Nocturne frowned for the briefest of moments before a small shrug was given. He’d been close to getting off the ice anyway thanks to the kids starting to multiple so he rolled with it. “Perfect. That means you’re free to join me for a cup of hot cocoa. My treat since I’m being arrogant and assuming you’re going to say yes and I’ll splurge on marshmallows if you’re interested.” It had been a while since he had added the little bits of sugared fluff into a mug but it was nostalgic and he knew the stall he pointed out offered the option. “You just have to promise not to run off while I change to boots.” He grinned before pushing away to head to the exit to go grab his boots that were tucked away in a cubby that was on offer.
He didn’t know why he was so invested in building a friendship with CJ but she was intriguing. Not only was there that skittishness that led into a hardness that kept her guard up—something Nocturne could appreciate given his own walls—but he felt like there was a softness underneath it all. Maybe he just wanted to believe there was since not even he had reached full jadedness with a desire to watch everything crumble around him. He wanted to know the woman that was being protected and show her not everything was horrible and not everyone had ulterior motives. Then again, maybe he did have one. He had no way of knowing it without asking, but Nocturne felt like she was unaware of the world he lived in and that was refreshing.
A few minutes later, Nocturne had his boots on and the skates laced together and slung over his shoulder. He was relieved to see Skittles hadn’t lived up to her name in this instance and was still waiting and that earned her a smile. “So what else do you like to watch? Anything you enjoy participating in?” Those were simple and casual enough questions, he thought, as he guided them down a bit from the rink to the pop-up stand that changed based on the seasons and events the park was hosting.
He didn’t know why he was so invested in building a friendship with CJ but she was intriguing. Not only was there that skittishness that led into a hardness that kept her guard up—something Nocturne could appreciate given his own walls—but he felt like there was a softness underneath it all. Maybe he just wanted to believe there was since not even he had reached full jadedness with a desire to watch everything crumble around him. He wanted to know the woman that was being protected and show her not everything was horrible and not everyone had ulterior motives. Then again, maybe he did have one. He had no way of knowing it without asking, but Nocturne felt like she was unaware of the world he lived in and that was refreshing.
A few minutes later, Nocturne had his boots on and the skates laced together and slung over his shoulder. He was relieved to see Skittles hadn’t lived up to her name in this instance and was still waiting and that earned her a smile. “So what else do you like to watch? Anything you enjoy participating in?” Those were simple and casual enough questions, he thought, as he guided them down a bit from the rink to the pop-up stand that changed based on the seasons and events the park was hosting.
