#otp: this is the life we've chosen

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: Loving You Is A Gift Tonight

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Takes place in a canon-divergent AU where Ari and Nikita have been together for two years, so time-line wise this would be during season three. 

Summary: A snowball fight, a proposal, and two lovers being together during the holiday season. 

Author's Note: Merry Christmas to my readers! In spite of how busy I've been this month, I found time to compose a winter/holiday-themed fic for my precious babies. It's full of fluff and cute moments, but as per usual for Nikari -- there are some sensual parts as well 😘. (It simply cannot be helped by this point). I can't believe that I've been writing this ship for nearly two years!! I began shortly into my initial watch of Nikita back in 2023. It's not exaggeration that they've helped me regain my stride after a significant break from fanfiction work, and I'm so incredibly grateful to those who read my romantic forays. I cannot begin to explain how much this ship means to me at this point, and expect more work from me in the upcoming year. I have no plans to stop anytime soon 💙🖤

On AO3

Loving You Is A Gift Tonight

                  “Ari Tasarov…”Nikita Mears’ tone was sharp with warning. “Don’t you dare throw that at me.”

                  Her boyfriend’s bright, clear blue gaze sparkled with devious intent, snow crunching between his gloved palms as he formed a perfect sphere. “You mean this entirely harmless little snowball? Now, why would I do something like that?”

                  Before she could respond, he lobbed the object in her direction, forcing her to dodge to the side a hairsbreadth of a second too late. 

                  It hit her squarely on the shoulder, bursting into a shower of ice crystals that lingered on the thick fabric of her winter coat. 

                  The Division operative narrowed her eyes. “Ari…”

                  He was already scooping up more snow, grinning widely in a manner that made him seem outright boyish – a vast difference from the refined gentleman she had fallen madly in love with in the first place. 

                  Sighing in defeat, she knelt down and began forming her own arsenal. “We were supposed to be making a snow man…or  a snow bear. Hey, why can’t we make a snow bear instead –

                  He moved past her and pressed another snowball to the crown of her head, laughing richly when she shrieked in astonishment. “We have plenty of time to make all kinds of snow creatures, but right now: it’s two to zero.”

                  “Of all the things he could get competitive about,” she grumbled, shaking bits of white free from her hair. 

                  The challenge, it turned out, was being able to catch him. As he hailed from an area known for more frigid temperatures, Ari was clearly in his element while Nikita was at a disadvantage. 

                  He moved swiftly, utilizing the natural cover of the forest to shield him from her attacks, and every time that she thought she could attempt to even the score, it resulted in failure. 

                  “Why’d I agree to travelling out to the cabin anyway?” she griped, peering around a frost-laden tree trunk in hopes of catching a glimpse of her adversary. 

                  “You were the one who suggested we spend the season here instead of in the city, my love,” his voice – already a low, resonant timbre – purred in her ear, startling her enough to back up against his taller, solid frame. 

                  Elegant fingers curled around her arm to keep her balance from faltering too much, while his other hand gripped at her waist to draw her snugly to him. 

                  “I said that when we were in bed,” she mumbled, tipping her head back and basking in the heat emanating off his body. “You should never take what I say there that seriously.”

                  “I’ll have you know that I take all our pillow talk very seriously,” he spun her around, that stunning gaze of his glimmering playfully, right before bridging the tiny space left between them to claim her mouth in a slow, ardent kiss. 

                  Like clockwork, the magnetic hold Ari had over her heart prompted Nikita to relax in his embrace. 

                  She wound her arms around his neck, drawing him closer as he subtly shifted his angle and deepened the kiss. 

                  Her gloved fingers laced into the soft, dark strands of his hair, which was much longer due to their time on the run allowing her lover the chance to grow it out. She preferred it to the simple, shorter style he had worn previously, although admittedly the professional look paired with intricately tailored suits had its own appeal. 

                  Deliberately, she carded her hands through the swept back locks, tousling them before scraping her nails against the base of his nape. 

                  The desired effect was achieved: a deep, undeniably sensual growl emerging from her partner when he nibbled tantalizingly over her lower lip, his tongue memorizing the shape of her mouth before meeting hers. 

                  She dragged him forward, moaning quietly and responding eagerly to his fervent attentions. The cooler temperature no longer mattered because she felt so safe and wanted in his arms, her hands moving to rest over his heart as they reluctantly parted for air. 

                  She peered up at him, her pulse racing when she noticed the tell-tale flicker of desire within the brilliant cobalt depths she adored. “Perhaps we should head inside and cuddle under the covers, since you’re so fond of our conversations there.”

                  He chuckled. “Later, I promise. There’s something more important that we need to accomplish first.”

                  “What’s that?”

                  He swept one hand out in a wide gesture. “Choosing a tree, of course.”

                  The suggestion made her raise a skeptical brow. “We don’t have an axe.”

                  “It’s in the truck,” he twined their fingers together and led her deeper into the woods. “And before you start with the endless questions that I know are already whirling around: I made sure to measure the space we have in the cabin. I also brought up ornaments and lights to decorate with.”

                  “You really do think of everything,” she curled into his side as they wandered.

                  “I try,” he ducked a quick kiss to her brow before they managed to focus on their task. 

                  Nikita made a mental note to thank Owen Elliot for letting them borrow his four-wheeler in order to drive up to the mountains. Not only had it proven handy for travel, but it had enough space to haul a large pine back to the cabin. 

                  She could easily detect Ari’s enthusiasm over such a simple, if traditional element of the season. After all – it was their first to be properly shared together now that they were in a more stable point in their lives. Previous Christmases had still been lovely, but very brief by comparison. 

                  The most difficult part was getting the tree to fit in the metal stand, but after some work, it was placed securely so that it took up a designated corner in their living room. 

                  Understandably exhausted and very disheveled now that his clothes were covered in debris, Ari flopped onto the couch with a grimace. “I think I understand why so many people go with artificial.”

                  Chuckling, Nikita slid in next to him and rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re a mess.”

                  “Correction. I’m your mess, and we still have to decorate this thing,” he dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

                  “We could always save that for tomorrow,” she nuzzled at his throat. 

                  He groaned and tilted his head back before shaking it. “We’ve made it this far, so we might as well try to finish. That being said: I think hot showers and some food is long overdue. Why don’t you go first while I prepare a quick meal?”

                  “Or you could join me.”

                  “Tempting, but then we’d never get anything else done,” he embraced her sweetly before rising. “How does lasagna sound?”

                  “Like perfection. Not that I’d expect anything less with your cooking,” her eyes lit up at the prospect of enjoying the home-made dish, which meant it would be equal parts delicious and comforting. 

                  With a plan in motion, she headed towards the bath while he went to the kitchen. 

                  Refreshed and starting to feel quite hungry, Nikita emerged from the master bathroom while running a towel through her damp locks, dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a soft tee shirt. She grabbed one of Ari’s cardigan sweaters – a staple for whenever he was relaxing at home rather than at the office – and threw it over her outfit for warmth. 

                  After pulling  on a pair of slippers, she moved up through the hallway, dropping the wet towel in the hamper located in the laundry room, and then took a shortcut into the kitchen. 

                  She was about to announce her presence to Ari when the mere sight of him made her stop in her tracks. 

                  The love of her life was busy working on their dinner. He also happened to be shirtless. Her gaze tracked slowly over the tone of his biceps as he layered ingredients into a pan, her heart rate jumping when he moved a specific way, and she caught the subtle flex of muscle across his shoulders. 

                  This was already ridiculously unfair, but then he started to hum a lyrical melody, and she was struck with unfathomable longing. 

                  Transfixed, she crept forward until she was right behind him and then reached out and slid her hands over the expanse of his back. She stood on tip toe to duck a kiss to the tiny scar on the base on his neck, a souvenir from having a tracing chip removed, which always proved a more sensitive spot. “My love, you appear to have forgotten something.”

                  “I measured everything out perfectly,” she felt the hitch in his breath at the contact, but he didn’t hesitate to lean back when her arms circled his midsection. 

                  “I meant your shirt.”

                  He chuckled yet continued in his task. “I just hope that you left some hot water.”

                  “I needed to pamper myself after your attacks in the snow earlier,” she darted more kisses along his shoulder blades.  “But it should reheat in a few minutes.”

                  He twisted around abruptly, startling a gasp out of her that was cut off by a sound embrace, lifting her effortlessly so he could set her on the marble counter. 

                  It was so easy to become lost in him, her legs locking around his waist to anchor them together while they indulged themselves. 

                  “Didn’t you tell me…” she bit teasingly at his lip and took a gulp of air before diving back in. “That is was dangerous to cook while so exposed?” Deliberately, she skimmed her nails through the soft hair that dusted his chest. 

                  “I see you were actually listening for once,” amused, he tugged away. “Dearest: I am a professional. Besides, I was referring to being completely nude, not partially.”

                  “We could fix that,” she toyed with his belt.

                  He smirked but gently pushed her fingers to the side. “Fun as that could be, I need to set the timer.” He wandered off to do so and then carefully carried the lasagna over to the oven. Once it was placed inside, he closed the door. “Now, if you’ll keep an eye on this while I get cleaned up,” he made his way back over to where she was sitting. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

                  She nodded before stealing one more kiss, and then he left her to her own devices for a while. 

                  The former assassin took advantage of having to wait for both the meal to be ready and her love to return by setting the table. As it was just the two of them, there was no need for fancy plates or cutlery, but she also couldn’t resist lighting a single candle to add some romantic atmosphere. 

                  She poured them both glasses of white wine and then went back into the kitchen to see how the lasagna was faring. 

                  A quick check confirmed that the cheese was starting to bubble, so she busied herself with a crossword puzzle as the dish finished baking. 

                  Ari finally returned, his  still damp hair falling rakishly across his forehead as he walked over to stand beside her. He was fully dressed again in a dark green, button-down shirt that was left open at the collar, paired with black pants. 

                  Nikita looked up, her heartrate thrumming happily upon seeing the content look on his handsome face. “Feel better?”

                  “Much.” He stretched, the edge of his untucked top lifting enough to reveal a hint of his abdomen before he draped an arm around her, glancing down at the puzzle she was attempting to complete. “Hmm. Six across. Ravenous.”

                  She blinked, stunned at how quickly he had solved it. “Wait, really?”

                  He just smiled, warm and open, and nudged at her side. “Trust me.”

                  “Always,” her features softened, and she gave him a brief kiss in thanks before penciling in the term. 

                  The game was completed swiftly thanks to how easily he figured out the remaining clues, and then the buzzer to the oven went off, signaling that the food was ready. 

                  They took their time savoring the lasagna and each other’s company, and once they both had their fill, Ari volunteered to wash the dishes while Nikita got started on decorating the tree. 

                  “I definitely can see why people go for the fake, pre-lit ones,” she grimaced, finally managing to wrap multiple strings of lights around the branches. 

                  Her boyfriend joined her shortly after, while she was carefully hanging colorful ornaments. “Ah, it’s beautiful so far.”

                  “I’m just trying to make sure not to accidentally break any of these,” she confessed, locking eyes with him. “I actually haven’t done this kind of thing in a long, long time.”

                  “Really?” he grabbed a hook and picked an ornament out to place before moving around to a different side of the tree. “It’s always been a huge event for my family, even in recent years.”

                  “Well, you grew up with brothers and sisters, so I’m sure there was a ton of activity. When you’re in the foster system, without the stability of a permanent family…” she sighed, melancholy surfacing in spite of the festive atmosphere. “It’s very different.”

                  Immediately, he was at her side and wrapping his arms around her in a hug as his lips brushed along her forehead tenderly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful.”

                  “Don’t be. We’re making new memories now. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my family, Ari. Along with the rest of our friends,” she twisted to face the tree again, curling one hand around his bicep and squeezing gently. “What matters the most going forward is our future, don’t you think?”

                  “You’re absolutely right,” he agreed, kissing the top of her head briefly before extricating himself in order to rummage around in one of the boxes by their feet. “And that reminds me, I have something I’ve been wanting to show you.”

                  “Oh?” she tilted her neck, curious. 

                  “Go rest for a minute,” he continued to search, muttering quietly to himself until he finally discovered the item. 

                  There was a decided shift in his demeanor; a softness emerging on his striking, noble features, which meant that whatever it was that he’d been looking for: it had a personal significance.

                  He sat down next to her, balancing the object on his palm in order to present it to her. 

                  Carefully, Nikita plucked the small, intricately carved, wooden ornament from Ari’s hand, turning it over in her own while scanning it over. “It’s beautiful. Hand-made?”

                  “I made it, in fact, back when I was still in college. It was a gift for my mother. After she passed away, my sister made sure to get it back to me.”

                  “I can tell it means a lot,” she cuddled into his side. “Is there anything you’re bad at, by the way? Because so far we have cooking, dancing, and wood carving, not to mention the fact that you’re musical.”

                  Her companion laughed richly. “Sport, actually. I was always picked last for every team back in grade school.”

                  “You keep up with me fine when we run or spar.” 

                  “Those are individual athletic pursuits, my love,” he reclined a bit into the cushions, pulling her with him as they snuggled together. “Not that it matters in the long run. I doubt I’ll ever need to save the world by playing a basketball game.”

                  “Nah, if that were the case we’d send in Michael and Owen.” 

                  He laughed again, stroking his fingers through her hair. “Good.”

                  She continued to turn the ornament over in her hands absentmindedly while she reveled in the quiet intimacy between them. She cherished these specific kind of moments: where their roles in the new version of Division faded into the background and they could just exist with each other. 

                  Nikita wasn’t expecting it when she pressed down on a section of carving and heard a clack. “Um. I didn’t break it, right?”

                  Ari shook his head and took back the box. “It’s meant to be a puzzle, see?” his fingers danced out a pattern and there were several more clicks before it opened. 

                  Together, they looked inside, her eyes widening significantly when a sparkling, antique sapphire and diamond ring was revealed. 

                  For his part, he looked as stunned as she did. “Wait, this has been in here all this time?” Gingerly, he pulled the jewelry out. 

                  “You didn’t know?”

                  “No, my sister never said anything, and I haven’t played around with it at all. Hold on, there’s a note underneath.” He reached back in to grab the paper.

                  She only had a basic grasp of deciphering Russian when it was written down, but the impact was unmistakable when tears sprung to her lover’s eyes.

                  “Ari…”

                  “I thought I recognized it,” he chuckled wryly before turning to show her the ring properly. “It was my mother’s engagement ring. Apparently, she wanted me to have it.”

                  “It’s gorgeous,” she admitted. 

                  “She hoped that one day: I would find the right person to give it to…which is why Andrea hid it inside.” 

                  “She’s the one I met briefly, right?”

                  “Yes. Darling…”  the tone of his voice altered, prompting her to look into his eyes and notice the passion suddenly directed her way. “Stumbling across this ring might have been a coincidence, but the truth is that I’ve been thinking very seriously about our future together. Earlier: you said that I’m your family, and you’ve been mine for the past two years. This isn’t how I expected to do this, however, if I could have your attention for a moment…”

Without warning, he gallantly sank down on one knee in front of her.

                  She sat, frozen in disbelief and awe over what was transpiring. “Ari Tasarov, are you serious right now?”

                  He took her left hand within his, his gaze piercing into hers and informing her that he meant everything he was about to say.  “Very much. Nikita, you’ve had my heart from the instant we met. Our life together has never been simple, or easy, but I wouldn’t trade a single second, and I want to share in every one hereafter. Will you make me the happiest man in existence and become my wife?” 

                  She inhaled shakily, unexpected butterflies swirling in her stomach. She wanted to respond with as much ardor as he had proposed with but could only find enough coherence to whisper a single word. “Yes.”

                  Evidently it was the right thing to say, because his handsome face immediately lit up in delight. 

                  The next few seconds seemed to blur by as the ring was secured on her finger, and then they were embracing fervently and toppling onto the floor. 

                  Her hands fisted into the fabric of his top, their limbs entangling naturally as he adjusted the angle of the kiss, deepening it further. 

                  With a deft movement, he pinned her between his lean frame and the plush rug that decorated the area in front of the cabin’s fireplace. Logs were already crackling within the hearth, and between the warmth that was emanating and the natural heat building between the pair, it wasn’t long before fingers set to task.

                  “You realize that, while I’m counting this as an early gift, there are still presents to be given, right?” Nikita grinned, tugging away to focus on unbuttoning  his shirt. 

                  “Oh, I think I have exactly what I want right here but trust me: there are plenty of surprises on the way.” Ari’s smile was infectious as the garment fell open over his chest, revealing the sculpted planes of his torso.

                  With a smirk, she shoved it insistently down his shoulders, and he tugged his arms free before yanking her back into another kiss.

                  Layer by layer of clothing was cast aside until it was skin against skin and then hands well-versed in one another started to explore. 

                  She welcomed his body with hers, sliding one leg up against his own and then hitching it over his waist to link them together, tilting her head back in order to grant him better access to the slim column of her throat when his mouth eventually strayed. 

                  A low moan escaped while he darted firefly kisses across her clavicle, traveling right to bestow attention to her shoulder, then venturing lower. 

                  Her breath caught as he worshipped every possible inch of her form, arcing into every touch, every kiss – losing herself entirely to his devotion. 

                  Ari had long ago proved attentive when they made love, but it was clear that there was something different about this occasion. He seemed more determined than ever to draw the experience out and took his time lingering along the most sensitive areas. 

                  Nikita arched her hips in invitation, her nails catching in his chest hair as they met in another passionate embrace when he joined them together. 

                  In little time at all, they eased into a familiar rhythm. 

                  She clutched at his shoulder blades as their movements lost grace, leaving half-moon indents and crying out sharply while the pleasure became blinding. 

                  He slowed, cradling her close and steadying their motions before she could be overwhelmed. 

                  It helped to concentrate on him, focusing on the sea of blue that was his eyes, which had turned darker in arousal. Loose tendrils of hair framed his face attractively, and his gaze was completely fixed upon hers in silent encouragement.

                  The love there was evident, her heart thundering and a tell-tale shiver coursing up her spine, signifying that completion was near. 

                  In perfect unison: they reached their peak, cresting together on sensation until nothing existed save for sheer bliss. 

A few hours later, Nikita ran her fingers lazily through Ari’s mussed hair as her fiancé nuzzled her shoulder tiredly. 

                 After engaging in multiple rounds, the couple had relocated to the couch and were currently recuperating – tangled up in each other and several fleece blankets. 

                  “We never did finish decorating that tree,” she mentioned.

                  He groaned and lifted his head just long enough to take a look before replying. “It can wait. You’ve exhausted me.”

                  The corners of her mouth twitched as she held back a laugh and put as much innocence as she could into her voice. “Maybe that was the point.”

                  He paused, shifting in order to stare down at her. “…it was revenge for the snowball fight earlier, wasn’t it?”

                  Her answer was a giggle and to draw him into a romantic kiss. “I’ll never tell.”

                  “Just remember that misbehavior during this time of year is usually frowned upon,” he nibbled tantalizingly at her mouth, evidently not meaning a word.

                  “Well from now on I’ll be a saint, I promise,” her shoulders shook with mirth as she tugged away. 

                  With a fond expression, he reached out and caressed over the side of her face, tucking a stray lock of hair over her ear. “Just be Nikita.”

                  As far as she was concerned, it was the easiest thing to agree to. 

The End

[utilitycaster]

Tary for the character ask?

