HOUNSLOW TERRITORY CLAIM

[reticence]

As per this month's faction reward, the Hillingdon Clan will successfully take the territory of Hounslow from the Redbright Institute.

Here is how that comes to pass and the agreements made to make it possible...

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

His attempt to sound casual might have failed, but it does get a smile out of Natasha. The fact he tried, even if it doesn't come off as easily as he might have intended, is worth plenty on its own.

"Depends on what you mean by around here," she says, gently teasing. "Not too far. Why? Did you want to go back to my place?"

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl went completely still. That wasn't the direction he'd been going with his thoughts. It was certainly a safe assumption for most people to make. He really shouldn't have been surprised she'd gone that way with it. But it took him a moment to process the question and the way she'd said it. Was she joking or was she serious? And if she was serious, what was she trying to imply with that tone? It was friendly, right? Maybe it was because he'd offered to let her stay at his place. Maybe it was a return on that favor.

Okay, that made sense.

He tried to cover his stillness by forcing himself to move a second later and suck down the rest of his coffee. Ended up coughing a little as he crumpled the cup and found a basket to toss it into. He gave a small shrug to try and play off the nervousness he was sure was obvious to her at that point, "Could walk you home if you want." It wasn't a yes or a no, but it left it open to her inviting him back if she decided she wanted to.

[outstandingbalance]

"You could, if you wanted," Natasha says, shaking her head a little. "After we finish our rounds at least. We still have a lot of ground to cover though. We can figure out how we want to handle that then."

She gives him an amused look, the earlier awkwardness passing as she remembers his skittishness&mdsdh;that, and the way he's been her friend so far.

"I mean, you could have come by before if I knew you were interested."

[dirtyredneck]

He looked like he wanted to answer her, but as soon as the words 'wasn't interested' had formed in his head he knew it would be suicide to say them. Or, maybe not suicide, but definitely rude. But saying he was interested might sound like he wanted something more physical from her than what they had. Which he wasn't really after, though he guessed he wouldn't be opposed to. Hell, he didn't know.

He needed a safer way of saying it.

"Figured you woulda, know you, invited me." His tone wasn't accusatory. Just awkward. "I mean, if you wanted me to come over."

[outstandingbalance]

"I don't think it ever really came up." She glances over at him, watching his expression briefly for a moment, then drifts just a little closer. Her elbow bumps his lightly; from another person, it would be easy to mistake the brief touch as accidental. "Don't worry about it too much."

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl glanced over at her at the bump, lips pressing tightly together. He let his eyes meet hers before nodding slowly, "Okay."

Then he fought a smile and lightly elbowed her in return, "Wouldn't mind it if you wanted me to."

[outstandingbalance]

Good. That seems like a good foot to be on. Natasha can work with that.

She flashes a smile in response. She plays, but she doesn't have any intentions on him. While she doesn't intend to take it beyond the occasional flirtations, she also doesn't intend to stop.

"I'll keep that in mind."