Small Steps [Edelo, Natasha]

Edelo blinked for a moment and snorted softly, watching as she nudged his chest and talked about her accent. Though when she went so far as to call herself an old woman, he couldn't help but smirk at that. "I don't think you can call yourself that. I don't think you're much older than me. I think you might even be younger than me, Miss Miller." He noted with a lopsided little smirk, reaching up and gently tousling her hair.

"Perhaps I should start calling you little Sis." He ventured, pleased that they had somewhat shifted from such a heavy subject to a tone of brevity. There was something to be said of the fact that while both of them had certainly been through a lot, they had, in their own way, managed to move forward for it. That bringing these things up didn't quite have to ruin their evening. That they could still continue, and things would be alright.

"Just means I'll have to keep a closer eye on you. Don't want you burning your fingerprints off." He smirked, glancing over to the pie, which surely by now had cooled off.

OOF. That stung, that smile of his turning wistful as he closed his eyes and chuckled softly at that. "When I become a dad, you can call me that all you want, but in the meantime, I'd appreciate if you didn't go calling me old, Miller." He noted with a sigh, rubbing the back of his head as he followed her into the other room and smirked a bit as he watched her go for the sausage bread. A lopsided little smile forming as she made her suggestion.

"Oh I'm sure it's delicious, Natasha. But It'd be rude to have desert without you. So let's just relax. You enjoy the gourmet meal I made, and then we can both work on your pie as a team. Not often I get to make dinner for someone." He suggested, eyeing the little knife she'd produced and smirking a bit to himself, A bit amused that she used her powers for stuff like that. Though, he supposed he too had started using them quite often. Not all the time, but enough that now and then they just really came in handy.

"You ever thought about having kids?" He ventured as the two of them settled down. The subject having come up, he did look at Natasha and consider. She DID have a lot of motherly energy. But more in a ...fun mom kinda way. So he began to wonder, was that something she'd thought about? That kinda thing seemed pretty hit or miss with city girls.

"The courtesy is appreciated." He hummed, accepting the slice of sausage bread as she offered some to him. No reason nto to eat along with her. And for just a moment, he enjoyed it. Sitting there with Nat as the both of them enjoyed his food, soon to enjoy the desert she'd prepped for the both of them. If only it could be like this every night. though stil, he couldn't let his curiosity sit idle. The reaction his question gor from Natasha certainly raised an eyebrow with him, though when she turned the question on him he couldn't help but give a bit of a fond smile off to the side.

"At some point. I hope at least." He lightly rubbed the back of his neck. "It's a little weird. I always figured I would settle down with one of the girls in the village. There was someone I really liked, actually when I was a lot younger. Her and her family had found the village after moving to Europe from America. Just looking for somewhere quiet to settle down." He closed his eyes, letting the memory wash over him. "But well. Now I'm in a big city. And I don't really know anyone." He chuckled. "My mom jokes about it now and then, that she wants grandkids. But even if she's never serious about it, I think it'd make her pretty happy. Or maybe that's just me wantin an excuse to have em." He drummed his fingers along the edge of the table.

He glanced to Natasha for a moment, and watched her for just a moment. He'd asked the question for a reason, but now, having heard her ...preliminary answer. And thinking it over. He found that maybe he didn't want to ask his second question.

He nodded quietly at that. If she was still a live, he was sure she would. He fell silent for just a moment, as the memory of her gave him a brief reprieve from his other thoughts. In that moment, he wasn't in Natasha's dining room. He wasn't in the City of Lights. He was under the stars by the bank of a creek, watching a young blonde girl smiling as she watched the water with a small mesh basket. Intent on helping him catch crayfish. He could still remember the panic in her face. Many of the boys considered her a bit boyish because of it. None of the other girls caught crayfish, but the City girl did it right there with the rest of them.

But Edelo had sharper eyes than most, and he'd known. She was terrified. OF all the girls, she hated it the most. But she still managed to keep her hand steady, and didn't allow her racing heart to stall her when she lunged in and sunk that basket into the water and snagged several of the little things. He'd been captivated. By just how damn brave she was. to push herself against the fear, to try and make friends.
And just as quickly. He remembered the pit that had served as the mass grave. And the eyes that didn't have even a speck of that bravery they used to. Just pain, and fear.

He closed his eyes and brought a napkin up, wiping his face before setting it back down, and sighing quietly. Calming himself. Brought back to the present by Natasha's question. He paused, blinking at her for a few seconds before glancing toward the window. "I...." He thought about it. Remembering a few times when he'd thought about such things. During his training with Lamperd. Even those times that Natasha had intentionally messed with him back when he had less control over his fullbring. Inklings of crushes. But well. What had ever really happened? He wasn't sad about how things turned out, Liltotto and Natasha were two friends he couldn't replace even if he tried. But well, in terms of answering the question...

"I'm not really sure. A few times... I've thought that I did. Maybe it's how busy things have been. I guess thoughts like that...have just sortof fallen to the wayside. "

Edelo found his center again and briefly paused when he saw the look on Nats face as she watched him. Offering a sheepish smile as he set his fork down. ”Sorry. Just got a bit stuck thinking about my old town. Must be gettin pretty late if I’m already nodding off.” He confessed sheepishly, standing up as he glanced outside. The faintest pitters showing a very light sprinkle outside.

”Whew, man I really did lose track of time. Sorry to cut our talk short but I should probably head home if I don’t wanna get caught out in the rain. How about I stop by later in the week? Then we can try the pie together?” he ventured with a perked smile. Hardly one to let things get put oof too long as he knew she was looking forward to him trying her dessert. He just…. Needed some time to get his head together. After all, losing his village. He spoke about it like it was ages ago. But in fact…. It had just been a little under two years ago. And in this moment, he could feel the pit of regret in his chest. So many things he’d never said.

Best head home, stay dry, and keep from worrying Nat too much. A day or so and he should be right as rain.