure he can tell it. I try to erase that though so as not to make him uncomfortable. With a bit of effort I reach up and touch his cheek. "It's alright you know," I say. "You're one in a million."

I nod at him. He's right of course; bit silly of me to forget about the sharks. "what if you catch one in your net?" I ask. It's not an odd thing to have happen though a bit uncommon, but depending on the size it would be harder to handle. My teeth grit as I adjust myself and my ankle pangs. It's getting lighter, but still not pleasant. I prop myself up to watch him put the nets out and then look up into the sky. Everything is soaked, but I rather enjoy it. It's not a terrible storm, so that's nice at least. We should be able to keep with our plans. I consider getting up to a standing position so I can lean against the side, but that is obviously out when I try to put my leg down.

He sits down next to me again. "I'm alright I think. Thinking about things. Wondering if I should try standing up."

[Jack Lexington]

Nitya confesses that what I said is the nicest thing somebody said to her which makes me smile. I avert my gaze and state. "I highly doubt that." When I look back up I see a smile on her lips as well despite the situation.
Hopefull she'll be right and none of that talk that will surely happen will have an effect on how she sees me. I'm trying really hard to be the best I can be with her, which is very unusual. "You seem to bring out the best in me." I squeeze her hand and then place a soft kiss on it hoping she won't mind. Judging by her statements she will be okay with it.

Then we're back talking about fishing so I answer her question. "Shark tastes pretty good so if there is one in my net I'll haul him in. Out here there are usually just the small reef sharks and the traders pay well for those."

Next thing I know she wants to get up but I gently push her back down. "Just stay there and try not to pass out of do any more damage to your foot, okay? I'll take care of the rest."

I start rummaging around until I can find a fishing pole which I hand to her together with a bucket. "If you need to do something, try this and stay seated, please. I'd hate to see you pass out!"

I let me gaze wander along the line of boys that mark my net. No unusual movement so I sit down as well. "Now we just sit and wait a few hours and I spear fish when the sun comes up. That's safer and more effective than with a light even though there might be less fish."

I sit down next to her and feel skin brush up against my forearm. Looking over at her I suggest. "You can try to sleep a little if you want to."

[Nitya Demont]

His kiss sends a jolt up my spine. I wonder how long it will be for that to stop happening. Hopefully he doesn't notice how I get around him; it is definitely out of character for me even when I do like somebody. "Oh, I doubt that," I say with a laugh. "Or perhaps we bring out the best in each other." That seems more likely as it isn't everybody that gets along with me this well at first. An ice queen is usually how people view me even if it is a front I put up at times. "I think you actually see me," I tell him softly. "Not like most others."

"I've only had shark once. It's better if we sell it instead of eat it. Have you been on some of the shark hunts they have here?" I ask. Once in a while the fishermen get together and hunt sharks. In some ways it's one of the more exciting times here. There are so many stories, and there is a bit more money flowing in as well. "If you haven't you should. You could come with me."

My muscles relax as he pushes me back. It feels strange being taken care of in this way by somebody who isn't family. Normally, with the bigger companies, you just grin and bear it. This is a change, and it is one that I quite like. "I think I can do that. Thank you for being so nice about all this."

My face breaks out into a shining grin as he hands me a fishing pole. Now I don't feel entirely useless. I accept it and slowly and carefully get myself situated. "I promise I will stay seated and won't pass out. I also promise that I shall catch you at least 6 fish," I tell him. I know six isn't much, but given my current condition, it might be the best that I can hope for.

I take a breath in and let it out as I cast my line. Then, I prop myself so that I can face Nick. "That sounds like a plan. I'd love for you to share more about yourself. We do have time after all," I say to him. My eyes wonder up to my line, and I wonder what he might ask me. Talking isn't one of my strong points...talking about myself anyway.

For a moment I consider his offer of sleep, but I doubt that I'd be able to. "That's alright. I should be good for a few more hours. You can if you want though." I flick some hair out of my face and realize that everything sounds calm out here. There's no rain or roughness. There's just the gentle lap of the water on the boat and of course NIck and I.

[Jack Lexington]

For a while we sit in silence waiting for something to take the bait on the line. The boat is gently rocking back and forth and while I sit there and wonder whether Nitya is going to be alright and whether she's comfortable all alone out here the rocking makes my eyes drift close. I catch myself falling asleep after a very long day that started before sunrise and tear my eyes open again just to look in Nityas pale face.
Maybe it's just pale in this light but it worries me. "Are you okay?"

