'We can go to my house.' Nate still can't believe Anastasia has pronounced these words, and in such a casual way.

When the news has announced a heavy fog making it impossible to access the area around their treehouse, the thought of not being able to see Anastasia has already been spreading a disappointment thicker than the smog in his body. But she's turned it all into a divine daze, suggesting they meet at her house.

It's such a change with her fears and doubts from barely a few days ago, and this more carefree Anastasia is even more addicting.

Carefree, but not careless. He wouldn't let anything put her in danger, and she's still serious and reasonable, as she knows there is no one at her house, and of course, she's advised him to park a few streets away and take the less traveled-by way to reach her backdoor. 

She is still Anastasia; he smiles to himself. Yet he prefers by far her serene smile at her tired features or blurred eyes, and he quickly catches sight of it as he nears the little gate surrounded by a high and perfectly trimmed vegetal hedge.

She is wearing the same ponytail she's had when he's managed to see her a few seconds at work, while her outfit is now a simple white tank top and jeans, though she is already breath-taking, standing there like an angelic apparition. So he wonders how he will be able to find oxygen tonight.

"Hey." Her coy eyes finish to catch the last shreds of his breath as he meets them, but he doesn't care about oxygen when she pulls him by the hand.

As soon as they're inside the garden, hidden safely by the high thujas, her soft lips are on his, eager and passionate, and he returns the kiss with the same intensity, drawing her closer in his arms.

He will never get tired of her way of greeting him, although the kiss ends, like always, too soon for his liking, as they're both out of breath.

"Hey," he whispers, a large grin stretching his lips as she just shakes her head with her smile as wide. "So this is the garden? I haven't seen it last time with your guided tour." 

He glances around the small space, which looks even narrower than it is and slightly suffocating with the high and thick hedge surrounding it, but thankfully, with Anastasia and her smile around, everything feels infinite.

"There isn't much to see, but let me show you what is a treehouse in real life!"

He catches sight of the playful sparkle in her eyes as she grabs one of his hands that are glued to her hips and leads him further down the gravel path. It's just a few steps away before she stops him again and points in front, and he's almost surprised to find the treehouse there, just before his eyes.

Indeed, it's really different from his childhood treehouse. This one is small and barely up one meter in a dense tree, although the hut is easy to notice because it's one of the only things standing slightly messy in the lined-up path, surrounded by two squares of lawn and a few flower pots of various colors, and the reason he hasn't seen it before might have to do with Anastasia's hypnotizing eyes. That's where all his attention is once more pulled when she notes, 

"It's small, right?" Her tone is playful, yet there is a tiny echo wavering with something like uneasiness or embarrassment, which he doesn't understand.

"I think it's... nice." He gives another glance at the treehouse, since Anastasia doesn't seem to give him more answers about her uneasiness. "Yours was like that when you were in France?"

"Yes, but tidier."

He chuckles. It would have surprised him if she had left balls, games, or even weeds lying around.

"And I'd painted the facade with a beach sunset."

"Really?!" He turns back to her as she hums a 'yes', her eyes shining more than any sunset. "I'd have loved to see it! I'm sure it was even better than mine."

"That would be a little too small for both of us to come..." She rolls her eyes at his large grin and heads towards the real house, though he still has time to catch the glance she throws him over her shoulder, and he can't mistake the meaning behind her innocent words and devious gaze, pulling him to rush behind her.

He's ready to retort as mischievously in her ear when the door opens, freezing them both in their tracks and playfulness.

"Archie?!" Anastasia gasps, a hand over her chest, where her heart has stopped for a second, and she still isn't sure it is beating because she doesn't know if she should be relieved to meet her little brother. 

However, it's still better than if it has been anyone else. With him, she can negotiate. 

"What are you doing here?!" She has made sure no one has been home, and he has been supposed to be at his practice. She knows it, since she is the one picking him up everywhere.

"The coach got stuck in the fog, so practice is canceled," Archie groans with his still prepubescent voice.

