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Nat has never been on a date before.
Well, not one he actually enjoyed.
Most of them would start at a local concert, or a park, or some dude’s rundown shit-show of a house party, and end with him drunk or fucked up feeling like nothing but a piece of trash.
But that was the past, and now he had a chance to change that since he was the one making the plans.
So this should be easy, right?
Apparently not, because he’s taking out some angel that had fallen onto this earth to bless him with her heavenly goodness.
And he’s never been more stressed out.
——
It’s been a few days since Lottie and Nat made things official.
They both agreed that they’d still keep up this “just friends” act around school since homosexual couples aren’t exactly loved in Wiskayok. (Or, at all in the 90s..)
But with Lottie’s hard-ass begging and big brown eyes, she was able to convince him to tell the Yellowjackets, since Lottie is close to most of them and the team is their only safe space. “Hiding it will only make us feel more unwanted, Nat. The Yellowjackets are all we have here, and they’ll find out one way or another.” He hated how she was right.
Though any word of Nat’s gender stayed silent, which him and Lottie easily agreed on. Who knows how fucking horrified a group of teenage girls would react knowing one of their own is a boy? How anyone who’s not as understanding as Lottie would react??? He’d probably get hunted down and kicked out of the team. (Or, that’s what he tells himself at least.) So it stays between Lottie and Nat (and Van. And Kevyn. They already knew.)
But overall, being a couple has been nothing but amazing for the two- Nat makes her happy, Lottie makes him happy-
“What if it’s so awful she isn’t happy with me anymore?” Nat wailed, digging his bitten up nails into the straps of his janky backpack as he walked through the bustling school hallways trying not to lose Van in the crowd.
Van rolled her eyes, slapping Nat’s arm in an attempt to knock some sense into him. “She’s whipped for you, Nat. I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be great, and she’ll love it.”
“It’s in 3 days and I have no idea what to do.” They came to a sudden stop as Nat’s heels turned to face his locker.
“No idea?” Van leaned up against the locker next to Nat’s, watching him struggle to put his code in.
“Well, I mean, I have some.” Nat huffed out, his eyes laser focused on trying to put his locker combo in correctly. “But they’re all basic. Lottie isn’t ‘basic.’ Shes probably expecting like, a horse and carriage ride with a 3 fucking course meal.”
“Really?”
“…No. But still.” The metal door swung open with a screeching sound that echoed throughout the hallway, his lock dangling on the door. “She deserves more than just a cheap movie theater date with some shitty popcorn or worse, eating Chinese food on her bedroom floor AGAIN.”
“Well… why don’t you just.. go with your gut? That’s what I always do, and it seems to be working because Tai still loves me.”
“It’s kind of hard to when my gut is telling me to throw up.” He swung one strap of his backpack off of his shoulder, just enough to open it at his side and shove his hefty workbook in.
“Then maybe just…” she tilted her head to the side with a small smirk before starting to walk away. “..ask her?”
“Wha—“ Nat’s eyes followed Van’s before it met a pair of big brown one’s, and they definitely weren’t Van’s.
They were Lottie’s.
Today she wore a lacy cami top that was a blue Nat could only describe as the color of his shitty lighter, only she wasn’t a shitty lighter and she actually looks fucking good in it because it’s Lottie, and she always looks good in anything (and, to be quite frank, nothing-)
“Hey handsome.” The girl smiled, whispering just loud enough for Nat and only Nat to hear.
Her slender fingers trailed up his arm, hiking up the sleeve of his flannel before stopping at his shoulder, barely ghosting his cheek before her hand fell and met the other, interlocking.
If he hadn’t remembered so many people were around, he would’ve kissed her senseless right now. Or worse. God it probably would’ve been worse.
It was the first time they had seen each other all day.
Nat blames it on classes being a pain in the ass to get to on time, but he’s never cared about that. Maybe he’s-
“Are you avoiding me?”
