Room of Requirement

"What do you mean? Of course she's here, Nic." Tessa's brow furrowed; it was unlike him to be so unobservant, after all. "I mean, she hasn't spoken much. That's what I meant by distant. So maybe that's why you haven't noticed."

She stopped then, turning and fixing her full attention on him. "Um, Jane isn't here. She's ill, or something. I think someone said something about her coming later if she feels better. Are you feeling okay?"

Tessa reached for his hand, twining her fingers with his. "Hey, I bet you're just tired or something. And this place isn't exactly quiet. At least you didn't call her Jane or something - that would have been awkward." She laughed, the sound somewhat forced. "Come on, let's get on the wheel."

She guided Nic carefully into the carriage, taking a seat once they were both inside. The doors shut behind them with a gentle click, and she turned to face him again. "What are you thinking?"

"Oh." If Tessa noticed how quickly he spoke, it didn't show on her face. She was glancing out of the window, gaze travelling over the ground below them as they began their slow ascent. Her mind wandered back to the previous ride they had been on, more specifically to how she had felt, and to what she had thought. Her cheeks darkened to a faint rose colour. "Nic, can I ask you something?"

"Can I kiss you?" The words slipped out compulsively, and she felt blood rush north as soon as they had escaped her lips. Mentally she chastised herself for the physical reaction they had incited; it was uncharacteristic of her to be so nervous. Yet for a while she had been uncertain of what exactly was characteristic of her. A few months back she had been a completely different person.

Tessa's lips parted, and then broke into a smile. She laughed in a gusty exhalation of air, hands reaching up to cup his face gently. "Thank Merlin. I mean, I've wanted to ask for ages but I wasn't sure if you wanted to, and then the operation happened and the whole time I was away I kept on thinking about what would happen when I saw you again. And... Oh," she trailed off, realising with a little shiver how warm his skin was beneath her fingertips. She could almost hear Lizzie's patronising voice in her mind as she swallowed. Stop talking, Tessa, you're ruining it.

"Sorry," Tessa murmured sheepishly, brushing her right thumb across his cheekbone. A sort of curious light had taken over her eyes, and she pursed her lips briefly before leaning forwards to capture his lips in a kiss.

Her fingers wove their way into the hair at the back of his neck, and she smiled into the kiss. Vaguely, she could feel their carriage begin to descend again; they had peaked a minute or two ago and she had missed it, too absorbed in Nic and his stupid, dorky grin, and the way he'd initiate physical contact so naturally, and his lips. At last, Tessa drew back, more than a little flustered. She could find nothing to say, and so moved her hand down to squeeze his.