Quote:
Originally Posted by
Edward Penguin 
He smiled as she responded with his question with her own. "No Socratic debating techniques here, missy...you should answer a question directly." With that he laughed, knowing that neither of them were truly honest about their feelings with each other. "And besides, I do take an interest in you, because....." well, he didn't know how best to respond to her query. What did he feel completely. He didn't consider her just a friend. They'd been through a great deal and danced around any romantic entanglements like their friends dealt with and maybe that was proper...for now.
When she responded to his question about her being ok, he felt like maybe she was hiding something. She gave an explanation, but it seemed contrived. He slid closer and touched her hand. "Are you sure you're ok?" This time he was truly concerned.
"Well...just Nia is amazing and you can't convince me otherwise." He felt like she was only putting up part of a defense..and he was ok with that.
Her answer was touching. "Thank you so much. I wish I had the technical skills, but I'm glad you think I'm good at something. I wish I had more I could give to you in the way of skills."
Nia pouted. Why shouldn't she try such techniques? He was the one being awkward with his questions afterall. She soon joined him in laughing though. He was right to be honest, and she might have been avoiding a full answer...just a teeny eeny bit. Now it was Nia's turn to wait for an explanation.
"Because?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows, but eyes twinkling to show she was only playing. Something told her she didn't really need to know - or want to for that matter. Sometimes things were best running their natural course.
The butterflies fluttered once more as he slid over and touched her hand. She nodded once more. "Yeah, I'm fine," she responded with a smile. She really was - even though she could sense Elan had realised there was something else. Maybe the fact that she had felt his pain when he was upset. She wasn't sure. There was something there though.
"If you insist," Nia replied after taking anouther mouthful of stew. Inside there was a nervous excitement at his words, but at the same time Nia wasn't one for compliments. She'd been seen often as the naughty one as a child - and it'd been Theo who'd been showered with lovely words. It still seemed strange, despite the fact she knew Elan was being genuine, or stubborn, or both.
Nia smiled. "I can help you with the technical side if you like, most stuff like that can come with tuition, time and practice." She gave a small shrug to say, 'if you fancy, that is'. "And you don't need to 'give' me any of your skills. They're all there, in you, in our friendship. They might not be obvious all of the time or measurable, but they're there." She smiled. "All concealed in the reasons why you are one of my best mates."
Probably the best, she added mentally. And then she couldn't resist wishfully thinking if there could be more there. She wasn't sure, and she certainly didn't feel like voicing that idea.