Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

stealth

The Same Night

Nova buttons his shirt, the collar tight around his neck. He loosens it, dusting himself off. He lifts up his chin, checking himself out. Yup, ready to go. He goes to the other side of the room, two small pale pink bags on the bed with various items sprawled out around them. He opens a card, reading the note before scribbling an N on it and stuffing it into a bag. He labels the other one with a D and starts to separate the candy, evenly divvying it. 

The only thing left is a white rose. He starts to put it in Nia's bag but stops, taking a few petals off and sprinkling them in Dee's bag. His smile is interrupted by Ekko. 'What are you doing?' he asks, looking between the two bags. 'Nothing,' Nova responds quickly, moving the bags. 'Don't look like nothing.' 

Ekko continues staring, Nova's shifting uncomfortably. 'Remember when I was tellin' you 'bout the guy, the one with the friend and the girlfriend.' 'Oh my god, are you serious Nov?' Ekko starts. 'Drop that 'guy' bullshit. I told you leave that girl alone but here you are, bringing all that shit here.' 

'I know, I'm sorry, I just--it just happened.' 'What happened?' Ekko asks. 'We kissed,' he starts. Ekko shakes his head, sighing deeply. 'She was fine at first--' 'I bet she was, you think she'd be fine after?' Ekko interrupts.  'You act like you don't have a girlfriend, Nov. The same one you've been begging to go see for the past six months.' 'I know! I know. I just wanna make it up to her, try and make her happy.' 

'By giving her the same gift as your girlfriend?' Ekko asks loudly. Nova says nothing, looking down. 'You know what...if this is what you're gonna do, waste my time and money for some damn girls, let me know so I can go back home.' 'I'm focused, I promise,' Nova says convincingly. 'I just wanted to--' 'I don't care. Let something happen this week.' He gulps, sensing his seriousness. 'Nothing's gonna happen.' I hope.

Ekko sighs, walking past him to his bed. He finally takes in Nova's outfit. 'Where you going anyway?' 'Me and Nia going to dinner.' Ekko scoffs, 'You know we gotta be ready by 8. Ready, not up.' Nova nods. 'I'll be back before 10, sleep by 12.' Ekko shakes his head. 'Aight, Nov.' He starts out but Ekko calls him back. 'Forgetting somethin'?' he says, pointing to the bags. 'I'll be back for 'em.' 

****

Nia exits her room and Nova stares in awe. Damn. She smiles at him, giving him a small kiss. 'You look good, princess,' he admires. 'You do too, babe.' They start toward the elevator, waiting for its arrival. It opens and they enter, little conversation between them. 

'Fix your shirt, babe,' she says as she reaches for his collar. He moves slightly, 'It's too tight.' 'It doesn't look good through,' she complains. He sighs, letting her button it, tugging on it to adjust to the tightness.

'Fluff your bun too.' He sighs, doing as he was told. 'Anything else, princess?' She giggles, kissing him on the cheek. 'Nope, you look perfect.' The elevator dings and the doors start to open. He spots her immediately, his jacket too familiar not to see it. 

'So where we going?' he asks, hoping to keep her attention. 'It's something Di Luna, the hotel recommended it.' He briefly glances at Dee, seeing her flop down and groan. He tries not to laugh at her dramatics, instead gripping Nia tighter. 'Sounds good, princess.'

****

The restaurant's lights are dimmed, Nia and Nova's table near the open area where couples have started dancing. It's nice, but Nova doesn't seem to be all the way there. 'How is it?' Nia asks, wiping her mouth. 'It's okay, want some?' he says, slicing a piece of his steak for her. She nods, taking the bite, a bit dribbling on her chin. She giggles, wiping it away. 'Mhm, it's really good.' He nods, resuming his meal.