How I feel about this character: He is SO FUN. Artificer is a great class, and underneath all the weird self-aggrandizement he is just a sweet guy who loves stories and wanted to be in one instead of the life his father had chosen for him, and that's beautiful.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: I don't know Lawrence but I'm glad Tary is happy. Also to be fair if he'd been around before Perc'ahlia was a thing I would have enjoyed him and Percy.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: His and Vex's friendship is a delight.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Sam's best character. I don't know if this is unpopular but I think it is. (Veth comes VERY close though).

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: as with a lot of the non-main PC characters in this post I just want to see him more! I would not be mad at another Darrington brigade one-shot.

my OTP: none that we've seen onscreen, but again, glad he found love and happiness with Lawrence.

my cross over ship: You know, I do not personally think that Tary's Lawrence was Lawrence Lorelei given that Lawrence L. was implied to be WAY too young in 836 PD to have been Tary's teacher, but I do want to see Tary and the Loreleis interact.

a headcanon fact: Tary's favorite pastry is like...something literally no one else likes and the Slayer's Cake keeps making it because he insists and it never sells well and he's like TOO BAD.

[tangleweave]

♡ Munday Meme ♡ - 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23

{The Munday Meme}

4. Favourite thing about roleplaying?

Practicing my character portrayal. I work really hard to get the voices straightened out in my head so that when I'm writing a piece of dialogue, you can hear them when you read it. All of my muses share the "he" pronoun but you shouldn't be left guessing which "he" I refer to when I'm writing their dialogue.

5. Least favourite thing about roleplaying?

<sigh> Toxicity in the community. I realize this constitutes a minority, and a very small fraction of participants at that, but I've had the misfortune of running into a few who have been terribly disrespectful, pushy, and even flat-out insulting to their fellow RPers. I have no stomach for that. I'm here to disengage from reality and have some fun, not to engage in middle-school level dramatics (unless it's dramatics my partner and I have chosen to write for ourselves).

6. OTP for your muse?

Well, I've got seven muses, lol, but assuming you'd like to know my OTPs for all of them? Sure, I'll try it out. Be aware, too, that not all of my OTPs are necessarily in relation to RP interactions. With that said...

Beta Ray Bill -- Up until the publication of Argent Star, I would have immediately said Lady Sif. But I was so disappointed with her reaction to the notion of intimacy with him in his true form (augmentations, enhancements, equine face) that I've begun to reconsider that ship. Here on Tumblr, though, Bill found a curious kinship with the Olympian goddess Persephone, courtesy of the extraordinary @titansaints [check them out!] which quickly became a lovely, fluffy ship that I've thoroughly enjoyed.

Phil Coulson -- Two OTPs for this man, I gotta be honest. The first is with Melinda May, because do I even need to say why? But the second is here on Tumblr, with the illustrious Dejah Thoris of John Carter of Mars lore, provided by the talented @voice-of-barsoom [check them out too!]. It's a pairing I would never have thought of on my own and I stan it.

Groot -- Not really applicable in a canon context, for obvious reasons, but here on Tumblr, this one goes to Beth Riley, lovingly provided by the inimitable @brooklynislandgirl [if you're not checking them out, why not?!]. This is a ship that sails right down the center of platonic and romantic seas, and is stunningly soft... and really, I honestly do believe only Beth can adore Groot in the specific way she does. It is a testament to this fabulous writer.

Spider-Man (Peter Parker) -- Gotta toss this to MJ, out of recognition for her dedication. In most canon iterations of her, she's stuck with Pete through thick and thin, no matter what curve balls his life as Spider-Man has thrown their way, up to and including home invasion, abduction, mutation, and even death. If there's a runner-up, it's Gwen... because let's face it. If Gwen had survived, it would have been her. I don't currently have any Tumblr-based threads which ship Peter with anyone. (Yet.)

Stephen Strange -- Nnnnnngh. Okay, I'm going to out myself here, I know precious little about Stephen from the comics, so although I'm intellectually aware of his relationship with (and marriage to) Clea, I've not familiarized myself with those dynamics and nuances (but I'm interested to see what she brings to the MCU). I refuse to say Christine Palmer, I just never sensed any sparks there. Regarding RP, one of my favorite Stephen ships here on Tumblr is also probably my first one on this profile, with Sigyn Freyjadottr, as portrayed by @sigynthevictorious [yes, I'm reccing them too, deal with it!]. A true enemies-to-friends tale that really went the distance in the telling!

Venom (Eddie Brock) -- NOT Eddie / his Other. That's both obvious and low-hanging fruit. And to be honest, I think we've yet to see what a really good relationship for him in canon would be. However, here on Tumblr, there is absolutely no question at all, and this ship is my ultimate favorite OTP out of all the ones I'm listing for this question... this goes also to Beth Riley @brooklynislandgirl , who has generously worked with me to create an absolutely sprawling multiversal saga with our muses at its heart. BEddie for life.

Vision -- Okay, do you really expect me to say anybody but Wanda? Whether in canon or via Tumblr RP alongside the illustrious @illbringthechaosmagic , there's really just one woman for Vis at the end of the day, and it's Wanda Maximoff.

7. NOTP for your muse?

This answer will be far shorter, because the honest truth is, my muses tend to be pretty open-minded about relationships -- though as listed in my Rules segment, with the exception of Groot, they're all hetero males. That being said, even restricting themselves to women, these boys can get themselves in tons of trouble for the sake of a ship (and frequently do!). It's never characters I'm averse to shipping with... just situations, and a couple very specific members of this community.

15. What do you look for in an RP partner?

Primarily, someone who is decently literate and not afraid to write more than a smattering of words per tag. I'm not terribly picky about length beyond that... give me at least one paragraph. Or give me a novel. Either way, I'll run with it. What you give tends to be what you'll get in return.

16. Favourite trope?

<scratches the back of his neck> Damn it, you caught me, I'm a total sap. I really like that trope of when two characters share that revelation that they've got feelings for each other. It's been building up between them for an embarrassingly long time, and they just can't hold it in anymore. But this comes with a caveat... to be truly satisfying, I need the buildup. I need it to be sold to me.

17. Least favourite trope?

Betrayal whose flags were completely visible but entirely ignored. It kinda pulls me out of the story when I can see the turn of a coat coming from miles away and the characters can't pick up on it to save their own lives (sometimes literally).

18. Are there any AU's you'd like to explore but haven't had the chance to yet?

I have an AU concept which involves Hydra being successful in taking SHIELD down, except for Coulson, who assumes an offshoot Ghost Rider persona and seeks vengeance. I've also had a half-formed idea rattling around wherein all of my muses randomly exchange roles (Spider-Bill; Groot, Agent of SHIELD; Vision, Guardian of the Galaxy). As for universal shifts, I've been fleshing out some concepts for my spread of muses to all take up residence in the Star Wars universe (Venom is a shapeshifting spy, Stephen and Spidey are Force sensitives in exile, Coulson is an ex-diplomat turned crime lord... it's a whole thing). It's also kind of fun to imagine them all within the context of D&D (and I still have at least one request in my Inbox asking me to write a drabble of one of my muses in the realm of Dragonlance). What would happen to them in the world of Pokémon? Would they all be trainers? Y'know. Fun stuff. So the short answer is yes, there are... and I'm open to discussing them!

21. Are there certain characters that you gravitate towards?

Yes, but probably not the ones you'd think. My top three favorite characters in this spread of muses are Beta Ray Bill, Venom, and Coulson, in that order. Stephen and Spidey are present among this spread for several reasons, but among them is the fact they're mainstream and tend to attract eyes (and Follows) in a way my three favorites simply can't. Bill is obscure, Coulson is niche, and not everybody wants to interact with Eddie / his Other / Venom (or that pedantic distinction I insist upon making).

23. Do you ever get jealous when RPing? How do you handle this?

Oh jeez, calling me out, this is embarrassing... Okay, the honest truth? Yeah, I do occasionally get jealous, and that's not a good color on me. My method of dealing with it is remembering we're all doing this for fun, and we all chase the dopamine, wherever that chase leads. It doesn't always lead my mutuals towards me or the threads I'd like to work on, and that... really is okay. My own dopamine chases don't always lead me in the direction I know some of my mutuals would hope for either, and they're all incredibly gracious towards me about it. That's why I have multiple threads with multiple mutuals. At any given time, I have a ton of ideas and threads I can work on... and if a character I want to write for is lacking love, I can fairly easily find someone who'd be interested in threading. And even if my luck ran out... I've written a LOT of fanfiction over the years. I can write on my own, too! (If I ever get past the crippling anxiety and perfectionism.)

[heretherebedork]

Dear Francis,

Can you please help me out with Our Days. Because I completely fail to understand the point of this show. First Soh is into Mon, then he isn’t, then it turns out he hides true feelings because he can’t see a future, now he never felt anything in the first place… And what does “our days” actually refer to? My mind has been going wild over this: first there was the Soh dying theory (thankfully that wasn’t true!), then his problems with substance abuse (maybe that’s why he needed to move countries?), or maybe he had a run in with the law (like a sort of exile, but voluntary). But now it turns out his life “was planned beforehand by others,” in some Cutie Pie style of predestination. And finally, there’s the new subplot of Micky & Q, I believe. Don’t get me wrong, I thought they had very moving scenes with meaningful life lessons. But why so late in the series? Plus, I didn’t exactly move the main plot anywhere… 😬 Also, what are we so supposed to think of Saint? Because, other than being presented as the more “reliable” alternative to Soh, the character Saint hasn’t really been given any main reasons why he would be Mon’s otp. 🤔

We still have three episodes to go, but I have run out of ideas of where this show is headed. You seem like reasonably intelligent person, so can you please explain to me where this basketball show is headed and why it’s still worthwhile to watch? Because right now, I can answer neither of those questions. 🧐

Love,

— Thel. 💚

Okay, so, first I will never endorse watching a show you're not enjoying. I find that finishing shows is my priority and so I do watch shows I don't enjoy... but I don't think most people should, honestly. It's kinda pointless unless you're like me, lol. So never feel the need to keep watching a show you're not enjoying regardless of why.

As for the rest...

I do believe that Soh had feelings for Mon. And may still, honestly. He's chosen to deny those feelings of the future he has that cannot involve Mon and cannot be shared with him no matter how much he wants to share it with him. Soh has been shown this entire time to have loved Mon. He literally chose to enroll in university to be near him. Soh may deny it because he can't handle it, but we've seen him having multiple breakdowns over this loss.

The idea is that Soh was breaking out of his predestined life just a little bit, fell in love, and then was reminded by his mother that he has no future here, that he can't have the future he wants and let himself dream of for just a moment. And now he's not just given it up but is trying to pretend it never happened. Because it's safer and easier to just... not. To not dream, to not hope, to not love.

Saint is the past. Saint is an old friend of Mon's and he's supposed to be steady and loyal and kind. I think he got introduced a little late for my taste but I like him. He's a real darling and very honest about his affections and goals.

Mickey and Q are just the side couple? I... I dunno? I think it's cute, it's mostly just Mickey have a crush on Q and Q being an awkward young man about it because Mickey is young and it's cute. I like age gaps and I like them just being cute. Mickey is also a bit of a reflection of both Mon and Soh, breaking away from his mother but realizing he has to go back is why Soh feels like he can't be with Mon at all.

It doesn't exactly move the plot but it shows a reflection of what's going on and that's important too.

I think Our Days just refers to the time they're spent together, the limited time that they've had together as well as the time that Saint and Mon spent together in the past and came back together to rediscover in the present.

I am enjoying this show less and less the harder they go on Soh abandoning his feelings for Mon entirely because I definitely prefer SohMon to SaintMon... but I wanna see how this ends. So I will.

[burrowingdweller]

I think Meruem/Komugi is the only *accepted* non mlm ship actually. Maybe, maaaybe fandom will let you ship Pokkle/Ponzu, and Silva/Kikyo as well. There are others, but you can count on your fingers the number of shippers and fan content they have and they're often attacked, not so much on Tumblr, but on other social medias. If you type the ship name on the search bar all you'll find is hate. But I know people who ships Hisoka/Machi, Kurapika/Neon, Chrollo/Neon, Gon/Alluka, Kurapika/Queen Oito, and fandom treats them like real life criminals.

I'm honestly afraid of telling you which one of those is my OTP, I really am, especially now that we've shared virtual hugs lol. The fear of you telling me "nah, your ship is disgusting, hate it, get off of my blog and DNI" is still here.

Maybe one day I'll tell you :,)

Sorry for taking so much of your time venting. Like I said, it's too lonely in here and you're basically the ONLY person who I ever talked about it here on Tumblr besides some confessions blogs. I don't even know why I've chosen you to send the ask, but I'm glad I did. Thank you so much for listening! I'll probably be interacting with your blog more from now on.

D: I thought Hisoka/Machi is okay, that’s why I didn’t mention it! :( I don’t know who’s Queen, guess it’s from manga, but others seem fine too, not that I would think of them tbh, but still fine :(

That’s sad... I like Hisoka/Machi btw, I think hetero ships with Hisoka underrated (not that there’s a lot of options, but I saw Hisoka/Bisquit, and while it feels like a pure crack ship - still works for me xD)

I’m glad you feel better tho! It’s so nice to know uwu 

[johnlock-hell-resident]

OTP Game

as used by @mercheswan

1. Johnlock (Sherlock)

2. Snowbaz (Carry On)

3. BrewerRose, aka David Rose x Patrick Brewer (Schitt's Creek)

4. Tedlexis (Schitt's Creek)

5. Hophie (The School for Good and Evil)

6. Tiana x Naveen (Disney's The Princess and the Frog)

7. Peraltiago (Brooklyn 99)

8. Sci-Set (Equestria Girls)

9. Tagatha (The School for Good and Evil)

10. Raymond Holt x Kevin Cosner (Brooklyn 99)

If any of these otps are part of fandoms you have not finished, TURN BACK THERE ARE SPOILERS

1. Do you remember the first episode/scene/chapter when you first started shipping 6?

Well, it was before I transformed into my fandom self so I didnt have the good sense to remember the occasion lol

2. Have you ever read fanfic for #2?

Yes! Not as much as I'd like, but YES! My favorite of the few is Lonely in London by banjjakbanjjak

3. Has a picture of 4 ever been your screen saver/phone background?

Nope, that honor goes to Johnlock~

4. If 7 were to suddenly break up today, what would your reaction be?

I would retire the show full-stop 😭

5. Why is 1 so important?

Honestly, I have no idea. I have no idea why this ship of all ships is my chosen one but here we are. I think its just that the writing and thematic experience of BBC Sherlock is unlike any I've seen before. It has literally everything I could ever want in a love story and John and Sherlock, even if it's platonic, have an unconditional, soulmate bond. And let's not forget what I need for every ship: MUTUAL PINING AND TENSION

6. Is 9 a funny ship or a serious ship?

Very serious. 😑 this is my serious face

7. Out of all the ships, which one has the most chemistry?

Snowbaz I think

8. Out of all the ships, which one has the strongest bond?

Johnlock, without a doubt

9. How many times have you read/watched 10's fandom?

I'm actually still not done watching B99...

ILL GET TO IT OKAY

10. Which ship has lasted the longest?

I dont know if this means in fandom history??? Or the relationship in real time? Or for me personally??

Me personally? Johnlock, would you believe

11. How many times, if ever, have 6 broken up?

If you count the brief misunderstanding with Tiana witnessing "Naveen" and Charlotte's wedding, 1

12. If the world was suddenly thrust into a zombie apocalypse, who would survive? 2 or 8?

Snowbaz absolutely! In one corner we've got magickal teenage warriors and in the other corner we've got... magical teenage warriors ok but this one is limited in the confinements of PG

13. Did 7 ever have to hide their relationship?

I cant remember the specifics but they had to keep their blooming relationship a secret bc their nasty boss threatened to fire them unless they broke up

14. Is 4 still together?

15. Is 10 canon?

Now and forever!!

16. If all 10 couples were entered into a couple's Hunger Games, which couple would win?

By far my favorite question. Johnlock would get pretty far I think bc Sherlock could outthink all of them and John can repair any of his injuries (having a doctor on your team is such an op advantage). Snowbaz has the power of magick and flight on their side BUT Baz is incredibly flammable. BrewerRose and Tedlexis would be the first ones to die. Naveen and Tiana go next. Hophie is the sinnamon roll couple so I think they're combined ruthlessness would carry them to the top. Peraltiago and #10 both have experience as cops so they would at least know how to adapt to the ever changing situation. Sci-Set have magic but they wouldn't have the ethical flexibility to commit any kind of harm. Tagatha have magic as well, but they cant stop arguing literally to save their life

In conclusion, Hophie seems like the obvious winner. They are trained villains after all

17. Has anybody ever tried to sabotage 5's relationship?

Fucking Nicola

18. Which ship would you defend to death and beyond?

Johnlock till I die

19. Do you spend hours a day on 3's tumblr page?

I would if there was any fan content!!!!

20. If an evil witch descended from the sky and told you that you had to pick one of the 10 ships to break up forever or else she'd break them all up forever, which ship would you sink?

I mean #4 is already sunk so 😔

BUT if I could sacrifice another ship in return for #4's relationship it would be Sci-Set

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: Your Angel Undercover

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: PG13

Spoilers: Set during season 2, canon divergent. 

Summary: Distractions nearly prove disastrous for Ari and Nikita during a mission. 

Author’s note: Inspired by @rubyloops recent, lovely Nikari drawings. This was possibly one of the fastest turnarounds I’ve had for a piece, but the muses demanded my attention until it was finished. As such it’s relatively short and sweet. 

On AO3

Your Angel Undercover

                  Nikita Mears drummed her fingers impatiently against the bar’s wooden surface: tapping out a beat with her nails as she observed her partner’s behavior across the room. 

                  She was a professional, dammit. Jealousy was beneath her. 

                  Her heart dropped when she noticed the warm smile on Ari Tasarov’s face as he charmed the young woman who was their target on this particular mission. 

                  Envy coursed through her veins and the beautiful former assassin frowned. 

                  It didn’t help matters that she was uncertain how to define her relationship with the handsome operative who had betrayed his organization to stay by her side. They started out as rivals, and then slowly but surely developed a trust and friendship, and now she couldn’t imagine getting through her day-to-day without him. 

                  At some point – she had gone and done the stupid thing and fallen in love. 

                  The admittedly pretty mark laughed loud enough at something her companion had said, prompting Nikita to clutch more tightly at the glass she held in her opposite hand. 

                  As if sensing her distress, Ari glanced in her direction. 

                  She flushed in embarrassment and turned away, taking a long swig of champagne in order to force her feelings back. 

                  She peeked over her shoulder to see that the conversation had ended, and he was making his way to where she was standing. 

                  She inhaled deeply, goosebumps prickling at her bare arms due to the cool air, regretting her decision not to bring along a sweater to place over her strapless black dress.

                  “You’re shivering,” a familiar, resonant baritone murmured, and she heard fabric rustle right before the warmth of his coat covered her shoulders.

                  “Did you get the flash drive?” she inquired, peering over at him. 

                  He really did look debonaire in his tuxedo, even without the jacket. The crisp white shirt clung attractively to his torso, accentuating the toned definition she knew he possessed beneath, as on more than one occasion she had seen him in little more than a towel. 

