Loving & Living (a Norman Reedus FanFiction)

Chapter Two: TBD

                      April you saved from the skeevy guy at the park reporting in

          His phone buzzed and he read the text. He couldn't help but smile, thankful that she didn't secretly hate him and would never reach out. He was just sitting around his house. There was no real reason he had to leave the park, but he wanted to give her a chance for her time to not completely taken up by an older creep. He wasn't sure what to reply.

                     Norman who laughed at you bumping your head also here, glad you could make it

          He felt slightly giddy, if that's the right word for it. He wasn't sure why he felt so excited, and he was so engrossed in their conversation over text he barely caught someone knocking on the door. He let out a short sigh and set his phone on the coffee table and started for the door

           On the other side, was his good friend Andy. Andrew. Norman hadn't invited him, and wondered what could be the reason for him coming unannounced

           "Hey, man" norman smiled "I thought you were in London" Andy shook his head and rolled his eyes, inviting himself in

           "We're fighting again, she told me to go home early. The issue is my place is being renovated, and I planned it so they'd be done by the time I got back.. Can I crash here for a few nights?" he asked, a sheepish grin on his face.

          "Of course" Norman said. He would never turn down Andy. "what are best friends for.. You know where the guest room is, right?" he asked, and andy nodded "sorry, it's probably not the cleanest" norman admitted

          "I don't mind" he said and sat on the couch. Norman's phone buzzed three times, and after the second andy sprang up to look at the notification "who's this? April.. Hmm, I don't know any April's, who is she?" he had an accusatory smile and made norman roll his eyes. He sat on the couch next to his friend.

          "None of your goddamn business" he replied in a snarky tone, and andy mocked him saying back in a voice that made norman laugh. He looked through the messages, and so did andy, trying to look conspicuous and failing miserably.

          "Oooohhh she wants to 'hang out' " he said in air quotes and a teasing voice. Norman grumbled and punched his shoulder. He then stood

           "I have to go to the store, you're fine staying here?" he asked. He knew that wasn't even close to a selling lie. He just didn't want to fuel teasing by telling the truth. Andy nodded, and norman was out the door quickly, grabbing up his keys as he left.

          It was the middle of spring. The weather, in norman's opinion, was at its peak. The sun was setting; the golden hour shown on her face giving it an angelic glow of sorts. He still wasn't sure if this was a date or just a casual dinner. Usually he did the asking, but he was nervous around her. He didn't want to mess this up, because she seemed different. He could be wrong, of course, but he just had a feeling.

           They sat, ordered, and waited. "I'm sorry this was so late notice" she said, but didn't sound like she was really apologizing to him, but making conversation.

           "No problem, I haven't had a meal with someone in a while," he took a sip of his beer "so it's nice" she nodded and rested her head in her hands, gazing at him with her perfect eyes. He tried to tell himself stop, norman. Just wait. But something made him not want to wait. He wanted to allow himself to feel these feelings. Even if she was young, even if she probably had no idea who he was.. He wanted to try.

           "Me neither" she smiled and licked her lips. Nervously? He wasn't entirely sure. "I'm a bit nervous around new people, so we'll have to do this a few more times" she blushed and he smiled.

            "Sure" he blurted "I think I'd like that, unless you're a murderer" that made her laugh, and she asked for a sip of his beer, which he agreed to. He had such an immense gravitation toward her, he wondered if she had asked for all the money he had if he could manage to turn her down.

            After dinner, norman walked her back to her apartment. It was a miracle nobody came up to him to introduce themselves. He took that as a good sign.

            Somewhere along the walk he ended up grabbing her hand and lacing his fingers with hers. It was dark by then, early night stars were appearing and the glow of the almost full moon illuminated them both just enough. Her building was one of those old factories that they changed into lofts. The stood outside the entrance for a moment, he was unsure of what to do next. He wanted to kiss her soft looking lips, but was pretty sure that would be unwelcome.

            She invited him in, which he also agreed to. He was trying his best to not look into this too much. The place was mostly empty. There was a couch with a little coffee table up against a large window. Not much else, except for the plethora of plants scattered about. They were gorgeous, and he wondered how she managed to keep all of them alive. He never had time for house plants.

            "Wow" he said, almost stunned "you've got a shit ton of plants" she laughed at that, and then smiled proudly. She definitely seemed the type to like earthy things. The perfect mix between someone who probably liked metal, but also like hippie music, he thought.

          "One of the only things I can get right" she said, grabbing a bottle of wine out from the cupboards above her fridge, and then got some cups. He chuckled that they weren't wine glasses. She rolled her eyes "hey, I'm working with what i got" she grinned and so did he. She poured them both an equal glass. He started sipping, then set it back down

           "I'm driving" he stated, longing in his voice.

            Well-" she started, but who norman could only assume was April's roommate, spat that she had to study, and we were being too loud in the kitchen. Norman gave an embarrassed grin, and was about to offer to leave, when she offered to go to her room. It was surprisingly big for a two bedroom apartment. Maybe she paid more so she got the master, wondered.

          He sat on the couch facing her also large window. It was a beautiful view. He imagined her sitting there drinking coffee in the morning, just watching the city.

           "So" she smiled "I swear I wasn't trying to get you drunk"

           "I don't doubt it" he replied. She sat next to him. She was so close he didn't want to breathe too hard on her. He had never been so scared of a girl before. Scared wasn't the right word, he thought, intimidated maybe. Not in a bad way, he just didn't want to disappoint her. This moment seemed to go on forever. They just looked at each other, and eventually laughed about it.

          "I really like you" he spoke softly and looked out the window

          She put one hand on his cheek to pull him closer slightly, and gently gave him a kiss on the cheek. There was his reply. He blushed and smiled like a little boy. He then turned with newfound confidence and put his mouth on hers, slowly working his way in. she seemed receptive, so he pushed it a step further, placing his hand on her hip and leaning over her. To his own surprise, he pulled away from her and sat back

           "Is something wrong?" she asked quietly, scared almost. He smiled a big smile and shook his head

          "No" he replied "I just need to get home now" he was kicking himself for doing this, but he didn't want to rush this in any way.