Noogie

~Nolan~

I pulled my shirt over my head and closed my suitcase.

I looked over at the clock - 7AM. I've always been a bit of an early bird, but Reid didn't exactly give me 'morning person' vibes - so I tried to get ready as silent as possible.

The sheets in the bed rustled until I was greeted with Reid's sleepy morning face. His swollen eyes paired with bedhead cause his usual intimidating, stoic impression to soften and become...pretty adorable.

He groaned as he stretched.

"G'morning," Reid sighed.

I smiled.

"'Morning, did I wake you up?" I asked.

"Maybe... where are you going?"

I sat on the edge of the pull out as I began to put on my shoes.

"First full day at the beach, thought I'd ride my longboard around the boardwalk and see what kind of shops they have around here."

Reid sat up, using his elbows as support. I noticed the softest of smiles appear on his lips, and he began to rise from the bed.

"I'll come with, I could use a jog. Just let me brush my teeth and stuff." He headed for the bathroom.

What I really wanted to say was somewhere around the lines of: "Really!? You'll come with me? Like a beach date? Yes!"

Instead, I cleared my throat.

"Uh, cool, okay," I shrugged, hoping my false nonchalance wouldn't be found out.

He peaked his head out from the bathroom doorway.

"Where's your usual enthusiasm? Jump up and down, praise me," he yawned.

"I have never once done either of those things!" I exclaimed.

Reid simply chuckled. I could hear it echo off of the bathroom walls.

I frowned. Hardly a minute out of bed and he's already teasing me.

With a sly grin on my face, I turned to the door, and opened it.

"Wait, w-" I heard Reid call out in confusion, but whatever he was about to say was cut off as I shut the door behind me, leaving without him.

I stuck my hands in my pockets, feeling accomplished as I walked leisurely down the hall. Not even 20 seconds later I heard fast paced footsteps heading toward me from behind.

"Nolan!"

And he's back.

Suddenly I was in a headlock as Reid dug his knuckles into my head, giving me a noogie.

"O-Ow! Dude!"

"You left without me," he let me out of his hold, his eyes squinted.

I threw him a sarcastic grin.

"Aw, did you miss me?" I stuck out my bottom lip before I turned around and continued my walk towards the elevator.

"Tch," Reid scoffed as he followed behind me. I laughed.

Reid's hand shot forward and gave me a light shove, I nearly tripped.

I shot him a glare over my shoulder.

"Abuse!"

Reid turned his head away and began to whistle, completely shutting me out.

"You're lucky you're cute," I mumbled under my breath.

I stopped in front of the elevator and just as I was about to press the button, the doors opened.

I felt a tug on my shirt and the next thing I knew, my back was against Reid's torso.

My heart nearly stopped in my chest at the sudden contact.

I watched as an elderly couple got out from the elevator.

Shivers ran down my spine as Reid whispered in my ear.

"For someone so observant, you really don't pay attention to where you're going..."

I pressed my lips together anxiously, my eyes squeezed shut as I tried not to focus on the feeling of Reid's hard lean body pressed to my back, and the immense heat that had gathered in my cheeks.

"R-Right." I stammered.

I was about  to take a step forward when I realized Reid still had the fabric of my shirt in his hold.

I peered over my shoulder to look at him, even though I knew the intense blush on my face was still obvious.

"Are you...gonna let me go?"

I would never know for sure, but I swear in that moment, there was something in his eyes that told me he didn't want to.

He let go of my shirt, with the same look in his eyes I couldn't quite decipher, and headed into the elevator.

I walked behind him with my head down, a nervous wreck, hoping my fallen hair would shield my face.

On the ride down, Reid leaned against the elevator wall, looking as calm as ever. Like he didn't have a care in the world... then there was me. Did he seriously not feel this tension at all?

The elevator doors opened into the lobby and just as I was about to step out Reid grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

My mouth opened in protest, but he whispered before I could say anything.

"Follow my lead."

Suddenly, Reid pulled me towards him, wrapping my arm around his waist as he rested his own over my shoulder.

I held in a girlish squeal as my eyes shot wide open from shock.

Jesus Christ, this man was going to give me a heart attack.

Then I remembered Reid's words from yesterday.

All we have to do is play along.

So that's what he was doing.

As we entered the lobby, looking like a full fledged couple, the front desk woman gave us a wave. Reid waved back with a smile.

I took the opportunity and nuzzled my cheek into his shoulder, only for effect, of course. I think it surprised him because for a quick second, I felt him stiffen.

I couldn't help but notice how good Reid smelt. Like shampoo, but there something else. It was calming, it was him.

I failed to suppress the clear smile that was on my face, but I didn't care.

I was also surprised at how slim Reid was. His waist felt rather small with my arm around it, but still hard from the muscle he was hiding.

I wish this was real.

Once we made it out of the lobby and turned the corner to the parking lot, Reid dropped his arm from my shoulders and I took that as the sign to release mine from his waist.

I let out the breath that I didn't know I was holding.

I looked to Reid, who wasn't saying anything. His hands already stuffed back into his hoodie pockets as usual.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked him.

~Reid~

Once we made it to the parking lot, I reluctantly dropped my arm from Nolan. He let go of me with his, as I expected him to, though a part of me wishes he didn't.

I knew we had to play the part of the honeymoon couple, but I didn't expect something as simple as having Nolan's arm around me to feel so good.

When I felt Nolan nuzzle into me, I could almost hear my own heart skip a beat. Not to mention the fact that, more than anything, I wanted it to be real, scared me shitless.

Am I already catching feelings?

"Hey, you okay?"

Hearing Nolan's voice snapped me out of my trance.

I looked to him to see his face full of worry and compassion. He really does have a heart of gold, doesn't he?

I nodded my head, and played with my ear, nervously.

"Yeah... you did good. Back there, I mean."

Way too good, almost as if maybe it wasn't all just an act. Then again, the same could be said about me.

Nolan gave me a shy smile and rubbed the back of his neck - his tell for when he's nervous or embarrassed.

"Thanks, you too," his voice ran soft.

I cleared my throat and nodded towards his van.

"Let's go get your longboard."