Toronto, Not Brazil Nor Space, Tuesday

[whenshewasnice]

This felt surreal. After the... several months Natalie had just had, taking a day or two to actually be away from Brazil and the Hegemony and Peter was just surreal. Knowing she was going to get to actually see Jim for the first time in over three months? Yeah, weird.

Since they were not very into the idea of meeting in either Ribeirao Preto or Iowa, Natalie had picked a place almost at random from the first selection of package deals Portalocity had happened to offer her. So now she was standing in the Drake Hotel lobby in Toronto, with her bag slung over her shoulder and check-in already dealt with, just waiting for Jim to arrive.

[ooc: NFB, for the boy!]

Comments

[pursuedthestars]

"Aww. I was born in space," he said, sliding his hands against her neck again. "It can get kind of boring after awhile if you're just stuck on a ship. Same walls everyday? Not fun."

[whenshewasnice]

"We were on a space station that used to be the Battle School. It wasn't a very nice place." Ugh, military things. "Of course, that had about as much to do with the way we ended up there, too. Hard to feel happy and interested in being away from Earth when the reason you're there is that Earth isn't safe for you."

[pursuedthestars]

"But, it's safe now?" Jim checked. "You can go where you want without worrying?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Achilles was the biggest threat," Natalie told him. "Because he was a serial murdering psychopath." This was not an exaggeration. "Others will come for Peter because of his political position, especially if he regains more of the power the Hegemon used to have. But, no one specific, and most attacks will come through political undermining rather than direct threat of assassination. So, I'd say it's safe. It feels safe."

[pursuedthestars]

"And how much longer are you going to be his right hand woman?" Jim wondered. "Is it permanent?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Nothing's permanent, Jim."

Which was to say... she really didn't know. She hadn't really had time to think ahead yet.

[pursuedthestars]

"All right. Just curious," Jim said, quieting down while he continued kneading her shoulders and neck with his fingers.

[whenshewasnice]

"I'm going to go see my parents after I leave here," Natalie shared, after a moment of silence and a few sips of wine. "Before I go back to Brazil."

[pursuedthestars]

"Probably a good thing," Jim replied with a nod. "It's been awhile since you've seen them so I'm sure they'd like a visit for a few days. More time to relax."

[whenshewasnice]

"And Moxy, too," she added. "Think he still remembers me?"

That was a joke.

[pursuedthestars]

"Of course he does." Jim nodded and smiled. "I'm sure as soon as he sees you, he'll give you a few cuddles and purr and then he'll go off and sleep like he typically does."

[whenshewasnice]

"Until it's time to come wake me up by putting some part of his body on my face," Natalie concluded. She tried to lean further against him now. Maybe she was done with getting a massage and just wanted to be close to him. "Sounds about right."

[pursuedthestars]

"Or he needs to be fed," Jim concurred, wrapping an arm around her and letting her lean back. "Still, he'll be happy. I know he will."

[whenshewasnice]

"Yeah, me too." Natalie let her back rest against his chest, and turned her head to kiss him on the cheek again. "Like I am right now."

[pursuedthestars]

"Well, I do have that effect on women," Jim quipped, laughing. "I'm glad you're happy. It's deserved."

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie rolled her eyes. But in the good way! More affectionate than anything.

"I forgot how huge your ego is."

No, she hadn't.

[pursuedthestars]

"There's no way you forgot that," Jim murmured, shaking his head. "No way. But, I'm sure I'll re-familiarize you with my ego today."

[whenshewasnice]

"Mm." She drank the rest of her wine and set the glass aside before turning to give him another light little kiss. Still on his cheek. "Re-familiarize me with your everything."

[pursuedthestars]

"I will."

Jim smiled at her warmly.

"I promise."

[whenshewasnice]

"Thank you." She nodded at him. Very solemnly. "Now take the damn initiative and kiss me."

Maybe she was extra bossy because of the wine.

[pursuedthestars]

Jim smirked at her and then leaned closer to do just that. Kiss her, that is. She could be bossy at him all she wanted. She'd get her kiss.

Probably the first of many for the night.

[whenshewasnice]

It damn well better be. Natalie's hand went right to the back of his head and into his hair as he leaned in, and there was nothing idle about how she responded. Affection and stress and longing all pouring out.

Yeah, she intended to get a lot of these tonight. And more.