“What?” Nat froze, his voice cracking as he unintentionally slammed his locker door shut, the lock falling in the process.
“I’m just fucking with you.” In the moment of emotional whiplash, he bent down to get the lock, his head shaking with solace and pain as he hit it against a locker on his way back onto his feet. “I’m excited for our date.” Lottie held back a laugh, her lips curling into a soft smile and her voice low and calm like her demeanor.
Nat on the other hand was equivalent to an overstimulated chihuahua. “I-yeah, me too!!”
“I know you have everything under control. Right?”
“Yeah, of course. I’m gonna knock you off your feet, Matthews.”
He’s not gonna fuck this up, right?—
“I expect nothing less. Also..” He watched as her finger trailed over to the collar of his flannel, tugging it closer against his bruised neck.
“You might want to cover this better. You’re really bad at applying foundation. Laura Lee would gladly help you if you just asked, you know?
“O-oh—“ He firmly pressed the palm of his hand against his neck, the cool surface of his rings probably making fucking steam from how hot his skin was.
And suddenly, the bell rang. The halls were empty, just him and Lottie. How long were they standing there?
Lottie looked around for a quick moment, watching the last person she could see pass the hall before pressing a soft kiss against his forehead. “Cya handsome.”
His body went limp as he stood like an idiot in the hallway, slack jawed and knees touching. He thought he was gonna enter rigor mortis right then and there.
—Oh, and he’s definitely gonna fuck this up.
———
For 2 days straight, all he could focus on was what to do for Lottie’s first date to make it the best date ever. His head was a huge mental whiteboard with scratched out ideas and red circles around the good ones. If this board was physical, it would look like the kind manic conspiracy theorists have.
First he thought the movies.
But they don’t offer much privacy, which they both would like.
He scratched that.
Second he thought a concert.
No, Lottie would hate that. He would love it though.
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Third, he thought of a restaurant. The type you have to reserve to eat at-
No, he’d hate that. And they’d probably kick him out for looking like a hobo.
He gnawed at his fingernails.
What about a place that’s quiet and safe for the both of them. Nature. Lottie likes nature, right? Yes. He knows a spot.
He started to connected the dots.
Lottie mentioned a restaurant she wanted to try and a movie she wanted to watch at one of their hangouts. It was brief, but enough for Nat to know she actually wants them.
The restaurant doesn’t seem too expensive, and the movie actually looks bearable. Cheesy, but tolerable enough for Nat to sit through and at least pretend to enjoy. Kevyn has a decent portable tv vhs player in his room he’ll probably let Nat borrow, and he has connections at the local library. He’ll probably be able to find that movie in a second.
He connected more dots.
The weather will be nice. Cold with a calm wind, but it’ll give him a chance to do all the romantic stuff girls like, like offering her his jacket to wear, or cuddling up next to him. Dark but not dark enough for it to be pitch black. Perfect.
He couldn’t think of anything better for Lottie’s first date, and the first one he’ll enjoy.
And fortunately, it was last period, which means after this he has practice.
———
Nat has never been so excited walking towards the locker rooms. All he could think about was Lottie, and how excited he was for the date. It was cheesy and sweet, till it cost him bad plays. (Though he found himself not caring until Lottie gave him a look.)
“What’s gotten you all giddy?” Laura Lee quickly trailed off from the rest of the group, her curiosity getting the best of her as she followed Nat, who was practically skipping towards the locker room.
“Well, not that it’s any of your business, but I got a date tomorrow night with the one and only Lottie Isabelle Matthews.” He chortled like a little kid, running his hands through his damp hair.
“That’s great, Nat!” Laura walked at his side, pushing the locker room door open for him. “Lottie’s been talking about it all day. She’s just as excited as you.” She muttered softly before parting from him to get to her own locker.
Nat didn’t know this. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.” The smooth voice of Lottie appeared behind him as he lifted his shirt over his shoulders. Nat quickly snapped his neck back. Where the fuck did she come from???
