Snippets and Stories: (WtI) Mistletoe

Esti wasn't sure what it was that drew her to him.

He was not kind by any measure, nor was he attractive, be it on the superficial level or beneath.

But lately it rose in the most inconvenient of moments.

Ever a candid speaker it had simply made for rather awkward encounters.

Silas raised a brow when he answered the door to find the redhead once more at his doorstep. She had been frequenting as of late. Not that she hadn't before, but from the slight tint of color on her cheeks and aversive eyes, Esti was all but sure that it told all what she kept mum, and made the visits all the more painfully conspicuous.

"... He's in his room." Silas gave a small nod of his head to indicate the all too familiar path.

She nodded, mumbling a quick thanks, and ducked around the tall man, darting straight for Neiro's room.

The Invalid watched her go. The two spent much Time together as of late. Still, he wouldn't begrudge Neiro the company of someone likely more relatable and uplifting than his own dour self.

Someone of the same age and the epithet of one full of youth and vigor. One who could do all the things he could not. And they shared similar interest besides. Be it a simple matter of crossing fields of interest, or something of a more emotional matter, it was only natural that the two were so drawn to one another.

Well. He wouldn't deny Neiro.

He pulled out his chair and settled in his corner, sipping away at a warm mug, the rapid fluctuation of his keys filling the quiet once more.

At the sound of the door, the albino whirled around with a grin, "Esti!"

A tight hug and he pulled away, holding her at arm's length, "How'd it go?"

It was too quiet and hasty for him to catch, and he blinked, "Come again?"

"I didn't ask." She muttered, shrugging helplessly and clearly uncomfortable. "This isn't really my thing."

It was odd to see her so shy. Rarely did she skirt around things and yet. And yet.

"Well, we can fallback to our original plan. The winter party will be next week. Maybe then?"

A nod. It was worth a shot.

It was been a perfect set up. Silas, as Neiro predicted, left the lively, but somewhat stifling main room to catch a breath of fresh air.

Frosty and nippy, but refreshing. It breathed new life into the man or so he claimed.

As he stood outside alone, breath coming in white puffs, she hesitated.

He seemed content to simply be.

And--she didn't want to ruin that.

Things were fine as they were now, right?

But a nudge from behind, and Neiro shot her a conspiring, yet encouraging smile she couldn't help but grin at. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and ignored the melodramatic puppy eyes of disappointment when she didn't.

Esti waves him off with a shake of her head, though unable to truly wipe the smile from her face.

Well. Being frank was just what she did best.

Except for perhaps being Esti.

She snorted at the cheesy joke, shaking her head again and stepping out.

Silas remained staring at the mesmerizing radiance of the starry sky, but he turned his head at her entrance. Not enough to face her, nor pull away from the expansive night before him.

He's sharp, as always. Though his body language went unchecked.

Good. It meant he was comfortable, not his usual unreadable mask and aloofness.

"How have the field assignments been?"

"Courtesy call, or interest?" She calls back before she could stop herself.

A low chuckle, "Courtesy."

Figures. She smiles, taking a place leaning on the rails beside him, staring at the snowcapped forest below them.

It wouldn't be Silas otherwise.

"... And interest."

Oh.

She tilts her head to peek up at him, cheeks warming when their eyes meet.

"I... I'm enjoying it. It's been amazing fun seeing all these sights and the tech we use." She turned away.

An understatement really. It was fascinating. Absolutely amazing to experience and witness firsthand. The awe of what their intricate technology could do--the scientific advancements--and the Earth so much more vast.

To be able to explore the far reaches of their world and beyond, and to simply not just be there, but be a part of it all.

She owed this man a debt she had no means of repaying.

Whereas he had given her the world, there was nothing he himself wanted that she could give.

"That's good. I worried that perhaps the work wouldn't be to your liking." A pause, "The tasks assigned are suitable and not a merry chase?" He gives a wry smile before falling back into the serene lull of watching the sky.

