Things We Bury and Hide [Veritas: The Quest - girl!Nikko]
Title: Things We Bury and Hide
Fandom: Veritas: The Quest
Pairing: Always a girl!Nikko, with shades of Nikko/Calvin
Rating: E, except for the fact that Nikko's trying to sneak a pint while under-American-age, though legal in her then current geography. Or something. Jeez.
Notes: Written, as always, for storydivagirl. This was intended for her birthday, but alas, came a month [and change] late.
Inspired by this the scene in 1x06 - Sangraal, where Nikko tries to sneak a pint at the pub on Nova Scotia:
Um, yeah. My brain kind of went sideways from there.
Nikko's done this before, or at the very least, attempted it. Nikko rails against her age - she's old enough to risk her life, to battle mysterious orders bent on world domination, but she's still to young to drink? Screw that noise.
She spends her days quietly pushing at boundaries. Nikko's made it into an art - how far can she go before everyone in her life loses patience and everything blows apart? Everyone's in on the game, which makes it more of a challenge in Nikko's opinion.
But sneaking out to go to a pub? Apparently that's the one thing her father will not tolerate under any circumstance. Nikko doesn't get it, why that one thing becomes the thin red line, so it's exactly the boundary she's most eager to step over.
Granted, sneaking off to get a beer probably isn't helping her maturity argument any, but whatever. Besides, this time it isn't solely about the thrill of rebellion. Nikko honestly needs to get away. Away from artifacts, dead languages, Juliet's disappointed face, and her father's constant look of consternation. Two days of close confinement in a London hotel suite with her father's team and with the ever-present feeling of not being enough is oppressive and the pub, with its dark wood, golden beer and largely disinterested clientele is a welcome alternative.
She's just starting on her second glass of bitter and watching the Arsenal game on tv (she doesn't really know anything about the game other than a disproportionate number of the guys are really hot) when Calvin slides on the stool beside her at the end of the bar.
"I was halfway through a translation."
Nikko narrows her eyes and tightens the hold on her glass; she's wary of Calvin trying to stop her from drinking, like the time in Nova Scotia. She pretends to check her watch. "I've been gone for an hour, and you just now noticed I was gone?"
"Oh, not me, princess. I was doing my job, but then Juliet looked up from her work to find you not there working on your physics homework, and then Dr. Zond started barking at Juliet and Vincent for not doing their jobs, and I managed to slip out the door."
"You mean that you ran away." Inwardly, Nikko winced. It really wasn't Juliet's fault.
Clavin waves off her dig. "Your interest in this place when we arrived wasn't subtle. It's right across the street from the hotel and your eyes were glued to it from minute one." Calvin signals the bartender for a beer. "Whatever she's having."
"Listen, Chuck, I paid attention to my surroundings. Vincent would be proud."
"He'll be annoyed, just like the rest of us. You know you can't just disappear when ever you feel like it."
"Oh, I think I just did."
Hanging his head for a moment in frustration. "I know it's your default, but can you stop being such a brat for a second?"
"Hey!"
"Hey nothing. I get that you get anxious when we're working like this. I know you'd rather be back at boarding school, shopping with your friends and dating guys --"
The sound she makes trying not to spit take her bitter is impressive, and embarrassing. But not as embarrassing as Calvin talking about her dating. "Why...why are you torturing me like this?" her voice comes out strangled. "In no universe should be thinking about who I'm dating. And is that what you really think of me? That I'm the type of girl that's concerned with fashion week and if the bo-hunk in town is free for Spring Formal? News flash, Calvin," Nikko bites his name out, trying to keep her voice down even though no one is listening. "I didn't have friends at school. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not Miss Congeniality."
"No shit, really? Listen, I get that this is as weird for you as it is for me..."
"Are you sure about that? Because this is pretty mortifying to me right now."
"Oh, trust me. I'm sure I'll regret this tomorrow morning. Hell, I'm regretting it right now, but I think you need to hear this."
He takes a long, slow pull of his beer, and Nikko braces for verbal impact.
"I understand the teenage rebellion thing. I get it more than you can imagine, and I get that you're a fucking genius, and not being allowed to get into as much trouble as you'd like is a pain in the ass, but your dad loves you and every time you pull a stunt it kills him.
I will never, ever say this again, and if you bring it up, I will deny all of it, but you matter, Nikko. You've wormed your way in and this team appreciates you. So grow up and start to realize how lucky you really are."
"I...I don't..." Nikko's gobsmacked. Her mind is racing. Calvin, dismissive and irritating Calvin just told her that she was worth it. Or something.
When she dares to look at him, his raised eyebrow is the only answer he's giving. He's sticking to the denial thing. Nikko can play that too. It'll be easier than processing what Calvin just said, at least for now.
"So you're not dragging me back, then?"
"That's Vincent's job. Just watch the game, drink your beer and we'll wait for him to show."
"You're a good man, Charlie Brown."
"Oh, shut up," he says with a scowl, though Nikko hears a strange note of fondness in his voice.
Vincent makes an appearance a half hour later, when Calvin's on his second beer (Nikko stopped after her two), and for a moment looks like just wants to join them before he tugs on Nikko's hair and says it's time to go back.
-end-
I picked Arsenal for a team because I like saying 'Arsenal' for some stupid reason (that has nothing to do with 'arse'). My knowledge of English teams is limited to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool (which is then limited to Steven Gerrard, hello nurse). I went with what I could possibly get away with.
