Linger
Title: Linger
Character/Pairing: Alicia Washington/Nathaniel Taylor
Word Count: 490
Genre: Gen, Pre-Romance
Rating: PG
Warning: None really
Spoiler alert: Spoilers for season finale
Summary: A very short little story about Taylor building up the nerve to go after Alicia, and what happens when he finally does.
Authors Note: Written for Wash/Taylor : Linger by bellakitse. Quickie beta by crystalkei
He's ashamed to admit it, but he's turned into a coward somewhere along the way. Sometimes he'll talk himself out of that line of thinking, and put it in military terms. It's just not smart to go into certain battles without enough intel. And in regards to this particular battle, he's sorely lacking in the intel department. He comes up with his plan while he's stuck OTG for over a week, lucky to even have communication with the colony.
When he finally walks through the gate, his bike completely out of charge and heavy as he pushes it the last few feet, Wash walks up and starts scanning him for injuries. He wants to think it's more than just habit, that maybe she's as worried about him as he gets when she's the one OTG. Her fingers brush just underneath a cut on his neck and he nearly forgets the plan, the urge to touch her nearly overwhelming him.
But then her fingers are gone just as fast, and she's digging for medical supplies while lecturing him. He lets himself be scolded as she cleans up his cuts and scrapes, and smiles as she treats each minor nick like it's potentially fatal. Here in the privacy of the Command Center, he imagines that her fingers stay a second too long. Her eyes are softer, despite the bite in her words at his recklessness.
When he squeezes her shoulder and grins, she smiles back. He assures her that he's fine, and says that he'll try not to do it again. Eventually she laughs and shakes her head, and doesn't mention his hand still on her arm as she changes the topic to what's happened while he's been gone.
He starts cataloging all these little incidents. Secretly hoping they add up to what he wants. It's his thumb reaching out to remove a smudge of dirt from her face. It's her fingers wiping away his blood. It's smiles that stay once all the laughter has faded. Just when he thinks he has enough intel to make a sound strategic move, everything falls apart.
Watching from afar drives him crazy. Not being able to stop it nearly kills him. Finding her alive makes him wonder if he's dreaming or dead. The first smile she gives him after the dust settles makes it hard to breathe.
Finally, when she's back on her feet and standing next to him on the balcony, watching repairs, he makes his move. Linking his fingers through hers silently, he holds his breath until her fingers tighten around his. They share a small smile and a quiet laugh at the simple gesture, so long overdue. They stand that way until someone calls her name and she squeezes his hand one last time before jogging down the stairs.
The feel of her fingers entwined with his lingers for the rest of the day, tiding him over until he can touch her again.
Character/Pairing: Alicia Washington/Nathaniel Taylor
Word Count: 490
Genre: Gen, Pre-Romance
Rating: PG
Warning: None really
Spoiler alert: Spoilers for season finale
Summary: A very short little story about Taylor building up the nerve to go after Alicia, and what happens when he finally does.
Authors Note: Written for Wash/Taylor : Linger by bellakitse. Quickie beta by crystalkei
He's ashamed to admit it, but he's turned into a coward somewhere along the way. Sometimes he'll talk himself out of that line of thinking, and put it in military terms. It's just not smart to go into certain battles without enough intel. And in regards to this particular battle, he's sorely lacking in the intel department. He comes up with his plan while he's stuck OTG for over a week, lucky to even have communication with the colony.
When he finally walks through the gate, his bike completely out of charge and heavy as he pushes it the last few feet, Wash walks up and starts scanning him for injuries. He wants to think it's more than just habit, that maybe she's as worried about him as he gets when she's the one OTG. Her fingers brush just underneath a cut on his neck and he nearly forgets the plan, the urge to touch her nearly overwhelming him.
But then her fingers are gone just as fast, and she's digging for medical supplies while lecturing him. He lets himself be scolded as she cleans up his cuts and scrapes, and smiles as she treats each minor nick like it's potentially fatal. Here in the privacy of the Command Center, he imagines that her fingers stay a second too long. Her eyes are softer, despite the bite in her words at his recklessness.
When he squeezes her shoulder and grins, she smiles back. He assures her that he's fine, and says that he'll try not to do it again. Eventually she laughs and shakes her head, and doesn't mention his hand still on her arm as she changes the topic to what's happened while he's been gone.
He starts cataloging all these little incidents. Secretly hoping they add up to what he wants. It's his thumb reaching out to remove a smudge of dirt from her face. It's her fingers wiping away his blood. It's smiles that stay once all the laughter has faded. Just when he thinks he has enough intel to make a sound strategic move, everything falls apart.
Watching from afar drives him crazy. Not being able to stop it nearly kills him. Finding her alive makes him wonder if he's dreaming or dead. The first smile she gives him after the dust settles makes it hard to breathe.
Finally, when she's back on her feet and standing next to him on the balcony, watching repairs, he makes his move. Linking his fingers through hers silently, he holds his breath until her fingers tighten around his. They share a small smile and a quiet laugh at the simple gesture, so long overdue. They stand that way until someone calls her name and she squeezes his hand one last time before jogging down the stairs.
The feel of her fingers entwined with his lingers for the rest of the day, tiding him over until he can touch her again.