It was perhaps the most peaceful she had ever seen the gaunt man. Other than that one Time he had fallen asleep on the chaise on the veranda where they were now.

He turns to peer down at her in that moment and she realizes she had been staring too long, lost as she was in her thoughts.

"It's been nothing I couldn't manage. Although sometimes I wonder if one of these days it'll be more than I can handle."

"... I'm sure you'll make it work somehow. You're resourceful. Would that I could say the same of the fools you deem your colleagues. It's about Time they learned to see past pettiness and utilize the best in each individual. Too often we judge one by our own standards." He scowled, "... and in so doing, become our greatest adversary. There is nothing more frail than a lacking diversity."

That's right. They each had their own role to play. All of them.

"I... Thank you. For giving me a place here." She lowered her head to him.

"I didn't give you anything you didn't deserve. You earned it, and had you not, you would not be standing here now."

He studied her carefully, was it the cold that painted her with such a deep rosy blush? Her hand wound tight on her other arm. Esti had proven herself more than resilient. A little nip from Winter never bothered her before.

... Or perhaps Lokius had indeed spiked the punch bowl.

Knowing the eccentric scientist, it was probably the latter.

That man was a menace.

Still, he removed the long shawl from his neck, wrapping it around her.

The trembling of her hand as she reached up to touch the soft warmth of the fabric only reaffirming his belief that it be the cold that bothered her.

If she had intended to tell him before, she couldn't now. Not with him, dubiously stated, the happiest she had seen him.

Not after he had taken her under his wing in his own apathetic way. She couldn't trouble him so.

Silas was happy as is.

It took her a moment to realize he was saying something and she snapped to at the expectant silence.

"A-ah, sorry, I didn't catch that." She winced. Silas loathed wasted words. Particularly those of import that beared repeating.

A quirked brow, but he obliged, "It's not every day that we celebrate Christmas. Come, enjoy it while we can."

He extended a hand to her, and stricken by an inexplicable shyness, found herself without her voice. Gently her fingers brushed his palm before resting in the outstretched hand.

The hesitation was unlike the passionate and headstrong girl he knew, but if Silas was curious, he didn't ask.

Curiosity or not, it wasn't his business to pry. Moreover he had little doubt that Esti would not appreciate the gesture, good intentions or not. She was a very much independent individual, and didn't appreciate others prying.

He led her carefully around the ice coated planks, towards the warm glow of the evening festivities.

He paused suddenly, and she walked into him, stumbling back with a stuttered apology.

Esti groaned to herself. How clumsy.

What an exemplary display of her observation. A great show of her attentiveness and skills as a veteran advanced field researcher indeed.

But the stillness in him had her looking up. She followed his amused gaze up to a sharp green and prickly cluster of foliage with vivid red berries. The small ornament hung innocently by a dainty ribbon.

Oh.

Her eyes met his and he smiled, "Traditions are what they are."

And then he was too close, too sudden, and she felt a gentle pressure against her forehead.

Silas pulled away, still smiling, "We better rejoin the festivities, lest Neiro ponder our whereabouts and come searching."

"Y-yeah." Face still aflame when he guided her by the shoulders back into the warmth of the room.

And then he disappeared into the din, already making himself scarce.

Huh. Guess he'd had enough of socializing for one evening.

She stood there staring after him.

Until eager hands clasped both of her own. Neiro was practically glowing. "I didn't think he actually would!"

She blinked, opening her mouth wordlessly before catching herself. "Then why did you put it there? Don't think I don't know you did. It wasn't there when I went out."

"Because he wouldn't have left if he'd seen it. Besides, it seemed like a good 'scuse so I snuck it on."

Her face exploded with warmth and she coughed, "Thank you."

Neiro laughed and pulled her into the throng of the party and cheering.

She was lucky to have someone like Neiro, and she found herself caught up in his upbeat pace, laughing and smiling as they enjoyed the food and company.