Work Text:
The area around the ice-skating rink was crowded. Families gathered together, kids running and chasing each other, vendors, food trucks, and street musicians playing Christmas carols—only intensified the nerves and butterflies in your stomach. You weren’t even sure how you’d be able to find her, despite having your phone clutched tightly in your hand, the volume all the way up.
Part of you wanted her to show up, another part hoping that maybe this really was all just an elaborate joke put together by one of your friends from work. It had come up in conversation over lunch that you were feeling a bit lonelier than normal, the holiday season making the feeling more intense. She had suggested that you maybe go on a date, and that she had the perfect woman in mind.
You had expected maybe a double date with her, her boyfriend and this mystery woman. Not a blind date. All you had was a picture, a name, a phone number, and the fact that she worked with your friend’s boyfriend. Hearing someone call your name, you look up from the phone, and time stops.
The woman who called out to you is absolutely stunning. Dark hair tumbled around her shoulders, her smile wide and bright. She wore jeans and a puffy quilted jacket in a soft green color. “Hi.” She comes over, gaze dropping before coming back to your face. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Natasha. You can call me Nat if you’d like.”
What you’d really like to call her is girlfriend, but one step at a time right? “It’s nice to meet you.” You can’t help but grin back. Her smile is infectious, and you could listen to her talk all day. “Would you like some coffee, or would you like to skate? We could get something to eat…” You bite your lower lip, trying to hold back the words that seem to bubble up.
Natasha reaches out, taking your hand, and squeezes it lightly. “How about we do a lap around, see what’s here, and then get in line to rent skates?” She keeps a hold of your hand, your fingers interlocking together easily as you walk hand in hand. She’s easy to talk to, and just so warm and comforting, that the butterflies evaporate, and you start to relax.
“An aviator?” You ask sitting opposite her, a massive container of chili cheese fries between you.
She nods, “I like the challenge. I work with some incredible people, get to experience new things pretty much every day. I wouldn’t change it for the world.” She wipes her fingers on a napkin. “You work with Bob’s girlfriend?”
“It’s a small advertising firm, she works sales, and I do the custom work.” You say, before taking a drink. Natasha’s watching you, smile on her face, and you’re struck by the fact she’s listening to what you have to say. You get caught up a little bit telling stories and talking about various projects.
“It’s nothing as exciting as flying jets, but I love it so much.” You glance down, seeing that she’s holding your hand again, thumb soothing gently over your skin. The fries are long gone, and families had started to clear out, leaving groups of older teens and couples milling around. The two of you had sat for hours talking and it felt like mere minutes.
“Would you like to skate?” Natasha asks when you return to the table after throwing away the trash.
“I’d like that.” You smile, and she gets up from the table.
You can count on one hand the number of times you’ve gone ice skating, and thankfully Natasha seems to have just about the same amount of experience as you do. The two of you stumble around the ice, avoiding more skilled skaters, often ending up in a tangled heap together laughing. The nerves from earlier had been replaced by a different kind of excitement, wanting to keep her laughing, her hand in yours. Eventually, the pair of you can hold it together enough to skate around the rink a few times. The allotted time slot is over far too quickly for your liking.
“So,” Natasha says, color high on her cheeks, her eyes bright. “I was wondering if I could see you again.” She shifts her weight, hands in her pockets. “I got invited to a holiday party that Bob and his girlfriend are throwing. Would you like to go with me?”
“Yes.” The words are barely out of her mouth before you’re responding. “I would. I really had a lot of fun with you.”
Natasha steps closer, the edges of her smile softening a little bit. She adjusts your scarf, fingers brushing against the curve of your neck gently, and you find yourself leaning in a bit more. Her arms close around you, hugging you tightly. You stay there like that for a few minutes, wrapped up in each other, and when you pull away her cheeks are a bit pinker.
“I’ll pick you up at 5? We can grab a bite to eat and go enjoy the chaos that will undoubtably unfold.” Her hands rub up and down your arms, and she pulls you in for another hug.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” You murmur, getting lost in the scent of her perfume. It’s light and delicate, one that you won’t soon forget. “If that’s okay.”
“That’s very okay with me.” Her thumb brushes your cheek, before she’s stepping back, putting some space between you.
“I should head out.” You say, not wanting to leave her, have this end. “Text me when you get home?”
“I will. You too.”
You wave, turning to head back to your car, glancing once over your shoulder to see her watching you walk away. Once you’re situated in your car, you pull out your phone texting your friend a picture of you and Natasha.
“Thank you.”
/end