I notice she still holding the fishing pole so I add drousily. "You know you don't have to do that. It'll be a while before we pull the nets in. Maybe try to get some sleep if you can."
Slowly I get up and crawl into the small cabin just to retrieve a blanket, small cushion and a tarp. which I spread out on the floor boards of the small ship.
Then I sit down and place the cushion on it. "Come down here. You can actually stretch your legs out and get some sleep." I hold up the blanket for her wondering whether she will lay down next to me or not.

When I lean back and look up in the sky I can see a few stars sparkle out behind the clouds. "It's clearing up." At least we won't have to wrroy about large waves and thunderstroms then.

[Nitya Demont]

I feel him looking at me before he says anything. I probably look like a wreck, and I'm embarrassed by that so I keep looking up into the sky. "I'm fine. I've had much worse than this. How about you?" He may not be hurt, but I'm sure that he's tired. Besides taking care of the nets, I know I have not helped things today. It makes me worried that he won't get any sleep tonight, and I know that he needs it. We both do, but I feel certain it is a lost cause for me. There are too many things working in my mind.

He sounds sleepy, but even though he is, he is showing a lot of concern for me. It makes me smile on the inside. It's been a while since I met a guy as nice as this. Most of my friends are girls, so this sort of interaction doesn't happen a lot. "I know, but I want to. You sleep. I can keep my eye on everything." Staying up was actually kind of nice. Whenever I had duty out on the boats I worked on, I enjoyed it. I'm not sure why, but I did. Plus, I wanted to give him the opportunity to sleep. After all, he would be the one dragging in nets if I didn't get better by morning.

My eyes follow him as he moves to the cabin and sets up an area. At first, I am unsure. I'm hesitant to be that close to somebody, but at the same time I know that I want to go lay down next to him and not just because it would be more comfortable. For the first time in a while, I'm actually letting myself feel something and letting my emotions show. That's when I know that I am going to go over there. It takes a little while for me to get over there. My hand still holds onto the fishing pole almost as if it is anchoring me to this vessel. Before I really am conscious of it, I'm next to him and beginning to sit. I wince for a moment as I adjust my leg, but the pain immediately disappears. Immediately I feel comfortable and safe which is odd. "Thanks," I whisper looking down at the deck.


I hear him make a comment about things clearing up, but I barely hear what exactly he says. I'm too aware of being so close to him. My heart is thudding in my chest, but at the same time I feel calm. These emotions are so complicated and complex that I am unsure of what to do with them. To try and calm, I find my mouth forming words. "Why me?" I ask simply of him. I'm used to being judged and not spoken to, but for the first time in probably about four years, a guy actually showed interest in me as something beyond just a friend or worker.

[Jack Lexington]

The floor boards of the boat aren't exactl comfortable but I'm tired enough to not care. The fact that Nitya is coming over and lying down next to me makes me come alive a little more again because it makes me nervous and sends a tingling sensation to my finger tips. With a smile on my lips I lean my head back and look up in the sky to watch the clouds for a moment. We should be okay weather wise without any further storms.

Next to me I can feel the skin of her arm lightly touch my side. It feels warm but still send a shiver down my spine. Why do I feel this way. Clearly I have butterflies in my stomach about the pretty girl next to me when I've been with more girls than I can count on both hands and have slept with at least half of them without any feelings whatsoever. Girls are something I use to make an easier living, a commodity, not something I fuzz about or get my head all screwed up by. yet Nitya has a way of sneaking into my usually so cold heart.

carefully I raise my arm and sneak it under her head around her shoulders hoping the girl won't mind since she's awefully shy. I wish she was a little more 'fast forward', maybe kissed me or snuggling up to me a little tighter but I'm willing to give her the time she needs.
"It's not really comfortable but I hope you're fine."
My eyes drift close as I imagine kissing her but don't dare to in reality.

It doesn't take very long until I fall asleep and relax fully. My breaths are deep and even while I dream about diving with her in some azure blue waters with magnificent colorful fish. I'm sure I even smile in a my sleep.

The sun is almost rising when I wake back up with my stomach growling and ready for breakfast. First I will have to get the nets in and spear before we can move on to such pleasantries.
Next to me Nitya looks pale, almost fragile in the cold light of the morning. For a moment I fear that the blood loss has done it's work but at a closer look I can see her chest rise.
I put the blanket completely over her lean body and yawn loudly before I stretch my sore limbs. Sleeping out here always makes my body sore.

