Justification | Deetranada AU

solecism

Continuous

(Nova POV)

'Thank you,' Nova says with a smile, passing his menu back to the waitress. She smiles flirtatiously, biting her lip. Head in her phone, Dee doesn't pay them any mind.

'¿Quieres?' she says shamelessly, eyeing him up and down. He chuckles, looking between Dee and the girl before shaking his mind. She chuckles, nodding her head, 'Food should be out soon, okay?'

She shoots a wink Nova's way before she leaves, causing a chuckle of disbelief to come from Dee. 'Couldn't even tell her no,' she mumbles, continuing to type.

His smile fades, clearing his throat as he struggles to respond. 'Just bein' nice to a fan,' he smiles. She doesn't return it, continuing her conversation with an unknown person.

He watches her as she continues, not bothering to converse with him despite their close proximity. He sighs deeply, hoping to gain her attention but she continues, undisturbed.

Okay, new plan.

'You did good,' he says brightly. 'Thanks,' she says lowly. 'You did too.'

He frowns at her lack of enthusiasm, making it hard for him to believe her. It's fine, just keep goin'.

'And you ain't fall or get snatched.'

She chuckles, 'I know right. I ain't think they was gon' get me at first.'

He watches her take a sip of her water before continuing. 'Bout to make this a thing, jumpin' in every crowd I see.'

'And hopin' you don't fall,' he adds with a laugh. 'Long as they catch me, I'm good,' she says, adding to his laugh.

'I'd catch you,' he says, his laughter fading, his face growing serious.

She clears her throat, her face going back to her phone as he grimaces. Fuck. Why'd you even say that?

He drums the table, attempting to find a new, safer, topic but draws a blank. He looks around the restaurant, the small groups of families and couples around the homey place bringing a smile to his face.

He watches as a young mother and father smile at one another, their toddler playfully hitting the table for attention. They break their gaze, turning their attention to their son and peppering him with attention.

He can't help but smile, the image slowly turning to one he's dreamed of many times, him and Dee at a similar table, their daughter singing in babbles along with him as Dee records.

'You not supposed to stare at other people kids,' Dee says through gritted teeth, a sharp kick hitting his shin. 'Ah, fuck!' he groans, many eyes turning toward their table.

'I was just...gah damn that shit hurt,' he moans, rubbing the spot. 'I was just looking.'

'Lookin' like you was 'bout to steal they kid,' she counters, laughing. 

'I was just lookin', man,' he repeats, rubbing his shin a final time. 'They food looked good.'

'Sure,' she laughs, shaking her head as she resumes her message. He sighs spotting a small container on the table. He takes out his phone, plopping it inside before nudging it toward her.