milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Claire is in the bar today, a folder of her new history laid in front of her. She's filling out a form or two (or three or five), occasionally glancing back at the folder, turning a page here and there as she searches for information.

And every so often she drinks some mint-flavored tea. But you might have guessed that already.

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It would be. . .interesting, at least.

"I want to be your friend," she swallows. "And I'm here whenever you're ready for me. Well, not here as in the bar, so much anymore, but here--" she gestures vaguely, "--for you."

He nods, wrapping his arms around her once again. "I'll always be here for you Claire...and I'm sorry I haven't been...it wasn't right of me to abandon you..."

And then he does it. Bad bad self abusive Nathan.

His lips brush hers softly and then he moves in to kiss her, lips soft and tender, his action almost fearful.

She lets him for a second, mostly because she's too stunned to realize what he's doing and then because she isn't sure what to do.

But eventually she pulls away. Slightly. And whispers his name.

"Yes?" He murmurs back, not moving any more away from her than they currently are. He waits, not about to push things by kissing her again, but wanting to so very badly.

"Don't be scared..." He whispers, letting the backs of his fingers stroke her cheek. "Let me help you...let me show you that you can be happy and loved and all the things you deserve..."

"It's not as easy as that, Nathan."

"It can be..."

"Except for the part where you love me and I still. . . love someone else."

He closes his eyes. Sawyer. It was still all about Sawyer. And maybe it always would be. "For now you do..."

"Always," she smiles sadly. "A part of me will always love him."

"I know. Claire trust me when I say I know. I still love Haley. I didn't think I could ever even come close to loving anyone else...and then I met you and I got to know you and...and I know you could love me if you let yourself."

"And what if I can't," she asks quietly. "How badly would you hurt then?"

"I'd know then. We both would. And I would still be your friend." He swears, brushing the hair back off of her face. "Claire? Let me make you happy..."

She honestly has no idea how to handle this. Pushing him away hasn't seemed to help any, but she knows, deep in her heart that giving in, won't either.

And she still is so very much in love with her ex-boyfriend.

"A date," she finally agrees. "We can go on one and. . .we'll see what happens from there."

You'll wind up hating me too, she thinks. But then you'll be able to get over me.

He nods. "One date. And if you don't think you can care then I'll let it go. But just give me one chance."

"Okay," she smiles against her better judgment. "When?"

"How about Friday evening?" See Nathan isn't bound, he just generally doesn't leave. He will for this though. "I'll show you around my town..."

"Okay," she says again. "I'd like that."

"I would too. Thank you." He says gently. Now he just need to ask Jaina for help. She'd be pissed, he knew that already. He should leave now, before he messed anything else up. "I'll give you more details soon."

She smiles. "Leave a note in the bar for me if you don't see me. I don't really live here any more, but I check in every few days."

He nods. "Sounds good." He can't help but breaking out in a huge grin then. "I'll be in touch."

She nods and smiles, trying to convince herself she's doing the right thing. "Okay, Nathan. I'm going to take a walk around the lake now. I'll see you Friday if not before."

"Yeah. See ya."

She smiles and stands from the booth, kissing his cheek gently, before gathering her stuff and heading towards the lake door.

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