Birthright: Prompt 4 [Nadia]

You close your eyes against the flare of sun that peeks through the fast-rolling clouds, groaning. You cover your face with your arm, letting out a slight huff.

Trust the weather to be wrong on every front. Sunny morning leading into a cloudy, clear day? More like an overcast morning into a coming storm.

You're the only one dumb enough to have come out to the picnic because everyone else was smart enough to look out the window and say, "Nope, not today."

But you'd hoped someone would come.

One particular person.

But no, Nadia isn't here. Of course she isn't. She's too smart to come out when the clouds are this dark and heavy.

"You're going to get struck by lightning," a familiar voice says, a sudden shadow blocking the sun.

You jump but pray that that particular person who's now standing over you didn't notice. "Impossible, there's sun in my eyes."

"Yes, because a small break in the sky means the storm clouds are an illusion."

You snort, drop your arm, and look up where Nadia looms over you. "Seems I'm not the only one trying to get struck by lightning," you say, propping yourself on your elbows. "What are you doing out here?"

"Saw you from Thurman," she says, frowning. "And realized you are using my picnic blanket as your impending death shroud."

You can't help but laugh. "Wanna make it our death shroud?" you offer, patting the space beside you.

"You're being stupid," she informs you. Even so, she sits beside you and glances at the clouds. The sun has disappeared again; the sky churns. "We really need to get inside. I wasn't joking about getting struck."

You watch the way she rolls her neck and shoulders. Even the muscles of her face look tight. "You okay?" you ask.

Nadia sighs and doesn't meet your gaze. "It was... a long night."

"Jerome?" you guess. When Nadia nods, you continue, "How's he taking it?"

She shrugs. "As well as a kid who just lost his leg can."

You frown, eyes sliding away from Nadia and toward the horse run. Toward the place where Jerome got pinned, his leg shattered under a panicking mare. "Shit."

"Basically."

A fat drop of rain smacks against your forehead and rolls down your cheek, startling a yip from you. Nadia, too, jolts when one hits her. "Fuck," she mutters, getting to her feet and grabbing your arm. "Get my blanket - if you ruin it, I'll kill you."

You scoop up the blanket and rush toward Nadia's cabin, the closest building to your position. Nadia still holds your hand; hers is a slender, cool thing against yours.

When you both reach the cover of her porch, a thunderous roar comes from the sky. It shudders through the air, through your bones, and draws a shaky laugh from Nadia's throat.

"Wow, who knew a storm was coming," you joke, deadpan.

Nadia elbows you - harder than you think is deserved, but you laugh anyway.

You both stand on the porch, damp but warm from the humid heat. Your elbows touch as you stand together, the point of contact soothing in a way you've never experienced with anyone else.

"Can I say something stupid?" you ask as the rain picks up and spatters on the awning above you.

"You do every time you open your mouth," Nadia says; you can see her smiling softly from the corner of your eye.

You wait a moment. The downpour gets louder; the air around you is a muffled haven in comparison.

One you're about to ruin.

"I still think about you. About us. All the time."

Nadia goes still beside you, taut like a bowstring.

"Kimberly keeps telling me to get over it," you murmur. "That it's been four years. And I know she's probably right. That Florence is probably right. That I should just give in, move on. But I just..."

Your words die out.

Nadia is still standing beside you, unmoving, a deer in headlights.

"Anyway. Just thought I should tell you. In case it matters."

Another roar of thunder shakes the earth. Far off, a lightning strike illuminates the ever-darkening sky.

"Tell me again," Nadia finally whispers. "Simply. Fewer words."

You swallow past the choking thing in your throat. "I miss you. I never stopped... loving you."

Nadia nods - just once, more of a twitch than anything. And then she takes in a shaky breath.

When she turns to you, she looks steadier than she sounds. She leans in and brushes a kiss on your cheek. It's soft but lingering, the whisper of her breath warm against your rain-chilled cheek.

"Tell me again," she says, gently taking your hand and leading you toward her cabin door with damp, longing eyes.

"I love you," you murmur. When you cross the threshold, you repeat it. When you kiss her mouth, you whisper it against her lips. When you press against her on the couch, you make it a mantra against her skin.