                  She chewed at her lip, unable to keep from staring when he gracefully leaned back against the bar. Part of her wanted to drag him off and forget about their goals entirely, but Alex would be furious if things didn’t go according to her plan. 

                  “Check the left pocket,” he gestured.

                  She did, smiling when her fingers brushed over tiny, sleek plastic. “Perfect. We can head out then.”

                  “What’s the hurry?” he eyed her. “I thought…”

                  She twisted closer to him, curious as to why he had trailed off. “You thought what?”

                  “I thought that maybe you’d like to dance.” He extended out his hand, a hopeful expression crossing his angular features. 

                  Nikita’s heart skipped, and wordlessly, she accepted. 

                  Their fingers tangled together as he escorted her out onto the ballroom floor. The hired orchestra was playing a romantic cover of a pop song that she recognized, and her pulse thrummed when Ari effortlessly swung her into a simple waltz.

                  She placed a hand on his shoulder, tipping her head back to look up at him, instantly swept into the vast sea of stunning blue that was his eyes. 

                  His grip on her waist tightened slightly so he could tug her closer, the pair swaying together to the music.

                  “I saw the way you were looking at me earlier,” he murmured, breaking the spell between them. “You seemed out of sorts.”

                  “I was just worried that you’d scare off that girl,” the lie fell smoothly enough, but she could tell that he didn’t believe her. 

                  “Were you? Or were you envious of her having my attention?”

                  She scoffed, tossing her long hair over her shoulder in the process. “Me? Jealous of a child? You must be joking!”

                  “Nikita…” and there it was: the quiet, sensual manner in which he uttered her name, instantly making her knees go weak. “Don’t lie to me.”

                  “I’m not,” she protested. “Ari, this really isn’t the place –

                  He cut her off, his mouth sealing over hers in an all-too-brief kiss. 

                  Her breath hitched, lips parting in an attempt to respond to the sudden affection, only to find that her words had also been stolen. 

                  A self-satisfied expression crossed his face, as if his suspicion had been correct all along.

                  Frustration bubbled up, and she yanked at his sleeve to get him to follow her so they could continue their discussion in private.

                  The elevator door slid shut and Nikita roughly passed Ari’s coat back to him. “What the hell was that?”

                  “It’s what commonly referred to as a kiss,” he shrugged the garment back on, ensuring that the flash drive was still tucked into the pocket.

                  “That isn’t what I meant.”

                  “I know it isn’t what you meant,” an aggravated look was aimed her way. “I was just getting tired of this continual dodging.”

                  “What do you mean, we aren’t –

                  Long, elegant fingers curled around her arm. “Yes. We are. We’ve been avoiding the elephant in the room long enough. I love you, Nikita.” 

                  “You what?” she blinked, incredulous.

                  “I said: I love you. I’ve loved you since the moment that we met,” the beautiful, clear gaze that she so easily lost herself in was sincere. “And I think those feelings are reciprocated, otherwise you wouldn’t have looked at that other woman as though you wanted to claw off her face.”

                  “Ari…” she swallowed, nerves swirling in her stomach at the intensity that was being directed solely at her. “What exactly do you want me to say? That I fell in love with you and can’t stand the sight of another woman at your side? That’s the truth: I’m hopelessly, desperately in love with you and I have no idea what to do about it.”

                  He didn’t answer in the traditional sense. Instead, with an abrupt, deft motion, he dragged her into his arms and captured her lips in a far more passionate kiss. 

                  The sudden action startled a gasp out of her, heat pooling directly at her core when he shoved her against the wall and effortlessly lifted her so she could wrap her legs around him as the embrace deepened further. 

                  All that mattered now was how he enveloped her with warmth, his taller, solid body pressing as close as possible, alerting her to just how much she affected him. 

                  She clutched at his shirt with one hand and brought the other up to weave through his hair, upsetting it from the neat style he kept it in. 

                  He caught her lower lip between his teeth, nipping deliberately to coax open her mouth.

                  She granted him entry, which allowed him to explore with precision, her hands busying themselves with undoing his bow tie. 

                  There was a ping of sound when the elevator reached its destination. 

                  Without breaking their kiss, Ari carried Nikita out into the hallway. 

                  She wasn’t certain how he managed it, but the next thing she knew he was holding her up against the door to their room. 

                  Her head tipped back when his lips eventually strayed to dart firefly kisses across the slender column of her throat. “Key?”

                  “Other pocket.”

                  She fished around in his jacket to locate the cardkey, handing it to him so they could continue somewhere more comfortable. 

                  The second they were on the opposite side of the door, her hands went to task, first pushing his tuxedo coat onto the floor while he guided them to the bed. 

                  She cast the satin still dangling around his neck to the floor and attacked the buttons to his shirt next, toppling onto the sheets with him as their attentions grew more lustful. 

                  “Oh my god, can you not?!”  a female voice shrieked in alarm. 

                  They froze. 

                  Nikita pulled away first, a horrified expression on her lovely face as she slowly looked to the side to see Alexandra Udinov sitting in a chair in the corner of the room.

                  “Er. We uh…we thought the room was empty.” She addressed her one-time protégé.

                  Alex crossed her arms and glared at them. “Did you at least get the flash drive?”

                  “It’s in my coat,” Ari finally spoke up. 

                  Nikita peered down at her paramour, noting that he appeared more annoyed than anything else. 

                  Alex stood, picking up the discarded jacket and searching till she found the object that she was looking for. “I’m leaving. We are never to discuss what happened here. Go about your business.”

                  Without another word, their fellow agent left. 

                  Nikita released a breath that she had been holding and exchanged a glance with Ari. “That was…mortifying.”

                  He inched one hand up her thigh and smirked. “Agreed, but if she had stalled my plans to make love to you for the rest of the afternoon, I would have never forgiven her.”

                  “Just the afternoon?” she grinned, parting the fabric over his chest. 

                  “As well as the evening, plus tomorrow morning,” he tugged his arms free from the sleeves and then twisted so he could pin her under him. “And the foreseeable future.”

                  “Promises, promises,” she murmured, and then drew him to her for an ardent kiss that ended the discussion. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: A Racing Within My Heart

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Alternate ending for 1x17

 Summary: Ari shows up at Nikita’s loft after another betrayal. 

Author's Note: After a longer piece, a short but sweet "what if" scenario felt like the right call.

On AO3

A Racing Within My Heart

                  

Nikita Mears slammed the lid of her replacement laptop shut with a frustrated groan. 

                  She went over and over the scenarios in her head, but there had simply been no way to accomplish her mission without hurting him. 

                  Reliving the disappointment visible within Ari Tasarov’s stunning, clear blue eyes struck her directly in the heart; but with the frenzy of activity she simply had not been granted enough time to find him again after to apologize. 

                  For the past hour, she had been trying to track his whereabouts, but apparently Gogol didn’t implant its operatives in the same manner that Division did. He had scattered to the wind entirely as far as she knew, and there was a sinking feeling in her stomach that they might never meet again. 

                  Perhaps she had brought it upon herself. While the control Michael had exerted over her was not remotely fair, she had also been so consumed with trying to salvage a past relationship that a potential one had likely been quashed in the process. 

                  Nikita ran her fingers roughly through her unbound hair and stood, padding on bare feet over to one of the windows that allowed her to look out over the city. 

                  She was clad in a sheer, oversized tunic with a black camisole and matching underwear beneath. Her intention had been to simply turn off the lights and crawl under the covers of her bed, but every time she allowed her mind to wander images flooded in of the man she had betrayed.

                  She rubbed at her arms, shivering slightly thanks to the natural chill in the air. 

                  Suddenly – warm fabric was placed over her shoulders, and a familiar, resonant baritone murmured at her ear. “You’ll catch your death if you aren’t careful, Nikita.”

                  “I’m surprised that you still care enough to not want that.”

                  “There are many things I wish had gone differently, love, but causing you pain is not one of them.”

                  With a sigh, she reclined into Ari’s welcome embrace, reveling in the solid heat of his chest as it pressed against her back. “How’d you find me?

                  “I have my methods,” he replied, resting his chin on the crown of her head as they both took in the view. 

                  “Methods I’m certain that you’re unwilling to share at this point. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame you if  you came here to kill me.”

                  She felt his mouth touch the base of her neck ever-so-lightly, a feathery caress that resulted in a pleasant shiver edging up her spine. “You think my regard for you is so little?”

                  His actions insofar suggested the opposite, and it filled her with enough hope that she finally twisted around to face him. 

                  Ari’s handsome, angular features reflected both affection and concern. He raised one hand, cupping the side of her face carefully to avoid the bruise on her temple.

                  It was a single gesture of forgiveness. If only she felt that she deserved it. 

                  He noticed the change in her demeanor instantly, his brow furrowing as he asked her what was wrong. 

                  “It was Michael, Ari. I couldn’t tell you when I approached because he was monitoring me, but the whole reason I came to you and pretended to want to work together was because of him.”

                  “Why?”

                  “He wanted to finally take down Kasim and he got his wish. I only hope it granted him some peace to finally move on,” she grasped at her companion’s shirt front, noting how it seemed to cling perfectly to his lean torso. “I never meant to hurt you…I just didn’t have much of a choice.”

                  “Nikita, please: all is forgiven. I wanted to be certain that you were all right, that’s all.” His hands landed gently on her waist, causing her to tilt her head back to observe him. Up close, those eyes of his were completely dazzling, and the sincerity there couldn’t be questioned. 

                  She decided to test the waters, standing on tiptoe in order to press her lips chastely to his. 

                  His expression conveyed a hint of surprise at her boldness, but when she attempted to pull back, his fingers clamped around her wrist, and he yanked her in again.

                  A startled gasp tore from her throat right before he devoured her mouth in a far more passionate kiss, whirling her around and backing her up to a nearby pillar. 

                  Hastily, he shrugged out his suit jacket and pushed the overcoat he had laid over her down to the ground. Then, he removed her tunic, while she began to undo the buttons to his shirt. 

                  His hands crossed over hers. “Patience,” the command was a low, throaty murmur that instantly prompted molten heat to gather at her core. 

                  Ari pinned her more firmly against the concrete, his lips trailing slowly along the curve of her jaw while he inched her tank up over her stomach, further and further until he was able to lift it away and toss it to the side. 

                  The crisp fabric of the shirt that he still wore rubbed at her naked torso, causing delicious friction. 

                  She moaned quietly as the sensation became overwhelming.

                  Relief was offered briefly when he eased off her underwear, but soon she was clawing at his back while his mouth began to course downwards. 

                  He latched onto her right breast, sending a rush of arousal surging through her system. 

                  Unable to stand it, she ripped at the cloth covering his chest, buttons flying, desperate to get at his bare skin. 

                  She felt him smirk. “What did I say about patience?”

                  “Yeah well, you’re not the one who’s already completely naked,” she protested, shoving insistently at his ruined shirt.

                  He flung it off, and then dived down before she had a chance to get a decent look.

                  Nikita cried out once his mouth descended. With one hand, she clutched at the pillar behind her and the other she twisted into his hair to guide him along. 

                  He was a master at his craft, skillfully bringing her to the brink and then catching her when her legs gave out. 

                  Ari slowly made his way back up, darting fiery kisses across her skin until his lips touched hers. 

                  Whether it was the fact that their tastes now co-mingled or that she could feel his want for her against her inner thigh, something within her broke. She lunged, embracing him wildly while undoing his belt. 

                  The final barriers that shielded his skin were cast away, and then he joined with her against the wall. 

                  She no longer cared that there was minor discomfort or that her bed was only a short distance away, all that mattered was how connected they were. He fit with her so perfectly that she was certain they had been made for each other. 

                  He started them off on a slow, easy rhythm so they could adjust, his mouth grazing against hers teasingly before stealing another kiss – then another. 

                  She clung to his shoulder blades, canting her hips to match his movements. Everything about their coupling was starting to consume her and she tipped back her head, a pleased cry emerging when he shifted his angle and buried deeper. 

                  Their motions lost grace as they gave over to their desires, embracing ardently while they reached their peak in unison before careening over the edge – one and whole. 

                  “If that was your way of punishing me, it backfired, because now I’ll just consider more ways to aggravate you just so you’ll use that tactic again.” Exhausted, Nikita flopped back against the mattress, laughing wryly over how the unexpected turn in her evening had resulted in what was arguably the best sex in her life. 

                  They remained tangled up with each other and the sheets, a complete, sweat-streaked mess, and yet there was no place she’d rather be. 

                  Ari turned onto his side to face her, still catching his breath after what had been their fifth round. “That wasn’t punishment. Though I might have been a bit more aggressive than usual at first. I just didn’t want to let you go once I had you.”

                  “Well, you can get carried away as many times as you like,” she curled into his arms and slung a leg over his waist, keeping him close while she studied him to her heart’s content. 

                  In spite of their rivalry, she had always thought him absolutely gorgeous. His noble, striking features were softer while relaxed, and his soft lips curved into a loving smile that only added to the attraction. 

                  She reached out and toyed with an errant strand of dark hair that was falling into his eyes before sweeping it back from the stormy gaze that she could easily drown in. 

                  It didn’t hurt matters – now that she had leave to look as much as she liked – that he was toned perfectly for his build. Her hands wandered languidly over the sculpted planes of his chest, her nails catching in the dark hair that dusted his torso, before skimming down.

                  She paused when she finally noticed a small scar along the left side of his abdomen. “Where did you get this?”

                  “That? It’s from when I removed my tracker,” he confessed, his hand crossing over hers while she began to caress over the mark. 

                  “Ah, so that’s why I was unable to find you.”

                  “You were looking?” He raised a brow.

                  “I wanted to apologize,” she arced into him as she stretched, nuzzling sweetly at his throat. “I didn’t like leaving things how they were.”

                  “That’s why I came to find you,” he stated, tilting her chin so their eyes could meet. “To tell you I was sorry for how things escalated, and…more importantly,” he inhaled sharply before uttering the words that would alter everything. “I love you.” 

                  Her pulse began to thunder at the romantic expression he was directing at her. “Ari,”

                  He shushed her by placing his fingers tenderly over her lips. “You don’t have to say anything right now,” he shook his head. “Just know that I love you, and whatever lies ahead, I’m here to face it with you.”

                  Words definitely weren’t going to properly express what she was feeling, so instead: she drew him to her for a long, passionate kiss. 

                  He turned to bear her back against the covers as the embrace deepened, and Nikita knew that no matter what happened in the future, Ari was going to remain by her side.

The End 

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: I Stretch Out The Time And Now I Know Why

Fandom: Nikita 

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Canon-Divergent Series AU. Takes place during season one. Summary: Ari and Nikita return to her loft after an escape gone awry.

Author's Note: There is admittedly a ton of traction when it comes to what-if scenarios for this pairing. The premise of this was simple: I was curious what it would have looked like if Nikita and Ari had started working together back in season one. I imagine it would go similarly to how this fic starts, but I doubt canon would have ever been so bold to allow them a romance. Luckily -- that's where my skill set comes in 😉

On AO3

I Stretch Out The Time And Now I Know Why

                  “Might I ask what you were thinking when you threw the box into the river?” Ari Tasarov grumbled, crossing his arms in an effort to stop shaking after his dive into freezing water to retrieve it. 

                  “You didn’t have to go after it!” Nikita Mears resisted the urge to smack him on the side of the head for such a foolish action. “We could have left Percy’s dark secrets lurking at the bottom where they belong, but no. You’re so damn obsessed!”

                  “I’m obsessed?” He whirled on her, his stunning blue eyes flashing dangerously. “Need I remind you that you came to me?! You practically begged for me to help you locate the thing!”

                  “That’s because I thought it would give us both the upper hand on Division, but I had no idea Roan of all people was going to chase after us,” she ran her fingers carelessly through her damp hair. After Ari had jumped into the water, she had only felt it was right to go after him. The only benefit was that, due to it being cold, the Cleaner that had been sent after them had not followed. The blanket of night also gave them a much-appreciated advantage, so they could make it to her loft undetected. It just would have been a lot easier if they both weren’t soaked to the skin. 

                  Ari didn’t bother to argue further, though it was probably because he was focusing on trying not to shiver so badly. 

                  Pity clenched at her heart despite her irritation, as she also fared little better. Gently, she curled a hand around his arm. “Come on. It’s not much further and we need to get inside.”

                  He simply nodded and allowed her to guide him. 

                  They reached their destination shortly after. After ushering Ari into her home, Nikita quickly turned on the heat, and then gestured at the bathroom. “Why don’t you get out of those clothes and dry off? I’ll bring you something to change into in a second.”

                  “Dare I ask why you would have men’s clothing lying around?” he raised an eyebrow, though he was already in the process of removing his water-logged suit jacket. 

                  “I kept some of Daniel’s things,” she admitted, melancholy twinging in her stomach at the mention of her deceased fiancé. 

                  The former Gogol operative went still, clearly recognizing the sadness in her tone. “Are you sure you’re okay with me wearing them?”

                  She shook her head, her lips curving up in a brief, forlorn smile. “It’s fine, Ari. It’s not like they were getting much use. Besides, you’re about the same height, so it should fit fine.” She cast her gaze over him and found it difficult not to stare. His white dress shirt was nearly transparent from being dripping wet, clinging to a torso that was remarkably defined from what she could see. 

                  She turned away so he wouldn’t notice the flush in her cheeks. “Anyway – there’s fresh towels. Just make sure to leave me one so I can wring out my hair. I’ll change in here.”

                  “All right, I shouldn’t be too long. Leave the clothes outside the door and let me know they’re there.” 

                  She glanced back in time to see him slip the shirt off – giving her a nice view of his broad shoulders and a flawlessly toned back – before he shut the bathroom door for privacy. 

                  She inhaled deeply to calm the longing that had surfaced. It had been a while since she was left alone with a man that she found attractive, and she needed to focus. 

                  First, she quickly undressed and wiped the moisture on her skin off with a spare blanket, which she wrapped around her body so she could find clothing for both of them.

                  Then, after changing into a pair of yoga leggings and a tunic, she deposited the spare set of clothes outside her bathroom door and knocked so that Ari knew it was ready. 

                  She made a quick exit to her kitchen and went about brewing some hot tea. It would soothe her nerves and warm them both up, which was something that was arguably needed after their escape. 

                  Questions began to whirl around her mind as she prepared two mugs for the hot beverages. At the forefront was the most obvious: namely, how long her companion would be staying. If it was for a significant amount of time, they would have to discuss sleeping arrangements.  She also had to consider how they would retrieve the information from the Black Box that he had been so adamant in salvaging. 

                  And then there was keeping the desire at bay to kiss him, which had only grown stronger in the past few minutes. 

                  She sighed quietly as she measured out the right amount of sugar for the mint tea she had chosen. 

                  “Need any help?” the resonant timbre of Ari’s voice broke her out of her reverie, and she twisted around to tell him that it wasn’t necessary, only for coherent speech to disappear completely when she got a good look. 

                  The dark blue jeans fit him impeccably as she had suspected, but that wasn’t exactly what had captured her attention. 

                  She had left him with a couple choices of tee shirts, but he had forgone them entirely, revealing a beautifully muscled torso instead.

                  Her crush was standing bare-chested in her kitchen. She couldn’t think or speak or even move because of this. 

                  She was also fairly certain that he was aware of her distress because the corners of his incredibly soft-looking mouth twitched upwards, as if holding back a laugh, before he took a step towards her. “You didn’t answer my question.”

