Her answer doesn’t surprise him - maybe it should, he’s not sure .. but he’s spent enough time in her company the last few weeks to recognize the easy back and forth, to relish in it. A sudden burst of wind moves her hair and he finds himself smiling all the brighter, eyes lighting up at the picturesque painting coming to life before him. There’s magic to be found in Seattle Grace - miracles occur daily, the hand of God touches those it deems fit .. but never would Derek have imagined his life would be impacted so greatly.
Mouth opens in a bark of laughter, head thrown back at her playful flirting. “And here I was thinking I should do it less often .. “ A grin remains even as he sobers slightly, fingers reaching out as if willing to grab her own. What are you doing here, Derek? She doesn’t belong to you. “Bet you’re gonna miss this, huh?” Teeth flash in another smile as he gestures to the park around them, the sound of laughter permeating the green. “The park, the hospital - “ His fingers twitch as if wanting to reach out once more, but they remain at his side , forcefully shoved into coat pockets instead. There’s so much he wants to say, so much he wants to ask - but too much distance lies between them. His work, her adventures … what could possibly come between that? So he settles on something neutral, praying her heart might understand his meaning though some things are better left unsaid. “I can only imagine how much it’s gonna miss you.”
She can’t look at him without feeling heat rise to her cheeks and burn so brilliantly, she’s sure he knows; he has to know. Yet, the cold bites at them and it’s so easy to blame the weather. Nel wants to say all the thoughts flowing through her mind and she isn’t one to bite her tongue but here she is, quiet. How unlike her. Maybe it’s because she actually cares for him enough to be afraid; afraid that whatever they are could impact her life so greatly she wouldn’t be able to imagine life without him.
“ Don’t ever say that again. The world needs your smile. ” I need it. She’s a bit more somber than she intended today to be and she shoves her hands deeper into her pockets. Why can’t she just reach out for him? If it was anyone else, she would. He is serious and she knows she can never treat him like a fling. He deserves more and she’s afraid to give it to him. If she knew he could handle the distance... this wouldn’t be so difficult.
“ ... Will you miss me? ” There’s no biting her tongue now. She looks at him as a solitary tear rolls down her cheek. She barely acknowledges it, as if she doesn’t know it’s there. A large smile stretches and her voice cracks... just a little. “ I sure as hell will miss you... ”