“Holy shit. Can you like, teleport or something?” He paused his arms, his sweat stained shirt wrung around his neck.
“Maybe.” Her finger once again trailed his skin, this time it was his bruised stomach. It burned good. “You should keep this off more.”
“Shut up..” He choked out, quickly throwing his sweaty practice shirt off and rummaging for the one he had on before this out of nervousness and not wanting anyone else to see his taped up chest. “You are NOT ready for the night I have planned, Lot.”
“Really?” Lottie’s eyes lingered around Nat’s body as she began to undress too, her pigtailed hair falling nicely at her chest.
“Yeah, really. Like I said, I’m gonna knock you off your feet.” He proudly announced, dropping his shorts at his ankles. His shirt covered up most of his red boxers- easily recognizable from one of their many Friday nights..
“Mmm…” ‘Maybe knock me in bed instead?’ Lottie thought to herself, the thought of her and Nat causing a small hum to emit from her lips. It was barely audible with everybody else talking.
She slowly pulled her shirt over her head, the lace of her bra just barely visible at the corner of Nat’s eyes. He didn’t stare, but he glanced long enough to know they had a little bow in the middle and were a cream color, and a flowery design along the chest part where her breasts laid, the right with nearly invisible hickeys that were very, very hot— “I really cannot wait.” He hadn’t noticed how close she had got until she pressed a small kiss against his ear, nearly causing him to slip trying to pull his pants on.
“J-Jeez, Lot-!” Nat spluttered. He wishes he could be annoyed, but it’s hard to get annoyed at her—
“Ooh, lovebirds!!”
It’s not very hard to get annoyed at anyone else though.
Especially if they’re a roaring pack of teenage girls.
Shauna, Jackie, Van and Tai were the most notable examples, especially since they were practically howling at him and Lot. Funny since they’re like, definitely more romantic and sappy than him and Lottie combined. (Or that’s what he tells himself..)
“Natty and Lottie sitting in a tree—“ Jackie sung- “K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Shauna added on like some sort of fucking duet, with Van and Tai as the background vocals. (Or dancers, if you count their weird little moves which looked equivalent to a male bird’s mating dance.)
“Hey, only I can call Nat Natty.” Lottie added fuel to the fire Nat was trying to put out, whining as she only leaned closer to him- close enough for Nat to see her bangs sticking to her forehead from the sweat of practice, and the cleavage her bra showed, and the scent of her lavender shampoo which was (somehow) still very strong. The blush on his cheeks was brighter than the lighting in the locker room, which seemed brighter than the eyes of the howling girls.
Nat swallowed down his words unsure if they’d be a “shut up, you guys.” To “shut me up, Lottie,” zipping up his fly and throwing his sweaty shirt in the girl’s direction.
——
“Would a tie be too much, or like, too little? I don’t even have a tie. What if Lottie expects me to wear like, a suit? She wouldn’t. Right?”
Nat dug into his closet, the sweet vocals of Riot Grrrl shaking his walls as he talked to Kevyn, who inhabited Nat’s bed. It was the day of his date now, just after practice- 6pm.
“Are you serious? You’re going on a picnic date, and based on all your cheesy ramblings about Lottie, I’m sure she won’t give a shit about what you wear. You could probably pick her up with your ass hanging out and she wouldn’t care.” Kevyn half laughed out, flopping down onto the bed.
Nat snapped his head back, clenching a graphic t-shirt in his hands. Kev thought a blood vessel would pop in his head and steam would burst out of his ears.
“You’re acting like, so out of character dude.” His voice was hesitant as he pressed the lit cigar against his lips.
“Yeah, well try taking out a literal fucking goddess and see how you act.” Nat groaned, his teeth clenched as he tossed the shirt down, leaning against the door of his closet.
“You’ll be fine, Nat! Get your shit together!!” Kevyn sat up on his elbows, throwing himself forward to face the troubled boy.
