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It had been one hell of a long day. Price had finished an operation about 2 hours ago and he had been doing paperwork since he had gotten back.
Nik was also currently at the base with the 141 members because he had to help out with transportation issues they were currently having.
Price was irritated and beyond stressed out. He was going a million miles a minute trying to do like four different things at once. It was wearing him out.
He was trying to focus on finishing his paperwork so he could get something out of the way. But his mind was completely elsewhere. He couldn’t even focus on reading the sentences properly or even formulate a response to it.
He heard a knock at his office door and audibly sighed. He just assumed it was another problem waiting to bother him. “Come in.”
Except it wasn’t. Nikolai peeked inside the room before he opened the door all the way and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe.
It seemed like he had something he wanted to say but he held his tongue when he saw Price’s expression. “You seem out of it. You should take a break,” Nikolai offered.
“Nah.. I have to finish this,” Price declined, changing his gaze back down to the paper in front of him.
Price heard Nikolai’s footsteps walk towards his desk but he didn’t exactly register until he saw a hand come down over his paperwork. Price looked up at him and exhaled, “Nik…”
“Let’s take a walk, yeah? Just me n’ you,” Nikolai requested, though it didn’t exactly sound like one. A small smirk tugged at the corners of his lips while he spoke.
Price shook his head at first but then he really thought about it. He had been working for quite a while. His brain definitely needed a refresher as well.. Maybe a walk would help clear his mind.
In one swift motion, he set down his pen and got up to his feet. He looked at Nikolai and he could see the smile spread across his face. A certain feeling made Price’s heart flip.
Though, he swallowed it down and attempted to hide it with a cough.
The both of them made it out to one of the paths around the back of the base. Their surroundings looked like it was painted with an overcast of dark fog. The only light that showed through came from the moon. It was hard to see further than 6 feet in front of them.
When they walked near the military housing, Price quickly got a lantern and they were able to see each other along with the area around them. It was pretty creepy but nothing the two couldn’t handle.
However… Price was slightly paranoid. Being in the dark meant they couldn’t see everything around them. It was just… darkness, obviously. Even despite the fact they were within the base walls. He knew for a fact they were completely guarded. He couldn’t help it though. Maybe it was the exhaustion getting to him. He really needed some sleep.
They walked for quite some time. Neither of them uttered a word to the other.
Well… that was until Nikolai spoke up, “Everything going okay, captain?”
“It’s goin’,” Came Price’s very vague answer. He didn’t wanna bother Nik with all of his bullshit so he decided to keep to himself for now.
Nikolai didn’t seem too fazed by that response since he didn’t push any further. Price couldn’t tell if he was relieved or disappointed by that, though.
Price’s body flinched slightly when he felt Nikolai’s hand rest on his shoulder. It had been a while since he had gotten physical touch like this… even if it was only something as simple as this.
It actually made Price turn his head to look at Nikolai with a confused expression.
But he didn’t say anything so Price brushed it off. Well, that was before Nik put his entire arm over his shoulders and continued to walk together.
Price was still a little confused, eying him as if to take every little bit of information out of him through his facial expressions.
“Sure you’re okay?” Nikolai questioned after a few seconds.
Ah, that's what this was.
Price chuckled, shaking his head slightly, “Worried about me?”
“Yeah you’re fine.” Nik sighed, rolling his eyes.
Price snorted in response.
It went back to being quiet. It wasn’t awkward. In actuality, it was quite nice. Calming even.
He was trying to ignore the arm around his shoulder. It made him giddy every time he thought about it. He really needed to pull himself together.
It wasn’t long before they made it back to the military housing and the arm was removed, though.
“Heading to bed?” Price asked quickly as he turned to face him. He damn near averted his eyes as soon as they met with Nikolai’s gaze…
If looks could kill, shit, Price would be a dead man.
The way he looked at him was fucking everything….
Price had to swallow hard so he would refrain from doing anything rash.
Nikolai nodded, “Yeah. I suppose it’s about that time. You get some as well.”
Price simply nodded at first, not wanting to indulge in any of his fantasies right now. However…, both his mouth and hand seemed like they were actively working against him.
He grabbed Nik by the wrist. He blurted, “Nik, wait.” He was so fucking embarrassed but shit! Now he had to go with it.
Price didn’t even plan how he would confess. He’s thought about it before but this was an impulsive decision. He wasn’t exactly in the right mind of thinking.
“I expect a date, yeah?” Fucking terrible way to reveal what he was actually thinking but he assumed Nik got the message from his surprised reaction.
Nikolai stiffened. He turned his entire body to face Price. He was looking deep into Price’s expression. He was waiting for him to start laughing and say it was a joke.
But that never came.
“Didn’t think you liked me that much…” Nikolai said playfully but then switched to a more serious tone afterwards, “Meet me tomorrow after recruit training.”
This is not at all how Price thought this would go. He watched as Nikolai walked into his own housing unit. Price couldn’t move for a solid minute. He was processing because what the actual fuck just happened. Did he actually just do that? That meant he had a date, right?
Regardless, he pulled his mind into the right state and walked back to the main base. He needed to finish his paperwork. He had a feeling his mind would be even more side track than before… he’ll manage.