I get up and pad over to the cabin where I grab a drink of water and stretch. The ocean around us is strangly calm with mirror clear water. A few seaguls have found us and a re circling above my head waiting for scraps while my eyes are on my beautiful companion. I don't think I've ever woken up to a more beautiful creature on my boat...or anywhere else. Goodness, I'm done for.

[Nitya Demont]

Laying with Nick is something completely different. I'm very aware of every breath he takes and exactly how he feels against me. He's so warm, and I immediately start to feel a little drowsy. However, I'm not sure that I want to fall asleep. I'd really like to stay awake and enjoy this feeling. Guys aren't like this with me, and finally I'm beginning to see what it is that I've been told by some girl friends that I'm missing out on. Of course, boys have never been my main focus. It's funny how things happen when you aren't planning on them. Some of the best things in life have happened to me that way, and this doesn't seem to be an exception. I have that butterfly in your stomach, can't stop thinking about him, over the moon kind of feelings. It sounds cliche, but that about covers it.

The movement of his arm to under my head sends a shiver up my spine. This is one thing I've always wanted to have happen. Immediately, I feel closer to him and start to move closer to his body. However, I stop myself before I move too much. Am I crowding him? It seems unlikely since he was the one to ask me to come over, so I decide to nestle against his chest. "I'm wonderful," I say.

Before I know it, Nick is asleep. As carefully as I can, I turn so that I'm facing him. My body remains snug against his, but this gives me a chance to look at him without him noticing. I'm aware that it might be creepy if he wakes up, but I have a need to try to figure things out without being noticed. He is good looking, that's always been obvious. However, it's the subtle things in his face that interest me. He's hardworking which I know from my dealings with him, but there's so much more I feel. There's things hiding behind him, but then again that's true of me too. Suddenly, I get an urge to do something that I would normally not have the guts to do. Somehow, he makes it easier even when he's asleep. Carefully I lean in and kiss him as he sleeps. Then, I curl up next to him and let my mind wander for a bit before I finally drift off.

In the morning, I don't wake when I normally do. The blood loss clearly took a lot out of me. As I slowly drift into the real world from dream land, I realize that I'm alone under the blanket. Nick apparently tucked it around me when he woke up. Slowly, I roll to my side as it appears I shifted when Nick moved, and I blink twice. My fingers gently comb my hair back and I spot Nick looking at me. I smile at him a little sleepily. "Morning. Sorry to keep you waiting," I say as I slowly start to get up.

[Jack Lexington]

Her words make me smile. There's not much I could do out here but wait anyway until I pull in my nets. "Fishing is all about waiting. Plus waiting and watching you is perfectly okay. You look cute when you sleep." I surprise myself because I'm really as far from a romantic you can get. I like punching guys, who talk to me without respect, I've been known as a good lover but never as a good boyfriend. On the contrary. the only girl I actually considered my girlfriend I abandoned. Maybe things can change, maybe people can change, maybe even I can change.

"Sorry, that sounded pretty cheesy." Getting up from my position I walk over to her and sit down next to her. her lips have lost most of their color and she looks like she's having a hard time waking up so I make a decision right there and then. "I've decided not to stay out here for another night. We'll go back to the shore after I bring in the nets. You look pretty bad. Somebody should have a look at you. I think another night out here might get you in trouble...and I'm not talking about myself here." I add with a grin.
For a moment I just sit and wait for her reaction while a seagull complains loudly that she hasn't found any scarps yet. As i look into her eyes I get a little lost. Why not give in to my urge to kiss her. What could possibly go wrong? I think she likes me enough. So I lean forward slow enough for her to back away if she wants to. Softly our lips connect. Hers feel a bit dry but warm against mine when I start caressing them with mine. Since she doesn't move away I close my eyes and allow myself to enjoy the kiss, make it more passionate by sucking and slide my tongue between her lips.

When I back away it seems like an hour has passed and I'm love drunk. This girl makes my head spin more than I expected. "I really like you, Nitya."
My fingers lace between hers just to be a little closer.

[Nitya Demont]

"Yeah, I am familiar with that part of fishing." I actually kind of liked the waiting; it kind of made the catch more exciting when it did happen. Besides, waiting happened a lot in our line of work and in district 4 just in general. His comment takes me by surprise; he does that often. "Thank you. I find that hard to believe, but I've never had anybody watch me sleep before. Guess I will have to take your word for it," I say with a wink. My insides are flying at this point though I'm trying to keep my composure on the outside.

