Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

9) Nicknames

We still weren't allowed to do anything. They said on the next move we would help out. Between Brenda still just having gotten the shot and most of us being strangers though, they didn't want to risk it. That, and I left a really bad impression on Vince.

I also didn't mind. I just sat on the edge of a cliff, away from everyone, while wondering how it got to this. At the same time, I wondered how it would end. Maybe with some yelling. Probably an insult or two and an “I told you so.” Or I’ll leave without anyone really caring. That's pretty likely.

“Hey-”
“If you touch me, I’ll kill-oh. Hi,”I greeted, putting my knife back in my pocket before sitting down.

“Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you,”He apologized, walking over and sitting beside me as if it was nothing.

“If you ever accuse me of being scared, I’ll throw you off a cliff,”I warned.

“Startled. I didn't mean to startle you,”He corrected.

“Much better,”I nodded. “Um, thanks.”

“Did you just thank me?”He asked with an obnoxiously successful grin.

“Don't push it, city boy. I can still gut you.”

“Okay, okay. I won't mention you starting to like me.”

“You do realize if I tried to playfully punch you the way friends do, you would probably walk away with an actual bruise or two?”

“Why?”He interrogated, moving closer despite my words.

“Because I don't exactly do playful violence.”

“But you could.”

“But I won't.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Three days,”I pointed out, changing the topic.

“Yeah. In four more, we’ll be friends,”He smiled.

“Do you actually still think that?”I sighed, unsure whether to be disappointed in the way he wasn't listening, irritated at his insistence, or impressed by his dedication.

Probably irritated. That suits me the best.

“Do you know what animal you remind me of?”

“Huh?”I asked, turning my head to look at him. Raising an eyebrow, I observed his still calm body language and relaxed expression that sent this pang of envy up my stomach.

“Do you know what animal you remind me of?”He repeated.

“I don't know. Probably a snow leopard. Something that only kills what it wants and when it has to, with blood on its hands or paws in this case. People run from it, which they rarely have to do because it stays alone, only going out when it has to. It blends into the background, only being seen when it wants to be,”I rambled. As I finished it though, I realized I had done it again. “Snow leopard,”I repeated quietly, staring at the ground.

“Was that another rant?”

“Don't worry about it.”

“Well, I think it was very pretty for something morbid. But no. I don't think you're a snow leopard. I would say you're a deer.”

“A deer?!”I snapped, glaring at him as I kept a hold of my knife in my other hand.

“Yeah. A deer,”He shrugged, unaffected by it.

“Why the hell are you still here?”

“What do you mean?”

“I snapped at you so now you get annoyed and leave. That's what you should be doing.”