                  Well, yeah because you’re currently half-naked and very, very sexy, and I swear you’re doing it on purpose. She desperately tried to form actual words but failed. 

                  He continued to move forward, until he was practically on top of her, and it would only take a slight movement to be touching him. 

                  “Ari…I,” she licked over suddenly dry lips, still unable to find her voice due to his proximity and just how attractive he happened to look. His dark brown hair was ruffled, errant strands crossing partially over his forehead. Thanks to the bright overhead light in her kitchen: she could discern hints of silver at his temples. It was also easy to tell that the cobalt shade of his irises was becoming rapidly invisible due to his pupils dilating, which was a sign of his desire for her. Droplets of water still visible on his skin caused the hair that dusted his chest to be plastered directly to it, which only added to the sensual picture that he painted. 

                  He was impossible handsome while fully clothed. Now he was being borderline unfair.

                  She was conscious of the kettle beginning to whistle, but she couldn’t quite tear herself away. 

                  He took care of the issue for her by reaching around and turning the dial to the stove to off. “I wouldn’t want you burning this place down.”

                  “Right. That would be embarrassing,” she mumbled, finally daring to touch him by placing her palms on his chest. “Did you even want tea?”

                  His hands settled on the small of her back, and with a swift tug, he had drawn her flush against him. “Maybe in the morning.”

                  Nikita tipped her head back, so she could peer up at him. Being so close meant she could distinguish the flecks of green in the otherwise clear blue depths that stared back at her. 

                  Her pulse hummed as Ari bridged what little space was left between them, first grazing his lips along hers tentatively to test the waters before he took the chance and initiated a proper kiss. 

                  Pleasant warmth eased up her spine. He gathered her close, his hands sliding up under the hem of her shirt to caress at bare skin while the embrace turned increasingly feverish. 

                  A jolt of arousal shot straight to her center when he nipped at her mouth, outlining the shape of her lips imploringly till she granted him entry. 

                  With minimal effort, he lifted her up to rest on the nearby counter, and she felt him grin when she yanked him in further and circled her legs around his waist. 

                  If she was being logical, she would have stopped him when he peeled her shirt up over her head. She definitely would have paused after her leggings followed suit but then the jeans he’d borrowed were cast aside too. 

                  Rational thought flew out the window entirely once he hoisted her into his arms and carried her to the bed located in the furthest corner of the room. 

                  Completely naked, they fell back against the covers, unable to stop kissing or touching for more than a few seconds. 

                  She rapidly decided to tell her reason to shut up, and focused instead on giving in. 

                  Morning announced its arrival with pale light, which washed over the couple still dozing in Nikita’s bed. 

                  The rogue agent was the first to wake, a content smile crossing her lovely features when she noticed how deeply Ari was slumbering. 

                  He had earned his rest after proving an attentive, extremely giving lover the night before, and she was happy to let him, as it allowed her plenty to admire.

                  She followed the steady rise and fall of his chest as he slept, her gaze trailing lazily along the jut of his hip. The sheets were pooled around his waist, exposing plenty of his pale skin, and one arm was curled beneath his pillow, while the other was slung over her protectively under the covers. 

                  Should be downright criminal…looking that good first thing, she stretched, reaching out to push his bed-mussed hair away from his forehead. 

                  He stirred at her touch, his eyes fluttering open slowly. 

                  Her heart began to beat rapidly when she was swept into that familiar sea of blue, a loving smile crossing his lips before he greeted her with a tender kiss. 

                  She sighed against his mouth and pulled him forward, her hands coasting deliberately down a sculpted abdomen while he turned and trapped her between his body and the mattress. 

                  As far as she was concerned: every day should start with exquisitely crafted lovemaking, and it was clear that he was happy to provide. 

                  He tugged away from their embrace to nuzzle her nose with his. “Hi.”

                  “What’s this? The normally eloquent Ari Tasarov reduced to simple words?” She teased, her eyes glittering playfully. 

                  He chuckled. “It’s early and I’m preoccupied.”

                  “Clearly,” she arced her hips, starting them off on a slow, rocking motion that he matched in pace, his fingers entwining with hers as they became consumed with one another. 

                  The best part, arguably, was that they were equals in every sense of the word. Being able to sense what the other wanted only spurred their movements further, instantly leading to an almost blinding heat.

                  Bliss was quickly achieved, the pair collapsing back into the nest of blankets after they reached their pinnacle in unison. 

                  Nikita carded her hands through Ari’s hair while they recovered, still tangled hopelessly and in no hurry to move. 

                  He was easily distracted with tracing over the phoenix tattoo located on her hip. “Is there a meaning behind this?”

                  She glanced at it before replying. “I got it not long after I was recruited by Division. It made sense back then, a symbol of resurrection.”

                  “Still makes sense now, actually,” he shifted in order to lay on his side, face-to-face with her, and resumed stroking at the design. “It’s also a symbol of strength, and if there’s anyone that I know that’s brave enough to take down not one but two organizations hell-bent on covering up their actions: it’s you.”

                  “Is it bravery?” she curled up against him, listening to the beat of his heart and letting it soothe her. “Or am I not able to let go and move on?”

                  “I suppose that depends on how you look at it, but I prefer to think of it as bravery. I mean, you got me to change allegiances, didn’t you?”

                  “Yes, but,” she dropped a kiss to the center of his chest. “Are we enough? It’s just you and me and Alex right now. Maybe Owen if he can kick the Guardian programming.”

                  His mouth brushed along her forehead sweetly. “Sounds like you’d feel better if you got more recruits.”

                  “Maybe,” she sighed. “I don’t really want to think about it right this second. We should just take a day. Relax. Especially after all that happened last night.”

                  “Whatever you want is fine by me, love.”

                  “Right now, it’s you. Just you,” she looked up at him with a gracious smile. “Is that okay?”

                  “Absolutely.”

                  And given that he showed how much he approved of her idea with a passion-filled kiss, she knew he meant it. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: You're So Adored

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: PG13

Spoilers: Set in an AU where Ari is Nikita’s partner. Can be placed in season two or three but has no specific timeframe. 

Summary: Nikita spends a night finding solace in Ari’s arms.

Author’s Note: This will be my last weekly posted story for the year. Between Thanksgiving, my birthday in December on the 14th, and the holiday season I tend to get swamped with activity, so I simply will not have the time to compose and edit in the way I etch out normally. I am hoping to create something winter or holiday-themed for my favorite pairing, but that all depends on how much spare time I end up having. Enjoy some sweet comfort fic in the meantime.

On AO3

You’re So Adored

                  “I’m such a burden,” the words come pouring out as easily as the hot tears that are streaming down her face, ruining her makeup and the crisp white shirt that she is snuggled into.

                  With a sniffle, Nikita Mears curls as close as possible into the protective warmth of Ari Tasarov’s embrace. 

                  “There are many things that you are, Nikita. A burden is not one of them.” His resonant baritone manages to soothe her swirl of emotions slightly, his breath puffing at her hair as he rubs a comforting pattern across her back. 

                  They are entangled together, still in their disguises as wait-staff from earlier: a twist of entwined limbs and rumpled bedsheets. 

                  “You’re just saying that.” She mutters, nuzzling at his chest. The steady thrum of his heart beats evenly beneath her cheek, and in spite of every insecurity that has risen on this disastrous evening, the sound lulls her. 

                  Soft lips press lightly to the crown of her head. “No, I mean it. You are not a burden. And you never will be.”

                  It had not been her intention to invite Ari inside after he walked her to the room she was staying in, but the former Gogol operative seemed to have a knack for anticipating if something was bothering her. 

                  So – Nikita had pulled him with her once she’d opened her door, not letting go even as they removed their shoes, and then tugged her partner onto the bed with her so she could air out her feelings. 

                  The rogue agent toyed with the topmost button to her companion’s shirt, sighing heavily and swiping at her face roughly in an effort to clear the tears away. “I’m a mess.”

                  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he insists, his mouth now grazing along her brow. “But you’re also human.”

                  “I guess that seeing Michael move on was more of a gut-punch than I expected. It’s not like he broke my heart or anything either, our breakup was mutual, but…”

                  “It hurts. Seeing the one you loved for a long time being happy with another.” 

                  She tips her chin back to observe him. If anyone understood exactly what she was going through, it was the man who had ended a relationship that had gone on for two decades. “When you left her, how did it feel?”

                  “Mostly,” Ari shifted so they were lying face-to-face, his fingers sweeping through Nikita’s hair while he spoke. “It was a relief. The spark had gone out long ago, but it didn’t change the fact that I’d loved Amanda. Those feelings don’t just go away.”

                  “That makes sense, but do you ever wonder if we’re meant for anything normal? He’s expecting a kid, and I should be happy for him but there’s this tiny part of me that’s jealous.”

                  He propped himself up on an elbow to eye her seriously. “Do you want children?”

                  She contemplated for a moment, her features flushing in embarrassment over how silly it all seemed, but she answered truthfully. “No, I never have, actually.  In fact, it’s one of the reasons that Michael and I parted ways. I think what I wish for is a regular life – one where I’m not running around constantly dodging bullets and infiltrating elite clubs just to gather intel. I’d like a house, a normal job. Maybe an army of dogs.”

                  Ari’s mouth twitches at the final part, and the sea of gray and blue that makes up his stunning gaze glimmers as he leans in closer. “If I may be so bold, where am I in this imaginary scenario?”

                  “Oh you’re cooking dinner,” she finally grins, enjoying the tease. “I’ll get you the frilly pink apron and everything.”

                  He reaches out then and caresses along the side of her face sweetly. “There it is. I knew a smile would surface eventually.”

                  “Lately you seem to be the only one who manages to elicit one,” she shakes her head ruefully. 

                  “I’m honored,” he flops onto his back, relief crossing his striking features. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to make you feel better.”

                  She reflects upon his words as they lie together, silent. For the past few months, he has proven a consummate professional – patient, collected, and respectful in every sense of the word. There was no doubting how well they worked together, and she couldn’t deny being attracted to someone who understood her on a level that no other could. It certainly did not hurt matters that he is also devastatingly handsome, and she allowed her eyes to lazily roam over the angles of his face, another blush developing as she stumbled across a realization. 

                  She wants this man with a desperation that is borderline alarming. How it happened, or why, didn’t matter, but she knew that if she didn’t make her intentions known, the opportunity likely wouldn’t rise again.

                  “There is something,” she whispered, slinking in closer so she is pressed securely against his side. 

                  He turned his head to lock their gazes. “What is it?”

                  She knows that the best way to approach this is to be honest. It doesn’t completely quell the butterflies that swarm around her midsection, but it’s now or never.  “This is going to sound very forward, but: I want you to make love to me.”

                  Ari goes eerily still. To be fair – such a blunt request was going to garner astonishment. 

                  “I beg your pardon?” He blinks rapidly, and she swears that she can hear the gears in his mind clicking together in an effort to process what she just told him. 

                  “You said anything,” she reiterates.

                  “Well, yes, but I wasn’t expecting something so blatant.”

                  “Ari, we’ve been dancing around each other for weeks now!”

                  “I was being considerate,” he exclaims, sitting up abruptly. “Nikita, it’s clear that you’re hurting. If we took that step just to make you feel better, it may only make you feel worse in the long run, and I care about you far too deeply to risk that.” 

                  “So that’s a no, then?” her expression falters, betraying her disappointment. 

                  His features soften and he shakes his head. “I never said that, but, if we’re going to be intimate, I want it to be for the right reason. Why do you want this?”

                  “The fact that I think you’re hot and want to see you naked isn’t enough?”

                  The joke is worth it to see his lips quirk up in a small smile. “Flattering as it may be, I need just a bit more than that.”

                  She sighs deeply and rights herself so that they’re side by side, weaving her fingers with his. “It’s not out of revenge, if that’s what you’re worried about. For that to happen I would need to be angry, and I’m not. I can’t bring myself to ever hate Michael, because he never did anything wrong. And let me tell you – it would be a hell of a lot easier if he had. But when I saw him looking so content, it gave me this gut-wrenching thought that I could never be enough. I want to be that. I want to be someone’s ultimate choice.” Tears once again sprang to her eyes. “Ari, I want to feel something that isn’t heartbreak…and I want it to be with you. I trust you. I…” she scrambled to find the right words. “I think I might be falling in love with you.”

                  One minute, she is looking deeply into his eyes and pouring out her heart. The next: his mouth has captured hers. 

                  The kiss is a revelation – tender, loving, and tinged with promise, but also imbued with enough passion for Ari’s point to be made. With absolute clarity, Nikita knows. He cares for her, as deeply as she feels for him. 

                  Elegant hands weave into her long, dark brown hair to cradle the back of her head as he deepens the embrace. His lips are gentle, his touch is warm, and his taste is perfection. She could happily engage in kissing him for hours on end.

                  She clutches at his shirt to drag him in closer when he nibbles teasingly at her mouth, his tongue darting out to memorize the shape of it, communicating without words what it is that he wants from her. 

                  She grants him entry, their tongues meeting as they sink back together along the plush covers of the bed. She slides one long leg against his before hiking it over his waist, delighting in the solid heat of his frame as he settles comfortably in her arms. 

                  Blindly, she fumbles with the buttons on his top, which is what prompts him to separate for air and still her. “Wait.”

                  “Ari, if that kiss didn’t convince you what should be happening here –

                  His fingers cross gently over her mouth, and he shakes his head with an amused look. “That wasn’t a rejection. You are remarkable, and I intend to prove just how much I adore you, but…I do have one request.”

                  “What’s that?” she tilts her head, curious.

                  “Let me take you out on a proper date tomorrow.”

                  It’s something she can easily agree to, and after another kiss to seal the promise: there are no more interruptions. 

                  The irony that they have ended up exactly where they started is not lost on her. 

                  The major difference is that there are no longer any barriers shielding his skin from hers and the main emotion she feels is gratitude – the melancholy from earlier is completely eradicated.   

                  It’s all due to how incredibly giving a lover Ari proved to be. Even now, as they bask in the afterglow following several rounds, he finds excuses to keep touching her. His skilled fingers ghost lightly across the curve of her hip, drawing her further into his embrace as he observes her silently. 

                  For her part, Nikita is doing just as much staring, because the man is a vision.

                  She traces over a cheekbone with her thumb before stroking slowly over the side of his face. Despite how disheveled his usually neat appearance is, the expression on his handsome features conveys the contentment that she also feels. 

                  It also helps that every inch of his exquisitely built form is on display, painting a sensual picture that she’ll never tire of looking at. Tousled strands of dark brown hair, longer now than when they’d first met, fall rakishly across his forehead, and as her gaze trails languidly over his chest, she spots several love bites that she’d made earlier. 

                  He looks irrevocably hers, and it makes her pulse leap, affection bubbling up within when he nuzzles at her sweetly. 

“I take it you’re feeling better?” gravel laces his tone. It’s a simple question, yet she privately swears that he’s never sounded quite so sexy before. 

                  Nikita shivers, and not from the cool air wafting over her exposed flesh. “Much. You know, you’re really quite good at this,” she sighs, trailing her hands along the sculpted planes of his torso, her nails skimming through the dusting of hair that’s still plastered to his skin with sweat from their exertions. 

                  “Am I, now?” Ari grins, stealing a kiss while twisting to pin her between his lean frame and the mattress. “That’s rather high praise considering I’ve been out of practice”

                  She pulls him to her as she welcomes his body with hers, their legs tangling together beneath the covers. “Could have fooled me.”

                  He tugs back to give her air and a fond smile. “That’s not entirely what you meant though, was it?”

                  Nikita shakes her head, designing an invisible circle along his back while she elaborates. “Don’t get me wrong, that’s been fantastic, but you have this ability – it’s almost like you can read my mind. You make me feel safe,” she punctuates the word with a kiss to his throat, and then moves up. “And wanted,” gradually, she darts more along his jawline. “You’re home to me, Ari.”

                  His mouth seals over hers at the admission, initiating a passionate embrace that she returns with enthusiasm. 

                  They settle comfortably amongst the blankets while the kiss builds. He fits against her perfectly, and she revels in the velvet sensation of his skin upon hers as his hands, now well-versed in all the dips and curves of her lithe build, wander avidly. 

                  His lips stray to devote attention to the junction between her neck and shoulder, his tongue darting out briefly so he can taste the moisture gathered at her clavicle. 

                  She cards her fingers through his mussed hair as he continues in his trek, a startled sound escaping when he lingers over her navel – an area that had proved especially sensitive earlier. 

                  He smirks against her skin, drifting lower and lower until he’s kissing the inside of her thigh. 

                  She groans and throws her head back, attempting to guide him where she wants him, but he holds fast and continues his trek, dropping kisses to her knee, and then finally her ankle.

                  ��Okay what exactly are you doing?” she queries, mild frustration evident in her voice. 

                  He looks up at her, his cobalt gaze flashing with a hint of mischief. “Charting out territory. After all – you’re my home too.”

                  “In that case, you’d better lay claim.”

                  “Oh, I plan to,” he murmurs before starting to crawl back over.

                  Slowly, Nikita grins and beckons Ari to her, and there’s no hesitation as they fall into each other’s arms one more time. 

                  After all – they’re where they’re meant to be. 

The End 

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: My Appetite You Feed

Fandom: Nikita 

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Canon Divergent AU, set after “The Life We’ve Chosen.” A companion piece to Stay Here In Your Arms Forever.

Summary: Nikita and Ari have been experiencing intense dreams about each other. It’s time to figure out what to do about it. 

Author's Note: Ordinarily I keep all my one shots separate, but this is a direct sequel to a previous work. However: it's not required to read the first story. Like all my Nikari pieces, this can be viewed as a stand-alone. Once again my romantic tendencies got the better of me, but I somehow doubt that the muses minded.

On AO3

My Appetite You Feed

                  She woke with the sharp cry of his name, clutching the bedsheets tightly enough to rip them. 

                  Nikita Mears panted harshly, her entire body tingling with want thanks to the dream she had just experienced.

                  She wished she knew exactly what was causing them, as they had begun not long after her return from the successful mission in South Ossetia. Returning with an alive, grateful Ari Tasarov had resulted in him fully defecting and becoming a member of Division.

  He had also become her partner both professionally and romantically and was the main subject of the intensely erotic imaginings that plagued her. 

                  With an exasperated sigh, the pretty, dark-haired agent flung back the covers and then rapidly removed her sleepwear. After a few steadying breaths, she trailed one hand down along her overly sensitized skin. With some precise touches – she could relieve the tension that had built up. 

                  It never took long. All that was required was to focus on picturing his elegant, handsome features and lean, nicely toned body. She had gotten a decent view of how he looked without his shirt thanks to his determination to take care of a bullet wound that she’d received, as he had removed the garment in order to make bandages. 

                  It was simple enough to create a clear image in her mind, her current dilemma abating with each deliberate ministration. 

                  In her imagination, Ari loomed close, those stunning blue eyes boring into her own while she thought of his hands brushing along her exposed form. It was the finer details that she latched onto – that playful sparkle in the cobalt-colored depths, the way his resonant baritone sounded when he murmured her name, and the dimple that flashed when his soft lips curved into a knowing smile. 

           ��      She recalled just how good that mouth felt when it was preoccupied with hers. How she wished he would explore the rest of her with such skill. 

                  Not long after she found a much-needed release, the guilt began to swim. 