“I will, okay?!.. I just.. I don’t wanna fuck this up! I don’t know what I would do if I fumbled this girl!” Jeez. He hasn’t see Nat this stressed before. He’s been more calm about tournaments than this. Kevyn sighed, exhaling the smoke at the same time.
“Well, you got the hard part done.” Planning. “All you need to do is figure out what to wear and get all the stuff you need, and you already got one thing down because of this bad boy.” His hands landed on the portable tv vhs player he brought over, patting it like a dog.
“Ughhh….”
“Yeah. And you better stop worrying or you’re gonna have to go in that, because your date is in less than an hour.” Kev looked at him seriously for a moment- he was topless, his pants loose and about to slide off without his belt. The only neat thing about him was the tape across his chest (which Nat reluctantly let Lottie do before leaving practice) and his hair, which was washed in the school locker room’s shower with whatever shampoo was left there.
“Oh shit!”
———
Getting things together was surprisingly easy. Maybe luck was on Nat’s side tonight- if “luck” was just Kevyn. But it was nice to have a second pair of eyes and hands, or Nat would’ve been at Lottie’s doorstep at 9pm instead of 7pm.
“You’re a fucking lifesaver, Kevyn.” Nat wiped the sweat off his forehead as he stood up, admiring their work.
“Anything for you, dude.” He said it in a way that was somehow endearing before hooking his arm around his neck, pulling him into a side hug. “You got this, Scatorccio.”
“One can only hope.” His hand locked at Kev’s back before sliding down to his pants pocket and shoving a neat joint in. Just a little something as a thanks.
———
“Do I look okay? Maybe I should change my top one more time.” Lottie held two tops against her body, staring at herself in the mirror as she mumbled to herself. “Fuck, no, it’s fine.” She straightened herself back up, tossing the tops she held somewhere behind her as she stared herself down in the mirror.
Her locks fell at her chest, her body clothed with a scarlet Henley long sleeve. It reminded her of Nat’s boxers, or the bra he used to wear. He looked very pretty in both. Her jeans cuffed at the top of her cherry red Doc Martens, which matched her glossy lips. “Nat likes red. I see him wear it a lot.” She talked to her reflection as if it’d give her a response, running her fingers through her hair. “Maybe he’ll like me in it too.”
Her bed was covered in a scattered pile of bottoms and tops she had all tried on in the span of 30 minutes. It was almost as cluttered as her head.
Unlike Nat, she had no one to really talk to or get ready with but herself. It wasn’t a bad thing, really- but someone else’s opinion on what to wear would be nice, or how to just.. act on a date.
It all seemed so difficult to Lottie, which was strange. She’s been alone with Nat before, they’ve touched, kissed, shared their most vulnerable moments with each other- so why was a date so different? Was it because tonight actually has a label, and they’re not just teetering on the edge of just friends anymore?
“I wonder when Nat will be here..”
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Three small knocks at her door. And she was sure that this time it wasn’t an owl, or a rock.
Her heart stopped for as the sound echoed through her head, and for a moment, she thought that maybe I’d be better if he was throwing rocks at her window at the asscrack of night.
——
Lottie rushed down the stairs, tucking her hair behind her ear as she reached the front door.
Was this really him? Maybe it’s the mailman. Who would willingly deliver mail at 7pm anyways? She was so confident earlier. What happened?
Despite all this hesitation, she opened the door.
Nat stood at her doorstep, his skin luminous in the rising moon’s light. He wore all black, save the red sweater and white collar beneath his leather jacket. In his ringed fingers he held a small bouquet of roses.
“..Hi handsome.”
“Hi Lot.” He delicately smiled, holding the bouquet out for her to grab. He always says her name in this sweet, breathless voice. “It’s great to see you again.”
