Kinsey Ortiz

If he was uncomfortable before, it was nothing compared to how he felt as she leaned into him. He knew what was coming - it wasn’t hard to tell - but he was rooted to the spot, helpless to stop it, she was moving too fast. Surely, she wouldn’t - but then she did, and he had nowhere to go. Kinsey was gone as soon as she’d come, and he grimaced, wiping his lips on his sleeve instinctually and leaning away from her. “What the fuck?” Gunnar grumbled, barely aware of what Sam and Kinsey were talking about. He took a long drink of his beer, trying to get the taste of her off his lips. “Yeah, let’s never do that again.”

“Ever.” Kinsey seconded, downing what was left of her drink to wash away the moment. “No offense but that was the grossest thing I have ever done.” 

Sam shook his head with a laugh. “You two are weird. Like beyond.” He said as he backed away, a bit to drunk to keep up the teasing. Plus the two looked completely grossed out so the argument was settled. 

Once they were gone Kinsley looked to Gunnar. “Seriously, sorry. But now they know we know that will never happen.” 

“It’s very… festive,” he nodded, glancing around at all the fairy lights that seemed to have taken over the entire town. “Kind of makes you want to believe in Santa again, doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean again? I have two little sisters and a baby brother. We never stopped believing at my house.”  She teased him as she looked around. “It really is beautiful tonight. Have you done anything fun?”

Gunnar: Okay, I was at the winter festival for like five minutes so, sure Gunnar: But I know better than to be surprised

Kinsey: I swear you never listen to  me when I talk. I’m not always speaking Spanish. 

“It’s mainly paperwork and getting people coffee, to be honest. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s a fascinating area it’s just, bottom of the barrel, I guess.”

“You’ll move forward before you know it I’m sure.” Kinsey offered with a smile. “Anything new you should be telling me? Any one new?”

Lizzie: Estoy bien. ¿Gran noche?

Gabe had never been much of a player, or for that matter, popular, so the fact that he found himself waking up on the first day of the new year with a woman in his bed, a woman he knew and wasn’t just some random hookup, was something of a good omen for how his year might go. So waking up to see her sitting on the edge of his bed, focused on her phone had a smile playing on his lips as he slowly dragged himself out of his exhaustion. “Good morning to you too, and Happy New Year… again,” he spoke in a low gravelly voice that didn’t quite suit him, one laden with sleep and hints of the night before. “You running off already or can I make you coffee and breakfast?”

Kinsey kept herself turned on her phone as a smile tugged the corners of her lips. His sleepy voice was new to hear. She sent another text before turning to look at him. “I never say no to coffee. Mind if I?” She pointed toward the bathroom as she reached for the closest piece of clothing to her. She pulled it on as she got out of bed, his shirt hanging just below her waist. It was a few minutes before she was wandering out to find Gab, following the smell of coffee. “Do you happen to know what I did with my purse?” She asked him, needing her spare glasses, a sight he hadn’t seen her in yet.

“To be fair, you didn’t tell me you’d be coming either,” he laughed. “But I’m glad you did, and I’m glad I found you, even if I didn’t mean to. So, tell me, are you enjoying everything?”

“Well, no one has needed me so it’s been very enjoyable.” She joked, smiling over at him. “I’m working, that’s why I’m here. Make sure no one jinxs off an arm or something. Are you enjoying your evening?”

Gunnar: Who the fuck is Gabs?

Kinsey: The guy I woke up next to. 

“I mean, it is interesting, but I definitely don’t want to see anything about wounds,” Lizzie cringed at the very thought. “How are your studies going?”

“They are going. Could be faster but there are more injuries than you’d expect.” She joked with a shrug. “How is your job? Are you enjoying it?”

It was like it was in slow motion - Kinsey had always been okay at handling things like this, but Gunnar never knew what to do, or what to say. “It’s not that hard, actually.” He was surprised to hear himself speak, it almost caused him to miss Sylar’s snide remark. “Sorry about your luck.” He snickered, even as Gunnar sputtered. “But we still don’t believe you.”

Kinsey rolled her eyes at both boys in front of them. “It is possible to be friends with the opposite sex you twats.” Kinsey said, downing more of her beer as Sam started in again. “Yes, but is it though? You two are telling me you’ve never thought of doing each other.” 

Kinsey made a gagging face. “Gross, never.” 

“Then prove it. Kiss him.” Sam gouded, knowing he could poke her buttons. 

“Seriously? Are we fifteen again?” Kinsey said, pushing herself up and over. She grabbed Gunnars face and kissed him before pulling a face and looking at Sam. “There, See? Nothing. Right Gunnar?” Kinsey asked as he flopped backwards once more.

Gunnar: You wanted me to put them in so I could ‘see what it’s like to be you’ Gunnar: I didn’t Gunnar: But then you dropped them into some guy’s drink

Kinsey: Okay, that sounds like me. 

Kinsey: Elkhorn!!

Gunnar raised an eyebrow, but kept his comments to himself as the man in question drew nearer. He nodded at the two, looking to Kinsey and hoping she would do most of the talking. “Okay, so we decided we don’t believe you.” Sylar started, and Gunnar tensed, already not liking where this was going. 

“Don’t believe us on what?” Kinsey asked with an eye roll. Although she had a feeling she knew exactly what this was about. “That you’re not secretly stacking up together. How the fuck can you two be so close an not be fucking?” Sam prompted drunkenly.