"Maybe I like cheesy," I say seriously. He moves next to me, and I edge a few centimeters closer. Though I understand his concern, I feel pretty badly about what's happened. "You don't have to; I've had worse. Just check out my back," I pause for a moment as I look into his eyes. "Really, I think I'm fine. Thank you for worrying so much, but I don't want to take away from what you're doing. I don't think we'll get into any trouble." I'm pretty stubborn about things, and when I'm out fishing, I'm very dedicated to the job. Admittedly sometimes it has backfired, but I also don't want Nick to lose money because of my stupid clumsiness. I kind of hope he wants to stay, but if not, then maybe we can figure something else out.

Then, before I can say anything else, I find him kissing me. I don't move away; in fact, I move into him. The feel of his tongue and the kiss takes my breath away, and my heart pounds hard against my chest. My body starts to melt into his, and I wrap my arms around him. He pulls away, and I breathe again. "I really like you too, Nick." His hand holds mine, and I feel like I'm floating. Maybe I wasn't right when I said that we weren't going to get in trouble; I know that I am.

[Jack Lexington]

Her words reassure me not to worry, yet I do. Funny because usually I only care about myself but with her things are different. More important that her words are her actions though. She doesn't slap me when I try to kiss her, nor does she move away but join in. It puts a smile on my face and gives me butterflies in my stomach. Incredible. Nitya, the fisherman's daughter, out of all girls has managed to achieve something that I doubted would be possible. I feel giddy love. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest as I pull her into a hug to hear her say the words that put the icing on the cake.
"Wow, Nitya. I'm so happy right now. You don't know what you do to me."
The smile is plastered on my face forever I think.
Why not open up. Against all odds I confess. "I've been with a lot of girls before but I barely ever had any feelings like this. You make me real nervous...in a good way." I qualify.
Shaking my head I take her hand. "I..." I gaps.
There is something that I haven't told her yet that she should probably know before she decides whether she likes me or not. I hesitate again because I think that this could break my neck. Maybe she doesn't want to be with me any more if she hears this.
It suddenly seems really hard to breath so I take a few deep breaths before I look up in her face, seeing the expectant look.
"I have a daughter from a previous relationship. Her mother and me, well we weren't ...oh shit." I gasp again.
"I abandoned them." Now I wait for her answer, for her to move away and to reject me just like I rejected the mother of my daughter.
"I came back after 2 years but we didn't work. I know I'm an asshole."
My smile has vanished. Now it's all up to Nitya. "I thought you should know."

[Nitya Demont]

I like being close to him; the feel of his hug is reassuring that I didn't say the wrong thing which is a constant fear I have around people. As my head rests against his chest, his words make me smile into it. I'm so incredibly happy as well. "You're right you know. I have no idea what I do to you. It's kind of hard to believe I have any kind of power like that."

His next words are not entirely unexpected. I wasn't sure that he would ever tell me how many girls he'd been with, but I did expect that there had been others in his life. He is too much of a catch to not have some experience with the ladies. It's his talk of feelings that makes me both nervous and happy. The fact that he does have feelings for me is good, and that's what I hold onto. However, it is hard to believe that somebody like me could make him nervous; I'm so little after all.

However, his next actions make me nervous. I hold his hand as my insides start to feel butterflies but not the good kind. It feels like it takes forever, but finally he starts to speak again. The words that he says next are not what I expect at all. He has a child, but that isn't what bothers me. I know that sort of thing happens, and though it may not be the best world, children are still gifts. It's his admission that he abandoned them. That is something I don't understand.

Still, I don't move away from him. He says that he went back, but it didn't work. Still, if he abandoned her, what is to stop him from leaving me? That's when I look at our hands. He is holding the one that I hurt, the one that he helped doctor. My mind goes to last night when he looked after me. Those aren't things that most people would do. The thing that scared me, I suddenly realize, is the fact that learning about what he did didn't make me feel any different though perhaps it should. That's when I find my strength to make a move. I lean in and kiss him gently on the lips. Then, I pull back and say what I'm thinking. "Look, I don't think what you did was good when you abandoned them. You did try to go back, and that is something I truly admire. You having a child isn't an issue to me at all. Besides, you have done more for me than most people would. Nothing you've told me erases that. I care about you, and I want you in my life. Only, maybe don't break that to my brothers for a while if you meet them."