                  Things were in a really great place with her love, and the last thing they needed as a new couple was this odd complication. 

                  After all: wasn’t it more common to fantasize about the object of one’s affection before they became an item?

                  Initially, she had suspected that the bullet itself had been laced with some kind of toxin. She certainly would not have been surprised if Amanda Collins had done such a thing, however: all the tests on it and her blood had come back entirely normal. 

                  With little in the way of answers, it left her at a loss. The last thing she wanted was to derail her relationship – but she also suspected that while Ari wouldn’t mind if she just jumped him in a Division corridor, he would wonder what the reason was. 

                  She needed to have a talk with her lover. 

                  Another sigh — this one beleaguered – emerged from the lovely former assassin when she rolled out of the confines of her bed and made her way to the bathroom. 

                  After a shower to both clean up and relax, Nikita emerged from the steam and wrapped herself in a fluffy, white towel. 

                  The irony of such a virginal color after what she had engaged in that morning was not lost on her and she shook her head before wandering into the walk-in closet to pick out something to wear. 

                  She pulled on some black lace lingerie first, and then settled on a sweater dress in a shade of cerulean that she knew complimented Ari’s eyes, which she paired with dark grey leggings. 

                  She tied her hair back in a low ponytail, and then applied her makeup, opting for neutral shades for her eyes and a soft pink for her lips. 

                  Satisfied with her appearance, she tugged on her favorite black boots and an overcoat to battle the winter air, and then finally exited her apartment, purse shouldered securely. 

                  As she made her way up the hall, the door to another apartment only a couple of doors down opened. 

                  Ari Tasarov, impeccable in a finely tailored suit, fell into step beside her. “Good morning.”

                  His alluring voice washed over her, immediately causing warmth to pool at her core.

                  She swallowed and did her best to remain steady on her feet. “Morning. Sleep well?”

                  “Quite.” The smile that crossed his lips was mildly secretive, which made her curiosity pique, but she didn’t question him further.

                  They continued towards the elevators at the end of the hallway, chatting quietly. 

                  It was once they were safely inside and descending to the lobby that the mood finally shifted.

                  Without warning, Nikita found herself trapped between the guard rail and her lover’s taller form, his lips seeking hers in a passion-filled kiss to properly greet her. 

                  She melted in Ari’s embrace, curling her arms around his neck and returning the affection as eagerly as he gave it. 

                  One hand swept over the small of her back, tugging her further into him as they nipped and teased at one another. 

                  She parted for air first, certain her features were flushed and that she’d have to redo her lip color before they went into the office. “What was that for?”

                  “For visiting my dreams last night,” he caressed lightly over the curve of her jaw. 

                  She lifted a finely groomed eyebrow. Was it possible that he was experiencing the same strange phenomenon? 

                  “And what was I doing, exactly?”

                  He chuckled, daring a brief nuzzle. “Nothing unpleasant, my love. You just happened to be there.”

                  “Well now I need to know,” she drew him close into the circle of her arms.

                  He grinned then, which was outright criminal. 

                  She was about to prod him further when the doors to the elevator opened. 

                  She narrowed her eyes. “We’re continuing this conversation later.”

                  “Of course,” he drew her hand up to his lips and pressed a feathery kiss to her knuckles, and then escorted her out into the day. 

                  

Unfortunately, various meetings kept Nikita busy well into the afternoon. 

                  When she was finally able to take a break for lunch, she immediately headed for what served as Division’s library, where Ari often spent his free time researching. 

                  The operative hurried along the corridor, utterly consumed with the urge to see the man that she loved. She was so unaware of her surroundings that it nearly caused her to collide with her good friend, Alexandra Udinov.

                  “Whoa, Nikita, where’s the fire?” her former protégé joked, catching her arm with one hand to keep her from stumbling.

                  “Sorry, Alex, I wasn’t really watching where I was going. You haven’t happened to see if Ari’s around?”

                  “I believe he’s finishing up a meeting with Ryan.”

                  “Oh. I guess I’ll go wait.”

                  The dejected look that crossed Nikita’s face caused Alex to tilt her head curiously. “Is everything all right?”

                  “Everything’s fine, I just, you know, need to talk to him.”

                  “About?”

                  “…stuff.”

                  Her friend folded her arms over her chest, arching her eyebrows skeptically. “Job stuff or relationship stuff?”

                  Nikita shuffled from one foot to the other, her features coloring considerably, which gave her companion the answer. 

                  “Nik, I might be crossing a boundary here but, I have to ask. Is everything okay with the two of you?”

                  “Of course everything’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be okay?  It’s not like I’m having sexual dreams about him every night that result in bringing myself to orgasm on my own in the morning instead of going to him instead, I mean that would be ridiculous.” She clamped one hand over her mouth, her face aflame. The words had just come tumbling out before she could stop them. 

                  “That’s both graphic and oddly specific,” Alex bit back a chuckle. “So, dreams?”

                  “Intense, erotic dreams that I don’t want to wake up from,” now that the truth was revealed, Nikita slumped against the nearest surface, which happened to be a wall. 

                  “You should tell him. He’ll be flattered and will probably want to cater to your every whim.”

                  “That’s just it, Alex! I love Ari so much, and I don’t want to wreck the good thing we have going. We’ve been taking it slow, waiting for the right moment to take things to the next level.  The last thing I need is him thinking that I’m some kind of sex maniac because I’m not. But every time I close my eyes, all I see and feel and want is him. And what if…” she trailed off, her expression downcast. “What if after we finally consummate, he’s no longer interested?”

                  “Again, you should be telling him this, but one thing has been painfully clear since the two of you got together. Ari adores you. If all he wanted was something physical, it would have happened already.”

                  “You think so?”

                  “I don’t think. I know. Nikita: every time I see you lately, you’re glowing, and it’s because of that man. No one, not even Michael, has gotten this kind of reaction from you. And what’s more, I’m sure Ari’s aware of this too.”

                  “So you’re basically saying I should talk to my boyfriend and then drag him to bed to get all this sorted?”

                  Alex snorted in laughter. “Yes to the first part, but I think that second bit is your own frustration at work.”

                  “Fair point,” Nikita took a gulp of air and then straightened her posture. “Well then; wish me luck.”

                  “Good luck.” Her fellow agent patted her on the arm and then headed down the hall in the opposite direction. 

                  Nikita inhaled once more, this time to steel herself, and took the path that led to her boss’s office. 

                  The object of her affection stepped out into the hallway just as she arrived, which saved her the trouble of having to wait for him.

                  Her heart flipped happily upon seeing him. “Hey. I was looking for you. Alex said you were in a meeting?”

                  “I was just on my way to you, actually. There’s been some news,” Ari linked their arms together and began to escort her down the corridor. 

                  “Good news or bad?”

                  “A mix of both,” he admitted, which explained the partially solemn expression on his attractive features. “Mr. Fletcher is sending me out on a solo assignment. The fact that he’s doing so means that I’ve earned some trust around here, that’s the good part.”

                  “And the bad?” she pressed gently. She knew how hard her partner had been working to become a reliable member of the team, and she was glad for him in that respect.

                  “The bad is that I’ll be leaving next Monday, and I don’t fully know how long I’ll be away,” he confessed, turning so that they were facing each other. “I know it’s not the greatest timing, but I asked for a long weekend for the two of us. I figured there’s some things we need to discuss.”

                  She adjusted his tie. “You figured correctly. How long of a weekend are we talking about?”

                  “We can head out now, actually.” He curled his arms around her waist and touched their foreheads together.

                  “It’s Tuesday afternoon.”

                  “Yes. Almost six whole days where it’ll be just the two of us.” He promised, ducking his head to press a light kiss to her lips. 

                  “Mmm. I can think of plenty of things to keep us occupied. And to be fair: we do deserve a break, don’t you think? It’s been hectic since we returned, and we’ve never really had a chance to…connect properly. There’s something important I need to talk to you about as it is.”

                  “I have something important to tell you too,” he reached around her to twist the knob of the door that was directly behind them and then backed her inside. 

                  “Ari this is a supply closet.”

                  “Well aware,” she could detect a hint of gravel in the already low register of his tone, which sent a pleasant shiver coursing up her spine. “But I couldn’t wait any longer to do this.”

                  Ordinarily, he was careful when he kissed her, preferring to hold her against him as if she was something delicate that could shatter in his grasp. 

                  This time, however, it was as if something primal had been unleashed. 

                  Nikita gasped against Ari’s mouth when he lifted her effortlessly to shove her between the nearest surface and his solid body. 

                  Something dug into her shoulder, but she paid it little mind, circling her legs around his waist to anchor them together and give in to the wild embrace that escalated. 

                  With one arm draped securely over his neck, she daringly moved her free hand slowly down his chest while he bit insistently at her lips, pausing right over his heart to gauge just how rapidly it was beating. 

                  She was certain her own was a hurried staccato that matched and dug her fingers into the soft fabric of his shirt, her head tilting back when his mouth strayed to traverse along her neck. 

                  Molten heat gathered right below her stomach as his tongue darted out and laved at the hollow of her throat, a strangled cry emerging when he veered to the left and sunk his teeth into her shoulder hard enough to leave a mark. 

                  “Did you just –

                  He didn’t let her finish the sentence, his mouth seeking and practically devouring hers this time. 

                  The embrace continued to grow in passion while they pressed close together, causing absolutely delicious friction in spite of being fully clothed. 

                  She could tell how affected he was by her, which made her grateful for the privacy because she was seconds away from bypassing layers and having her way with him right there. 

                  He seemed to sense this, and abruptly pinned both of her hands over her head, tugging away reluctantly from the kiss. “Don’t get upset, but we’re going to have to wait a little longer. I know I instigated it, but I want to take my time somewhere more comfortable.”

                  “Why did you think I’d be upset?” she stared up at him, breathing heavily.

                  Ari eyed her seriously and let go of her hands. “Why wouldn’t you be when we got so worked up?”

                  “That’s true, but in this instance I happen to agree with you,” she traced a pattern over the slope of his shoulder. “And this isn’t exactly the most romantic spot in the world.”

                  He chuckled. “It isn’t. But I simply couldn’t wait to kiss you. In fact: I’ve been craving it since this morning.”

                  “You too?” she joked, nuzzling against him. 

                  “Can you blame me? It was a great kiss in that elevator.” He laughed earnestly and nuzzled back, content to hold her as they both caught their breath properly. 

                  “So was the one we just had,” she murmured, touching her lips to the freckle on his nose. She wanted to spend hours exploring him and revel in the simple intimacy that quiet moments alone gave the two of them. 

                  He sighed, his eyes fluttering shut, and allowed her to express her devotion for a few seconds more. “We should get going. I don’t want any of our free time wasted.”

                  “Then take me home,” she whispered, daring a nibble at his earlobe. 

He caught her mouth in a relatively chaste kiss so that they could finally make their exit mere moments after. 

                  As Nikita didn’t specify what she had meant by “home,” it was a toss of a coin to decide which apartment they would begin their mini vacation at.

                  Ari won, so the couple headed to his place, and she was quick to notice that he was in very bright spirits. “Why do I get the feeling that you have something planned?”

                  “Whatever gave you that idea?” He smirked, startling her further when he scooped her up so he could bridal carry her. 

                  Though she yelped in surprise, she didn’t hesitate to hook her arms around his neck. “You didn’t answer the question.”

                  “I don’t have to. See for yourself,” he gave the front door a kick once it was unlocked and carted her inside. 

                  She stared, entirely in awe of the scene in front of her. 

                  Somehow, he had created the perfect romantic space for the two of them. 

                  Plentiful rose petals in shades of crimson, pale pink, and white formed a path towards the bedroom. Sheer curtains covered the large windows, allowing the natural light that poured in to generate a warm glow. The couch that took up a corner now had several comfortable-looking throw pillows of various sizes, and a huge plush blanket was draped over the back. 

                  There was a vase containing more roses set upon the coffee table across from the television, and an open record player, already prepped with a vinyl. 

                  “Ari��when did you have time to do this?”

                  “I’ve been working on it here and there,” he admitted, setting her on her feet and then removing her overcoat. He took that and her purse to hang up while she removed her boots. 

                  Cautiously, Nikita stepped forward, not wanting to disrupt all his handiwork. She bypassed the rose petal trail and instead tip-toed to inspect what record they would be listening to. 

                  Soft footfalls alerted her to Ari’s presence right before his arms passed around her waist. He pulled her back against his chest and nuzzled at her shoulder. “Does it meet your expectations?”

                  “It exceeds them,” she sighed quietly and turned her head so they could share a sweet kiss, her hand sliding up his neck to toy with his hair. In the time since he had joined Division he had begun to grow it out, and she enjoyed messing with the longer strands at the base of his nape. 

                  Like clockwork, when her fingers brushed over the sensitive skin there, a low moan emerged from her beloved. Ever since the removal of his kill chip, that area was especially reactive, and she grinned when he automatically dragged her closer. 

                  They continued their embrace for a few more moments, until Nikita twisted around so that she was facing Ari, and he could draw her flush against him, the pair teasing at each other’s mouths until they had to part for air. 

                  “You’re making it quite difficult to have a discussion,” he muttered. 

                  “Sorry,” she grinned, not remotely meaning it. “Am I a distraction?”

                  “You know exactly what you are doing, Nikita,” he punctuated the syllables of her name lightheartedly, dropping a kiss to her forehead before moving away briefly so he could start up the record. 

                  A romantic ballad began, and he offered her a bow. “Will you join me in a dance, my love?”

                  “You know you never have to ask,” she gladly accepted his hand when he held it out. 

                  They swayed with the music. While she had been trained in the basics of dance, he was more accomplished and naturally graceful. Yet – he never once had made her feel inferior about it. As a result, she loved it when he would twirl her around, whether it was at a fancy gathering or merely through her kitchen. 

                  With a content sound, she rested her head on his chest while they created a winding path through the rose petals on the floor. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

                  “My dreams, actually. Specifically: the ones I’ve been having about you.”

                  Her eyes flew open, color blossoming on her cheeks. “In the interest of transparency, I need to tell you that I’ve also been dreaming about you. Constantly.”

                  He cupped her chin and tipped it up, so they were gazing into each other’s eyes. “I have a feeling these dreams may be connected.”

                  “I’m not sure about that, unless yours have been as sexual as mine.” She mumbled.

                  “Darling, I’m pretty sure we’re projecting.”

                  “What do you mean?”

                  He sighed, his shoulders dropping. “When you traded me for Alex, Amanda had me rendered unconscious for a short time. After we came back to Division and I had that kill chip removed, I had them draw my blood to check for anything that she might have had me injected with.”

                  “I had my blood checked too, because of that bullet. It all came back clean.”

                  “As did mine, but there was an elevation in pheromones. I wasn’t even aware she’d been experimenting with them.”

                  “I wouldn’t put anything past that woman, but that doesn’t explain why either of us would start having those kind of dreams.”

                  “I’m fairly sure that it’s my fault.”

                  “What? Why?”

                  “Because I couldn’t resist kissing you that night in the truck. Once I had a taste it was like I wanted to drown in you,” The guilt on his attractive face made her heart drop. “Nikita, I’m so sorry. I never wanted to rush you –”

                  She shushed him by placing her hand over his mouth. “Ari, what makes you think you have anything to be sorry for? You didn’t know what she had done, and you sure as hell had no idea what it would result in.”

                  He twined their fingers together, his eyes flashing defiantly. “If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s my feelings for you. Nothing about that was a result of what she did to me, and they began long before things changed between us, but it’s also why I’ve delayed us being intimate. I keep on worrying that once we give in…”

                  “That we’ll grow tired of each other?” she finished.

                  He nodded. 

                  “It’s crossed my mind too,” she squeezed at his hands reassuringly. “But Alex reminded me of something today.”

                  His brow furrowed in confusion. “You talked to Alex about this?”

                  “More like blurted it out. It wasn’t on purpose,” she shook her head. “Anyway – it reminded me that we needed to face this together, and keeping the dreams a secret wasn’t going to accomplish a thing. So: maybe we just jump in, see where this leads, and stop overthinking.”

                  “Is that what you want? Truly?” 

                  She grasped at his sleeves and yanked him towards her, so they could nuzzle each other. “Yes. Make love to me.”

                  No further coaxing was needed. He gathered her against him, captured her mouth in a fervent kiss, and then steered her towards his bedroom. 

                  Her dress and leggings formed a quick pile on the floor, followed by his suit coat, button-down shirt, and slacks. 

                  She pulled away to catch her breath and toy with the hem to thin tee he still had on, prompting him to raise his arms so she could peel it over his head. 

                  She raked her gaze slowly across his exposed torso, appreciating the lean, yet perfectly sculpted tone now bared to her. 

                  It certainly didn’t hurt matters that his broad chest was rising and falling steadily with each breath that he took, painting a sensual picture that she tucked away in the back of her mind. 

                  She took a step forward, dragging her nails tantalizingly through the hair that dusted his skin, before drifting her hand down to trace around the waistline to his boxers.

                  Their gazes met, her eyes begging permission that he willingly gave and within seconds she had him completely naked. 

                  Before she could even the odds, however, he stopped her. “Wait.”

                  “Why?”

She merely received a mysterious smile. 

                  Without another word, Ari dipped his head and kissed her chest through the lace still covering her, her heart racing when his attentions turned zealous. 

                  Nikita hissed sharply, her body arcing directly into his touch as searing warmth flooded her core.

                  Reaching back, she blindly unhooked her bra and hastily freed herself so she could guide him back to her uncovered breasts. 

                  He took his time, devoting attention first to one, then the other, with what became almost agonizing pleasure. 

                  Another provocative bite was bestowed which caused her knees to buckle, though he caught her immediately after.

                  She was fully nude before they crashed back on the bed and his hungry kisses moved down along her body, only increasing the liquid heat that had rushed to her center.

                  He peered up at her, his eyes glinting dangerously with a promise of what was about to occur. 

                  “I swear Ari if you don’t –

                  Her head fell back when her words were cut off and a strangled gasp emerged instead. She was entirely at his mercy while he worked utter magic with his hands and tongue. 

                  The dreams had nothing on the real thing. She became lost to sensation, her vision swimming while he continued in his task, his name falling from her lips as a repeated mantra. 

                  She had never imagined that he would be quite so attentive, and if his goal was to ruin her for all others – he had accomplished that in spades. 

                  Only after she had reached completion twice over did he let up. She fell back against the nest of blankets, breathing heavily and flinging her arms up over her head. 

She watched him as he crawled back over her, a content smile crossing her lips when he started pressing firefly kisses all over her skin. He paused in his trek to devote particular attention to the bite mark he’d made earlier that day, and then settled comfortably against her. 

                  Silently, she traced a pattern over his shoulder, grateful for a chance to regain some of her composure and bask in the familiarity of them simply lying together. 

                  His mouth grazed lightly along hers before he stole her breath yet again. 

Nikita draped her arms around Ari’s neck and returned the embrace, sliding one long leg against his and hooking it over his waist. With a deft movement, she turned the tides so she could be the one on top. 

There was a low, rumbling chuckle from her bed mate. “Eager, are we?”

                  “Hey, you started this,” she reminded him, taking a moment to admire what lay before her properly. 

                  And what a work of art he was, all elegant lines and chiseled tone in just the right places. 

                  The truth was: she had never wanted another as much as she did currently. Letting him know this was her next course of action. 