Maybe he was right. He was gonna knock her off her feet. But in a ‘passing out’ kind of way, because fuck, she couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
She took the bouquet in her hands, the paper holding the bouquet together crinkling beneath her fingers. “Sorry it’s real shitty..” Nat tittered, leaning on his heals. “It was kind of last minute.” Lottie curled the bow holding it together. It was uneven. Not sloppy, but tied the same way Nat ties his shoes- quick and easy.
“It’s okay.” Lottie stepped out of her house, locking the door before facing Nat. The awkward look in his eyes was more noticeable now, but it was cute.
“I’m sorry it’s kind of late too.” Nat continued, walking at her side as they walked further past her house. Nat’s belts and chains jingled at each step, hitting up against each other. It filled in the silence. “The place, our date isn’t exactly inside, so I hope you don’t get too cold or—“
“Nat. It’s okay.”
And Lottie took his hand in hers, her fingers resting at his knuckles.
And all of their worries washed away.
They aren’t sure why they had them in the first place. But they’re gone. And maybe they won’t fuck things up.
Nat’s hand sunk into Lottie’s as they walked, perfectly capturing the warmth between their hands.
———
“Okay, just hold my hand. We’re almost there.” Nat held his hand out, motioning Lottie to walk down. And carefully she stepped onto the slanted rocks, a tight grip on Nat’s hand as she got at his level.
They had both been walking through the park in silence. Comfortable silence, that is. They don’t really go on walks- Lottie because it’s not really safe for a teenage girl to be walking alone, and Nat because last time he did he got pressed for money Kevyn owed by one of his ex plugs.
But maybe now that they were together, the world would give them some peace and quiet in the comfort of the night’s blanket thrown over them.
“If you’re planning to kill me, this is a pretty hot way of doing it.” The grass encapsulated their feet as they walked, the trees shading them from the shining stars.
“Why do you think that I’m gonna do that?” Nat scoffed, Lottie’s hand still in his as he weaved them between the trees. He moved in such a way that Lottie could guess that wherever they’re going is a place Nat has been many times before.
“You’re taking me out to the most secluded area of the park at night, alone.” The crickets chirped around them as the brush got heavier at their ankles.
“Yeah, ‘cuz it’s awesome, not because I’m gonna chop you up and throw your remains in a lake, or something.” He sarcastically replied, looking back at her for a moment before continuing to follow the path.
“Wow, what a plan.” Lottie lightheartedly rolled her eyes, coming to a sharp halt as Nat stopped. “Okay, close your eyes.”
“Why? So you can hit me in the head with a shovel?” Lottie laughed before closing her eyes tight. She knew she wouldn’t, but if she was gonna die, she’d be okay with him being her last sight.
His hands fell at her shoulders, her steps making a quiet crunching sound as he guiding her forward. “The bugs didn’t get to it.” He muttered to himself, his breath hitting the back of her neck.
“Okay, open!”
And Lottie opened her eyes, immediately widening and slowly processing the sight in front of her.
In front of her was a large plaid blanket covering a small portion of the vast field of lush grass running for miles. It was much prettier than the grass she’d see at the popular spots at the park. In the middle of the blanket was a few white boxes neatly stacked on top of each other that read “Finch’s” in a red cursive font, surrounded by a handful of variously sized unlit candles- and cloaking over the whole thing was a large, grand oak tree, its extensive branches reaching out for nothing as the leaves shook and fell with the wind. Perched in the middle of the tree’s split branches was a TV VCR player with a few rocks below it to fill in the slanted gap.
“I found this place a few months ago. I had to run from these.. guys.. Kevyn owed them money. I found out no one really goes over here because of all of the brush and thick trees surrounding it. It’s real pretty though..” He paused. “… it’s the first time I’ve brought anyone here— well, besides Kevyn, since he helped set this up. I go here whenever I need to be alone, or need a good smoke. I find that the view is a really nice..do you like it?” Nat’s voice was soft against the echoing sounds of the night, rocking on his heels nervously.