Fandom: Veritas: The Quest
Pairing: Always a girl!Nikko, with shades of Nikko/Calvin
Rating: E, except for the fact that Nikko's trying to sneak a pint while under-American-age, though legal in her then current geography. Or something. Jeez.
Notes: Written, as always, for storydivagirl. This was intended for her birthday, but alas, came a month [and change] late.
Inspired by this the scene in 1x06 - Sangraal, where Nikko tries to sneak a pint at the pub on Nova Scotia:
Um, yeah. My brain kind of went sideways from there.
Nikko's done this before, or at the very least, attempted it. Nikko rails against her age - she's old enough to risk her life, to battle mysterious orders bent on world domination, but she's still to young to drink? Screw that noise.
She spends her days quietly pushing at boundaries. Nikko's made it into an art - how far can she go before everyone in her life loses patience and everything blows apart? Everyone's in on the game, which makes it more of a challenge in Nikko's opinion.
But sneaking out to go to a pub? Apparently that's the one thing her father will not tolerate under any circumstance. Nikko doesn't get it, why that one thing becomes the thin red line, so it's exactly the boundary she's most eager to step over.
Granted, sneaking off to get a beer probably isn't helping her maturity argument any, but whatever. Besides, this time it isn't solely about the thrill of rebellion. Nikko honestly needs to get away. Away from artifacts, dead languages, Juliet's disappointed face, and her father's constant look of consternation. Two days of close confinement in a London hotel suite with her father's team and with the ever-present feeling of not being enough is oppressive and the pub, with its dark wood, golden beer and largely disinterested clientele is a welcome alternative.
She's just starting on her second glass of bitter and watching the Arsenal game on tv (she doesn't really know anything about the game other than a disproportionate number of the guys are really hot) when Calvin slides on the stool beside her at the end of the bar.
"I was halfway through a translation."
Nikko narrows her eyes and tightens the hold on her glass; she's wary of Calvin trying to stop her from drinking, like the time in Nova Scotia. She pretends to check her watch. "I've been gone for an hour, and you just now noticed I was gone?"
"Oh, not me, princess. I was doing my job, but then Juliet looked up from her work to find you not there working on your physics homework, and then Dr. Zond started barking at Juliet and Vincent for not doing their jobs, and I managed to slip out the door."
"You mean that you ran away." Inwardly, Nikko winced. It really wasn't Juliet's fault.
Clavin waves off her dig. "Your interest in this place when we arrived wasn't subtle. It's right across the street from the hotel and your eyes were glued to it from minute one." Calvin signals the bartender for a beer. "Whatever she's having."
"Listen, Chuck, I paid attention to my surroundings. Vincent would be proud."
"He'll be annoyed, just like the rest of us. You know you can't just disappear when ever you feel like it."
"Oh, I think I just did."
Hanging his head for a moment in frustration. "I know it's your default, but can you stop being such a brat for a second?"
"Hey!"
"Hey nothing. I get that you get anxious when we're working like this. I know you'd rather be back at boarding school, shopping with your friends and dating guys --"
The sound she makes trying not to spit take her bitter is impressive, and embarrassing. But not as embarrassing as Calvin talking about her dating. "Why...why are you torturing me like this?" her voice comes out strangled. "In no universe should be thinking about who I'm dating. And is that what you really think of me? That I'm the type of girl that's concerned with fashion week and if the bo-hunk in town is free for Spring Formal? News flash, Calvin," Nikko bites his name out, trying to keep her voice down even though no one is listening. "I didn't have friends at school. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not Miss Congeniality."
"No shit, really? Listen, I get that this is as weird for you as it is for me..."
"Are you sure about that? Because this is pretty mortifying to me right now."
"Oh, trust me. I'm sure I'll regret this tomorrow morning. Hell, I'm regretting it right now, but I think you need to hear this."
He takes a long, slow pull of his beer, and Nikko braces for verbal impact.
"I understand the teenage rebellion thing. I get it more than you can imagine, and I get that you're a fucking genius, and not being allowed to get into as much trouble as you'd like is a pain in the ass, but your dad loves you and every time you pull a stunt it kills him.
I will never, ever say this again, and if you bring it up, I will deny all of it, but you matter, Nikko. You've wormed your way in and this team appreciates you. So grow up and start to realize how lucky you really are."
"I...I don't..." Nikko's gobsmacked. Her mind is racing. Calvin, dismissive and irritating Calvin just told her that she was worth it. Or something.
When she dares to look at him, his raised eyebrow is the only answer he's giving. He's sticking to the denial thing. Nikko can play that too. It'll be easier than processing what Calvin just said, at least for now.
"So you're not dragging me back, then?"
"That's Vincent's job. Just watch the game, drink your beer and we'll wait for him to show."
"You're a good man, Charlie Brown."
"Oh, shut up," he says with a scowl, though Nikko hears a strange note of fondness in his voice.
Vincent makes an appearance a half hour later, when Calvin's on his second beer (Nikko stopped after her two), and for a moment looks like just wants to join them before he tugs on Nikko's hair and says it's time to go back.
-end-
I picked Arsenal for a team because I like saying 'Arsenal' for some stupid reason (that has nothing to do with 'arse'). My knowledge of English teams is limited to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool (which is then limited to Steven Gerrard, hello nurse). I went with what I could possibly get away with.