Determined, she leaned in to kiss him lovingly before setting to task. 

                  She bit suggestively at his earlobe, tracking nonsensical patterns wherever she could reach, which elicited a low, almost inhuman growl from the man in her grasp when she lingered at his abdomen.

                  She smirked, satisfied at the reaction, and resumed the journey with her mouth, drifting along his clavicle before coasting lower. 

                   His hands threaded into her hair to keep her steady while she explored, uttering partially coherent phrases in his native tongue the more avid her attentions grew.

                  Nikita grinned, enjoying the rush of power.

Ari gripped tightly at the pillow, his head tipping back to expose the elegant column of his throat and his pulse turning erratic the further she wore on – until he eventually let go entirely. 

It was understandable that he needed a short break to recover, and she didn’t mind in the slightest as it resulted in them cuddling together under the sheets. 

Nikita curled as close as possible, drawing a heart right over Ari’s before stroking absentmindedly at his skin. 

She felt her lover shift, the motion languid and belying his exhaustion, his lips ghosting over her temple right before he murmured: “Just a few more minutes, I promise.”

                  “Take your time,” she insisted, kissing his throat, and going back to trailing patterns through his chest hair. 

                  One hand moved up to clasp around hers, halting the motion. “I will, but only if you stop that.”

                  She blinked as a realization hit. Of all the possibilities she had entertained about him, being ticklish had not been on the list. 

                  His expression turned alarmed when he saw a very mischievous smirk cross her face. “Oh no. Nikita–

                  She pounced, not allowing him a chance to protest further, attacking right under his ribs. 

                  The rich, warm laughter that emerged was worth making him squirm, and she rewarded him not long after with an affectionate embrace to make up for it. 

                  “I hope you realize that there’s going to be payback for that later,” he turned, trapping her under him and surging forward for another kiss, which she happily gave. 

                  “I expect no less,” she caressed along his shoulder blades and hooked one leg over his, sufficiently tangling the blankets around them further in the process. 

                  Truthfully, she didn’t think it was possible for him to look more alluring than at that moment – with his hair tousled to perfection and the vast sea of his gaze glittering with tender emotions that were directly solely at her.

                  It certainly didn’t hurt that he was naked and in her arms either, but that was beside the point. What mattered was the fact that, for all intent and purpose: this gorgeous man was hers and hers alone.

                  It was clear that the feeling was very much mutual when his mouth became preoccupied with hers and limbs entwined naturally. Finally – their time had arrived. 

                  Still, she could feel him hesitate, and it caused her to part with him long enough to ask if all was well. 

                  “Everything’s fine. It’s just that after this, there’s no going back.” He sighed, rubbing at her arms soothingly in reassurance, though whether that was more for him or for her was the question. 

                  “If it helps, I’m a little scared too,” she admitted. “I mean, I’ve dreamt of this exact moment for a while now.”

                  He rested his forehead against hers. “I only hope I can meet whatever expectations you’ve set.”

                  “I think you’ve done a pretty great job so far,” she knew she needed to give him that extra push, so she rotated her hips invitingly. 

                  The effect was instantaneous, those stunning eyes meeting her own in silent question, which was answered by him joining them moments later. 

                  She gasped, her grip on his back tightening a fraction. It felt so right to be one with him, their bodies molding together as though they’d been made for such a thing. 

                  He started them off with an even pace, allowing her time to adjust to the sensation of being connected. 

                  Touched by his consideration, she reached up to sweep loose strands of hair away from his eyes, murmuring encouragement so he would go faster. 

                  Their lovemaking transformed into an intricate dance – Nikita meeting Ari’s precise movements with her own, the pair meeting repeatedly in feverish kisses that mirrored the tangle of their bodies. 

                  She cried out when he shifted and changed his angle, their motions losing grace and giving way to raw, unadulterated passion. Her nails dug into his skin hard enough to leave marks, and the next thing either one of them knew: they reached their pinnacle in unison. After that, all that was left was to fall. 

                  “What I really want to know is: what the hell was Amanda trying to do?” Nikita muttered, thoroughly wiped out, hours later after she and Ari had engaged in multiple rounds. “Clearly if she was attempting to pull us apart, she failed spectacularly.”

                  “I don’t think she anticipated that my feelings for you would be reciprocated,” he trailed one hand gradually across her hip, content for the moment to just lie there and exist. 

                  She peered up at him from where her head was pillowed comfortably on his chest. “It still doesn’t explain it.”

                  “Nikita…”

                  “What? Like you don’t want answers?”

                  “Of course I do, but not right this second,” he chuckled, continuing to stroke lazily at her skin. “Besides, that’s part of why I’m going on this mission. To find answers about what kind of experiments she was doing.”

                  She exhaled quietly and let her fingers dance along his torso. “I should be going with you. What if you run into her? You really think she wouldn’t take the chance to finish the job and kill you properly?”

                  The despair in her tone was enough for him to twist and pin her beneath him, his mouth coaxing at hers and his hands creating paths that she hoped he would discover with his lips later. “You’d just distract me from getting any work done, and you know it. That’s why we’re taking this weekend – to get all of this out of our systems. But if it stops you worrying, I’m not planning on going alone. Mr. Elliot is accompanying me.”

                  “Owen is? When did the two of you stop wanting to kill each other?”

                  “Turns out that we share a fondness for the same woman.”

                  “Oh.”

                  He simply smiled and kissed her lovingly. “In the meantime, I think we could do with some food.”

                  “Ari Tasarov, if you dare leave this bed –

                  “I’ll order take-out.”

                  “…that’s fine.” 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: I Like You Here

Fandom: Nikita 

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Canon divergent AU for season four. 

Summary: Nikita hosts a dinner party with some assistance.

Author's Note: When the show decided to use doubles in the plot at the end of season three, my mind began *whirling* as to how Ari could potentially return. Sadly the final season was too short to do anything of the kind, but that's the beauty of fanfiction: possibilities are endless. I hope to eventually play around more with the general concept of Ari returning in this way in the future, but for the time being have something sweet, fluffy and domestic.

On AO3

I Like You Here

                  “I don’t think I’m doing this right,” Nikita Mears resisted the urge to swipe her hair away from her eyes due to her tight grip on the very sharp blade that she held. Her grasp faltered slightly as she brought the knife down, but it made its way through the soft melon skin with minimal resistance. 

                  Familiar, strong hands landed on her shoulders before sliding lower, and then elegant fingers curled around her wrists. “You just need to loosen your hold a bit.”

                  She had to bite back a moan due to the hypnotic effect that Ari Tasarov’s deep, resonant voice held over her. 

                  The challenge, it turned out, with living with your crush – after discovering that he was very much alive thanks to the version that died in your arms being a double – was keeping your emotions in check and not giving in to the urge to jump him at any given moment. 

                  In the little time that had passed since his rescue, he had become her professional partner and turned into a dear friend. The last thing she wished was to ruin what they had, but it was also damn near impossible thanks to how much of a temptation he could be, particularly in a moment like this one: where they were intimately close. 

                  She could feel the heat of his solid chest through the thin linen shirt that covered it, her pulse racing when his mouth brushed the shell of her ear as he murmured quiet instructions on how to properly cut the watermelon. 

                  His touch was downright reverent as he guided her hands with his own, patiently showing her the best method. 

                  It was clear that he was as reluctant to pull away as she was, and instead he rested his chin against the top of her head once they had finished with the task. “You’re nervous. You needn’t be.”

                  “I know, but I can’t help it. It’s the first time we’re entertaining here, in this huge place we’ve been given.” She reached up, curling her hand around his bicep and squeezing briefly. “I want to make a good impression.”

                  “Nikita, everyone we’ve invited are people you trust. Most of them know you far better than I do, so please, stop worrying. I don’t like seeing you fret.”

                  The former rogue agent let go and sighed, before twisting around to face him and toying with the top-most button of his shirt. “It’s just that I want them to see you how I do: kind and capable and fiercely intelligent. I know your past is a hurdle but, if I was able to overcome it…”

                  “Look at me,” he tipped her chin back with his thumb, his beautiful, clear blue eyes glimmering in the kitchen light as they took her in. “The only thing that truly matters is what you think of me. It’s why I’ve grown to care for you so much.”

                  Her heart jumped at the unexpected confession. “I – I like you too, Ari.”

                  “Darling, I think we’ve catapulted far beyond like,” there was a playful note to his tone. “I just didn’t want to push in any way. I know the breakup was rough on you.”

                  She was grateful that he didn’t mention the name of her ex. While Michael had been invited to the gathering, he had politely declined and frankly she wasn’t ready to face him just yet. 

                  “I’m not sure I want to define what we are right now, but I do want to explore it.” She admitted. 

                  “I believe that can be arranged,” he whispered, and then he dipped his head towards hers. 

                  Just as their lips were about to meet, there was a loud chime as the doorbell rang. 

                  Simultaneously, the couple groaned, though when they looked at each other it was tough to hold back their laughter. 

                  “Is it just me or did that seem suspiciously timed?” Ari questioned, linking one arm with Nikita’s so they could meet their guests. 

                  “We’ll know the answer if it turns out to be Alex or Birkoff,” she shook her head, bemusement evident on her lovely face. 

                  “You need to tell me everything that has been happening between you and Ari before I do something drastic.” Alexandra Udinov cornered Nikita the second that she had a chance to talk to her alone. 

                  A perfectly groomed eyebrow was arched in her protégé’s direction. “Oh really? And what were you planning on doing, exactly?”

                  “Trapping the two of you in the hall closet so that pesky sexual tension can be unleashed. You know, just as an example,” her friend couldn’t fully suppress a grin. 

                  “Alex!”

                  “What? He’s hot. You’re hot. You’re both recently single,” there was a shrug before Alex flipped her brown waves over her shoulder. “It’s clear that he’s crazy about you, and you feel the same way about him. I haven’t seen you smile this way since…well, a while.”

                  Nikita’s expression softened when she caught the concern in her companion’s tone. “It’s not complicated so much as he’s being respectful given all that’s happened recently. He made it apparent today that he has feelings, and I made sure that he knows they’re reciprocated. We were about to kiss right before you and Sean showed up at the door.”

                  “Oh. Oops?” A guilty look crossed her fellow operative’s face. “Sorry.”

                  “Don’t be. We had to get on with the dinner preparations anyway,” Nikita handed Alex a soda and together, they headed out to the patio where Ari, Sean, Birkoff, Ryan and Owen were all talking animatedly. “And it’s worth the interruption to see him actually making some friends besides me.”

                  “True. He looks relaxed. It can’t be easy having to re-acclimate.”

                  “The first week, there were nightmares. It’s why we grew close so rapidly.”

                  “You’ve been helping him through a bunch of trauma, like Sean helped me through mine…” Alex sighed, gazing lovingly at her boyfriend. “I’d say that means Ari’s a keeper. Plus: he cooks! That’s a bonus.”

                  Nikita giggled and peered out over the scene before her. It felt so blissfully domestic and normal – a far cry from the chaotic life she had led until recently. 

                  Then Ari caught her staring and offered a warm, open smile, causing her heart to cartwheel joyfully. 

                  “I love him, Alex. It’s new and exciting and terrifying, but he’s everything to me, so I’m glad that you’re okay with it.”

                  “I think the others will be too, in time. Probably best to ease Birkoff into it, though.”

                  “I was worried that you’d be less than enthused, given your own history.”

                  “Ari isn’t Gogol anymore, nor was he Zetrov, or Semak. He even saved my life a few times. What happened with Amanda was horrible – no one deserves to be taken against their will, and god knows what he endured while he was trapped in that awful lab. The person to be mad at here isn’t him, it’s that bitch. She made you think that you could save him by sending a double running into your arms only to kill him. That woman is the villain here. It’s why we need to find the real deal and take her down once and for all.” There was determination coupled with a steely resolve in Alex’s eyes as she spoke. “Then we can all finally have a happily ever after. It’s what my papa would have wanted. He loved fairy tales.”

                  Nikita smiled and raised her glass of white wine to tap it against Alex’s soda can. “To Nikolai.”

                  The younger woman smiled in return and completed the toast to her father. 

                  “Nikki, you should probably come get this tofu burger off the grill before it burns,” Birkoff exclaimed, having noticed the ladies talking quietly. 

                  The resident technology expert received a quick elbow in the side by Owen for his remark.

                  “How dare you insinuate that I would overcook anything,” Ari looked appropriately offended. 

                  “Ari’s perfectly aware of the fact that I actually prefer mine lightly charred,” Nikita moved behind her newfound soulmate and circled her arms around his waist, effectively communicating how she felt with a light kiss to the base of his neck before she glimpsed over his shoulder. “It all looks wonderful, babe.”

                  “Wait…wait, when did the two of you playing house actually become you playing house?!” Birkoff gaped at them both, aghast. 

                  “Oh my god finally,” Owen could barely hold back his delight. “I sensed something brewing back in South Ossetia.”

                  “We’re apparently quite obvious to those around us,” Nikita explained while ducking another kiss to Ari’s shoulder. 

                  “Well then, they aren’t going to mind if I do this,” he turned just enough to capture her mouth with his. 

                  The embrace was gentle and romantic, but not prolonged – enough of a taste to leave her longing for more once they were properly alone. 

                  She grinned and nuzzled him. “Yeah, they’re just going to have to get used to it.”

                  “Please don’t do that when we’re about to consume food,” Birkoff groaned. 

                  “Leave them be, Birkoff,” Ryan interjected, giving the pair an apologetic look. “If anything it’s about damn time.”

                  “Oh my god it’s a miracle, Fletch just agreed with me!” Owen crowed, looking utterly pleased with himself. 

                  Nikita shook her head. “They’re all going to be insufferable, aren’t they?” 

                  “Afraid so, love. Afraid so.” Ari chuckled. 

                  For some reason – she didn’t mind this fact, and when they shared another kiss, it was clear that the future was going to be bright in every way. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: Darkness Stirs And Wakes Imagination

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Canon-divergent AU that roughly takes place during the beginning of season three. Ari is a part of the team and he and Nikita have been romantically involved for over a year.

Summary: Nikita and Ari help each other survive a hectic October night, all while they’re harboring a secret from their friends. 

Author's Note: It's officially my favorite holiday, so I wrote some Nikari in celebration. The title is a lyric from The Music of the Night, because I absolutely adore The Phantom of the Opera and it plays a significant part in this piece. This turned out super domestic, sweet and fluffy, and I had a blast composing it. Enjoy and Happy Halloween! 🎃

On AO3

Darkness Stirs And Wakes Imagination

                  “Hold still,” Nikita Mears admonished, trying to keep her hand steady as it hovered over Ari Tasarov’s handsome face, not wishing to accidentally poke her beloved in the eyes as she applied dark liner to enhance them.

                  “Difficult to do when the love of my life happens to be straddling me while barely dressed,” her companion joked. “Besides: it’s not going to be visible behind the mask.”

                  “It’s for me,” she confessed, a quiet laugh emerging as she shook her head and then leaned forward to carefully draw the pencil across one eyelid. “I know you’ll look gorgeous with just a touch of this. I’ll be subtle, I promise.”

                  He sighed, but remained as still as a statue so she could continue her work. “The things I put up with for you.”

                  “Hush,” she caressed at his cheek and then focused on filling in a corner before turning his face slightly to the side so she could touch up the other eye. 

                  Once she was finished, she sat back to admire her handiwork. “Okay, you can open them now.”

                  He did so cautiously, not wanting to upset the effort she had just made, even inadvertently.

                  Nikita’s breath caught. Ari already happened to possess the most stunning blue gaze she had ever seen, but with the added effect of the liner to enhance the shade that she loved – he was devastatingly attractive. 

                  “I take it by your silence that I meet your expectations?”

                  Her response was to lunge and steal a passionate enough kiss that it caused him to topple back onto the mattress. 

                  Amused laughter emerged from her partner, but he returned the embrace with equal fervor, his hands moving up to tenderly cradle her face while they reclined together. 

                  “Nik…love, we’re supposed to be putting our costumes on, not the opposite,” he reminded, though he didn’t exactly protest when she shoved the undershirt he wore up over his stomach in order to trace a languid pattern across his toned abdomen. 

                  “We could always cancel,” she muttered, her lips drifting to coast along his jawline. 

                  “As preferable as that would be…” he clasped her shoulders and gently pushed her back to reason with her. “We both know that Alexandra has been planning this for months. I would hate to disappoint our friend.”

                  “You mean the friend that we haven’t told the news of our engagement to? That friend?” Nikita quirked a brow and gestured at the simple gold chain where her sapphire and diamond engagement ring dangled.

                  “You were the one who wanted to keep it secret for a little longer,” he reminded before ducking a quick kiss to her forehead. “Besides, we’ve been quite busy.”

                  “It’s also probably not a great idea to spring it on her, especially since there’s been some tension with Sean lately,” the former assassin agreed. “If anything, planning this trip has given Alex the distraction she’s needed.”

                  Her fiancé smiled warmly and rubbed soothingly along her spine. “Come on, I’ll help you with the dress.”

                  She nodded and then let him lead her away from the comfort of their bed for the time being. 

                  Nikita had to admire the clearly high-end production value put into the amusement park’s Halloween event. When Alex had suggested they take a weekend out-of-state to attend, she had initially balked at the idea, but between Birkoff’s enthusiasm in helping out with plans and Ari’s gentle coaxing (and a promise that they could take a normal vacation in the winter) she found herself warming to the concept more and more. 

                  It also helped that she did not scare very easily, even when actors in well-crafted makeup and costumes jumped out and yelled at her. 

                  What probably made it more enjoyable was striding, arm in arm, with the man she loved. Ari’s presence could calm her even in the most anxiety inducing situation. She was also well-aware that, in spite of his encouragement to join their younger companions in the festivities, it wasn’t what either one of them would call his preference.

                  Her fiancé was not the nervous sort, but he was also not terribly fond of haunts, like her. It all depended on the theming, and luckily there was nothing based on any of the horror films that had resulted in the pair cowering in each other’s arms while they watched in morbid fascination – but it didn’t change the fact that compared to their friends: they were less versed in how to handle the scares. 

                  “You starting to regret this?” she had to shout to be heard over the booming music that was being filtered through the speakers as they followed Alex and Birkoff down the labyrinthian pathway. 

                  “Only that these shoes aren’t conducive to running!” He gestured at the black leather riding boots that completed his Phantom of the Opera outfit. 

                  The major caveat had been that everyone had to wear costumes since it was a special ticketed event that encouraged dressing up. For Birkoff, this was practically second nature, and he seemed the most at ease walking around disguised as Batman. Alex also seemed relatively calm dressed as Cinderella, though Nikita had to wonder who had suggested the idea to her. 

                  Ari had chosen to go as the famous musical’s character in his Red Death outfit from the film version that had released a few years back. His lean frame was encased in layers of red silk and velvet that clung to his build perfectly, and the ensemble was topped off by a white, skeletal half-mask. Judging by how many heads happened to turn to look at him when he passed by it was clear that the effect was extremely appealing. 

                  To match him, the second in command of Division had picked Christine’s pink masquerade ballgown, and while she wore more sensible flats underneath, there was still a fairly voluminous petticoat in addition to a corset for structure. Neither one of them would be making a quick getaway: but they would look amazing while attempting. 

                  “Okay,” Alex finally came to a halt as she studied a map of the various house locations. “I think we’ll start with up here and then head down to the lower level. We have front of the line passes, so it’ll help get through all the houses faster.”