"So what are you gonna do instead?" Her eyes fall on the bat that Archie is glaring down at with his eyebrows furrowed together in a deep frown, and he seems so focused on trying to make the bat disappear, or maybe burn down, that he doesn't seem to notice Nathaniel's presence behind.

Though he snaps out of his grouchy trance upon her question, and she regrets it instantly. They could have maybe backed away discreetly without Archie even seeing. Why has she even opened her mouth? 

She knows very well: she has hoped Archie would go away so she could have a moment with Nathaniel. Just a little moment with Nathaniel, that's what has been obsessing her, just like when she has jumped on Nathaniel's lips minutes ago. 

Her heart stops again with that thought. She has kissed him just there barely a few minutes ago. What if Archie has seen them?

"Who is it?" Archie's glare is now turning into a curious wide stare towards Nathaniel, and Anastasia breathes again, just a little. 

From his lifted eyebrows, Archie has just noticed Nathaniel, and even if he can be a really good comedian, she can read her little brother easily. So the worst is avoided.

"So?" Archie's gaze travels from Nathaniel to his sister, pulling her out of her spinning mind.

"Um... this is Nathaniel." Not saying anything would surely appear more suspect, and they are doing nothing wrong right now, she concludes. "A friend from work. Nathaniel, this is Archie, my little brother."

"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot from you," Nathaniel greets smoothly, like always setting a warm atmosphere around, though maybe it's just inside her chest that he does that because there is still an awkward silence as Archie shakes his hand, not saying anything. He can't reply the same, since she can't talk about Nathaniel to anyone.

"Um, so... you were about to go out?" she asks again with still the same idea in the back of her mind.

"Yeah... Since the match is tomorrow, I have to prepare to get humiliated in front of the whole school when I get thrown out of the team because it's obvious your fantastic fiancé, best of his baseball team – who seems particularly best at talking – won't keep his promise to help me. So I'm just gonna practice alone, throwing and receiving the ball by myself..." Archie replies with a sarcasm that he is starting to use more and more as he keeps growing up, and Anastasia can only imagine how it is going to be in a few years.

But her attention is even more caught by the chuckle she is sure she hears Nathaniel stifle upon Archie's comment about Fergus.

She can't really blame them, as she agrees. Though she tries, not convincing anyone, "He has a lot of work... Why don't you ask a friend from the team?"

Archie looks down again, his glare towards the bat giving her the answer. She remembers too well those difficult years of childhood, and it seems to bother even more her little brother to not be really popular. He has never talked about this, and between guilt and revolt, she now understands why it appears so important for him to be in the team.

Once more, the sour helplessness is turning her stomach, and in front of her little brother's hard frown barely covering his hurt, the twist is really close to her heart. Ideas to take action and defend him are already crossing her mind, some that resemble a lot what her parents would do, and that would certainly prove why Archie hasn't talked about it. But someone beats her to it.

"I can play with you?" Nate suggests naturally, more naturally than he maybe should, and the two pairs of hazel eyes turn to him.

"Really?!" both exclaim at the same time, though Anastasia continues with her sweet accent, "That's really kind, but you don't have to, you know–"

"No, I don't mind. I have time." He shrugs.

Contrary to what Darrell or anyone who would know about their 'let it be' would think, Nate isn't only interested in Anastasia's body and sex. Even if he's indeed addicted to her body and thinking a little too much about her naked or in the lacy lingerie she's been wearing a few days ago, just spending time with her and getting to discover more about her is also perfect, just like this Tuesday where they've spent the morning cuddling in bed and nothing more. So he won't miss an opportunity to have more time with her. 

Besides, something in Archie's anguished expression reminds him of a young boy he's known a few years ago. He remembers too well the loneliness of playing alone, although Archie isn't exactly alone, and he's lucky to have the most amazing sister, whose frown has shown how worried she is for her brother.

"You're sure?" she asks, while her eyes are translating a 'thank you'.

"Yes, if you both want? I've never been in a real baseball team, but we played quite a lot in our free time at the military school."