“Nattt…” She cooed, her hands immediately cupped sides of his face and giving him a quick peck at his lips. For a moment, the cool air disappeared from the warmth of her lips against his.
“I love it.”
‘I love you.’ The words threatened to come out of his mouth, bubbling at his throat nearly strong enough for him to vomit.
“Don’t give me all the credit, I had some help.” He swallowed the vomit of words back down to his fluttering stomach as he advanced towards the vhs player, grabbing a tape from behind it with a flick of his wrist.
The tape read “That Night” in a bold yellow font with Juliette Lewis and C. Thomas Howell kissing in front of a car and the large white moon behind them. The cover alone was enough to make Nat gag- but it’ll make Lottie happy, right?
“I got the movie—“
“YOU GOT THE MOVIE!!” Oh yeah, definitely.
“Yeah, and the food-“ he was cut off by the press of her lips against his once more, his body melting into it.
‘And if you asked every star in the galaxy I’d spend eternity collecting each burning rock just for you to see.’ He swallowed again. It was more of a struggle with his eyes locked on hers.
“Y’know, Juliette Lewis was my first celebrity crush.” Lottie steered herself towards the blanket before sitting down at its right side. It was surprisingly comfortable- she expected a bumpy, sharp surface. (Which didn’t happen because Nat and Kevyn were carefully removing and smoothing out all of the hidden knicks in the grass.)
“But I think it’s because she kinda looks like you.” Nat paused, opening his mouth to speak before letting out a wryly laugh, walking over to the vhs player and turning it on, popping the tape in before pressing play. The movie came to life with a stuttering start. He mentally thanked Kevyn for this somehow not being wrecked.
He perched himself up next to her on the blanket, sliding his lighter out of his pocket and lighting each one of the five candles one by one, spreading them as evenly as he could around them. Each one stood on a smooth rock so that they wouldn’t fall and accidentally cause a fire.
“I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I kinda got anything I could.” He motioned towards the boxes, scratching the back of his neck. When he looked up at Lottie, she had a big pout on her face, and her eyes started to visibly water in the candle’s light.
“..Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it’s just.. you remembered all of this? I only brought up this place and the movie like, once, and we didn’t even have a full conversation about each one.”
“I have a good memory, I guess. When it matters at least.”
“You’re such a sweet boy.” Oh, he’s surely gonna remember that.
———
For the night, they ate what they could and sat through the movie, which was about an hour and 30 minutes. It was nice, and the movie wasn’t so bad either. It was actually bearable for Nat’s standards. The only time they’ve watched a movie together was at Jackie’s house with the other Yellowjackets, and it didn’t last very long because by the first 30 minutes someone would be in a playful headlock, someone would be throwing a pillow or food at the other, and someone is sleeping.
It was 9pm now. The sounds of the crickets grew louder, and the grass rustled from the wind hitting it. For the remaining time they had (which they wish could be forever), they laid under the tree’s shade, staring at the stars peaking through the leaves. The only time Nat has done this was when he was drunk. It’d be the last thing he’d see before blacking out and waking up in a cold sweat in this exact spot. Lottie isn’t one to stargaze, really. It was never something she was interested in until Nat had brought it up tonight. Maybe they should do this most often.
“The stars are pretty, aren’t they?” Lottie’s hands reached up, her finger tracing the areas the leaves didn’t cover. Her hair spread over the blanket, her hair brushing to the side against Nat’s jacket which she now laid on. At some point during the movie he had thrown it over her when the winds got stronger and the night got colder.
…And, well, I guess he wasn’t really stargazing, if he was looking at Lottie the whole time.
“Yeah, they really are.” His voice was rough, quiet yet holding something that Lottie couldn’t name back.
And their eyes locked, Lottie’s curls following her head as she turned. A mere inch apart, but it felt like everything was holding them back.
The look Nat’s eyes said everything.