                  “That’s fine by me,” Nikita grasped Ari’s hand. “We’ll follow your lead.”

                  The grin that her protégé offered was mildly alarming, and it certainly didn’t help when Birkoff eagerly rubbed his hands together. 

                  “I fear you might have unleashed a monster,” her love muttered, his fingers twining more tightly with her own. 

                  “When we get back to our room, we’re taking a hot bath to unwind, deal?”

                  “Absolutely.”

                  What resulted was close to four hours of non-stop mayhem. 

                   Nikita was able to convince Alex to allow Ari a break when it turned out that one of the haunts was based on a legend that plagued his childhood. Their short reprieve was spent trying some of the snacks that were offered in the theme park, but afterwards they had to cycle through the final houses before closing time. 

                  By the time the couple made it back to their hotel: they were almost ready to collapse. 

                  “Never again,” Ari groaned as he sat on the couch in the suite so he could remove his boots. “Though these ended up being more comfortable than I expected.”

                  Nikita sank down next to him and toed off her shoes, reclining into the plush pillows with an exhausted sound. “I’m going to need help with all this,” she gestured at her gown.

                  “Of course, just let me take a few minutes to breathe in air and not theatrical fog,” he took off the mask and placed it on the coffee table, and then put up his feet. 

                  She did the same, managing to curl against his side in spite of the amount of fabric that made up her skirt. 

                  They both exhaled in unison, basking in a quiet moment after an adventurous evening.

                  “Did you have fun?” Nikita eventually broke the silence and peered up at her future husband. 

                  “Not sure if I would define it as such,” Ari remarked dryly, though he grazed his mouth against her temple affectionately. “You?”

                  “Some of the sets and make-up impressed me,” she shrugged, nonchalant. “But it’s not something I’d do again unless there was a really good reason.”

                  “To be fair, we went because we felt obligated,” his hand began to stroke gradually along her bare arm. “However, I think Halloween itself should be more subdued.”

                  “No costumes?” she stretched and kissed lazily along his jawline.

                  “Nothing as elaborate as this, although…” he curled his fingers beneath her chin to stop the movement, and then tipped her head back. “You make a beautiful Christine.”

                  “Flatterer,” she teased, though she eagerly returned the sweet embrace that he bestowed seconds later. 

                  “How about we help each other out of these clothes and take that bath?” he suggested, nipping playfully at her mouth while he pulled away. “I think we’ve earned a respite.”

                  “Sounds perfect.” She smiled and kissed him again.

                  Ari first removed his jacket, waistcoat and cravat, and then hung up the three pieces in the wardrobe before instructing Nikita to turn around so he could undo the buttons to the back of her dress. 

                  She stepped out of the garment shortly after, grateful that the petticoat had been sewn in so she wouldn’t have to deal with another piece. 

                  Her lover placed the gown in a garment bag and sealed it up before putting it away, and then took her hand within his own, leading the way to the adjoining bathroom. 

                  She watched fondly as he rolled up his sleeves and tested out the water temperature before letting it run. 

                  He turned back to face her just as she was taking down the half-bun in her hair and shook the curled strands loose. She smiled invitingly before crossing into his space, reaching out to pop open the buttons to his shirt. 

                  He busied himself with unlacing the front of her corset while she focused on her task, pausing only long enough for her to push the crisp fabric down his arms and to the floor before he finished with the final bits of ribbon. 

                  Nikita wasted no time in lifting the remaining undershirt over Ari’s head, baring his perfectly toned torso to her gaze. Her eyes tracked over the sculpted planes of muscle she was very much familiar with, her nails skimming through the dark hair that dusted his chest before she touched her lips lightly to his clavicle as a signal to continue.

                  They finished undressing each other and then met in a loving kiss once it was skin to skin, their hands wandering avidly now that nothing was between them. 

                  She adored how easily he could engulf her with his taller form, his solid, warm frame pressing close as the embrace deepened. 

                  He scooped her up without preamble and carried her into the tub, shutting off the running water to ensure it wouldn’t overflow before they settled in. 

                  They assisted each other in washing. As enticing as amorous proclivities could be, Nikita had learned that simple intimacy between them was something she cherished far more. When there was spare time to relish such a thing, she never hesitated in basking in those moments. 

                  With a content sound, she lounged in Ari’s embrace – her back against his chest – and murmured: “This is so much better than running around in a theme park.”

                  “No argument here,” His lips ghosted across her bare shoulder.

                  Instinct prompted her to tilt her head, granting him better access to the slender column of her neck, smiling when he scraped his teeth purposely along sensitive skin before darting firefly kisses up to the shell of her ear. “I was close to spilling the beans to Alex tonight, you know?”

                  “Really?” He thumbed across the underside of her breast beneath the water, his ministrations growing more sensual with each passing minute. “Are you changing your mind about keeping the engagement private?”

                  “Well…” she turned around in his arms, nudging his nose with her own and taking in the alluring sight of him with moisture gleaming on his pale skin, his damp hair falling rakishly over his forehead. “I’m starting to realize that I can have you all to myself for the rest of my life, so what harm is there in announcing our happiness to our closest friends? Maybe at Thanksgiving?

                  “I’ll support whatever decision you make,” he brought a hand up to caress along her cheek. “I love you so much, Nikita.”

                  “I love you too.” Her heart swelled with emotion, and she surged forward to claim his mouth with her own, their passion for one another erupting and leading to the inevitable. 

                  As far as they were both concerned – it was a perfect end to the night. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: I Could Use A Little Time Alone With You

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: PG13

Spoilers: Takes place in season one, before episode seventeen. Canon divergent.Summary: Nikita runs into Ari at a gala. They don’t remain in one place for very long

Author's Note: Dancing? Check. Sizzling chemistry? Check. A tasteful make-out scene that was in no way an effort to reward these two for being patient for once in their lives? Check, check and check.

On AO3

I Could Use A Little Time Alone With You

                  Nikita Mears had always despised formal gatherings. The many that were spent on a fellow Division agent’s arm – functioning as little more than eye-candy – had taken their toll. Generally: she found such affairs horribly boring. 

                  This feeling had not changed at all in the years since she had gone rogue, but she also couldn’t deny that fancy parties and elaborate tech launches were often spectacular places to grab intel. 

                  It was why she had put on a flowing, crimson evening gown and pulled her dark-brown hair up into a French twist. She needed, at the very least, to look the part of a social-climbing heiress, though she hadn’t required any guidance on how to command a room. Her stunning beauty did that for her naturally; she just had to play the role to perfection. 

                  A hired orchestra played romantic, classical music while Nikita scanned the ballroom located in one of the most expensive hotels in the heart of New York. The bits of information she had gleaned from her protege, Alexandra Udinov, revealed that some kind of move was going to be made by Gogol – Division’s rival. 

                  The suspicion was confirmed when she spotted a familiar face loitering over at the bar. 

                  Ari Tasarov appeared as bored as she felt, his angular features drawn into a frown as he took a sip of bourbon. He was dressed sharply in a tuxedo, which clung to his lean, tall frame perfectly. Even from a distance, he was impossibly handsome.  

                  Nikita’s heart skipped in her chest. Their previous encounters had been rife with palpable tension, and even though she turned down both invitations he had made to work together – a large part of herself had not wanted to. 

                  Perceptive blue eyes caught hers from across the room, realization swimming in their depths when he identified her. 

                  Time seemed to slow as they stared at each other. He placed his unfinished drink on the counter and then made his way over to her, his movements elegant and precise. 

                  Her mouth felt dry when he was finally close enough for them to speak, but it wouldn’t have mattered because, suddenly, she was in his arms and being spun around gently in a waltz. 

                  She stumbled briefly, but quickly caught onto the steps, tilting her head back so their gazes could meet. “Hi.”

                  The corners of his mouth quirked up, as though he was stifling a laugh. “Fancy meeting you here, Nikita.”

                  “Do you always just whisk someone onto the dance floor?”

                  “Hardly. You’re special,” he teased, a playful glint surfacing in the sea of aquamarine. “What are you doing in a place like this?”

                  “Plotting world domination, you?”

                  He was unable to hold back a wry chuckle. “Something like that.”

                  She swallowed when he pulled her closer, heat emanating off his solid form. Being in such proximity allowed her to inhale the woodsy scent of his cologne, which was combined with something natural and masculine, threatening to overwhelm her senses. 

                  “I heard Gogol was pulling something off,” she admitted. “Might as well just tell me what it is so I can stop you. Again.”

                  “Nice try,” he purred, his hand sliding down her back tantalizingly low. “You think I haven’t learned from our prior interactions?”

                  “Doesn’t it bore you after a while? The posturing?”

                  A glimmer of something honest emerged in the depths of his gaze. “Perhaps, but that isn’t the point you’re trying to make, is it?”

                  How did he manage to read her so well?

                  “Why are you so damn annoying?”

                  “Don’t you mean devastatingly attractive?” he joked.

                  “Dammit, Tasarov, you drive me crazy,” she grumbled, though when he twirled her in a pirouette, she couldn’t help the flutter of her pulse. 

                  Her dance partner smirked while he yanked her back in, their bodies drawn flush together right before he dipped her dramatically. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

                  The urge to kiss him became strong – enough to push aside reason. It was obvious that he was distracting her on purpose, and yet part of her didn’t care. She relished these moments of acknowledgement from a worthy adversary, and he was undoubtedly that, if not more. 

                  Judging from the way he was looking back at her; the feeling was mutual. 

                  Carefully, he righted their position and then gathered her properly into his arms so they could sway to the orchestral arrangement of a popular song. 

                  “A black box,” he whispered unexpectedly, his breath tickling her neck.

                  “I’m sorry?” 

                  “It’s why I’m here. Gogol received word that there was a black box hidden in this building. I have a team searching below as we speak.”

                  The black boxes were potentially one of the few things that could take Division’s founder, Percival Rose, down. The wealth of information that they held was arguably worth its weight in gold – so it was no wonder that Ari was willing to take the risk to locate one. 

                  Nikita brought her eyes to his, curiosity alight in her own. “Why tell me this?”

                  “Because I want you to trust me, at least marginally. More importantly: aren’t you tired of doing everything the hard way in your quest for revenge?  I’ve offered my assistance to you twice now and you’ve turned it down each time.”

                  “Oh, have I hurt your feelings?”

                  “I won’t deny that it stung,” he confessed, and then leaned in so his lips were mere centimeters away from hers. “Though the back-and-forth is arguably part of our attraction wouldn’t you agree?”

                  “And you’re thinking, what? The third time will be the charm?” She scoffed. “As if your powers of persuasion are enough to erase the fact that you work for an organization no better than the one that molded me!”

                  There was a tiny flash of anger in the stormy fathoms she was becoming lost in. “Nikita…when are you going to realize that my requests have nothing to do with Gogol or Division? It’s because I want you.”

                  She swallowed, not expecting such a blatant response. 

                  His piercing gaze threatened to swallow her whole, his grasp on her tightening just a fraction as he ducked his head to graze his mouth lightly across her own, their noses brushing in the process. He didn’t go so far as to completely kiss her, but it was enough of a bold action to tell her that he meant what he said.

                  “If I say yes, what exactly are you proposing here?” she asked after a beat of silence. 

                  His striking features softened. “It’s simple. We leave and head up to the suite that I’ve reserved, where we wait for my agents to retrieve the box. Once we have it, we can decide from there the best way to proceed.”

                  “And while we wait?”

                  He smiled warmly. “When was the last time you took a moment to simply relax?”

                  “You’re not planning on having your way with me?” she arced a perfectly groomed brow.

                  He frowned, though he didn’t appear offended in any way. “I can easily promise that I would nevertake advantage of you. That’s not how I operate, Nikita.”

                  Deep in her soul, she knew that already. Ari had never been anything but courteous towards her, despite their flirtation. 

                  “Sorry, I just needed confirmation.”

                  “It’s fine. Well then: what do you say? Shall we put our past behind us for the night?”

                  She privately admitted that his suggestion was a better plan than trying to catch up to his team and take them all out so she could locate the box herself. It would be a shame to ruin the gown she was wearing. 

                  “All right. Let’s work together and see what happens.”

                  The way his face seemed to light up was worth the agreement.

                  Nikita half-expected Ari to try to embrace her during the elevator ride to his room, but he proved a perfect gentleman instead. 

                  He only went so far as to allow one hand to rest lightly on the middle of her back while the other remained at his side. 

                  Admittedly, she was touched by the consideration she was being shown. It helped ease the swirl of butterflies in her stomach and allowed her to settle her thoughts while they made their way up several floors. 

                  A small ping of sound alerted her to their arrival. He gestured for her to exit first and then took the lead as they walked along the winding hallways. 

                  “Do you always book a suite when you’re on business?” she inquired.

                  “Only when I’m given access to a company card,” he reached into his tuxedo’s coat pocket to pull out the key so he could let them inside. 

                  “Interesting. You strike me as someone who has a refined taste, so I can’t imagine you shuffling around at, say, a Holiday Inn.”

                  The remark made him laugh quietly. He opened the door and held it in place so she could go in. 

                  As he flicked the lights on, she had to hold back a gasp. While she had been in nice hotel rooms before, this one seemed to be on another level entirely. To start –there was an actual kitchen, and a spacious area for entertaining. 

                  She ventured further to discover that there was a sizable balcony but did not step outside given the night air was cold, and she was in a sleeveless gown. As she inspected the suite, she took note of a separate bedroom with a king-sized four-poster, and a bathroom with a clawed-foot tub. 

                  There was a large television, but otherwise the room felt old-world and gothic, somehow suiting the man at her side. 

                  “What do you think?” elegant, warm hands squeezed at her shoulders before rubbing up and down to ward off the goosebumps that had formed on her skin.

                  “I think if you put on fangs you could roleplay Dracula in here,” she quipped, though she did not hesitate in leaning back against him.

                  Ari’s arms curled around her waist, his lips pressing tenderly to a spot right behind her ear. “A fun idea, but I left my cape at home.”

                  Unable to help it, Nikita began to giggle at the absurd mental image that surfaced. She twisted around and stroked over the fabric covering the broad expanse of his chest. “You’ll have to think of some other way to keep me occupied, then.”

                  “Oh I have a few ideas…how about a game of chess?”

                  She grinned playfully. “Are we talking strip chess or regular?”

                  He rolled his eyes, though the affection on his face didn’t falter. “Regular. Didn’t I promise that I wouldn’t take advantage of you?”

                  “That was in terms of seduction,” challenge sparked in her veins, and she tilted her head back, her lips parting. “This is another matter entirely. Don’t underestimate your opponent Mr. Tasarov.”

                  He said nothing, but there was definitely a flash of defiance in his bright gaze. 

                  “Okay, now you’re just being unfair,” Nikita grumbled as Ari swiped away her remaining knight. 

                  Her companion smirked and reached for a strawberry as a reward. “I did say not to rely on a specific piece.”

                  She groaned and stretched, deliberately cat-like, so that the hem of the dark blue, button-down shirt she had changed into rose up over her thighs just the right amount. “I’ll have to alter my tactic.”

                  “If it’s distraction while wearing one of my shirts, you’re already succeeding.”

                  With a smile, she reclined back, one sleeve beginning to slip precariously down her shoulder. From her vantage point, it really wasn’t as though she had it any easier.

                  The suggestion had been to put on more comfortable clothes, and in Ari’s case it was a pair of black pajama bottoms coupled with a loosely tied silk robe. To torment her further: he had neglected a shirt beneath and was wearing his reading glasses, which only served to make him particularly alluring. 

                  Her eyes traversed slowly over how much pale skin was revealed by his open collar. He was toned very nicely for his build, and the dark hair that dusted his chest added to the pesky temptation to reach out and touch him. 

                  She inhaled shakily to steel her resolve before grabbing a strawberry for herself and taking a sip of champagne. “It’s your move.”

                  “I know. I’m thinking,” he tapped at his chin.

                  She finished eating the fruit while waiting for him to propel their game forward. 

                  He finally did by utilizing his bishop, and then communicated that it was once again her turn. 

                  “So…this is what constitutes a date with you?” she perused over the board. 

                  “It’s an excellent way to read another person if you think about it,” he confessed.

                  “I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised that you’d choose something so cerebral.” She finally discovered a perfect opening and situated her rook accordingly. 

                  He appeared mildly startled that she had figured her way through his ranks of pawns. Before their conversation or the match could continue, however, there was a knock at the door.

                  They exchanged a far more serious, knowing look before Ari rose to his feet. 

                  Nikita stood as well, though she kept a respectful distance while he conversed quietly in Russian with his agents. She went to stand over by the table that served as a desk, which had a laptop already waiting and booted so they could begin the decryption of the device they were receiving. 

                  He bid his team a polite goodbye and then crossed the room while holding up the black box that had been procured. He drew to a halt in front of her. “Would you like the do the honors?”

                  “If you insist,” she accepted the device when he handed it to her. “I hope this program you have is up to the task. They always put in multiple layers of encryption with these things.”

                  “I imagine that it would take till the morning at the very least,” he agreed, folding his arms over his chest. “However, the program we’ll be using is special – something I designed based on the tech that Division developed.”

                  “You designed a program to break into this thing?”

                  “Yes. I’ve always loved puzzles,” he shrugged, nonchalant. “And designing a program here and there gives me something to do in my spare time.”

                  Nikita stared at the operative in front of her in disbelief. “I should have read the file on you more closely. Any other skills I should know about?”

                  “Now, I can’t give away all of my secrets,” he simply offered a mysterious grin, and then leaned over to tap rapidly at the keys in order to get the program started. “Just give me a few moments to set this up and then we can finish our game.”

                  The chess match was the furthest thing from her mind. The more that he intrigued her: the further that she fell.

                  “I was thinking that we could put a pause on the chess and try something else.”

                  “I’m open to suggestions,” he turned to face her. 

                  “You’ll have to think of something then,” she stepped forward, winding her arms around his neck. “I’m currently drawing a blank because all I can think about is how much I want to kiss you.”

                  There was a marked hunger beginning to surface on his face, though he did nothing more than bring a hand up to cradle the back of her head. “I’ve been thinking about that since we left the ballroom, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”

                  “Presume away,” she tipped her head back, her eyes glinting with invitation. 

                  He needed no further encouragement and claimed her lips with his. 

                  They embraced slowly at first, then with a building passion that threatened to consume them both. 

                   Nikita grasped at the fabric covering his torso, wrenching it open so her hands could delve in and finally touch him, her nails skimming through the downy hair on his chest, which elicited a low moan on his part. 

                  Ari yanked her closer, all but devouring her mouth as the kiss turned feverish, and then he fumbled blindly with the buttons to the shirt she had borrowed. 

                  She cried out when his lips strayed and he scraped his teeth against the junction between her neck and shoulder, biting down hard enough to leave a mark as he guided her over to the couch. 

                  Suffice to say – they were preoccupied for a significant amount of time. 

                  “We missed the bed…again.” Nikita mumbled, still in a haze, lying in a twist of bedsheets and tangled limbs with her companion. 

                  “We also missed the couch, and the table, and I’m not certain what happened in the bath,” Ari sounded as tired as she did, one hand trailing lazily over the curve of her hip while they recovered from the onslaught that their lust had triggered. 

                  “Pretty sure that was something out of the Karma Sutra but don’t quote me,” she stretched, flinging an arm over him and cuddling close. 