"You're a soldier?!" Archie's eyes light up, and Nate recognizes that look.

It's the same hazel and the same shine that is gazing at him like a hero. Yet there is something else beaming in Anastasia's soft eyes, and that's what makes him look down, a warmth running up his neck as she corrects, "A captain."

Under these two gazes, he feels even more honored than receiving any insignia.

***

An hour later, Anastasia is standing in front of an old vending machine, her gaze wandering over the few rows of energy drinks, sodas, and iced coffees. She doesn't hesitate to pick the first two bottles, and after a few seconds of contemplation, she opts for an ice tea as the last one, not even daring to look at the components. She isn't really thirsty, but she knows her two champions need energy. 

Her two champions, she shakes her head as she surprises herself with this cheesy expression. Yet a smile instantly forms on her lips when she glimpses the two silhouettes standing in the middle of the field. She can't see exactly, but she quickens her pace as a ball takes off and victory roars resonate around the empty stadium.

The Ally Red Stadium, she hasn't expected to spend her early afternoon behind that old gray gate she passes by every day, but actually, inside the stadium, the grass is well-kept, and the seats are still in a good state. Maybe she is also too distracted by something else to really notice the surroundings.

Now that she walks closer, she can make out that Nathaniel is explaining something to Archie who is nodding attentively. This is a cute picture, and rare also, because Archie isn't easily impressed, but he is looking up at Nathaniel almost like a hero, and Nathaniel seems to have gained his trust in no time, which doesn't surprise her. Nathaniel does this to everyone, easily and smoothly, just by being himself, he wraps around everyone's heart. 

Moreover, he is a really good teacher, and he is really patient with Archie, finding just the right words, and nothing else, to motivate him. It is clear that he knows what he is talking about, and like she has predicted it the moment he has humbly offered his help, he is really good at this sport too.

It has been more than an hour that they are practicing, but she has observed and listened through it all. Even for her, who has never been interested in sports, Nathaniel is making it fascinating. It must be how each word rolls smoothly on his lips, his understandable explanations, and the way his muscles are flexing perfectly each time he demonstrates, and now, she is once again captivated as he is talking to Archie, his soothing voice coming to her ears.

"So I think that now you've got the basics. You just have to run fast once you hit!"

She doesn't see Archie's face, but she pictures his wince, and Nathaniel, of course, smiles reassuringly, the moves of his hands playing mindlessly with his glove catching her attention before he adds, "You want a secret tip that works real good?"

"Yes, I need it!" Archie replies immediately.

"Imagine something scary is chasing you."

Anastasia can't help but giggle as she joins them. She should have seen it coming because his 'secret tips' are always 'special'. She still remembers the tequila one, and she will certainly use it tonight.

"When we were training, my best friend Darrell had established a foolproof technique: we would release the most vicious dogs of the army, and believe me, we never ran as fast!" Nathaniel shakes his head at the memory, and they all laugh, imagining the crazy scene.

Though a shiver is still running down her spine as she thinks about all the dangers that could have happened, and she is about to ask if he has ever got caught when he suggests another advice to Archie,

"And another thing that works is picturing the thing you want the most in front." His gaze travels to hers, and the intensity in his chocolate eyes catches her breath.

He looks as breathless as her, and for a second, there is nothing else around, just his words and his eyes that are giving them a much deeper meaning. It is striking, and she has to hold on to something as her legs are invaded by too many butterflies' wings.

But she only has the drinks in her hands, and just as her mind, or more exactly her heart reaches the answer of what she, herself, wants the most, the plastic crack of the bottles makes her realize how hard she is grasping them.

"Oh, um... Voilà the drinks."

"Soda?! What is happening?"

"There was nothing else." She comes back fully to reality and her brother's large eyes, though she isn't sure her heart is following as she is struggling to regulate the loud beats against her ribcage. "Iced coffee for you."

Nate takes the cup she's handing him, the warmth of her skin creating shivers all along his arms as he keeps his fingers on hers for barely a few meaningful seconds before she pulls away as if the cold drink was burning when Archie is already shouting something from the bleachers, which Nate doesn't even hear.