They shined brighter than the moon tonight, screamed louder than the howling of night’s creatures.
His eyes fell lower as she gravitated closer to him, their lips ghosting each other long enough for Nat to grow impatient.
Then their lips met, gentle and steady like it was their first time. Though it didn’t last very long, because gosh, they’ve been waiting for this.
It all felt so natural now. Nat propped himself up, grinning between the breaths as his hands found the surface of her thighs, his fingers sliding and tunneling through the loops of her jeans. On the other end, Lottie’s hands gnarled at his hair, gripping onto the box bleached strands with surprising force. Her legs framed Nat’s, her heels digging into the blanket and giving him room to get closer, their chests firmly pressed together.
At every breath, the words he wanted to say got closer and closer to his lips, biting at his throat and tearing at his chest. The mutterings he had been emitting became harder to hide as they became coherent words the longer Lottie’s lips were away from his.
The two breathed in sync, their foreheads clashed together hard enough to make their brains rattle. They pulled away slightly, rubbing their foreheads with a small chuckle.
And in the mess of it all, Nat uttered the words he’d been trying to hold back this whole time, unable to keep the feeling in. “..I-I love you, Lottie.” Something he’s thought of many, many times, now verbalized and known by the girl- but it felt so natural, as natural as their lips meeting, or as natural as the grass beneath them.
There was a long, heavy pause. A pause long enough to hear their labored breaths at every inhale and exhale, long enough for Nat to push away, long enough for Lottie to realize that yes, this is the time for her to say the words that she’s held back since their first moments together—
“Fuck, sorry—“
“I love you too Nat.” It felt so natural. So beautiful. So normal.
His hands froze at her sides, his eyes almost comically large as the words processed in his head. Unsure of what to do or say now, Lottie’s lips curled into an awkward yet heartwarming smile. “I love you, Nat.” She repeated, her voice sweeter than her lipgloss. She wasn’t giving him any time to let the words sink in, but he found he was okay with this.
He would’ve pushed her away, telling her and himself that she only loved her, the woman before his true self came out like every person before this did- but he knew this wasn’t the case.
“It’s getting late. We should go.” Lottie suggested, tilting her head up to see how dark it had gotten. Colder too. Most of their candles had gone out and the only thing she could see was Nat. Her hands slowly slid off him as he got up.
“Yeah..” he reluctantly agreed, holding his hand out for Lottie to grab while pulling her up a moment after. He didn’t want this night to end. He began collecting things, putting the empty food boxes together and pushing the rocks off the tree to grab the vhs player, realizing that he probably won’t have enough hands to grab everything himself as the tape fell from his grasp.
Lottie stared at him for a moment, unable to hide her quick yet noticeable laughter. “..Do you need help?”
“Nope, I got it—“ he very much does not, as the candles slid off the empty boxes seconds after replying.
He stared as they hit the ground, letting out a defeated sigh. “…Yes, please.”
———
Somehow they had made it all the way back to Lottie’s house with everything in hand. Most of their food had been eaten so Lottie only had one box to carry with all of the candles balanced on top of it. Nat held the vhs player, the tape tucked into his back pocket and the blanket thrown over his shoulder.
“You should stay the night. It’s really late.” Lottie had passed the things she held to Nat, holding them with a strain as her offer was stronger than his arms.
He couldn’t imagine what he would do if he was left alone with Lottie any longer after that date. “I could just walk home, it’s okay-“
“It’s not safe out.” She protested, slipping her key into the lock and opening the door, walking in with Nat close behind.
“I’ll be okay-“ He quickly walked towards the kitchen table, putting everything down on it with a thud and hoisting the blanket up on one of the chairs.
“Nat.”
“I can just call Kevyn at your place, I’m sure he’s still up he can get me-“
“Nat. For my sake, just, please. Sleep over.” How could he not listen to such a demanding, hot voice like her’s?