                  “We’re quite horrible at being patient, aren’t we?” he laughed, dropping a kiss to her forehead and nuzzling there. 

                  “Oh we are so…so bad at it,” she nodded and traced an invisible pattern across the sculpted planes of his torso, reveling in their intimacy. “I’m not minding. You?”

                  Elegant fingers that had mapped out constellations over her flesh mere moments ago now curled under her chin. “Not one bit.”

                  Her pulse thrummed at the sight of him so disheveled. It was such a stark contrast from how neatly put together he usually was – a reminder that in their private moments he was hers as much as she was his. 

                  She leaned in, delighted when he met her halfway and kissed her thoroughly, turning to pin her under him while their attention happily drifted. 

                  As far as either one was concerned: nothing else mattered. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: A Funny Thing That I Cannot Explain

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Canon-divergent AU, would take place sometime during the second season. 

Summary: Nikita discovers that the more time she spends in Ari’s company, the more she wishes for it to never end. 

Author's note: I love them your honor.

On AO3

A Funny Thing That I Cannot Explain

                  Nikita Mears winced when far too bright illumination hit her directly in the face and an evening of incredibly bad choices decided to remind her of its existence.

                  Her head was pounding, and she felt sore all over. Groaning, she clung tightly to the pillow in her arms while burying her head further into the plush fabric. “Kill me.”

                  “Where would the fun be in that?”

                  She shot up abruptly at the sound of a familiar, deep, and incredibly alluring male voice. 

                  Ari Tasarov merely peered over the rims of his reading glasses and lowered the book he was holding a fraction. 

                  Unable to help it, Nikita gaped at the image he made beside her. His dark hair was tousled attractively, and his exquisitely defined torso was on full display since he was shirtless with the bedsheets pooled around his waist. 

                  Her heart thundered as she glanced down, relieved to see that she was covered, but frowning when she realized that it was by one of his dress shirts. 

                  She inhaled shakily before asking, her voice unsteady. “What happened last night?”

                  There was a rustle of fabric and then a feather-light brush of fingers against her arm. “You don’t remember?”

                  She glanced over at him, pulse jumping when she saw him stretching languidly before resting on his side. He propped up on one elbow, so they were face-to face, and brought his hand up for a gentle caress along her cheek, which caused her breath to catch.

                  “The room probably needs to stop spinning before I can,” she admitted with a hard swallow, resisting the urge to reach out and trail her nails through the hair that dusted the broad expanse of his chest.

                  His lips curved into a slightly wicked smile, as if he knew exactly what direction her thoughts had headed. “I suppose I’ll just have to remind you myself.”

                  His proximity and her addled mind made it very difficult to focus.  Ari’s eyes were a stunning mix of blue and gray, framed by eyelashes that could make other women jealous. They were arguably his best feature, though the rest of him was just as appealing. 

                  Not helping matters was the fact that he was observing her so intently, and it was taking every ounce of her self-control to not pounce. 

                  She was seconds away from having a full-blown crisis, tempted to pull him to her and claim that soft-looking mouth in a kiss, but reason demanded that she know the extent of their current intimacy. “Ari, just answer me one question honestly.”

                  “What’s that?”

                  Nikita took a sharp breath. “Did we have sex or not?”

                  “Call me old-fashioned, but it’s definitely not standard practice to make love to someone who is unconscious.”

                  Relief was the primary response she felt to his answer, though it was tinged with some disappointment as well. “I was unconscious?” 

                  “To be fair, you had consumed quite a large portion of alcohol. I didn’t realize cocktails were so dangerous.”

                  With an embarrassed sound, she flopped with minimal grace onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. “I don’t know why you put up with me. I swear you have the patience of a saint…though. Wait a minute,” she furrowed her brow and looked at him. “If nothing happened, why are you naked?”

                  He flipped the bedsheets back to reveal he was wearing pajama pants. “Not completely.”

                  “You didn’t answer the question.”

                  Ari shrugged and got out of bed – running his hands through his hair and smoothing it away from his face. “Maybe I wanted to see how you’d react. Or maybe it was because someone barged into my bedroom, took off most of her clothes, and I needed to cover her up.”

                  “The second part sounds more likely, and more humiliating,” she threw one arm over her eyes, her pretty features flushing considerably. “Could I ask you one more thing?”

                  “Of course,” she heard him rummaging around. 

                  “Help me to the bathroom? I want to freshen up but I’m worried that I’ll get sick if I move too quickly.”

                  He turned back around from where he had been messing with the room’s coffee maker, his expression softening at noticing her distressed one. “Sure.”

                  Ari’s method of helping, apparently, was to bridal carry her into the washroom. 

                  Nikita was torn between mortification and appreciation for this gesture. She found herself leaning towards the latter when he went to get her some fresh clothes. 

                  She took advantage of the privacy while he was out to brush her teeth and then started the shower. 

                  A brief respite in the warm water combined with some medicine for the hang-over was just what was needed to clear her head, and by the time she emerged, she saw that he had placed a new outfit for her on the counter. 

                  She was touched that he had respected her space despite the fact that she wouldn’t have minded if he had joined her. Quickly, she dressed and then wandered back out into the hotel room. 

                  Her companion had also changed and was now fully clothed in a simple white button-down, tucked into dark blue jeans. Both seemed to cling to his build in all the right ways, making color rush to her cheeks as she recalled just what lay beneath the fabric covering his chest. 

                  He was preoccupied with examining the contents of a room-service spread that was laid out on a roll out table, and if he had any inclination of how keenly she was checking him out, he didn’t show it. 

                  She cleared her throat to announce herself. “What’s all this?”

                  He looked over in her direction with a smirk. “I believe it’s referred to as breakfast.”

                  Nikita rolled her eyes. “I know that, but why go to the trouble?”

                  “Because, we don’t have to be back at our respective headquarters for another couple of days and I want to spend this one with you.”

                  Her heart flipped at the warm, inviting and completely sincere expression that lit up his handsome face. “Really?”

Ari bridged the distance between them and tucked a lock of hair back over her ear. “Really. We’re in Paris, Nikita. We should take advantage of it.”

                  The idea of exploring the most romantic city in the world with him had an appeal she couldn’t resist.

                  “One stipulation,” she inched closer.

                  “What’s that?”

                  “Just for today: we aren’t agents for rival organizations working together in secret. We’re normal. That’s what I want.”

                  “Very well, we’ll be an entirely normal couple,” he leaned in, nudging her nose with his. “On a completely normal date.”

                  “As long as that date starts with you kissing me because I’m about to lose my mind if you don’t.”

                  He grinned before doing exactly as she requested.

                  The kiss was tentative at first – a testing of the waters, so to speak – but any imaginings that Nikita might have had paled in comparison to the delicate sensation of Ari’s lips against hers. 

                  She relaxed into the embrace immediately and curled her arms around his neck to tug him closer, nipping playfully at his mouth to signal that he could be less careful if he wished. 

                  Skilled fingers weaved into the silk of her hair, the kiss deepening as they allowed months of pent-up emotion to take hold, teasing and tasting each other until they had to part in order to breathe. 

                  They stood there illuminated by the light pouring in through the room’s windows, foreheads touching, and eyes closed, unwilling to separate just yet. 

                  He was the first to break the silence, amusement lacing his tone: “We should eat before the food goes cold.”

                  “I’m half tempted to call the whole thing off and drag you back to bed,” she confessed with a nuzzle.

                  “Fun as that would be, I have plans for you that involve clothes,” he took a step back, though he twined their fingers together so he could lead her to the breakfast table. 

                  “Damn,” she half-joked, beaming when he gallantly pulled out a chair for her. “We’re in a country with nude beaches, so I thought we might have a work-around.”

                  He choked on his drink at her remark, which was a reward in and of itself. “That’s not what I had in mind.” he sputtered.

                  With a giggle, Nikita loaded up her plate with scrambled eggs, some croissants, and fresh fruit. She figured that whatever Ari was plotting, it would require energy. 

                  They fell into pleasant conversation while they ate and enjoyed their coffee, and when it was finally time to depart – they did so arm-in-arm. 

The life of a rogue operative was actually the furthest thing from glamorous, and though Nikita had traveled to many foreign countries, she had never been given the opportunity to explore. 

This was partially what drove her to dive fully into the guise of tourist, much to Ari’s delight. 

Their first stop of the day was to procure sunglasses – though her hangover had abated somewhat, the bright sun still hurt – and brochures to guide them through the famous landmarks. 

They perused shops, visited the Paris Opera House and the famous Notre Dame cathedral, and then had lunch at a quaint café. When the weather began to chill later in the afternoon, they ducked into a store to get jackets before they continued to the Eiffel Tower. 

The couple had an early dinner in the famous restaurant that overlooked the city, and finally took a romantic walk along the banks of the Seine. 

Though her feet hurt a bit from walking so much, and exhaustion was starting to seep in, Nikita was in bright spirits. “Today has been wonderful.”

“I’m glad.” Ari bumped her shoulder with his, pausing at a scenic vantage point on the bridge that they were crossing. “I know things haven’t been easy lately.”

“They haven’t.” She confirmed, referring to the ever-complicated battle to take down the organization that had turned her into a lethal weapon, for better or for worse. “Having you by my side certainly takes the edge off though.”

They stood close together and watched the sun dip into the horizon – appearing to disappear into the famous river. The sky above was awash in hues of red, pink, and orange, and she now understood why the song La Vie en Rose was so beloved. 

A flurry of emotion settled in her heart when she turned to gaze at her companion.       

There was no doubt that the man beside her was handsome, but the evening light cast a soft glow that befit the sharp angles of his face and made him irresistible in her eyes. 

Her heart began to beat rapidly. Instinctively, she reached out to touch him, only to falter when his gaze caught her own.

A quizzical look was directed her way. “What is it?”

“Do you ever wonder if we should just stop? Run away. Adopt new identities. Start a proper life?” The words came pouring out, and she blushed before ducking her head. “I mean…”

“What are you actually trying to say here, Nikita?” elegant fingers curled beneath her chin to tilt it back, so she was looking at him properly. 

Her breath hitched. His expression was utterly tender and full of affection but tempered by concern at her unexpected rambling. 

“I’m trying to say that I’m in love with you,” she declared. “I tried very, very hard not to fall for you because the life we lead is always uncertain, and I’m sorry but, I couldn’t help it.”

He shushed her and placed a palm against her cheek. “Don’t ever apologize for how you feel.” He leaned in and granted her a sweet kiss that seemed to calm the anxiety that had erupted unintentionally. 

Then – he said the words that would change everything. 

“I love you, Nikita. If you’ll have me, I’m yours.”

Tears sprung to her eyes, and she practically leapt into his waiting arms, stealing a far more passionate kiss. “As if I’d want to get rid of you. Let’s go back to the hotel.”

He smiled against her mouth. “Fine by me.”

                  Although she had been the one to suggest it, by the time they reached their destination: Nikita found herself dealing with a different case of nerves. 

                  The irony of them ending up back where they had started wasn’t entirely lost, and while she certainly wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the night in Ari’s arms, she was also hesitant. After all – the man she loved had been utterly respectful in every sense of the word, mindful of her boundaries and putting her feelings ahead of his own. 

She followed him silently after they reached the floor they were staying on in the hotel, mulling over her insecurities when it came to the subject of intimacy. She was no virgin, but her few sexual encounters had been brief, to the point, and usually as part of a cover. The truth was she had never actually made love with someone besides the fiancé that she had lost, and that was some time ago. Nikita was certain that with Ari it was going to be about more than the physical act. 

“You’ve grown quiet,” her companion remarked, jolting her from the reverie. “Is something wrong?”

Her cheeks flared with color, and she shook her head. “Nothing’s wrong! I was just thinking.”

He turned around to face her, apprehension written on his striking features. “If you think we’re moving too fast, I’m fine with slowing down.”

“That’s not it.” She shook her head again and draped her arms over his shoulders. “I want this. I want you.” She kissed him lightly to prove her point. “But I also don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to relationships.”

“I wouldn’t say that” he leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. “Earlier, you seemed to be doing just fine.”

“That’s because you’re the first man I’ve felt comfortable enough around to let my walls fall,” she confessed. “And I’m afraid of taking the next step and having things end up awkward between us after.”

“I’m honored that you trust me,” he murmured, nuzzling their noses together. “And I understand your trepidation. You’re also the first person I’ve wanted to be with in this way in some time.”

Her heart fluttered at the affection and his heartfelt admission. She leaned into him instinctively, emitting a quiet sigh. “I didn’t mean to ruin the mood by laying this on you so abruptly.”

“You’re not,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to look deeply into her eyes. “Nikita, the last thing I want is for you to ever feel uncomfortable. Whatever happens between the two of us needs to be mutual.”

At a loss for words, she nodded, her heart skipping when he offered her a gentle smile and another kiss that she gratefully returned. 

“So…what now?” she inquired.

“Now – we go into the room, and I draw you a bubble bath.”

She blinked, not expecting that answer. “A bubble bath?”

“You need to relax,” he elaborated, taking the room key out to unlock the door. “When was the last time you were pampered?”

“Never?” 

His response to that was to hoist her into his deceptively strong arms, lifting her effortlessly so he could carry her inside. “Now, that simply will not do.”

Though his action had momentarily startled her, Nikita was quick to wrap her arms securely around his neck. 

He toed off his shoes but didn’t let go of her once they were through the entry, pausing only so she could pull off her ankle boots, and then he carted her off to the bathroom. 

It was there that he set her down carefully on the small vanity chair, and she watched contentedly while he discarded his coat and then rolled up his shirt sleeves.

She cast aside her own jacket by draping it over the back of the chair as he tested the temperature of the water before letting the faucet run. 

A delicious strawberry scent filled the air after he added a few capfuls of shower gel to the bath. Then he rose and faced her, wiping his hands off with a spare washcloth. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“What?” confused, she snapped out of her trance-like state. “I thought you were going to join me.”

“I never said as much,” he chuckled, moving to her side, and brushing his lips against her temple. “However, if you decide that’s what you wish –I’m right outside.”

Stunned, she watched him exit the room and then returned her attention to the state of the bath. 

When it appeared to be more foam than water, she turned off the faucet and methodically began to undress, wondering just what kind of point her beloved was trying to prove. 

Surely it’s a test…he’s probably stretched out naked on the bed by now, waiting to see how desperate I’ll get.

Completely nude, she padded over to the door and cracked it open, peeking out cautiously. 

Ari was indeed stretched out on the bed, perusing a magazine, but had not removed one stitch of clothing. The only alterations were that he had undone several buttons on his collar and his sleeves remained rolled up. 

Blushing, she ducked back inside and hastily wrapped a towel around her body. Well. I read him wrong.

After a few more minutes of consideration, she realized that her embarrassment over the circumstance didn’t change the fact that she wanted him there with her.

She breathed in deeply to steady herself, quickly checked to ensure the bath wasn’t starting to chill, and then opened the door again so she could lean against the frame.

“Ari?” 

He looked up from reading, the crystalline blue of his eyes glittering with appreciation as they took in the sight of her. “Yes?”

She extended out one hand. “Please join me.”

                  He smiled and stood, his fingers entangling with hers seconds later. 

                  She coaxed him into the room, drawing him to her for a kiss while her hands worked to free him from his shirt.

                  The crisp fabric parted over his torso, and he rotated his shoulders in assistance so she could slip it down his arms. 

                  She pulled away from the kiss so she could stare at her leisure, her eyes roving over the sculpted contours of his chest and abdomen, and then lingering along the fine taper of his waist. The bright light of the bathroom should have been unforgiving, but being able to discern the bits of silver in his hair frankly made him more of a sensual picture than ever. 

                  Without preamble – she lunged, claiming his lips urgently and quickly removing the barriers that remained between his skin and hers. 

                  Strong arms circled around her protectively while they embraced, and she marveled over how right it felt to be with him. She could barely stop kissing or touching him long enough to steer them over to the tub, and she jolted in surprise when he scooped her up and did the work for her. 

                  They sank together into the bubbles, naked limbs entwining while they became lost in one another. 

                  “If you’d waited any longer, the water would have gone cold,” he remarked, tugging back to caress at her face.

                  “What can I say, I’m all about timing,” she smirked.

                  A playful grin was directed her way before he dipped his head and pressed several kisses to her throat, his tongue laving over her clavicle and then drifting further down. 

                  She tilted her neck back and reclined fully against the edge of the bathtub, her legs hooking over his waist under the water to keep him close as he continued in his explorations. 

                  Ari proved a generous lover: discovering paths along Nikita’s increasingly sensitized skin that he followed with both hands and mouth. 

                  Suds of strawberry-scented foam were eased aside to grant him better access as he worshipped her body in a manner that was downright intoxicating. Even the most feather-light brush of his fingers along the curve of her hip was enough to spark pleasant tingles, heat gathering at her core the longer his ministrations wore on. 

                  She idly wondered if he was drawing everything out on purpose, but then he finally joined them together with a fluid thrust and the world around her shattered. 

                  A whimper tore from her throat, and she gripped tightly to his biceps, her legs coiling around him to anchor them fully before they set off on a steady rhythm.

                  Their eyes met; raw emotion evident in the bright blue of his gaze that was mirrored in her own. As she’d suspected – this was about so much more than a physical attraction. 

                  Her heart thundered as they engaged in an intimate dance, damp skin causing delicious friction that led to inevitable surrender. 

                  His mouth found hers right as they reached completion, embracing wildly in a manner befitting their coupling until – at last – they were entirely sated. 

                  They stayed in the bath long enough for the water to turn cold, at which point Ari suggested that they finally switch to the more comfortable appearing bed. 

                  Nikita made no protests and was quick to join him in cleaning up around the tub, as their exertions had resulted in plenty of water splashing onto the floor. 

                  They wrapped themselves up in the comfortable, fluffy robes provided by the hotel and settled together on the mattress not long after. 

                  With a content sigh, she cuddled close and took his hand within hers, grazing her mouth lightly over his knuckles. “I want more days that are just like this.”

                  “I want to give them to you,” he admitted. “Were you serious earlier? About stopping?”

                  “Did you think I wasn’t?” she slung a leg over his.

                  He reached out with his free hand and tucked a lock of errant, still-drying hair back over her ear. “I just know that bringing Division down means a lot to you.”

                  “It did… I’m not so sure anymore.” She traced an invisible figure over the triangle of exposed skin revealed by the open collar of his robe. 

                  “Then let me rephrase that,” he leaned in to give her a languid, gentle kiss before murmuring. “What is it that you really want, Nikita?”

                  She searched his gaze, taken in by the honesty there, and knew to be sincere in return. After a moment of pondering his question, she answered. “I want to be happy, Ari. With you. With a life where I’m not constantly looking over my shoulder. What about you?”

                  “I want to be the one who makes you happy,” he confessed. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure it.”

                  “I think I already knew that; I just wanted to hear you say it,” she smiled, stretching, and then twisting so she could pin him beneath her, hands fisting in the soft fabric covering his chest. “I also think we’ve taken a long enough break.”

                  There was a low, seductive sound on his part and then she was yanked into an ardent kiss that proved that there was nothing further to discuss for the time being. 

                  After all – the promise of a future was more than enough. 

The End

[mrsreginagold]

Nikari + The Tumblr Post That Sums Them Up Perfectly

Credit to the original post here