He only sees his angel walking away, and the smile she offers him over her shoulder, he could run a thousand miles for a smile like this one. 

Incidentally, he's quick to follow her to the bleachers.

"Thank you." He lifts his cup as he takes a seat close to Anastasia. It might be too close for 'just a friend', but Archie doesn't seem to notice, and there is not a living soul around the stadium.

He's expected to at least see a few families or teens playing around; however, there is no one. The fog has scared everyone away, unless the place is just too old and deserted. Yet he's glad it is because if there had been people around, he isn't sure they could have risked it.

"No, thank you to you for offering your help, right Archie?" She throws a pointed look at her little brother, who is gulping his bottle of soda, though the boy stops to turn to them with a big grin.

"Thank you for helping me so maybe I won't be laughed at tomorrow." His eyes are earnest as they're looking at Nate, and it seems that in this family, they're really good to turn little acts of kindness into heroic actions in their hazel gazes.

Nate shakes his head, returning Archie's grin. "Better than this, you're gonna win!"

"I better go back to training for it!" Archie nods and swallows the rest of his drink. "Merci for the soda!" he adds before taking off to the field, leaving Anastasia blinking and wondering if she has dreamed this unusual thankfulness and if this and his energy are thanks to the sugary drink or from Nathaniel's support.

She knows the answer as she turns to those chocolate eyes that tend to make her feel unstoppable and grateful too. "Thank you. I know this wasn't how we were supposed to spend this afternoon..."

Here is the soft mix of luminous colors shining at him with so much gratitude again, and this one is even more special.

"Don't thank me. It was fun! And it's perfect as long as we're spending time together."

She glances away to hide the pink blossoming around her smile, but Nate catches it, just like he notices her fingers discreetly brushing his hand between their grazing thighs. Not even Archie could see it, yet Nate feels it acutely.

"And we'll have more time tonight." He threads their fingers together, still keeping their hands carefully hidden. "Right?" he adds, sensing the way she ever so lightly tenses, and the tension spreads through him like electricity from the faint contact of their skins.

"Yes."

He wants to ask more and soothe whatever is bothering her, but Archie sends a ball in their direction, and she pulls away from Nate's touch as her brother runs to them, grumbling how he will never manage to throw the ball.

"Remember to put your shoulders down, and focus where you want it to go!" Nate shouts to him as Archie is already back in the center of the field, and when he turns back to Anastasia, she is smiling again, no hint of tension remaining on her delicate features. 

"It must be a little boring for you..." He winces. Even if he's glad to help her little brother, the idea of leaving Anastasia in a corner never feels right. She deserves all the attention and care in the world, like a precious gem, a precious angel.

"No, it's interesting. You're a really good professor!" She grins, pointing toward Archie who makes a perfect throw of the ball, and Nate can't help the proud smile stretching his lips as the boy follows to the letter his advice.

"He's a smart kid."

"Yeah, sometimes a little too much..." The glint of amusement in her eyes sparks his curiosity, but as if reading her mind, she interrupts him before he can even ask. "You should go back." She nods in front, where Archie is now staring at them, and Nate lets out a chuckle, understanding what she means and also that his little break is over.

"How about we try to do a match to see how much you've learned?" he suggests, putting his cup aside and standing up as Archie walks closer.

"But we aren't enough..." Archie frowns until an idea flashes in his eyes, the same sparkle as in Nathaniel's, and they both turn to Anastasia, who glances behind her to be sure, although their big stares are pretty obvious. "Oh, no..." She shakes her head, resolute to not move as she sips her iced tea.

"Afraid to lose again?" Nathaniel smirks deviously, and she freezes on her first gulp.

He is starting to know her too much, and especially what sparks her fire.

"Give me the bat. I'll show you." She gets up, keeping her determined gaze on Nathaniel's dark one.

"Yes! Merci!" Archie exclaims.