“I.. okay. Fine.” He tried to sound annoyed- but any opportunity to be with Lottie is a good one, even if they were in the depths of hell or at heaven’s gate. “But I don’t even have clothes or my toothbrush—“
“You will borrow mine and use the extra hygiene products I have.” She’s not saying ‘he can’ but that ‘he will.’ Like she’s forcing him to. But fuck, she could force him to stab his eyes out so he wouldn’t see any other women and he’d do it in a heartbeat out of willingness.
“..okay…”
“Good.” He could’ve sworn she said ‘boy’ after that. Or maybe it was his head telling him that.
“I got a bit of a mess in my room. I hope you don’t mind watching me clean it up.”
“I don’t mind at all. I could help you, even.”
Lottie gave him a subtle nod before twisting the handle of her bedroom door open.
———
With Nat’s help, Lottie was done hanging all of her clothes back up and folding her jeans, tucking them all away in her closet where they might see another day in about an hour.
They probably would’ve worked faster if Nat wasn’t shooting flirtatious looks any time she got close, or caressing her back any time they ‘accidentally’ brushed against each other, or if Lottie didn’t give into it and shove her and Nat into the closet and coming out with clothes that had been taken off their bodies instead of a hanger.
And now they laid in Lottie’s bed, equally washed and freshened up for slumber. They normally didn’t have time to just stare at each other, hold each other, or feel each other’s hands soothe because it didn’t feel okay or normal to see the other side of vulnerability that isn’t just sex without asking what they were and being scared of an answer neither of them wanted- just friends. But now they were something, and okay with being in the same bed without needing more.
“Is this okay?” Nat whispered, his bare chest hesitantly pressed up against Lottie’s back. He wasn’t taped up this time. He figured that it couldn’t be healthy to sleep with it on, and Lottie convinced him not to for his own health. He thought he’d feel more gross and dysphoric. But he feels.. okay, like his chest isn’t a significant part of him anymore as it used to be, and maybe Lottie doesn’t care that he’s a boy with boobs. He likes sleeping shirtless anyways.
“Yes. You’re very cold.”
“You’re very warm.”
“You can move your hands.” Lottie’s voice was soothing, even in exhaustion. Of course it was. It always was. Nat’s hands hovered over her hips, like they were two positive magnets trying to come together. The only thing more reassuring than her words were her actions. “I don’t mind.” She gently placed her palms on top of Nat’s, pushing them till they landed at her hips, and they steadily melted into her body. He let his fingers move a little. His rings were off on Lottie’s nightstand, so he could really feel the cotton material of her shorts, and the warmth of her stomach, and the pliable material of her shirt.
Once he decided he and Lot were comfortable enough he slid his hands up to her stomach, wrapping his arms around her as he pressed his hips up against Lottie’s, his face buried in her neck and fully engulfing her (or trying to, it was a bit hard since she was significantly taller than him but she appreciated the effort.)
They fit together like the tape that slid into the vhs player, like their bodies were meant to slot together like this and bring out something beautifully made.
“Thank you, again. For such a great date.” She snuggled up closer to his body, somehow still having room between them to fill. Her hands rested against his, tracing his veins and his knuckles languidly. “I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to out do you next time, but I’ll figure it out..” She yawned out the last words, lazy yet clear. “I love you, Nat.”
There it was again. ‘I love you.’ He inhaled her lavender shampoo scented hair before replying.
“I love you too, Lottie.” He hadn’t realized how exhausted he was till his eyelids felt heavier and harder to keep open. “G’night..”
She only let out a low hum before shutting her eyes, her chest slowly rising and falling as she breathed.
And as he shut his eyes for slumber, succumbing to the exhaustion, Nat was sure of three things now.
One. He didn’t fuck this up.
Two. This was the first date he had actually thoroughly enjoyed.
And three. He definitely knocked Lottie off her feet.
…
…And that maybe, cheesy romance movies aren’t that cheesy and they’re actually kind of enjoyable.