Two 'thank you' in a day, it seems too good to be true. But Anastasia is more focused on Nathaniel as he leans closer to give her the bat and whispers in her ear, 

"I never thought these words could sound so sexy..."

Neither she, as she grabs the bat in his hand, the well-known thrill traveling down her spine.

"Shh, we're not alone..." She fights the warm tickles rushing up her cheeks in front of his smug grin.

***

"Remind me the score? I think I've forgotten." Archie's wide grin makes it evident that he remembers. That, and the fact that he has chanted it all the way from the stadium.

"The whole town knows you've won!" Anastasia grumbles, though it's more for form's sake.

If it has given him some confidence for tomorrow, then her competitive pride can handle it. Besides, she and Nathaniel may have been a little too distracted to really focus on the game, and she still doesn't care as Nathaniel's sparkling sideways glance makes her giddier than any victory.

"Sore loser?" he taunts with a smooth smirk.

"Hey! You've lost too!" She laughs, the merry sound coming out as openly as a victory roar, and it feels even better in her chest.

Though it doesn't last long, and the drop of defeat catches up with her as quickly as the silence falls when they arrive by the house door. Well, the problem isn't with the house door, but once more, with the figure behind it, and this time, that someone has his arms crossed over his chest and a severe look that makes all lightness vanish from the three of them.

"Where were you? I've been looking for you everywhere!" Her dad's cold tone is heavier than the silence, crushing the precious moment and her lungs, and she can't find her voice under her shriveling ribcage.

"Nate here has helped me to train for tomorrow," Archie speaks up in the too-long gap, but it only deepens the creases between their dad's eyebrows, and she doesn't even dare to look in his eyes because she knows she would freeze.

"Um, nice to meet you, Mister. Your son is a quick learner, he's really good." Nathaniel holds out his hand, and her heart skips a beat at the small gesture that, for her heart, feels heroic: to stand out so warmly in the cold atmosphere.

But her dad clearly doesn't think the same as he doesn't even acknowledge him – well, in appearance because the lines on his forehead show the contrary.

"Wasn't it supposed to be Fergus, your fiancé, that would help Archie?" He turns to Anastasia, his gaze hardening under his furrowed eyebrows.

Though Anastasia's frown is even tighter as all her muscles are tensing, even the ones inside her ribcage. How dare he be so harsh with Nathaniel who is so kind? 

She isn't able to look at Nathaniel, but she can feel the hurt and awkwardness coming from him. She can't explain it, yet it is the same way she senses the coldness and judgment emanating from her dad, and standing between them, all their emotions are clashing inside her chest.

"He was too busy. So Ana's friend who was there has just offered his help."

Even coming from Archie's innocent mouth, it doesn't sound inoffensive. Anastasia wants to add something, yet whatever she would say would only worsen everything, like all these times before when she has opened her mouth.

"Now, I think you've got homework to do. Don't forget the most important," her dad demands to Archie, though his gaze keeps flicking between Anastasia and Nathaniel.

"But–"

"Go to your room."

Archie doesn't finish his protest as he recognizes the stern look in his dad's eyes that he rarely sees and knows better than to defy. Their dad has never been much into sports, and the most important is clearly studies for him, yet there seems to be much more behind his anger.

"Um, I'll leave you..." Nate takes it as a cue to leave. 

The man is making it clear with his cold stare, and even if the same frown is looking cute on Anastasia's delicate features, on her dad's face, it resembles too much a prosecutive judgment. "Mister." He nods to the man before offering a quick glance to Anastasia. "See you..."

He walks away without waiting for an answer, not expecting one, and he just hopes that the few seconds he's held her tempestuous gaze will be enough to avoid any trouble and ease the tornado he glimpses growing inside her and that she is barely holding back with her tensed features.

But his hope is quickly blown away when her soft voice stands out firmly, making his fast gait falter. "I will see you to your car."

Before any of the two men can argue, she follows Nathaniel, her heart thumping too fast for just walking a 'friend' to his car. 

Her fingers aren't shaking and itching to touch her friend's hand like they are right now when it's Andy, Khloe, or Sienna. Though her dad hasn't acted friendly either. He doesn't know Nathaniel, but he has already decided that he doesn't like him, and maybe even that he is guilty, while they have been doing nothing wrong, today. 

It hurts her deeper than she could have imagined, stinging like a bitter acid when she thinks how easily he has supported Fergus and how he hasn't given one second to Nathaniel. He has chosen his side, and following Nathaniel, maybe she, too, has taken a side.

"I'm sorry," she finally speaks up as they are already at Nathaniel's car, and their feet have been faster than she has thought in her rush to escape. "My dad isn't usually like that. He's acting weirdly these days... I don't know..."

Actually, she may know. It is since she has mentioned the rebels, but she is careful to not tell this detail to Nathaniel.

"It's okay." He shrugs, playing mindlessly with his car keys.

"No, it's not." Walking those few meters clearly hasn't eased the tensions her dad has put in the air, and they are still embedded in her deep frown and in her chest. "He has been rude, while you've kept being nice, when you've helped Archie, and he hasn't even got to know–"

"It's okay," he cuts her off by grabbing her hand discreetly, yet the soft gesture is strong enough to calm her tempest. "I understand... He just wants to protect you." His lips twitch into a half-smile, the clouds coming back in his tenebrous eyes making it even sadder. 

"But he has no reason to," she protests, wondering how her dad hasn't seen all the kindness dripping from Nathaniel's chocolate eyes.

She has an idea why... This is not possible that he could know about Nathaniel and her, and if he knew, he would have confronted her directly. Yet he probably thinks Nathaniel is the one attracting her to the rebels, maybe even that he is a rebel. It is kinda ironic because even if Nathaniel could be her one reason, he is also the one preventing her from going back to the Photography club.

"I'm not sure..." Nathaniel's mumble pulls her back to him, once again making her forget any possible revolt as she focuses on him and his shadowed eyes.

"Well, at least you've got a fan! Archie really likes you, and it isn't easy to find favor with him." She tries to lighten the heaviness in the atmosphere, and it seems to work as Nathaniel chuckles, a sparkle clearing the clouds in his eyes.

"Is he the only one in the family whose favor I've gained?" He lifts an eyebrow, highlighting the glint in his eyes so much that it warms up her whole chest and her cheeks.

She has trouble hiding her grin as she forces her lips to pull to the side. "I don't know about my mom..." 

"They aren't the one whose opinion matters the most to me," he counter-attacks with a smirk, and the high skip of her heart gives an immediate answer.

Yet she can't form it into words, so instead, she replies, "Um... I don't know. I need more time to form an opinion..." Her wide smile breaks through her lips until it turns into a grin from ear to ear as she looks up into his eyes. "And you know... I'm a sore loser..."

Right now, it's in the dark infinite of his gaze that she is getting lost, and there, they don't need complicated words to answer this simple question.

"Um, I should go. I don't want to make your dad even angrier..." He breaks their stares too soon, though it is surely safer because she can easily forget the world and its dangers in light and simple moments like these, and she has to remember they aren't in their safe place as her gaze flickers to his stretching grin for a second. "See you tonight."

"Yes." She smiles back, though hers quickly comes down with her stomach on that thought, and inside that pit, there is the well-known fact that it is never good when there are people around, which tonight won't be just any people.

"Let's hope we can have some time alone..." she mutters.

"We will," he assures her with a confident voice that makes it sound like a promise.

So Nate is meeting her family? It's getting official... lol What do you think of their reactions? Her dad, do you agree with him? And Archie? This moment between him and Nate has been so cute?  What do you think? 😊😍

Also, you were probably expecting the masquerade already, but this is 'coming' in the next chapters... 😏😉

Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked this chapter because this is the best reward for me to hear from you! You are my little rays of sunshine, and it's really precious in the cold November 😁🌞❤

PS: Some of you may have noticed that I published a new story called My Christmas Romance, but don't worry, I'll keep updating Love Bug because I'm too obsessed with my little Natesia 😁😍😘